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Long term headaches and stomachaches
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Oct 22, 2020 | Replies (6)Comment receiving replies
Hi and thank you for your response.
Over the last 10 or so years, I have had many blood tests, full thyroid panel, and tested some of my hormones. The endocrinologist I saw recently was not helpful and told me to seek therapy after saying he’d run a couple tests but he thinks they’ll come back negative, that was a bummer for sure, BUT I did start seeing a psychologist a few months ago and my mental is health is slightly better, but these symptoms consume me. The fight to find an answer consumes me and I think that is why my mental health has declined. I have been in a bad depression for the last 3 years.
I am currently not on any meds or supplements besides OTC pain relief.
One of my blood tests a few years ago showed a b12 deficiency so I went in for 8 weeks for shots and the blood test after that showed it was normal levels. I’ve also had one blood test more recent that showed normal levels.
I did not however feel any different after the shots.
I started taking vitamin b12 orally after that but still felt no improvement after months of taking it.
I’ve been to an ENT to rule that out as a cause to headaches.
My biggest problem is I get very discouraged after being told there’s nothing wrong, or that the test is negative so I try another avenue. It seems a bit crazy to hope for a positive test but at this point I want some answers.
I have migraines which I assume are genetic since both my parents have them and mine started around puberty. I only have 4-5 true migraines a year and I take maxalt for those, which normally knock them out within a day.
A few years ago I was prescribed Trokendi XR and that was a miracle drug, I for the first time in many years didn’t have a headache everyday, but due to insurance issues I had to stop it. I got that situation taken care of and a few months later I was back on it but this time it did nothing.
I wake up every morning and a lot of times a couple hours before I need to wake up, with a pounding headache that circles the top of my head plus pain where you would wear a headband.
I have had 3 accidents which resulted in whiplash so I thought that was an avenue to try so I’ve been seeing a chiropractor but that’s been a few months and I feel no relief or difference in my neck pain or headaches.
My parents just told me about their pain doctor so I thought about calling him to see about a steroid injection, but I feel this is just a bandaid and not going to give me the answer to the cause of these issues.
I am going to follow up with my pcp tomorrow and ask her about some of the things you mentioned.
I know there is a reason for some of this but getting there has been the hardest battle.
Replies to "Hi and thank you for your response. Over the last 10 or so years, I have..."
Just one suggestion: oral B12 must be sublingual. As people age, their ability to absorb B12 through the stomach fades away.
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@camicorn85 Have you been seen by a neurologist for your B12 deficiency? I assume you have as you have daily persistent headaches as well. A neurologist should be able to further define whether your B12 deficiency has caused neuropathy. Injections are bandaids and in fact can cause permanent nerve damage but, so can B12 deficiency....which explains many of the symptoms you listed. It was as if I wrote your list. My daughter wakes up daily with headaches, she is 19. Yes, like you, hereditary. It sucks and I feel bad because I've done this too her. I hope your PCP is a good one and knows to steer you to the proper specialist. The ideal scenario is when your Drs work together for your cause and betterment. The Mayo Clinic provides that type of team approach to find proper diagnosis and plan forward. Have you researched being seen a medical teaching institution or medical college? Are there any in your area? Mayo Clinic has 3 locations, MN, AZ and FL.
As far as mental health goes....yup, it's a huge challenge. I'm happy you are working with a professional to help see you through these unknown, frustrating and testing times. We all know that stress can create more pain and on and on it goes. Kudos to you for seeking help.
Good luck with your PCP follow up. My advice is to not give up, be your own best advocate, educate yourself by research and networking here on Mayo Connect. Drs dont always like that we do these things because we may throw too much at them but, who cares! It's our body and we know it best. Stick to your guns and keep checking things off the list until you land on a clear diagnosis or in some cases, multiple diagnosis.
My best to you. Good luck.🍀
Rachel