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@houseman36

Good evening. I've never posted on a message board before, but, I've had a constant pressure headache for nearly 3 months and I'm feeling very discouraged. The majority of the time, the pressure sits in my lower forehead above my eyebrows, in my brow ridge, and behind my eyes (particularly the right eye). Generally, the pain level is around a 4 or 5 out of 10 (sometimes the pressure isn't too strong, other times, it's pretty intense). Occasionally, I'll feel pain in my neck (no stiffness or trouble moving my neck). Sometimes, it feels like the pressure is oscillating between my ears and my forehead (mostly when lying down), and I'll feel pain in my cheeks from time to time.

I first went to the doctor in mid-January, after the pressure headache had been around for a week. I had blood work done, and there were no abnormalities in the blood work. I tried various types of OTC pain relievers - Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, as well as OTC medications specific for severe cold, sinus pressure, and allergies. None of them helped ease the pressure. I did a sinus rinse for 3 weeks and took decongestants (though, I never really had drainage or mucus of any kind as long as the headache has been around). Next, I took a week's worth of antibiotics, but the antibiotics didn't work. After that, I had an MRI. The MRI showed no brain tumor, no brain bleeding, or no concerns on the brain which might be causing the headache.

Next, the doctor placed me on an antidepressant to try to relieve tension. I started at 10 mg about 5 weeks ago, and I worked my way up to 50 mg over the weekend. So far, I haven't noticed any change with the headaches. I was told that it can take several weeks for the effects of the antidepressant to be noticed (maybe 8-12 weeks), and, that it wouldn't "acutely" treat the headache - instead, the headache might gradually reduce in severity and frequency as I continue taking the antidepressant.

I had an eye exam, and the doctor didn't note anything of concern happening with my eyes. I was prescribed a new pair of glasses, but the headache pressure patterns have remained the same before and after the new pair of glasses.

I'm tired of having this constant pressure headache, and I'm frustrated that nothing seems to be working. I'm worried that something is being missed - I just don't know what. It just doesn't seem normal to have a constant headache for nearly 3 months when I've never had a problem with headaches before in my life. Wanted to share to see if there are other ideas as to what might be going on?

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Replies to "Good evening. I've never posted on a message board before, but, I've had a constant pressure..."

What you are generally describing is similar to what I experienced when I first moved to Texas. Ultimately, what solved the problem was the continued use of nasal saline, either Ocean, or generic saline nasal spray. Please try this before you spend any more money on diagnosis.

Hi @houseman36, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @ethanmcconkey and other members. I can't even begin to imagine how awful it must be to have the constant pressure headaches. I found an article that I think describes symptoms similar to yours and lists some possible causes.

What causes a buildup of pressure behind the eyes?
-- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320936.php

Have your doctors offered any kind of diagnosis?