Does anyone have daily persistent headache all day, every day?

Posted by mikaylar @mikaylar, Nov 16, 2023

Docs cannot figure it out. Dizziness too.

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@briarrose

First, the obvious - do you have migraines?
Are you taking daily medication for such headaches? Tylenol, Advil, triptans and the like?
You could be experiencing "rebound headaches"...which will show up every day if you are in a cycle of taking headache pain medication daily. The brain gets "use" to pain relief and then wants more when a pain medication is not there - so you take more pain medication and the cycle goes on and on.
Could this be anxiety? Depression? Anxiety/depression literally affects everything in the body and daily headaches is certainly one of its manifestations. Dizziness goes along with that also. Any problems with your inner ear? Dizzy for sure, if so. Sinus condition? Seasonal allergies? Or allergies in the home? Living in an area with poor air quality? All of which cause headaches.
Are you under the care of a headache specialist/neurologist? If not - find one. Under a lot of stress? If so, find ways to de-stress, de-stress and de-stress!! Any head injury recently? It could even be years ago...a traumatic brain injury can show up at ANY time. I am proof of that...which morphed into an awful ongoing migraine condition. Are you drinking plenty of water? Dehydration could be the culprit. Skipping meals...low blood sugar? Headaches for sure.
Have you had a CT scan/MRI to rule out anything significant in the brain? My sense is all is well.
Use migraine sunglasses watching TV...your eyes might be sensitive to any kind of glare...no perfumes either.
Are you sleeping well? Lack of sleep is a recipe for any and all medical issues...headaches one of them. Naps might be beneficial for you. A sleep machine might help relax you trying to fall asleep, i.e. nature sounds, etc.
Blood pressure normal and stable? Spikes in blood pressure can cause headaches.
And lastly, sometimes the brain chemicals - for whatever reason - the neurotransmitters, are out of whack and such transmitters send pain signals to your blood vessels causing dilation which results in head pain.
A good neurologist can help you...and even such specialists, if they are being honest, will admit so much is unknown about the brain even in 2023. Do as much research as you can. There is the National Headache Foundation which has a wealth of information as well as the World Migraine Summit which has annual presentations by the top headache specialists in the country. 2024 is the next summit and it's free.
Do you have headaches tools in place? Ice cap, neck wrap, sunglasses, peppermint aromatherapy is excellent for headaches, the only "smell" I use. Ginger or peppermint tea to sip? Do you go to a spa for a headache relief treatment/massage? Works wonders - unfortunately doesn't last but it's great while it does. Use all the de-stressing tools you can muster up and use them daily...guided imagery, yoga, meditation, walks, prayer, mantras, inspirational readings. It's a battle. You need "weapons".
I more than feel for you as I am there with you. I get it. I wish you well!

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Thanks for you thoughts. However, I have been with the two best/largest hospitals in Philly trying to figure this out. Had 6 blood patches in my spine, 4 spinal taps, nerve blocks, every migraine medicine available and off label ones as well. I take no medication for my headache because nothing works. I will start PT again for cervicogenic headache and chiropractic for tension headache. Migraine is sencondary. Where do you treat?

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Why did you have so many blood patches? Did your physicians think you had a small cerebral spinal fluid leak causing your headaches and tried this procedure 6 times in hopes of headache pain relief?
Sounds like "tension" is your primary concern. And then migraine rears its ugly head only in response to the "tension" headache?
I am a big believer in the mind-body connection. What is going on in your life that is causing you such tension?
Perhaps something you are not even aware of. It happens. The neck holds a massive amount of tension, mine feels like a rock I have so much tension there. I suffer from a severe panic disorder so I know all about anxiety issues, PTSD, etc. Perhaps an antidepressant might work for your tension and, thus, relief from head pain?
Antidepressants are the first line of treatment in anxiety disorders (& I know off label for migraines).
Do you see a therapist? If not, maybe it's called for? You might have long standing traumatic life experience issues that are "coming out" in the form of tension headaches. I am only saying this after reading ALL the multiple treatments you have had and "nothing works". Perhaps a stretch...acupuncture/pressure? If you are headed for chiropractic care perhaps you are open to this. Again, a stretch...medical marijuana? I never used this but read reports of some folks finding relief.
For myself, I know without question. anxiety/stressors bring on my migraines. Every time. And I have major issues coping with anxiety and stress. No mystery for me.
I have been to Philly and probably was at the same hospital you were.
I also have been to Johns Hopkins, Columbia/Cornell in NYC and Rush University in Chicago trying to find answers and "relief" from my migraine condition brought on by a concussion in 2019. It's 2023 and I still suffer.
Presently I am at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Central PA. Did I get real help at all the facilities I went to for neuro-evaluations? Yes and no. Mostly "not really". I am 68 years young...and this is my retirement after working so very hard my entire life. No guarantees on anything in life is there? Good health is priceless.

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@briarrose

Why did you have so many blood patches? Did your physicians think you had a small cerebral spinal fluid leak causing your headaches and tried this procedure 6 times in hopes of headache pain relief?
Sounds like "tension" is your primary concern. And then migraine rears its ugly head only in response to the "tension" headache?
I am a big believer in the mind-body connection. What is going on in your life that is causing you such tension?
Perhaps something you are not even aware of. It happens. The neck holds a massive amount of tension, mine feels like a rock I have so much tension there. I suffer from a severe panic disorder so I know all about anxiety issues, PTSD, etc. Perhaps an antidepressant might work for your tension and, thus, relief from head pain?
Antidepressants are the first line of treatment in anxiety disorders (& I know off label for migraines).
Do you see a therapist? If not, maybe it's called for? You might have long standing traumatic life experience issues that are "coming out" in the form of tension headaches. I am only saying this after reading ALL the multiple treatments you have had and "nothing works". Perhaps a stretch...acupuncture/pressure? If you are headed for chiropractic care perhaps you are open to this. Again, a stretch...medical marijuana? I never used this but read reports of some folks finding relief.
For myself, I know without question. anxiety/stressors bring on my migraines. Every time. And I have major issues coping with anxiety and stress. No mystery for me.
I have been to Philly and probably was at the same hospital you were.
I also have been to Johns Hopkins, Columbia/Cornell in NYC and Rush University in Chicago trying to find answers and "relief" from my migraine condition brought on by a concussion in 2019. It's 2023 and I still suffer.
Presently I am at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Central PA. Did I get real help at all the facilities I went to for neuro-evaluations? Yes and no. Mostly "not really". I am 68 years young...and this is my retirement after working so very hard my entire life. No guarantees on anything in life is there? Good health is priceless.

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I have tried all you mentioned. Doc just ordered me a different anti-depressent. I am gonna be 77 in February so I understand. We retired to this. The Golden Years aren't so golden, are they?

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I've had migraines since I attempted sit ups. Do you have a headache after eating or chewing? My problem was the facet joints at C3-6. I continue to have pain. Epiderals help and I'm trying a block on my facets at C23 and C56

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I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I know the pain of headaches.
When I was much younger, between 17 and 50, I suffered all the time with headache's. I finally went to the doctors and was given nortriptyline. It took about 39 days but then I finally had some relief. Unfortunately, they came back. The doctor asked if I drank caffeine which I did. I stopped drinking all caffeine and my headaches went away. I can only have maybe one or 2 cups a week and it must be before noon. Otherwise, I'll be up to 2-3 in the morning.
I drink decaffeinated, if at all. I don't miss the pain I suffered.
I hope you feel better.

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@taterjoy

I'm so sorry you are having headaches with dizziness. Have you seen headache specialist or Ear/nose throat specialist as of yet?

I used to have chonic daily headaches. Early in life, my migraines were cyclic with "female" cycles, becoming daily in my 20's . After many years of not being treated sufficiently, I refered myself to an endocrinologist and was diagnosed with Hashimotos Autoimmune thyroid disease and hypothyroidism. Starting treatment with levothyroxine helped to reduce the severity and frequency of headache pain. Years later with increasing migraine severity and frequency (no meds helped), I began to have a different type of nightly extremely severe headache in the middle of the night that was unbearable. I visited a Headache specialist in North Carolina and soon after a move, in San Fran; I was still very sick and visited headache specialist in early 2020 at Mayo clinic. Under preventative treatments from my Mayo physician, I now have migraines that respond to acute treatment about 4 episodes per month, and noctural MILD headaches maybe 5 times per month. My life is much improved, and I am very seldom having severe GI symptoms with either type of headache or feeling nauseated and in terrible pain daily.

Dizziness is a conceran for many reasons. If you feel you are severely dehydrated or at increased risk for a fall or falling asleep driving--or might be experiencing inner earissues--please do see a physician (if not already done). I hope you can find someone to help who can offer some options for relief. It can be very depressing and debilitating.

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Yea inner ear issues! Ty. My left ear loud ringing when migraine šŸ™ What do I do ?

REPLY
@briarrose

First, the obvious - do you have migraines?
Are you taking daily medication for such headaches? Tylenol, Advil, triptans and the like?
You could be experiencing "rebound headaches"...which will show up every day if you are in a cycle of taking headache pain medication daily. The brain gets "use" to pain relief and then wants more when a pain medication is not there - so you take more pain medication and the cycle goes on and on.
Could this be anxiety? Depression? Anxiety/depression literally affects everything in the body and daily headaches is certainly one of its manifestations. Dizziness goes along with that also. Any problems with your inner ear? Dizzy for sure, if so. Sinus condition? Seasonal allergies? Or allergies in the home? Living in an area with poor air quality? All of which cause headaches.
Are you under the care of a headache specialist/neurologist? If not - find one. Under a lot of stress? If so, find ways to de-stress, de-stress and de-stress!! Any head injury recently? It could even be years ago...a traumatic brain injury can show up at ANY time. I am proof of that...which morphed into an awful ongoing migraine condition. Are you drinking plenty of water? Dehydration could be the culprit. Skipping meals...low blood sugar? Headaches for sure.
Have you had a CT scan/MRI to rule out anything significant in the brain? My sense is all is well.
Use migraine sunglasses watching TV...your eyes might be sensitive to any kind of glare...no perfumes either.
Are you sleeping well? Lack of sleep is a recipe for any and all medical issues...headaches one of them. Naps might be beneficial for you. A sleep machine might help relax you trying to fall asleep, i.e. nature sounds, etc.
Blood pressure normal and stable? Spikes in blood pressure can cause headaches.
And lastly, sometimes the brain chemicals - for whatever reason - the neurotransmitters, are out of whack and such transmitters send pain signals to your blood vessels causing dilation which results in head pain.
A good neurologist can help you...and even such specialists, if they are being honest, will admit so much is unknown about the brain even in 2023. Do as much research as you can. There is the National Headache Foundation which has a wealth of information as well as the World Migraine Summit which has annual presentations by the top headache specialists in the country. 2024 is the next summit and it's free.
Do you have headaches tools in place? Ice cap, neck wrap, sunglasses, peppermint aromatherapy is excellent for headaches, the only "smell" I use. Ginger or peppermint tea to sip? Do you go to a spa for a headache relief treatment/massage? Works wonders - unfortunately doesn't last but it's great while it does. Use all the de-stressing tools you can muster up and use them daily...guided imagery, yoga, meditation, walks, prayer, mantras, inspirational readings. It's a battle. You need "weapons".
I more than feel for you as I am there with you. I get it. I wish you well!

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Great advice!

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@kimmycorvette1

Yea inner ear issues! Ty. My left ear loud ringing when migraine šŸ™ What do I do ?

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Have you shared your earring ringing symptom with a Headache specialist? And if no luck, with and Ear/Nose/Throat specialist? I read somewhere about a patient who began getting headaches and inner ear ringing with Covid. Apparently her "ringing" subsided after about a year.

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@taterjoy

Have you shared your earring ringing symptom with a Headache specialist? And if no luck, with and Ear/Nose/Throat specialist? I read somewhere about a patient who began getting headaches and inner ear ringing with Covid. Apparently her "ringing" subsided after about a year.

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Yea I told them and nothing. They look in my ear say it looks fine. 1 of them said it could be my medicine.

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I was tested to rule out MS and it took almost 7 years to get fully diagnosed and treated. I had daily headaches and dizziness plus a long list of other symptoms. The order or diagnosis was spinal stenosis/degenerative disc disease, small fiber neuropathy, iron deficiency (special panel), sleep apnea, cervical spondylitic myelopathy, thyroid nodule/Hashimoto's thyroiditis/hypothyroidism, and had breast implants removed due to breast implant illness symptoms. I can tell you I am no longer dizzy and do not wake up with daily headaches! Good luck getting doctors to properly diagnose you and donā€™t give up! You really need to advocate for yourself and your health. Donā€™t be afraid to go to new doctors if they do not treat you with respect or really listen to your symptoms to help improve your quality of life.

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