Hi Dave, Pain is just such fun, NOT. I try not to give my headaches a label. The dr's have told me allsorts from migraine to cluster to stress to hypochondria. And each has its own treatment, depending on the dr's recommendations. Last week I went to see another dr who gave yet another diagnosis for my continuing headaches. They now want me to go see a psychologist, like talking about it is going to relieve the pain. They all have ideas but nobody is treating the cause, they are all treating the symptom, the headache. I have to follow through with their ideas or I'm not following medical advice. I've been on all sorts of meds from painkillers, epilepsy meds, heart meds, psych drugs just to name a few and still they seem to have the idea its psychosomatic, 'cos they've fixed it' if this is fixed then I'm in trouble. So In my view giving my headaches a label, a type, gives me more pills and no answer. I want an answer. I'm sick of guesses, give me an answer. Something I can work with.
But the dr's are always right and we are just patients, they have done years of study, we just know ourselves. We don't have their knowledge, so how would we know 'something ain't right'. So shut up and listen to the dr.
Sorry that's very cynical I know, but that is the reality. Dr knows best. Well, no they don't. After many years of searching I have now found a GP who is investigating further, others have just given up. Too hard.
Merl1n