Never got headaches until I injured my Right Shoulder severely on duty---I had my operation on it Jan 22 2008----It of course is comp---So PT ans most every other help was shoved to the back and Not done-----

The headaches stated after the injury-----What did my Doctor do----Well I think I have been stuck with the worst Docs----He has left me without any pain meds twice---I had to go to the ER those times---He gave me generic Fioraciette--I told him I dislike it---He has done nothing-----I had 2 MRI's shown---Well its called--White spot---Demyelination---something like that-----Lesions etc------Sometime- Nothing works-----And it lasts for days-----Let me describe the last one----I could see a line at times-----Almost like a piece of hair under a microscope----My left ice hut so bad---Imagine there is a cord connected to the eye and it is being squeezed----It feels like cold ice on my brain---or my brain is swollen-------I once had post concussion syndrome and some of it that I remember is similar-----

Other times is more muscle tension-----I get it while I sleep----My R shoulder aches----Goes to the neck---Within minutes kinda like the spreading of a fire-----My head pounds---I have tinnitus and the ringing pulsates..
I also get the quick second stabbing pain-----A few times that has stayed-----Umm nothing worse or scarier than that---longest that lasted was about 35 minutes----Then my scalp was numb---

I have a hard time judging depth-----seeing double when I have my banger-----As I said----My doc is way over his head-------I have friends who go to headache clinics---Me?-----I suffer then occasionally get a script----And other times suffer till this big guy can't move and must be wheeled to the ER------Nice Docs Nice Help---

((hugs)) to you!

Your headaches are most likely the result of demyelination. The axons which join the neural cells in a particular area of your brain have lost the myelin sheath. The myelin protects the brain from the electrical activity occurring (thoughts, feelings, movements, etc.). I highly recommend you getting in to see another neurologist asap- the demyelination can also cause seizures, movement disorders, mood disorders, difficulty talking, etc. All depending upon where the lesion within the brain is. Seizures, however, can be the result of speedy electrical activity in any area of the brain. (I have a lot of experience w/ this subject too, LOL!)

Please check out this link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum

You really should have a PET scan, SPECT, EEG, as well as neuropsychological testing done in order to determine the effect/s the demyelination is currently having on your life.

I wish you the very best! I have experienced that horrible eye headache way too many times. This one has always been very intense for me- especially since my brain surgery! I have also experienced the ringing pulsating headache. It usually occurs if I don't take the Maxalt in time. The Maxalt won't stop a migraine like that, unless I take a couple.

Hope that this post brings you faith, inspiration (to get a decent neuro!), and understanding. How 'bout just one of those emotions? Pleeeease

Take care,
Shez

All of the stress u have been under is enough to cause headaches in and of itself!

I also suffer from chronic severe headaches - have been for 2.5 yrs now. The only thing that makes them better now than at the onset is that I believe I've determined their origin!! The Neuro did not, the MRIs only showed degenerating cervical disks - pain patterns and severity did not seem to coorelate, PT did nothing, facet injections did not work, nerve blocks did not work, etc.

MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINTS - That's where I started to find information that made sense. Pain Referal Patterns mapped perfectly.

I'm thinking this information my be relevant especially in your case given that your headaches began following a surgical trama!

Given your MRI results & vision issues its likely there is more than one issue going on but - do not overlook the likelyhood of myofasical pain & trigger points! They can cause incredible amounts of pain - mine felt like someone had a cook's knife embedded in my head and would need to twist it periodically

Since your in Mass here are some resources ... Gary Perlmutter MGH Ortho Surgeon - Shoulder Spec.; Dr. Peter Saio - MGH Neuromuscular Diagnostic Center (or any of the docs there) to eval/rule out neuro causes for head pain; Erika Bourne - Myofasical Pain Treatment Center, Waltham. *system edit*

I'm right there with you on this - trust me - the thing you have going for you is you did injure yourself - me, I just worked myself into this condition putting in 60-70-80 hr weeks for years in an extremely high stress environment - now ... its all in my head according to the insurance paid "expert"

Always,
Katherine

OK thanks---lets PM and talk---Great-----

pete

I also suffer from daily Headaches and Migraines. I have a Chronic Pain Syndrome similar to MS and my doctor put it down to that.

Just wondering, are you on any medications at the moment? If so, they could be causing some of your symptoms or even if you have come off them, the drug could still be in your system and making you feel like this. I know many of the pain-meds my doctor put me on had the side effect of Migraines so I decided to come off them as they weren't helping me and were causing more trouble than enough!!! I still have VERY bad headaches daily but they aren't as bad as when I was on some of the medications!!!

I agree with what the others have said - try and keep away from sunlight when you have an headache. The light makes my headaches SO much worse so I draw the curtains and stay in a dark room and it helps calm them down somewhat after a period of time. Also stress can trigger headaches and migraines so try and avoid it if at all possible (I know from experience that that is impossible though!!). I have found that when I am stressed, the headaches seem worse and the same if I am in a lot of pain.

I would definitely suggest going to see a Neurologist has they deal with Migraines and may be able to give you some advice or something to try and help you. Also, if you haven't had an MRI, I would get one just to rule out any other problems that can be easily treated.

I hope you get some answers soon and please keep us all updated. I'm here for you if you ever need someone to talk to because I DO understand!!!!

The neurologist switched the meds up thinking he could rid me of most---he did A good job so far------My injury had a lot to do with them-----My neck and shoulder was in constant spasm so i am told---Other parts to----But this in my shoulder neck area may have really caused it-----So far so good with the switch.......

Is it perfect nope----but Am i complaining--Nope----

It does not help my eyes----The eye test say my vision was good------But I see lines double and have depth perception issues------I failed the neuros little colored number test so my wife says------I missed everyone-----

If you woulda asked me I thought it was easy and I thought I got everyone----Even the follow the line---I thought that was a trick but DW said I got it wrong too----


Typing with tremors is so tough and seeing the letters and numbers---I am also thinking of getting voice recognition software to aid me----Cut out some frustrations and some trigger points for my headaches..

Hi PJames,

I'm SO glad to hear that the medication switch is helping you somewhat and I hope you get more relief real soon!! I'm sorry that you failed the coloured text test, I hope your Neurologist will be able to give you some answers and be able to treat you!!

I have a Dragon Voice Activation software and it really helps me as my vision is often REALLY blurry from the migraines. It took a lot of getting used to but I absolutely love it now and don't know what I would be able to do without it - it makes life a lot easier and stops me from getting really frustrated like I was doing!! I don't use the Voice Software every day - I limit it so that I only use it when my vision is really bad so that I am still keeping use of my hands!

I hope things get better for you soon and i'm keeping you in my thoughts!!