Headache anyone?
 

I've not heard of headache being a symptom of MS. But, I've had one for 9 days now. I even spent 9 hrs in the ER Friday, being pumped full of meds and it only took my headache from a 10 to an 8. After withdrawal over the weekend it seems to be holding steady at about a 6 on 10 scale.

My DSO thinks it may me MS. Any input?

Well, I do have migraines but I had them long before I was dx'd with MS.

Have you talked to your neuro? I think it might depend on where your lesions are. But any headache that lasts that long would certainly be cause for further investigation.

Did they do a CAT scan?

What did they give you for it? When I get one that bad (and thank goodness I don't anymore), Fioricet seems to work, if its a tension headache.

Weather changes? Sinus infection? Could be a lot of things.

I have my migraines under control now with Topamax. So if I do get a headache I know its caused by something I've been doing ... food, stress, allergies, sinus infection, etc.

That's my input for the day...hope it helps!

Hi Beth,

Is your headache MS related....possibly. My neuro always asks me if I'm having alot of headaches.

I had really bad headaches when I was a kid and there was a long period of time after the age of 20 when my headaches were so bad the only thing I could take to make them stop was Tylenol & Codein (sp).

There are just so many triggers for headaches......Hormonal, stress, foods, allergies and sinus.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/sit...ebook_headache

Your input is much appreciated. No CT scan, or sinus infection. It has been very hot here all month and we've had the a/c running 24/7. I found the other day that having the cold air blowing on me makes it worse.

Last nite I put a microwaved neck wrap around my shoulders and it seemed to help a bit. But I am back to square one this am. :(

Thanks Snoopy
That was one site I had not been too. I guess I'll have to go see my primary and see what his thoughts are.:(

Do you have a slight fever with it? I just got over what was, most likely, a sinus infection. I always have a headache with that.

It wasn't bad enough to get to the Docs for anti-biotics, but, in the past, E-Miacin type antibiotics would knock it out almost immediately. Peniccylin(sp) or amoxicillian, wouldn't touch it.

You should get yourself to a Doc, ASAP, because yours is hanging on. Pain meds are nice but that's not going to make an infection go away, if you do have one.

Feel better soon. Headaches of any kind are hateful.

:hug:

Headache anyone?

No thanks........

un-uh...nope...I will past on the old brain pain. Got any chocolate instead?

Oh...you don't want to GIVE me a headache (like Cindy does) you have a headache.

I'm sorry! Those hurt. Yep! I'm on Topamax to try and scare those away. It doesn't always work.

If I had a headache for 9 days, I would get myself to the Dr. Headaches can be from so many things. I am sure it is something simple. But please check it out.

Thanks for the info Sally. Although, I don't think I've got a fever, I intend to get myself there soon.

Taffy
Got M&M's and Whoppers on hand. Hope that's acceptable. Have as much as you like.

I instantly knew that I would like you! Let's share the Whoppers! Yum!:hug:

I sure hope your headache is better today! Along with what everyone has suggested, could it possibly be the beginning of optic neuritis? That's how mine always starts before the blind spots, etc.

Please get to the doctor ASAP! Take care.

My whoppers are your whoppers. Anyone else want some?

Be careful sharing chocolate with Taffy. She hordes. :p

Now...now....it is not hording...it being Conservation Minded!

Anyone care to contribute to my cause?:D

Taffy, Taffy, Taffy
When will you learn the conservation of chocolate is futile. Chocolate must be eaten in large quantities and as soon as possible.

Gasp....All these years I have been doing it wrong? Saving my chocolate for a rainy day? Dang!

(Of course I live in Wetern Washington....it is always wainy!)

How is your head, Beth? Any relief yet? Thinking about you.:)

You should save it for Sunny Days! Ha ha ha! Then it would get stale and yukky!


:p :p

Chocolate never gets the chance to get stale or yukky in my house, unless I forget where I put it. E-GADS!!

Sally thanks for asking. Yesterday, I told my DSO that my hands actually hurt worse then my head, I was crocheting.

I believe that cold air from the a/c makes it worse. It was cooler 89, and rain yesterday so we had only fans. I put a warm neck wrap on and that seems to help.

Today so far, it hurts more, only about a 4, liveable. But a/c was put on last night and I was cold. I'm wrapped in a blanket now, listening to yesterdays, Hardball. Go figure. Sometimes I just step out the door to warm up for a couple minutes.

Your concern and kindness is greatly appreciated. :hug:

So now Beth....have you talked to the Dr. about those headaches?

What kind of a headache is it? Where do you feel the pain, and how does it come on? Is it constant?

I get what I have labeled as "spinal headaches". It starts in my upper spine, and it seems to radiate from that point to my shoulders, neck and upper back.

When I wake up in the morning, I am usually ok for a short while. As the day wears on, the "headache" extends from the spine (to those places mentioned), then eventually to up under my skull in the back. If I sit for any length of time, the headache will settle in my forehead.

They usually last about 3 weeks when I get them, and the only thing that works reasonably well is Naproxen (500 mg X 2 per day) and LAYING down a LOT!! The longer the opportunity to lay, the longer I can sit up without the pain getting progressively worse.

Is this the kind of headache, or is it more like a migraine?

BTW, I think this may be as a result of spinal lesions . . . at least that's the conclusion I've come to based on how it feels and where my lesions are.

Cherie

Taffy
No I have not talked to the doc. I see a new neuro on 8/1, I'll be sure and mention it.

BTW, we went through a 3lb bag of M&Ms in no time. Would you like a brownie, w/applesause instead of oil, and mini choco chips for fun?

Cherie
The headache you describe is more what I have, not a migraine. I do get migraines but this isn't it. I recently found out I have multiple leisons in T/spine in addition to c/spine and brain.

It certainly is something I need to persue. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I do have some naproxan and will give it a try. That is one med I've not tried. Thanks much. I will let you know if it helps.

Yes on anything chocolate...............

Can you wait that long with the head thing?

The first thing that should be on your list is headaches.

Do I need to go with you?

Have the headaches eased up at all?

Don't forget..........

I probably added to you headache............

I am good at that.

I got one now! Dang......I gave myself one!

Yes Taffy
The headache has eased up alot. And no you didn't contribute. You are a wonderful distraction. I enjoy your take on life.

I just took 2 naproxin (sp?) per Cherie's suggestion. It's only been about 5 minutes. I'm definitely working on my patience with this headache thing.

:hug:

Weather change? Go lie down Taffy. You've been thinking too hard today! ;)

Ah....the drugs are finally kicking in...relief!

I'm glad I could help somewhat (maybe :) ).

The bad news is that I know how TRECHEROUS and debilitating these headaches can be (and I have a unusually high tolerance to pain). I feel for you. :(

I get these headaches a few times a year, on average, and I have learned to listen to my body when they happen. There is really no way to get around them, except to take it easy.

The good news is that it should let up with 3 - 4 weeks, no matter what you do. However, if you treat the inflammation, AND you lie down a LOT, it makes the pain bearable anyway.

I'm interested to know if you are feeling slightly better after a couple of days of following this regime, or if you ever find something that works better.

Cherie

Cherie
 

I too have a high pain tolerance. When I say outloud I hurt. I really hurt. It is good to know it will resolve itself (if that's what is going on).

I'm going to try lying down more during the day, maybe it will help. I just hate doing that, it make me feel like a "sick" person.

See my new neuro on Aug 1st. Will see what his take is on headaches. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again. :hug:

I have tension headaches, according to Neuro, can't imagine why :D
Optical migraines too. High pain tolerance, I try to ride it out. If not, Darvocet. Maybe I'll take one now ;) . I do have a headache and eye ache. :cool: .

Toodles!!

Cherie
 

I remember the first week of the headache, thinking it was like the LP headache I suffered with for 3 weeks, before my @#$& doc figured out I needed a blood patch.

After the trip to the ER, I had forgotten that. I'm 95% sure that a spinal headache is what is going on. It is day 14, but whose counting. :rolleyes:

Horizontal is more comfortable. Thanks for the tip. So far, no med brings relief. I'll keep you posted.

Consistent doses of Naproxen just seems to take the edge off for me, but by no means takes the pain away. As the headache gets progressively worse (throughout the day), and as the days wear on over a few weeks (the pain does escalate over that time too!), it may very well be that the laying and using Naproxen is helping more then you realize at this point.

I know that before I started doing that routine, this type of headache was beyond words after week 2, but once I started doing these steps, it was at least (barely) tolerable. Every little bit helps at that point though.

Anyway, if nothing else, I think the Naproxen surely helps with the inflammation that must be going on, even if not much for the pain. I generally don't do drugs at all, so recommending this is not something I do lightly.

One more week, and it should let up. You'll wake up one day and it'll be gone (it doesn't "fade", it just magically disappears, which is very cool).

I really suspect it is the same issue I have (yes, it is similar to the spinal tap headache, but more encompassing!), but you should be keeping your docs informed too though, Beth. I'd hate to think there is something else going on that isn't being treated, while you wait.

Hopefully you will be feeling yourself again very soon though. :)

Cherie

Well...my 2 cents are probably too little, too late...

However... check your diet. I get awful headaches when I eat ONLY crappy foods and junk (and that is usually a reaction to stress, go figure!)

OR, in my case, optic neuritis for the first time. I just thought I had a rockin' 6 day headache. Turns out it's just my left eye screwing with me...:eek:

I dosed the whole thing with Mounds Bars (coconut's healthy, right?), peanut butter (sugar & protein balance each other) and motrin washed down w/lots of Dr. Pepper.

Oh, and it did freak me out enough to end my Rebif protest... so now I'm back on the interferon bandwagon again despite the side effects...

Bethany

Limbo Land
 

Beth,

I am in Limboland for MS, but boy do I get headaches. I see two different neuro's. One for my MS workups and the other for the headaches, recommended by the first. He put me on Verapimil (which was once used for blood pressure, not so much anymore) and this supplement that you can find on line or at a Vitamin store called Migra-Eaze and it took them away in no time. I haven't had a headache since. Not even the underlying daily headaches that just sit there and tease you, saying "I might be coming to get you, you never know"...lol

But hey I have some peppermint patties here if anyone wants any. Just one a day keeps me happy:wink:

M

Thanks for the info. Please may I have a peppermint patty to keep me happy too. :wink:

Hey...I see you are a Biffer Babe and you like chocolate! Hmmm? I think I like you! lol!

Wait! (Pushing Beth aside) I get headaches too and I want to be happy! (whiny voice) Where's my peppermint patty? (sticks out hand and stomps foot)

Aww Man !!:( I thought you were gone Taffy. (crossing arms in disgust) That's no fair cutting in line for chocolate. After all those M&Ms I shared, you push me aside.

I'm not gonna take it (Beth pushing Taffy out of her way, holds out hand, receives and enjoys her peppermint patty b4 Taffy) :p YUM :) Thank you M! Okay Taffy, you're next. :winky:

BTW, Taffy how are you? Tired? Do tell.

I'm in and out...mostly out!

Wow! This Peppermint Patties makes good breath mints! (blowing breathe)

Smells good!

Beth, HSB, who else do you think needs a breath mint around here, huh? :p