Headache management question
 

I'm at eight months PCS and have been making decent if gradual progress in my recovery. My main remaining symptom is daily headaches (along with relatively mild tinnitus and insomnia). I'm not on any meds.

At rest, the headaches are mostly low-grade, sometimes intermittent, although they can get somewhat worse from exertion (physical and mental), which I've been fortunate to be able to keep to a minimum as I've been off work. I actually had a very solid week (my best yet) over the holidays where they seemed really minimal - I thought they might even be going away. However, the headaches subsequently flared up again after some intimate activity with my girlfriend (which we've engaged in cautiously and only occasionally during my recovery).

The headaches are sometimes at the site of the injury (top of head) and sometimes around the forehead/eyes.

Is there any way to help them ease off, other than rest and time (and possibly gentle exercise like walking)? I'm thinking months and years down the road - I understand that some meds may provide a short-term solution, but do they actually help the brain recover or just keep the symptoms at bay?

I know a couple of people who have found massage/cranial-sacral therapy helpful in their MTBI recoveries, but haven't tried it yet (I know there is no hard scientific evidence to support this treatment, but am considering giving it a try). I do find resting, meditation, hot baths, good nutrition, etc. helpful up to a point.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be much appreciated.

Try looking for a Healing Touch practicitioner on Healingtouchinternational.org. Its what got me healthy again. Took away my pain and learned how to do it on myself and manage my headaches on my own. I work out 6 days a week now. No more dizziness, occasional rare headache....that i notice is from straying from my healthy lifestyle (stress, alcohol, or something to that effect). Its a combination between getting a massage (without any pressure) and meditating. Its unbelievably relaxing, takes the pain away and you feel amazing afterwards. Very similar idea as acupuncture....unblocks congested energy. If Western Medicine hasnt gotten you where you want to be, might be a good idea to try an alternative that has worked for thousands of years. Acupuncture and Healing Touch has been my life saver!! Back to work this week!!! ANd just got to enjoy 2 months of feeling amazing and didnt work....i could really focus on sustaining that "normal" feeling and learn to keep it there.

Acupuncture helped minimize my migraines. The doctor did acupuncture on my ear and would leave the small needles in for 5 days with bandages over them. Did that once a month for awhile and it has helped.

I used to have migraines full force, every day of the week. Now they're down to 2 or 3 a week. It wasn't a complete fix for me, but it helped. Any help is amazing when dealing with a TBI and PCS.

Aside from that I use Cambia. If taken at the onset of my migraine it helps and makes it disappear.

I too am at a stage where many of my other symptoms have been mostly replaced by headaches, which I consider an improvement.

I rarely take anything for them, since I consider them a warning sign telling me I need to back off a little from whatever I've been doing (or that I need to get more sleep).

Your meds won't make you better, they just mask the symptoms - if you can get by without them I would - your brain is giving you headaches for a reason. Obviously some headaches are worse than others and it's a decision you have to make for yourself. Good luck!