Constant Headache 2 Weeks
 

Hi all! I take Topamax (100mg 2x day) to prevent migraines (have chronic daily headaches otherwise with migraines). For some reason lately I have had a headache that has lasted almost two weeks and doesnt' want to seem to go away no matter what I do. I take Tylenol 8 hour and it doesn't help, finally I take my Midrin and my muscle relaxers to get some relief but it still doesn't go away completely.
I work in an auto dealership in the service dept and we don't have air conditioning. It's been close to 100 degrees here lately and I can't help but wonder if that has something to do with it. It seems to get worse when I get to work.

Go to your GP for a referral to a specialist, as it may be a serious condition needing immediate treatment.
for my 2 cents worth: Sounds like a work related neck problem causing nerve irritation, which makes you very sore as the muscle tighten up-classic tension headache. The hot conditions bother you, causing a stress response, and you tighten your muscles in the neck and head.
Try some muscle relaxants-that should give you an indication.
Do you hold your neck at awkward angles for long periods? We all suffer wear and tear, and necks wear out. Some occupations are harder on necks than others.
Think also about your other parts of the day-how are you treating your neck then?
Poor seats, computers etc can also tip the scales.

Thanks for the reply Peter. I actually take muscle relaxers at night (as needed) and they do help some, but I find by morning, I'm usually back to square one and as the day goes on I'm hurting again. The funny thing is, I wake up with the headache and it only seems to build as the day goes on. I do work with a computer at work, but I get up and move around a lot, so I'm hardly confined to a desk all day.
I do have the bad habit of popping my neck ( I used to see a chiropractor regularly so I'm pretty familiar with how to do it), but lately it's not working as well as usual. I think most of that has to do with the overly tight muscles.
I went home early from work yesterday and called my neuro's office. They were able to work me in the same day. I went in and they gave me a shot to help alleviate the headache pain (it helped but didn't take the pain away completey unfortunately). They also sent me to the lab to draw blood for tests to find out if everything is normal. If it is then I will have to do an MRI. For once I won't complain about that even though I really can't afford it right now. I'm really wondering why my head is bothering me so much.
Normally I smoke at work and I tried to take a little puff of one cigarette this morning and it made my head hurt so I put it out. Guess this will help me quit, I've been wanting to but it hasn't been going well. This makes it easier.

Headaches
 

I was looking up headaches on Google when I found your post and I think I know what could be going on with you, here are some options ...you mention working in a car dealership service department if not properly ventilated or if car exhaust could somehow be leaking into the building that your working in this could make you very ill and be dangerous.All car emissions produce a colorless,orderless poisonous/deadly gas called carbon monoxide,which can cause flu like symptoms including headaches among other neurological symptoms while not always deadly depending on how much and how long your exposure time is it can cause permanent lifelong damage and defects to organs such as your brain.I suggest you ask yourself this question:Does your headache go away or lessen when away from the dealership? Also buy a carbon monoxide detector at Wal-mart and put in building to see if you get a reading(keep in mind that you need to leave it in the buildfor carbon ing for a couple of work days) or have the fire department check the building monoxide,most will gladly come out and test,it's there job.Notify your employer about your concern.Also some hospitals or doctors can draw blood and do a Blood Gas Test for carbon monoxide,the only catch is that in order to be detected in the blood the blood must be draw right away after the exposure cause after you leave work and get into fresh air it leaves the blood pretty soon.look it up with wikipedia or google "carbon monoxide poisoning"



Or maybe your dehydrated or have dehydration headaches,heat exhaustion or heat stoke.

Makes sense to me that you would want to make absolutely sure it is not a serious condition. More than likely you would need an MRI and possibly other test to do this.

Have you had an Imitrex injection? I would worry that this Tylenol is making matters worse. LOTS of people get big time relief from a severe/even long standing migraine w/ the Imitrex injection.

Have you tried a medication like Elavil? Muscle relaxers? Many people take a second medication along with the Topamax.


Also, I would do what you can to make sure you do NOT get over heated. Studies show this makes headaches WORSE. Perhaps a fan nearby...not directly on you...but close...to cool you off.

Think about physical therapy...perhaps a massage. You might be able to get a script for this...esp. the PT.

Wishing you well.

I would second the thought of the physical therapy or the massage therapy.

I use both of these at times. But I also have headaches at times. But I try to not take much tylenol because it rebounds. I do try to take something for all pain.

Tylenol w/coideine

Donna