[Mimsies]

I hate that I am such a whiner...

But this constant pressure that often spikes into worse headaches really just gets to me. I am tired of the discomfort. It seems like the forgetfulness, fatiguability, loss of balance, light and sound sensitivity would be so much more bearable if only I didn't always have a headache.

sorry to complain

[sospan]

Hi, know exactly how you feel. I describe mine as like having a constant hang over. I can keep it at bay with paracetamol - that's all my family doctor will allow me to have until I have a Neuro scan. I take a 1000 Mg every four hours which takes me to the maximum dose per day.

[Mist8012]

Me Three!

My headache got so bad I asked for tylenol and my son got me the bottle and I sat there motionless for a bit then couldn't remember if I took it or not! URGH!

So I don't know if I took it but, I don't think I did....I don't know

[TooStressed]

Yep, the headaches are the worst symptom for me. If it weren't for the headaches I doubt I would have the depression and general lack of productivity that I have.

My headaches have been becoming less frequent less painful as I have been increasing my Amitriptyline dose. Ask your neurologist about Amitriptyline(Elavil) if you haven't tried it yet. Really helps you sleep as an added bonus. I'm up to 50mg a day. 25 in the morning and 25 at night. I tried taking all 50 at night but a side effect of it is dry mouth which gets worse as the dose increases so I kept waking up every couple of hours for water.

On 50mg I can have headache free days as long as I can avoid stimulation such as prolonged computer use(which is difficult at work Monday thru Friday), television, and reading for too long.

Fiorcet seems to work pretty well as an abortive treatment for when those headaches begin. Alternating with Advil every other day to avoid rebound headaches.

__________________________________________________ __________
PCS from mTBI. Approaching the 12 month mark. Headaches, anxiety, depression, inability to control anger. Possibly improving but can't really tell from increasing medication constantly.

[HeadStrong]

Mimsies,
I too have suffered debilitating headaches (tension/Migraine combo) that have caused me to switch medicines several times, had diagnostic Lidocaine injections into the nerves and BOTOX injections into the muscles frontal/temperal.

After Physical and Vestibular Therapy, I am now beginning to feel a bit better on a combo of Amitriptyline and Diazepam. Apparently part of the headaches are caused by muscle spasms and cspine issues so the Diazepam helps relax those muscles.....at least that's how it was explained to me. I am also currently getting Myofascial Release therapy.

I am not headache free and I would love the option of "no medicne". But until they come up with a better way to control these headaches...this combo seems to help. I hope you find some relief soon.

[wakey]

Drifting. I'm wondering if you also suffer from fatigue. Headache is driving me crazy, but I also get worn out very easily, and my headache increases when this happens. Just wondering if this is the same for you.

[pcslife]

Mimsies,
don't worry about whining since we cannot whine to people close to us all the time. I feel bad bcuz they also get stressed out not knowing what to do. I do have constant dull headache and all my symptoms gets severe at times like today. You can try some meds they discussed here.

HeadStrong,

I was on combo of Amitriptyline and Xanax (Benzo like Diazepam) and I know what you are saying. Though for me Xanax helped me more bcuz Amitriptyline made me very lethargic. May be I should stop fighting and take Xanax atleast when needed. I also doubt my neck and spine causing lot of issues? But muscle relaxer (Zanaflex,flexeril) didn't do any good for me.

Cheers!

[ShellyK]

Mimsies,

I am so sorry that you are having horrible headaches. I can definitely relate to that. There are many medications that can help. Some are preventative (like Elavil) and some are to take when you are in pain.

I wasn't able to tolerate any of the preventative medications. I tried many different ones and their side effects were really bad, so I could only take the regular pain pills. For me Fioricet helps when I have a bad headache or a migraine. There are many other pain meds that you could try. And you certainly could try the preventative meds and see if they help you.

Since I was having horrible migraines, I finally decided to try acupuncture, and it has made a difference for me. I am still going for treatments and taking Chinese medicine, but there are days when I only have mild pain. I still get migraines, but they are less frequent, and they don't last one week!

I still have other PCS symptoms - like horrible fatigue and not being able to tolerate noise. But if you are willing to try acupuncture, it may give you some relief.

Another thing that is helping me is mindfulness meditation. It just teaches you how to relax, and that is supposed to make a difference in the pain. If you Google Jon Kabat-Zinn, you can find out about it. You can also find him on You Tube. There have been many studies done, and they have found that Mindfulness can help with chronic pain. My health plan offers a class on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.

I hope that you find something that helps you whatever you choose. Just keep looking until you find something that helps.

Best, ShellyK

[sospan]

Originally Posted by wakey

Drifting. I'm wondering if you also suffer from fatigue. Headache is driving me crazy, but I also get worn out very easily, and my headache increases when this happens. Just wondering if this is the same for you.

Yep, thats me. Especially when there are multiple conversations going around I gets to much and I drift away and sometimes even fall asleep when people are talking to me - only for a short while.

Fatigue combined with insomnia is a frequent problem. I was awake at 6:30 this morning quite lethargic during the day but I am now writing this at 1:30 am brighter now than I was this morning - absolutely crazy. I will be awake at 7 am again

[Mist8012]

Today I have the worst Migraine ever!

Yesterday at the Neurologist exam he put pressure on the base of my skull which shot up a pain towards the top of my head.

I've been in pain today since waking. Nothings worked.

I had a hot bath, compresses, Vicks for my neck strain, Tylenol...nothing helped!

What can I ask to take for pain? Doc's opposed to meds. But I'm in agony.

Can anyone tell me what the Neuro was looking for when he pushed there? When I responded with pain he nodded and smiled like he found what he was looking for but didn't say what.

Of course I didn't even think to ask until now.

Thanks,

Kelly