Dagma

A number of things could be causing your headache, as other posters have suggested.

I have headaches from a number of causes.

Migraine: what works for me is Maxalt-OD 10 mg (RX)

Occipital neuralgia - feels like migraine only is different, migraine meds not helpful. For these my neuro has done greater occipital nerve blocks. This is a new type of headache for me in recent months. Recent MRI shows my c-spine has varying degrees of bulging discs, and central cord damage at c7-t1. Also am on hydrocodone which helps these headaches for me

My initial headaches after my accident turn out to be coming from my neck. Those were like squeezing my head in a vice kind of headaches

Blood pressure headaches: these developed for me in the past year. These come on when my blood pressure goes paroxysmal (suddenly spikes high then on the recheck normalizes). My PFP sent me to a vascular surgeon for evaluation and management of that

I am also on keppra-xr 1000 mg bid for mild complex partial seizure disorder (from TBI) additionally for headache prevention.

Other things that can cause headaches would include but are not limited to hormonal fluctuations, dental issues. If you are waking up with headaches in the morning, could be related to positioning while you are sleeping, could also be related to possibility of sleep apnea

So basically, sounds like you need a full workup with a headache specialist to identify the cause of your headaches.

In the meanwhile, it truly does help to keep a headache journal. It will help you to see what may or may not be triggering your headaches, plus will be useful to your physician in assessing the cause and appropriate course of treatment

Lowe level at home things I also do: moist heat neck & back OR if it feels like a migraine but different and doesn't respond to Maxalt, I put ice compresses on neck, face and head, and rest. Sometimes that helps a little until I can get in for nerve block injections or trigger point injections

My headaches have typically been handled by a neurologist

Everyone is different so don't be surprised if you end up feeling like a guinea pig until you find the right medication. I recommend finding a doctor that specializes in headaches - neurologist or physiatrist are good options. Keeping a headache journal is helpful for the doctors - and there's an app for that - for both apple and android products. The apps help track symptoms, medication side effects, possible causes and some allow you to print the results to give your doctor.

Since I had migraines prior to tbi the neurologists insist the persistent headache post injury is still migraine. Determining the cause doesn't seem to matter as much as finding relief IMHO. I've tried Topamax, amitriptyline, Inderal, Imitrex...etc. For me Neurontin works as a preventative and Midrin for oh-my-god-I-hurt-NOW moments. Narcotic painkillers only make it so I don't care if I hurt, but the pain is still there.

The most important thing I've learned is each medication has a side effect that can be worse than the headache. Keep trying another until you find a balance of no headache and symptoms you can tolerate. Also, ask for samples so you don't pay for full prescriptions that might not work.

Wish you all the best! I know living with a constant headache is debilitating and when you find relief it's like going from B&W to Technicolor. Hang in there!

I forgot to add to my post that my headaches have always been managed by neurologists. Additionally to what I already posted? My neuro of many years added otc ibuprofen 2xday, 800 mg. I would not do that without a physician ordering it, as prolonged use of ibuprofen as its own risks.

I also periodically do what I call "ibuprofen holidays", slowly titrating down to none for a couple of weeks, to give my body a breather so to speak. I notice that during these "holidays", I do have an increase in migraines.

for those of you with migraines and prior head injuries are your neurologist\headache specialist attributing the headaches to neck issues or concussion\mtbi or what? I suffer from headaches. I am taking a triptan but only have medicince for about 8x per month

Dagma,

Depends on what the cause of the headache is.

Sounds like possibly migraine, however, there is another type of headache SIMILAR to migraine called occipital neuralgia.

I get both. When it's the neuralgia kicking up, if I can't alleviate with pain med (rx) and heat on my neck, it's back to neuro for occipital nerve blocks
(my c-spine is a mess as I recently founds out)

Okay, another cause already mentioned by another poster is blood pressure.
Yes, I get that kind of headache as well. This past year, my bp started getting paroxysmal. Spike up who knows why, really high. Different kind of headache from that.

Squeezing headaches may or may not include light sensitivity and sounds sensitivity...I both both with and without, comes from the situation in my c-spine

My suggestion would for you to keep a headache diary.

It's easy enough also to periodically check your bp at home. If it's high, wait a few minutes resting and recheck it.

My headaches have always been managed exclusively by neurologists.