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8 month headache.
SheilaVen posted:
Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site. I just need help. Here's the story:
I'm an 18 year old girl, with almost no health problems aside from Anxiety and Depression. One day, 8 months ago, I woke up with a headache that wouldn't go away. I literally have this headache from when I wake up to when I go to bed, and it's mild at best. Nothing has made it go away. I went to the ER twice and they weren't able to help me. More recently (within the past 3-4 months) I've been developing other symptoms, such as:
-Vertigo
-Intense fatigue
-Stabbing pain in my Eustachian tubes (I go to sort of massage the pain out and it makes a sort of popping noise)
- Confusion
-Memory loss
-Tinnitus
-Constant muscle pain (not everywhere at once, but if one thing doesn't hurt, another does)
-Very sensitive skin
-Muscle spasms (not painful)
-General Malaise
I'm at my wit's end. No doctor has been able to diagnose me for the last 8 months. They just pass me off to other doctors, who then pass me off to OTHER doctors.
I've tried Neurology, Chiropractic care, Osteopathy...nothing has worked.
I've gotten CT scans of my head and sinuses, an MRI of my head, blood work, the whole nine. All of them came back normal.
So far, I've been tested for Lyme and Celiac's Disease, both which came back negative, and my Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium levels came back normal.
Can anyone please help me? I'm desperate.
Thanks,
Sheila
I'm new to this site. I just need help. Here's the story:
I'm an 18 year old girl, with almost no health problems aside from Anxiety and Depression. One day, 8 months ago, I woke up with a headache that wouldn't go away. I literally have this headache from when I wake up to when I go to bed, and it's mild at best. Nothing has made it go away. I went to the ER twice and they weren't able to help me. More recently (within the past 3-4 months) I've been developing other symptoms, such as:
-Vertigo
-Intense fatigue
-Stabbing pain in my Eustachian tubes (I go to sort of massage the pain out and it makes a sort of popping noise)
- Confusion
-Memory loss
-Tinnitus
-Constant muscle pain (not everywhere at once, but if one thing doesn't hurt, another does)
-Very sensitive skin
-Muscle spasms (not painful)
-General Malaise
I'm at my wit's end. No doctor has been able to diagnose me for the last 8 months. They just pass me off to other doctors, who then pass me off to OTHER doctors.
I've tried Neurology, Chiropractic care, Osteopathy...nothing has worked.
I've gotten CT scans of my head and sinuses, an MRI of my head, blood work, the whole nine. All of them came back normal.
So far, I've been tested for Lyme and Celiac's Disease, both which came back negative, and my Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium levels came back normal.
Can anyone please help me? I'm desperate.
Thanks,
Sheila
8 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:8 month headache.Hi everyone, <br /> <br />I'm new to this site. I just need help. Here's the story: <br /> <br />I'm an 18 year old girl, with almost no health problems aside from Anxiety and Depression. One day, 8 months ago, I woke up with a headache that wouldn't go away. I literally have this headache from when I wake up to when I go to bed, and it's mild at best. Nothing has made it go away. I went to the ER twice and they weren't able to help me. More recently (within the past 3-4 months) I've been developing other symptoms, such as: <br />-Vertigo <br />-Intense fatigue <br />-Stabbing pain in my Eustachian tubes (I go to sort of massage the pain out and it makes a sort of popping noise) <br />- Confusion <br />-Memory loss <br />-Tinnitus <br />-Constant muscle pain (not everywhere at once, but if one thing doesn't hurt, another does) <br />-Very sensitive skin <br />-Muscle spasms (not painful) <br />-General Malaise <br /> <br />I'm at my wit's end. No doctor has been able to diagnose me for the last 8 months. They just pass me off to other doctors, who then pass me off to OTHER doctors. <br /> <br />I've tried Neurology, Chiropractic care, Osteopathy...nothing has worked. <br /> <br />I've gotten CT scans of my head and sinuses, an MRI of my head, blood work, the whole nine. All of them came back normal. <br /> <br />So far, I've been tested for Lyme and Celiac's Disease, both which came back negative, and my Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium levels came back normal. <br /> <br />Can anyone please help me? I'm desperate. <br /> <br />Thanks, <br />Sheila
Lainey_WebMD_Staff responded:
Hi Sheila,
Welcome to the community. I am sorry you are in pain and hope you feel better soon.
While you wait for members to reply please feel free to read and join in our discussions.
Many members are keeping a headache diary to share with their doctors.
Take care,
Lainey
Welcome to the community. I am sorry you are in pain and hope you feel better soon.
While you wait for members to reply please feel free to read and join in our discussions.
Many members are keeping a headache diary to share with their doctors.
Take care,
Lainey
Pain is temporary. It may last a minute or an hour or a day or a year but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.
Lance Armstrong
Report This| Share this:8 month headache.Hi Sheila,<br /><br />Welcome to the community. I am sorry you are in pain and hope you feel better soon.<br /><br />While you wait for members to reply please feel free to read and join in our discussions. <br /><br />Many members are keeping a headache diary to share with their doctors. <br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Lainey
carpetcrawler5 responded:
what did the neuro give you as a preventative? There are many,many types, and you have to be on each one at least a month, and preferably 6 weeks, to see if they will make a difference. If you 've only had the headache for 8 months, that would not be enough time to know. Which have you tried? Have you tried Topamax, Elavil or Propanolol at all? I wouldn't really say about the Imitrex or Zomig, because when you've had a headache that long it wouldn't work for you.
Headaches become constant because each one makes it easier to get another one by cuasing inflamation and nerve irritation.
However, you seem to have a few other symptoms that may or may not be related to headaches, or you have a headache because you have something going on.
You should get some blood work done to see if you have Hepatitus or thyroid problems. They both can cuase any of the symptoms you're describing.
Headaches become constant because each one makes it easier to get another one by cuasing inflamation and nerve irritation.
However, you seem to have a few other symptoms that may or may not be related to headaches, or you have a headache because you have something going on.
You should get some blood work done to see if you have Hepatitus or thyroid problems. They both can cuase any of the symptoms you're describing.
Report This| Share this:8 month headache.what did the neuro give you as a preventative? There are many,many types, and you have to be on each one at least a month, and preferably 6 weeks, to see if they will make a difference. If you 've only had the headache for 8 months, that would not be enough time to know. Which have you tried? Have you tried Topamax, Elavil or Propanolol at all? I wouldn't really say about the Imitrex or Zomig, because when you've had a headache that long it wouldn't work for you. <br /> <br />Headaches become constant because each one makes it easier to get another one by cuasing inflamation and nerve irritation.<br /> <br />However, you seem to have a few other symptoms that may or may not be related to headaches, or you have a headache because you have something going on.<br /> <br />You should get some blood work done to see if you have Hepatitus or thyroid problems. They both can cuase any of the symptoms you're describing.
SheilaVen replied to carpetcrawler5's response:
I've tried Topamax, Amitryptilene (sp?), Antenalol, and a ton of other stuff. I can't even remember.
Report This| Share this:8 month headache.I've tried Topamax, Amitryptilene (sp?), Antenalol, and a ton of other stuff. I can't even remember.
With the meds you have been tried on and the tests, is sounds like you might do better at a specialty clinic--like a headache clinic or a university based comprehensive pain clinic.
It would help if you could make a list of everything you have been on--your pharmacy can print out a list of all the medications you have been given.
It would help if you could make a list of everything you have been on--your pharmacy can print out a list of all the medications you have been given.
Report This| Share this:8 month headache.With the meds you have been tried on and the tests, is sounds like you might do better at a specialty clinic--like a headache clinic or a university based comprehensive pain clinic. <br /><br />It would help if you could make a list of everything you have been on--your pharmacy can print out a list of all the medications you have been given.
mymygraine responded:
Hi Shelia -
I agree with CarpetCrawler5 and with Dr Collins. Ask your parents or a good friend to help you, especially if you are having memory loss, to write down everything that you have taken so far, when, for how long, and what your reaction to it was, and why you stopped taking it (if you did) and what you are taking now. Keep a daily diary! This is so important, because the docs need something to work with, even if they barely read it, or get confused with all that information. When you have all that done, and that is why I am suggesting you get some help with this because what I am saying sounds overwhelming, especially when you are feeling so bad. Then I would check your insurance, or your parent's insurance and see if it will cover a visit to the Diamond Clinic in Michigan. I don't know where you live, but I think they do a very comprehensive screening of everything that may be causing your symtoms. It could be so many things, and everyone is different so there is no one thing anyone can point to.
Stay in touch, and good luck!
I agree with CarpetCrawler5 and with Dr Collins. Ask your parents or a good friend to help you, especially if you are having memory loss, to write down everything that you have taken so far, when, for how long, and what your reaction to it was, and why you stopped taking it (if you did) and what you are taking now. Keep a daily diary! This is so important, because the docs need something to work with, even if they barely read it, or get confused with all that information. When you have all that done, and that is why I am suggesting you get some help with this because what I am saying sounds overwhelming, especially when you are feeling so bad. Then I would check your insurance, or your parent's insurance and see if it will cover a visit to the Diamond Clinic in Michigan. I don't know where you live, but I think they do a very comprehensive screening of everything that may be causing your symtoms. It could be so many things, and everyone is different so there is no one thing anyone can point to.
Stay in touch, and good luck!
Report This| Share this:8 month headache.Hi Shelia -<br />I agree with CarpetCrawler5 and with Dr Collins. Ask your parents or a good friend to help you, especially if you are having memory loss, to write down everything that you have taken so far, when, for how long, and what your reaction to it was, and why you stopped taking it (if you did) and what you are taking now. Keep a daily diary! This is so important, because the docs need something to work with, even if they barely read it, or get confused with all that information. When you have all that done, and that is why I am suggesting you get some help with this because what I am saying sounds overwhelming, especially when you are feeling so bad. Then I would check your insurance, or your parent's insurance and see if it will cover a visit to the Diamond Clinic in Michigan. I don't know where you live, but I think they do a very comprehensive screening of everything that may be causing your symtoms. It could be so many things, and everyone is different so there is no one thing anyone can point to. <br /><br />Stay in touch, and good luck!
NeNe_11 responded:
Im sorry you are going through so much at your young age & pray you will find answers soon. Has any of the docs you have seen suggested that you may have fibromyalgia? Being that you have had a bunch of test done, I assume they have ruled out rheumatoid arthritis as well.
I have fibro & have all of the same symptoms as you including chronic daily pain throughout my entire body, chronic migraines, & sleep problems as well as many others.
There are different meds you can use to help with the headaches & the body pains, so be sure to talk to your doctor soon.
Take Care
I have fibro & have all of the same symptoms as you including chronic daily pain throughout my entire body, chronic migraines, & sleep problems as well as many others.
There are different meds you can use to help with the headaches & the body pains, so be sure to talk to your doctor soon.
Take Care
Report This| Share this:8 month headache.Im sorry you are going through so much at your young age & pray you will find answers soon. Has any of the docs you have seen suggested that you may have fibromyalgia? Being that you have had a bunch of test done, I assume they have ruled out rheumatoid arthritis as well. <br /> <br />I have fibro & have all of the same symptoms as you including chronic daily pain throughout my entire body, chronic migraines, & sleep problems as well as many others. <br /> <br />There are different meds you can use to help with the headaches & the body pains, so be sure to talk to your doctor soon.<br />Take Care
LeslieENTRN responded:
Sheila,
Sorry you are experiencing an undiagnosed medical condition. I read that you have had CT's, etc and have seen specialists. Have you by chance seen an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat)? If not, it could possibly be a good next step. Hope this helps.
Sorry you are experiencing an undiagnosed medical condition. I read that you have had CT's, etc and have seen specialists. Have you by chance seen an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat)? If not, it could possibly be a good next step. Hope this helps.
Report This| Share this:8 month headache.Sheila,<br /> <br />Sorry you are experiencing an undiagnosed medical condition. I read that you have had CT's, etc and have seen specialists. Have you by chance seen an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat)? If not, it could possibly be a good next step. Hope this helps.
An_205245 responded:
I have recently gone through a bout of migraines every month for the last 4 or 5 months. Like you, I went through all the different tests, MRI's, etc to no avail. I have discovered that MSG in foods and also Aspartame in foods (better known as Equal or Nutrasweet) is what my problem is. When I cut those out, I don't have migraines. This is very scary when you read the side effects of phenylanine. Try avoiding those things and hopefully you can get the relief that I did.
Report This| Share this:8 month headache.I have recently gone through a bout of migraines every month for the last 4 or 5 months. Like you, I went through all the different tests, MRI's, etc to no avail. I have discovered that MSG in foods and also Aspartame in foods (better known as Equal or Nutrasweet) is what my problem is. When I cut those out, I don't have migraines. This is very scary when you read the side effects of phenylanine. Try avoiding those things and hopefully you can get the relief that I did.
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