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Chronic Severe Headaches

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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
Commonly called chronic exacerbating headaches.

Has anyone got/ had them?
If so: What were they caused by?
What made them worse?
What other symptoms did you have?
What treatments have you used/ going to use/ have had suggested to you?

CSH are pretty much a constant headache 24/7 ranging from a 5-9 on the pain scale often with acute flair ups of sharper pains on top of the headache. They cause severe stress on your days and limit the persons activities, concentration, moods and emotions. Normal chronic headaches are the same but range from a 2-5 on the pain scale. Pretty much a constant migraine without the complete light sensitivity. However can cause dizziness, nausea, depression, anxiety and exacerbations such as sharp pains and symptoms usually seen in tension and cluster headaches.

*Doctors, neurologist, specialists, specialist physios, Pain management specialists, psychologists and medical journals have all been consulted. And I have search barred.

Any information is much appreciated.
Aug 16 2011 12:52AM
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ORDEAL
Posts: 6386 - Karma: 75
I guess you're just too damn smart for the size of your head
Aug 16 2011 12:57AM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
I've got this.
I've had it for 4-5 years now and it sucks. Most of the time I just live with it because honestly, after a few years, it turns into just something that you have to live with, but every now and then I'll just get these horrid pains in my temple and sinus region and it makes it hard to focus on anything while they happen.

I've been to all kinds of specialists, and the last place to go to is neurologist. No one can diagnose it or treat it, so far. I really want to do shit without feeling like dynamite went off in my head.
Aug 16 2011 1:16AM
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EricaMN.
Posts: 2704 - Karma: 347
Masturbating is a cure for almost every headache. It's worth a shot
Aug 16 2011 1:40AM
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da435
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 358
my mom has this. the very most helpful thing for her is Marijuana.
Aug 16 2011 1:48AM
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.Midwest
Posts: 493 - Karma: 22
Anyone else giggle at "exacerbating"?
Aug 16 2011 2:01AM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
THIS!
Marijuana actually decreases the pain of the headaches to almost nothing.
Aug 16 2011 2:03AM
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Cufe.
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 262
Medicinal marijuana? or wearing super dark sun glasses all the time.
also. if you're infront of the computer a lot that can make it worse, since screens do flicker.
Aug 16 2011 2:27AM
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da435
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 358
haha really? im good at guessing. cuz i made that story up.
Aug 16 2011 2:59AM
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Cufe.
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 262
someone has intercourse with your eye? I hate to inform you, this may cause your head aches.
Aug 16 2011 3:03AM
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TheQuailman
Posts: 7382 - Karma: 147

At this point I'm pretty sure I have NDPH.  Mine started May 2 of this year.  Didn't really feel well one night and over a day or two I developed a headache which hasn't gone away since.  I've had MRI, MRA, blood tests, CT of the sinuses and they were all negative.  I tried Topirimate for a month and it did nothing.  Now I've been on Nortriptyline for about 2 weeks now, we just upped my dose so I'm hoping that might help (could take a month or more to notice).  Also started taking Magnesium and Riboflavin since about 3 weeks ago so I'm hoping that might help at some point (would take 1-3 months to kick in).  Tried Arthrotec and Indomethacin each for 7 days to see if they could break the headache but neither did anything, they are both NSAIDs but I wasn't on them for enough time to really see if they would work long-term.

I just got referred by my nuerologist today to see a Dr. in New York City within the next week or two who could possibly do Botox or IV treatment or something since my current nuerologist doesn't have those available.  I'm hoping those could cure my headache completely or at least reduce the pain to a 1-2.  There's also the chance of spontaneous recovery since I'm only 4 months in (after 2 years it almost never occurs) but it sounds like even under 2 years, its very unlikely.

I'm also on an antibiotic because I felt better when I took one when I thought this headache might have been a sinus infection, so we'll see if this helps.

My nuero said to avoid caffeine, exercise daily, eat 6 mini meals a day, stay hydrated, go to sleep at the same time every day and wake up at the same time, and get at least 8 hours of sleep.  I do all of this.  The only thing that seems to make the headache worse for sure is staying up a couple hours or more over when I normally go to sleep.

I've also stopped drinking, smoking weed, and caffeine for about 3 months now.

My headache can go from anywhere from a 2.5-8.5 but it hovers around a 4.5.  Forehead, sometimes on the nose and under the eyes, and recently in the upper back of my neck.  I'm thankful that I'm still able to go to work/school, excercise, and hang out with my friends but its difficult with a headache all the time.

Aug 17 2011 12:33AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Aug 17 2011 12:45AM
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