Tension headaches and migraines

[GetOutOfMyMind]

anyone else suffer from constant migraine type pain? It feels like i suffer from migraines everyday. I honestly don’t know exactly whats causing it. Thought i think they could be bad sleep posture, stress, poor diet, uncomfortable bed, or some real medical issue. When i get these migraines i feel like its attributed to neck pain cause my neck feels stiff everytime this happens. I just take advil and sleep alot when it happens but i dont think its a good long term strategy. Its affecting my performance with work too- migraines make me feel sluggish and anti-social

 

[Walker]

Hi. I've had migraines for as long as I can remember. Its not really something you should maybe wing on your own. There is quite a bit they can do for you. Have you been to the doctor?

 

[GetOutOfMyMind]

Nope but i did go in for an xray consultation and i didnt go through with it because of how much itd cost. im thinking of going back because of how frequent my migraines are

Hey walker95, think you can move this thread to the
‘Life Changing or Long Term Physical Illness’ forum? I made a mistake posting here, thanks

 

[Petal]

think you can move this thread to the
‘Life Changing or Long Term Physical Illness’ forum?

I can do it for you - will do it now

Edit: Done.

 

[Petal]

Hi again

I think you should keep a diary and log what you are eating/drinking/taking (any meds etc) and maybe you could see a pattern somewhere, just an idea and it might help.
Definitely see your doctor about them again. If they are affecting your life to the point you want to sleep all the time you need to get real help for it. Do your migraines have anything to do with the time of year or are they there throughout the year? Do you drink enough fluids? I hope you can get to the bottom of this. Your doctor should be able to prescribe you something that will help them at least a small bit. I hope you keep us updated and you have us for support

 

[JmpMster]

I strongly recommend you go to a doctor and get checked out for real. It would prolly be worthwhile to pick up insurance coverage for getting this done as you will need at the least CT scans if not MRI (if you do not have insurance already- with the no exclusions for prior medical you can literally get a policy for a couple months while getting checked out and then cancel if need be) or going to an emergency room if making clear have had a history of the migraines/.head pain but ts "suddenly much worse" they will send you in for CT or MRI on the spot usually.

Headaches like you are describing can be caused by all the things you have already mentioned- or they can be like mine was caused by an aneurysm in your brain - which had I gotten it checked out when the headaches had started getting bad instead of waiting for years they likely would have been able to coil or clip it and resolved the issue as opposed to it being a constant and untreatable issue at this point when it can no longer be safely treated even surgically. I will emphasize it is far more likely something like you described- but things like aneurysms and tumors start the same way also and there is no way to know without somebody checking it out.

 

[BornFree]

Hi there, how are you doing?
Please get checked out... perhaps even at the GP or A & E at least so the Dr can check your eyes for signs of pressure and do a basic neuro exam. They pick up loads of information from symptoms you might think are silly.
I have a shunt and long-term migraine type headaches, been having major issues lately so am on the waiting list for more brain surgery.
Migraines are debilitating and soul destroying when my head is in so much pain life becomes unbearable, but there are so many medicines and advice they can give you to help relieve the pain. I am sure the stress of not knowing must also be a burden. Please take care of yourself. Petal and Jmpmster are right a diary would help and getting it checked sooner rather than later.
Hope you feel better soon and shout if I can help at all.

 

[GetOutOfMyMind]

Thanks everyone for the advice. After work yeaterday i went straight to bed and slept til next day because of the pain. My head still hurt but i made it through work today. I mm afraid it might be something more serious than just stress or poor sleep posture. Theres no way i should be getting migraines that lasts weeks at a time. I will see a doctor this weekend. Its hard to function with a migraine on top of dealing with depression

 

[Kimberly Swanson]

I would also see if you get any relief positionally. Does laying flat help? Are your headaches worse later during the day? I have had daily headaches for the past 7 years, every doctor I saw told me they were migraines even though they did not go along with any typical symptoms. I finally found a doctor that would think outside of the boxes and looked at other symptoms besides just the headache. I had a CSF leak, which according to the experts can be misdiagnosed. It’s worth looking at the symptoms.

 

[GetOutOfMyMind]

I would also see if you get any relief positionally. Does laying flat help? Are your headaches worse later during the day? I have had daily headaches for the past 7 years, every doctor I saw told me they were migraines even though they did not go along with any typical symptoms. I finally found a doctor that would think outside of the boxes and looked at other symptoms besides just the headache. I had a CSF leak, which according to the experts can be misdiagnosed. It’s worth looking at the symptoms.

Thanks for the reply. Laying flat without a pillow or on my left side with a pillow provides the most relief. I just looked up csf leak, i dont think its that though- im missing the majority of its symptoms. Doc told me it could be due to stress. My diastolic blood pressure is higher than normal. Im trying to find an appt for an mri inthe meantime.

 

[Walker]

When I was getting chronic headache, which included migraines a few times a week that lasted a day then the following day of a hangover, it was pretty terrible. That went on for a while - 15 years probably. I take a daily preventative medication now and it literally changed every aspect of my life. I couldn't live without it.

 

[GetOutOfMyMind]

Good to know you got it under control

When I was getting chronic headache, which included migraines a few times a week that lasted a day then the following day of a hangover, it was pretty terrible. That went on for a while - 15 years probably. I take a daily preventative medication now and it literally changed every aspect of my life. I couldn't live without it.

 

[Human Ex Machinae]

I don't know how effective this method would be for chronic migraines, but these neck stretches always make my headaches go away.

 

[GetOutOfMyMind]

I do these stretches often but they dont seem to work for me but it does give me the illusion that im getting some kind of relief. My favorite stretch is the one where you tilt your head furthest left or right then tilt it up

 

[Bluetoo]

I’ve had what the dr calls common migraines for 30+ years. Tried Botox in the neck and migraine meds and nothing works. Used to give myself shots and it seemed to lessen them but never went away. Now the shots don’t work at all. I have headaches every day and migraines weekly that last days and even weeks. It’s very hard to push past them but most of my life I kept smiling and trying to be active even when my forehead feels like it’s falling over my eyes. I think sinusitis also plays a role in the pain. I’ve had two nasal surgeries. The first one helped a lot but the second one didn’t do much of anything. It’s one of the reasons I get so down. It’s bad today.

 

[GetOutOfMyMind]

Sorry your migraines are still bothering you, Bluetoo. I hope one day i magically goes away.

Update on my situation on getting an MRI: I did the MRI test, and the neurologist told me everything looks normal. So I am at a loss at whats going on with my migraines. I guess its just stress