Constant headache for 5 months- what is it and what can I do??

Brain and nerves
1

I’ve had a constant headache for just over five months. It’s at the back of my head (and can get aching in my neck too). It’s 24/7- there when I wake up and go to sleep. I’ve had a brain scan, my bloods taken twice, acupuncture, massages and osteopathy, none of which has made a single bit of difference. Feeling desperate. Any advice/similar experiences/idea of what it might be very welcome! Thanks 

2

Hi Isobel,

Have you seen a neurologist yet?  If you have what has he or she advised you to take medication wise?  You see even after having many negative tests, you still have some form of migraine to be so constant.

If you havent seen a neuro yet, ask for a referal, because you need something to be able to have a better life!

We are here to support you Isobel as we all suffer on here in some way or another!

Best wishes and take care

3

Hi personal20- thanks so much for your kind and helpful reply, it’s really getting me down and I feel like it’s never going to go!

I haven’t seen a neurologist, so will speak to my doc for a referral. Thank you again. 

4

You are very welcome Isobel!  Do let us know how you get on and be persistant with your dr as sometimes they like to fob you off, when it comes to headaches.  If you need details of a private consultant in London at the National Neurological Hospital, he and his team are excellant and very caring and understanding.  In the meantime you could try some Imigran tablets that you can get over the counter at the pharmacy, they come in 50mg and you can take 200mg in 24 hours. Some pharmacists want you to fill in a questionaire, but trust me they are worth it.

Best wishes and take care

5

I have had a headache everyday every minute since the 2nd May, I get migraines, insomnia and people at school bully me for it. Does it affect your sleep? You could try a preventative/ Beta-Blocker. i use Propranolol. any thoughts?

6

You poor thing- I struggle to get to sleep and it’s painful when I wake up, but thankfully once I get to sleep it’s Ok. Fingers crossed you get yours sorted too. 

7

I do hope so, the hospital's gonna ring tomorrow, I'll let you know

8

Hi the hospital rang and they gave me an appointment next Tuesday so I'm gonna have to wait. How are you?

9

Ah I’m so pleased you have an appointment jemstone- even though any wait with this headache can feel like a long one. I so hope they get to the bottom of it next Tues. I’ve had another (unsuccessful) osteopath appointment, he’s going to refer me to his specialist colleague and if that doesn’t help i’ll go back to my GP..

10

oh my gp think I have a mental illness! In fact so does my school!

11

Haha that’s the trouble with head problems! My gp has no idea what it is. We’ll get there though. 

12

Hey, I am being prescribed amityptiline, sorry I can't spell that! For 6 to 8 weeks and seeing a psychologist. I'll chase tomorrow and let you know. How are you? Have you been to your osteopaths specialist collegue? Was that right? There are loads of people I know on here! Sorry, brain scramble! Hope you're OK. 

13

Hi Isobel, have you got an mri of your spine too? I suffer from scoliosis and have bad posture and that could be a cause of chronic headaches as well. There's this type of headaches called "cervicogenic" cause the cause is in a problem in the spine, if you have the chance get it checked out.

Good wishes to you and I hope you feel better soon

14

Brill- finger’s crossed the medicine works (I can’t spell it either!) I know a lot of people take it and it can be really successful. Well remembered, yes I’ve got my osteo appointment today actually so reeeeally hoping something comes of it, otherwise back to the GP for meeeee 

15

Hi Michelle, I haven’t, no - thanks! I’ll definitely suggest this to my GP when I go back. Fingers crossed, and best wishes to you too. Thank you

16

I noticed michelletatiana, a beautiful name, mentioned a mri of the spine. I wanted to tell you my MRI story, it took a lot of begging my consultant and I had to go through questioning on why I was a hypochondriac and what have you! That was at least all clear! I'll keep you posted!

17

Hi Isobel

I'm in the me boat.  I've had daily tension headache since the middle of last May - ten months and counting!.  It varies from tightness round my head, to scalp pain, plus other sorts of unpleasant sensations in the head.  It was initially cause by a period of anxiety and I thought it would quickly go.  I'm a fairly anxious person and was on 15g mirtazapine which had been great - up to that moment.  My doctor then upped the dose to 30g but it is having no effect whatsoever. The anxiety has generally gone except the anxiety of knowing whether my head will ever be normal again. . My sleeping is affected, which doesn't help. I have been doing mindfulness, exercise, lots of walking but nothing really helps.  I'm not sure whether a counsellor is the answer - but they are so expensive and the waiting list on the NHS is so long. I would love to just know there is light at the end of the tunnel...