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Head pain for 9 months. Help!

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katherine60248
katherine60248

Hello. I have been having headaches for going on 9 months, every single day. I have had multiple MRIs and CT scans of my head and neck, and all that has come back is that I have 3 degenerative discs in my neck. Additionally, my doctor found a bone spur in my neck on an x-ray. I do not have a diagnosis for my headaches but do have these things that have come back on tests. My headaches are generally pretty dull and travel all over my head. From the base of my skull, to the side, to the top of my head, front of my head and behind my eyes. The pain also shoots into my head and is alarming when it does. The shooting pain is not necessarily thunderclap pain, its more just piercing and can nearly cause me to jump when it happens. The pain somewhat burns and is very uncomfortable. My neck is almost constantly sore and seems to be very pressure- filled. Any time I move my head back or side to side, I hear a pop. These headaches are debilitating and have definitely decreased my enjoyment of life as I am scared something bad is going to happen to me and bring much fear and pain. I have tried a lot of different medicines from my neurologist: verapamil, topamax, amitryptiline, and lyrica to name a few. I have been to a great physical therapist for months with no relief. I have since stopped seeing her because the therapy does not help me. I have also been to a chiropractor, eye doctor, pain specialist (have had about 6 nerve blocks and trigger point therapy), been to dentist (got a mouthguard that I wear at night, no relief), I use a heating pad on my neck, tried dry needling, etc. I am going to an allergist later this week to see if I could be allergic to something. Anyway, I know this post is long but I really wanted to explain everything that is going on with me. I am waiting to get in to see a neck specialist at Johns Hopkins, am desperate for some relief. Among all of this, I am a 21 year old female, so obviously these symptoms are very strange. The doctors that I have seen so far say that there is no way that these degenerative discs could cause this type of head pain, and no one has really addressed the bone spur. As I stated, I am 21 years old and have also never really been sick in my life. If someone could please please provide some insight for what they think could be happening to me or give any helpful tips, I would really appreciate it. 

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • victoria90562
    victoria90562 katherine60248

    Posted

    Do you have any heart issues? I know this is a long shot and rare, but a family member of mine suffered years and years with headaches and had every test you can think of, CT scan, MRI, labs after labs and finally someone found out they had a small hole in their heart. I can't remember 100% what had happened or what it was it it was all linked together and after they had surgery to fix it, the headaches went away.

    Do you also have anxiety issues? When I first was diagnosed with anxiety, my first thing I felt was daily headaches but then many other symptoms occurred. Like feeling "unreal", chest pain, fast paced heart beat and other stuff

    • katherine60248
      katherine60248 victoria90562

      Posted

      I don't have heart issues, but I do occasionally feel a shooting pain in my heart. Kind of uncomforatble and maybe happens once a week. 

      Yes, I actually do have anxiety. I take anxiety medicine, but I am still very very anxious about my head. I sometimes have panic attacks about my head that I believe stems from my anxiety. My headaches are everyday and so debilitating that I find it hard to believe that this could all be coming from anxiety. However, I do believe that my anxiety makes my head pain worse. I was diagnosed with anxiety over 2 years ago and these headaches started only 9 months ago. What did your headaches feel like?

    • victoria90562
      victoria90562 katherine60248

      Posted

      I'm glad you don't have any heart issues.

      My headaches vary. From the very start, it was migraine type headaches. But now, When I have high anxiety, the right side on my head hurts in this one spot a little above my ear. It was a sharp pain. It freaked me out so bad I took myself to the er thinking I had a tumor but my labs and CT scan were clear. I've had anxiety attacks ever since I was 6 and I'm almost 23 now.

  • Sld
    Sld katherine60248

    Posted

    I thought I would share my recent and ongoing experience. I have been experiencing constant headache for the last 8 weeks and have been in noble to work. I want right there n a crisis team so a stressful environment not conducive to headaches!  I have just been to see aneurologist (had to pay to go private in uk as would have to wait 3 months otherwise) and been diagnosed with chronic migraines.  I have similar symptoms to you.

    i have been prescribed topiramate to increase dose on a weekly basis.  Only had 4 doses so no improvement yet but consultant did say there is no quick fix and to be patient.  It is hard though as I am also waiting for a hysterectomy and he believes that will also help.

    never an easy solution with headaches and I have tri d so many different medications. Good luck and keep us updated.

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