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KimmiSomething
30-10-17, 19:10
Hi everyone

I posted about my headaches few weeks back. To recap, ive had a pretty much continuous headache , predominantly on my left hand side of my forehead for over a month now.
Ive been to the gps twice, 1st time he said it was cluster headaches and prescribed naproxen. Second doctor said it was most likely tension headaches and prescribed setraline for my GAD/ha issues. i was also suffering from numbness, pins and needles, twitches etc
These other symptoms have subsided. I had a rough couple of weeks on the setralien to begin with. i was feeling nauseous a lot and getting panicky but that seems to have calmed down and i do feel a bit better in myself. but the headaches! they will not budge. I even tried coming of the naproxen for the weekend just gone thinking it might be causing rebound headaches but today they have been pretty constant so i think ill start taking the naproxen again tomorrow.
Ive had my eyes checked, got new glasses last week. optician said i had slightly weak eye muscles around my left eye but my eyes ok, she didnt find anything concerning.
Ive got a follow up appointment next week with my gp but i just keep getting flashbacks of all the horrible stuff i read when googling headaches a few weeks back.. ive stopped doing that now but i was in a pretty dark place a couple of weeks ago and just could not stop looking up all my "symptoms"
It really does feel like the only symptom i have now is the headache so im taking a little bit of comfort that if it was anything more sinister id have more progressive symptoms but still....
Id be interested to hear from anyone going through or who has been through a similar thing because i really cant help but get freaked out by it occasionally.

thnaks all x

megsi99
31-10-17, 00:21
hi there - so sorry you're dealing with this. I've been having trouble with headaches lately too and finally saw a headache specialist to get some advice. He thinks the bulk of my headaches are coming from TMJ issues - do you know if you clench your jaw or have any clicking or popping in your jaw?

In addition, i'm cutting gluten, sugar and caffeine to try and kick the headaches. I found two books online (Heal Your Headaches and the Migraine Miracle) that pointed me in this direction.

the other things he recommended are general self care - 70 oz of water, four days of 30 minutes of exercise and magnesium, B2 and CoQ10 supplements.

Another thing to consider is medicine overuse headaches, where you take a painkiller (OTC or prescription) more than 2-3 times per week. This can actually cause more headaches He advised me to ease off the painkiller and only take 2 dose per week, max.

Hopefully that helps a bit, but please know that many people have this very same issue and the bulk of it is caused by stress and how we carry it in our bodies.

---------- Post added at 20:21 ---------- Previous post was at 20:16 ----------

One more thing! Haver you tried peppermint or lavender oil? both of those can help me fight off a headache without taking meds. :)

KimmiSomething
31-10-17, 07:59
Hi Meg

How long have you had your headache troubles?

I have noticed on occasion that my jaw is bit tense... what did the headache specialist recommend for that?

I'm definitely going to try cutting out the caffeine, i'm a bit of a coffee addict so that cant be helping, thank you for the tip. I was thinking of also maybe going to see a physio as I know I do carry a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders which again cant be helping!

thanks for the advise, much appreciated

K x

megsi99
06-11-17, 15:56
I've had headaches for a very long time, at least 10 years. They've gotten worse over the last couple of months. I'm sure stress and anxiety goes along with it. My doctor said at my three month check in, if I'm not feeling better, he might suggest seeing a weekly therapist.

For the jaw issues, he recommended I connect with a dentist who specializes in TMJ - a neuromuscular dentist I think it's called.

I think the physical therapist is a good idea, I bet you would see some benefits there.

I hope you're feeling better soon!