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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Does anyone out there get Headaches??

Anyone ever feel like this??? Well, I do.


I figured I would ask all of you out there about your experience with headaches. Remember about 10 days ago I posted this post about having headaches for the past 4 days? Well guess what has yet to leave-- headaches!!! It has now been 14 days and I still am getting daily headaches. I still am waking up with one every morning and have them throughout the day. They are really annoying and have rendered me totally useless for a couple days. One day- last Sunday I think- I could not even get out of bed all day (and I'm not really a pain wimp at all-- I have been told all my life I am pretty tough and I think I am). These headaches have really affected me and I never really get down about things but I am starting to really get down about the headaches. I have even been dreaming about them. I just don't know what to do. I did a Z pack and that seemed to help at first but the headaches are still here and seem to be getting worse again. I am going to the DR on Monday because I just cant imagine doing this anymore. I need to figure out what is going on and rule out all the horrible things that are going on in my mind. Since I have always been a very healthy person, I never really know what it is like to be in constant pain (with the temporary relief with pain meds) and having this pain is really odd and hard for me. My mind wanders to the crazy things it could be like an tumor or aneurysm (sp?) or something bad like that. I just keep thinking the worst and even when my best friends who are doctors tell me that 99% of headaches are not associated with huge things like I mentioned, it is still hard to not let your mind go there. I just need to relax and not let it bug me (easier said than done) but sadly having these headaches are making me not want to do much-- and then I feel sad because I feel unproductive etc. Goodness this sucks!!



Anyway, anyone out there ever had a period of time in their lives when they have had persistent headaches? If so, what did they figure out it was from? My headaches seem to be like a big band around my head and it seems like a lot of the pain is at the base of my neck and on the sides. When I massage my neck and shoulders it makes it a bit better but it hurts like heck just to move my neck. It is also pushing on my forehead and the sides as well. Sorry I'm not more specific but I am just not use to having headaches so I don't know all the terms. Any info would be greatly appreciate.

24 comments:

  1. I don't really have any advice, but I'm so sorry you're still feeling bad. I couldn't imagine feeling so awful for so long.

    I hope you figure something out. Maybe you've developed allergies - I've heard of it happening!

    Rachel

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  2. Oh you poor thing!! I feel for you and have been there too! When we lived in So. Cal....I used to get horrible headaches! I soon discovered that they were all allergy/sinus related. When the Santa Ana winds were blowing....I was miserable. After going to the allergist and getting tested....they gave me nose sprays and allergy meds.....certainly made a world of difference for me! I hope yours is as simple as that...and do hope you get some relief soon!!

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  3. I was having chronic, persistent headaches for a long period of time and it was determined that it was due to hormones. The doctors didn't really have a solution for me then, but since then I had to have a hysterectomy due to severe endometriosis and as soon as I had it done, the headaches were gone. Totally and completely gone. (I do wear a hormone patch now)

    I'm not sure if that helps you or not but mine were definitely due to fluctuating hormones. On the patch they are more stable and I only have them occasionally.

    I hope you are feeling better soon!

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  4. Hi. I'm a first time "commenter" but I have been following your blog, since before you went to China to get Mia (thanks to the RQ website, where I found your blog).

    I just felt I had to comment...a few years back, I had a few bad days with a massive headache. After 7-10 days with this headache, I finally went to the DR and was referred to a neurologist (sp)...and after a CT scan and an MRI, the DR diagnosed me with having migraines. I tried a few different meds to see which one worked best for me and after 4-5 different ones, one did me okay, just made me REALLY sleepy. But what works best for me is...meds, ice pack for where it hurts and a dark & quiet room...I usually go to sleep for a bit and when I get up, it's much better. Yes, my head is sore for a day but I feel so much better.

    Hope you feel better soon!! I know how miserable headaches can make one feel.

    Barbara

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  5. I am so sorry you are feeling so bad....headaches like that really stink and can really knock you down!!

    I have had some really bad headaches on occasion...they can be stress induced and sometimes brought on by certain foods that you eat. It sounds as though you are experiencing some kind of migraine. I am glad you are going to the doc, hopefully he can get to the bottom of it. Please keep us updated!!

    Hope you feel better soon:)

    Lisa

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  6. I do not get headaches very often.. I have only had a few.. ususally when I try not to drink Dt. MtDew... And I know it is from the caffiene withdraw...
    I am sooo sorry.. glad you are going to the dr. on MOnday.. keep us informed..
    Guess what.. we are thinking about planning a Disney trip..
    Probably just a one day maybe two.. not tooo sure..
    It will be my first.. everyone else has been.. and I will FINALLY get to meet you and the family..
    I hope we can plan it out..
    HUGS>>
    Fill better soon..

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  7. I don't have any experience with this but hope you find the answer soon. Oprah just had a show on about women and hormones. A lot of the women were getting bad headaches when their hormones were out of wack. I also get headaches when I am under a lot of stress (like lately). It could also be sinus like someone else said.

    Good luck!

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  8. Christy - I was thinking have an eye exam until you started describing your headache.
    I agree with the others on the hormones.
    Good luck - love following your blog. Joy

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  9. It does sound like it might be a migraine because it is lasting so long. If so drop me a note on my blog and I'll offer some suggestions (along with what your Dr is going to prescribe.)

    Sinus could be a real possibility as well, so maybe get one of those cans of sinus rinsing saline (walmart and all the drug stores carry them)and use it until you can see the Dr.

    Also, if they diagnose migraine don't just stick with the first med the dr prescribes. Some will agree with you more than others. If the first one really knows you for a loop trial several others.

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  10. Hello,

    I saw your blog link on another blog and had to comment. I'm a teacher and I get a lot of headaches. Migraines with auras, that seem to be related to hormones and I swear barometric pressure. But also a lot of tension headaches, where my entire jaw feels tight. This may not be what you're feeling but I thought I'd mention this anyway. I sometimes go to a physiotherapist who works on my jaw and muscles in my cheeks. Sounds strange, but I swear by it. I now have exercises I can do at home and it's helped a lot. Someone also recommended trying white flower, which is apparently available in Asian markets. I haven't tried that yet but my friend swears by it. I think you rub it onto your temples.

    I hope you're feeling better soon. It's hard to function when you have that kind of pain.

    Shea
    www.thegiftofyou.blogspot.com

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  11. I,too, have had bad ones and it ended up being hormonal for me too!I hade a procedure done and they have since subsided...get one a month now.

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  12. Several years ago, I had them from clenching my teeth at night while I slept! I also had a lot of jaw tightness, etc, but they said headache is the #1 symptom. They made me a nightguard to wear in my mouth and I was fine in a few days. I wear it a few nights a week.

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  13. Don't want to oversimplify but....
    Drink TONS of water (dehydration causes me to have severe headaches)
    Buy a neti pot and some nasal wash and wash out your sinuses daily. Cliff has been able to quit getting allergy shots by using the neti pot. You can buy it at most pharmacies. Hope this helps...

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  14. Christy,

    I have no headache advice, but I do know what it is like to think the worst! I do it all the time. I will pray for God's perfect peace to fill your mind this night, my cyber friend. I will be praying for you tomorrow as you go to the doctor.

    Happy Chinese New Year,

    Debby

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  15. Oh Christy----
    I feel SO bad for you------
    I get chronic migraines and headaches and yes they are due to everything people said--hormones, stress, a change in sleep patterns and I always get them when there is a g weather from that comes in (shift n barometric pressure). I can so empathize. i too have a hight tolerance for pain but headaches wear me down. I have had headaches where they did spinal taps they were so bad---and I have had menningitis (medicine induced) several times with the WORST headaches.

    I have tried the migraine medicines but I do not really like medicine. The one thing that really helps me is the chiropractor. Whenever I have a severe headache, I get a neck adjustment (atlas and c2) and I swear every single time my headache goes away!!!!

    E-mail me f you want more info.

    Hope you feel better.

    Kim

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  16. Oh Christy----
    I feel SO bad for you------
    I get chronic migraines and headaches and yes they are due to everything people said--hormones, stress, a change in sleep patterns and I always get them when there is a g weather from that comes in (shift n barometric pressure). I can so empathize. i too have a hight tolerance for pain but headaches wear me down. I have had headaches where they did spinal taps they were so bad---and I have had menningitis (medicine induced) several times with the WORST headaches.

    I have tried the migraine medicines but I do not really like medicine. The one thing that really helps me is the chiropractor. Whenever I have a severe headache, I get a neck adjustment (atlas and c2) and I swear every single time my headache goes away!!!!

    E-mail me f you want more info.

    Hope you feel better.

    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh Christy----
    I feel SO bad for you------
    I get chronic migraines and headaches and yes they are due to everything people said--hormones, stress, a change in sleep patterns and I always get them when there is a g weather from that comes in (shift n barometric pressure). I can so empathize. i too have a hight tolerance for pain but headaches wear me down. I have had headaches where they did spinal taps they were so bad---and I have had menningitis (medicine induced) several times with the WORST headaches.

    I have tried the migraine medicines but I do not really like medicine. The one thing that really helps me is the chiropractor. Whenever I have a severe headache, I get a neck adjustment (atlas and c2) and I swear every single time my headache goes away!!!!

    E-mail me f you want more info.

    Hope you feel better.

    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  18. I feel so bad for you. I had a period of ONE MONTH of consistent migraine type headaches about 12 years ago. I went to the dr. who ordered an MRI. Of course, there was nothing wrong! Stress? Not sure.

    I also got headaches EXACTly as you described--I think it was a good description--when I lived in Costa Rica years ago. It always happened when I came out of the mountains and went into the HOT, HUMID beach areas. Is that barometric pressure?

    Hang in there. Hopefully your dr. can prescribe something. Oh, and isn't it worse with little ones under foot? I feel your pain.

    Mary Karen
    And Lily Makes Three

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  19. Weather, allergies, rebounding from all of the medicine, hormonal changes... so many things. I feel for you and hope that it disappears as mysteriously as it appeared!

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  20. I'm so sorry this is happening.

    I don't get headaches very often, but when I do, it's usually sinus. Ouch! Once, when I was a teenager, I was at the dentist because the pain in my head was soooooooooo bad. I told him he needed to rip all my teeth out because the pain was so bad! He took an exray, and said my sinuses were totally filled to bursting. Oh man, I still remember the pain!

    Good luck at the doctor's and keep us posted.
    Snick :)

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  21. Christy,

    I'm so sorry you are not feeling
    good!! I know how aweful it feels
    to have lasting headaches! I agree
    with the posters about hormones
    thats what was wrong with me. I
    feel so lucky that I'm having
    them less often. Good luck at
    the doctors! Happy Chinese New
    Year to all of you!!!!


    Many Hugs,

    Sindy

    P.S. LOVED ALL THE NEW PICS!!

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  22. OH MY....I'm so sorry that you've been having these headaches. I cannot imagine! I don't get them very often...if I do...it's either a sinus headache or I need to drink more water. Yours sounds like it might be because of something else. Maybe getting regular adjustments at the chiropractor would help. I'm a FIRM believer of chiropractors. Even my kids get adjusted. It helps with all kinds of things. (just a thought) Anyway....I hope you find out what's going on!!! Keep us posted.

    OH...and your ice skating trip looked like so much fun!! Have a great week!
    Blessings,
    buffi

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  23. I used to have chronic headaches and migranes -- the were awful -- sometimes last weeks.

    My doctor suggested I try not to eat gluten (wheat) for 1 month -- amazingingly enough, I haven't had a bad headache for over 4 months. I feel SO much better.

    Feel free to email me if you'd like more info!

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  24. Christy,

    Funny I should come across your blog the day after you post about headaches.

    I have suffered from severe "textbook" migranes for several years now. As I have gotten older, they have gotten progressively worse. I've only used on prescription drug which helps, but only if I can take it when I feel the first signs of what coming.

    Then my husband found my miracle cure...he attended a MonaVie meeting after a friend urged him to. He purchased a case of the product and insisted I try it. What did I have to lose? I can honestly tell you that I have been migrane free for about 6 months!

    It is nice to meet another adoptive family. We are LID 9/4/07, waiting for our Mei-Mei too!

    Heldy

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