How do I fight constant headaches and low energy when I am depressed?

[alphagoose]

I have been dealing with constant headaches for over two years straight now. There seems to be no medical explanation, so I am connecting it to the plummet of my already shaky mental health at the beginning of the pandemic. The headaches are generally pretty constant and dull, although some days they are so intense that I can barely get out of bed. Since graduating university last year, I have not been able to work. My energy reserves are very small and I am worried that if I get a job, I will not be able to handle it between the headaches and the limited capacity for human interaction. I should mention that I went to school for social work, so working with people is fairly unavoidable unfortunately... I want to work, but I do not feel physically capable of it. I was wondering if anybody had any advice for treating headaches and increasing energy when depressed

[Agora1]

Hi alphagoose, for years I too suffered from daily tension headaches only interrupted by migraines twice a month. I had CT scan, Neurologist and Rheumatogist physicians.

It was diagnosed as tension/contraction headaches. Physical therapy did help some but

the answer was basically when I started using Relaxation Meditation and Breathing.

Whether it was a tension headache or a migraine, they were treated the same with

"me time". A cool dark room, I used an ice pak on forehead while lying in bed and

listening to a body relaxation meditation. When up and about at home, I had an ice

pak on the lower back of my head. My daughter was young at the time and thought

that all mother's wear an ice band on their head. How sad.

I totally understand how defeated you may be. Working with a therapist to relieve

some of your stressors can help break that cycle of stress. Pain pills don't work.

I also had Accupuncture therapy as well as Hypnotherapy both helped immensely.

Don't give up, it eventually will go away when you let go of stress. xx

[alphagoose in reply to Agora1]

Hi!

This was incredibly helpful, thank you for taking the time to respond. The worst is feeling like I've run out of options/treatments, but you've given me hope! You reminded me how much ice packs help and I have also reached out to a hypnotherapist which I have a good feeling about! Thank you so much for the advice, I really really needed this

[Agora1 in reply to alphagoose]

Good Luck alphagoose...you may just be on your way to success.Never give up, They do go away xx

[Blueruth]

Constant headaches must be horrible. Do you walk regularly?

[alphagoose in reply to Blueruth]

Hello!

Truthfully, not as much as I should. It is hard when my head is pounding and my energy is so low, but I think it is just one of those things that I need to force myself to do, even if it is just for five minutes.

[Blueruth in reply to alphagoose]

Five minutes is worth the effort. Just getting into the fresh air. Stale air or dust or a smell might be making it worse.

Even if you just stand outside once a day but consistently once a day you can develop a habit that grows. On days that you feel like it you walk. On bad days you go in... or you stand up... whatever it takes to do that one effort. This is the core principle behind Atomic Tasks by James Clear.

[Pte82]

alphagoose, this link is intended to match some of your concerns with those who have found some answers for theirs according to this survey. Be aware of factors that diminish vitamin B1 (thiamine) found in the stuttersence link. Magnesium is needed to activate thiamine and together they are components needed to create ATP, the energy currency of the cells. Magnesium is also needed to activate vitamin D. The B vitamins work better together. Fat soluble forms of thiamine such as TTFD and sulbutiamine are more efficient passing through the blood brain barrier. Research them further for additional answers to your difficult situation. Always consult your health care professional before using any supplement.

healthrising.org/blog/2021/...

stuttersense.blogspot.com/2...

mountsinai.org/health-libra...

[alphagoose in reply to Pte82]

Thank you for this!

[Barneybetsy]

HiI suffered all my life with constant headaches and I was under a brilliant Doctor at Charing Cross Hospital in London they did Botox injection into the head and lots of people got immense relief from constant headaches and migraines. You may want to look into this.

But for me this didn’t really work but he became aware I had high blood pressure and I was put on medication. But my headaches improved greatly once I was through the menapause and now I look back and see that it was hormonal all along! This never really was picked up through my life and really feel that if it had maybe something could have been done ? Maybe mention this to your GP please don’t give up it will get better but look into everything and just mention some of the above it may be available and it could do work for you. Good luck

[alphagoose]

Hi there!

Thank you so much for this. Interestingly enough, I do actually have hormonal issues, so maybe it is time I bring it back up to my doctors. Thank you so much for your advice, this was very helpful it gives me hope

[Pte82 in reply to alphagoose]

alphagoose perhaps this link will offer another level to get answers you need.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...