Headaches with Crohn’s

[Dotmatr1x]

Hello

I have been diagnosed with Crohn’s for just less than a year. Still battling to get it fully under control, currently taking Adalimumab and Pentasa.

One of my worst symptoms when having a flare is headaches in the front of my head. The headaches never stop until my flare is back under control. So I can be left with a headache lasting weeks.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this ? And if they have any advise for treating the headaches. I have tried the usually other the counter medicines.

Thank you so much!

[cheryldn]

Hi Dotmatr1x

Maybe keep a diary of what you’re eating & drinking, when the headaches occur & how your Crohn’s is behaving. You may find a pattern & discuss with your GI consultant or GP. There are probably migraine meds you can have during these periods. Good luck

[karlou5455]

Hello, Dotmatr1x. I have had Crohns for over 30 years and the constant frontal headaches are new to me...disturbing. I have migraine meds and take sometimes...Tylenol does nothing for the headaches. I am on Balsalazide as Pentasa ( a better drug) is $2,000/month...unaffordable. Have been on 6MP (chemo) and cannot be on an immunosuppressant and work as a nurse now. Was on disability for 5 years but need to work. My GI doc retired and no one else in practice could take me on, so need to find a new one and would like to discuss these headaches with my flare. Sorry I don't have any advice on the subject, but know you are not alone. I wish you well in stabilizing your disease. It is definitely a daily challenge, especially with depression and anxiety on top of it. Be well and safe. Take good care of yourself! karlou5455

[Dotmatr1x in reply to karlou5455]

Hi Karlou5455

Thanks for your insight and experience. I was having the concern that the headaches may not be related to Crohn’s, but sounds like others have suffered the same symptoms. I hope you find a new GI doc, this must be a real worry for you.

Take care!

[jakelayla]

Hello Dotmatr1x, as you say the headaches occur when you are having a flare, maybe you are dehydrated. Make sure you drink plenty, lucozade or diorolyte may help. All the best.

[Micapathy]

The headaches were one of the reasons I stopped using HUMIRA. Getting these headaches is in the top 10 of side effects of HUMIRA. Your physician should know that.

Always ask yourself : Is the cure worse than the problem.

And of the counter painkillers wont work .

Never forget ; these anti-tnf medications like HUMIRA are known for many side effects.

They are not Just a paracetamol.

Try to find out if the pain gets worse after a new shot.

Also , when the Chrohn flaires up the bloodlose also might cause headaches

Hope you get well soon

[Dotmatr1x in reply to Micapathy]

Thanks Micapathy for your info. Can I ask you a question. How long where you taking Humira before you suffered the headaches ?

[Micapathy]

Hi there. Within a week !. I accepted it but after a few months my body made that much anti- bodddies against Humira that it die not work anymore.

[Dotmatr1x in reply to Micapathy]

Thanks for that. I did not have any problems for the first 14~ weeks with it. I will keep an open mind as to what is cause my headaches. My consultant has advised that I will be moved to new biological drug in a few weeks if I don’t improve.

[Micapathy in reply to Dotmatr1x]

Okay. Keep me posted on the type of new drug. I think I have had about 6 different biologicals. Now on Stelara. Works different compared to the other biologicals. But also with side effects