Pain ongoing

[Animalandbooklover]

Hi I am new to this but here goes I had a accident coming up 7 years ago which resulted in needing to have brain surgery, due to obstructive hydrocephalus. Since this I've suffered with many problems but the worse being ongoing headaches which the hospital cannot figure out or help.

I think it just gets to me all and I don't know how to cope at times and wondered if anyone has been through something similar and got a result in the end?

I think I struggle to talk to others as I look perfectly normal but inside I'm in so much pain and just trying to push through. I know so many people go through worse in this world and then I feel guilty for speaking about it in the first place.

[skydivesurvivor]

Welcome to our world!! Suffered a TBI in 2000, for many years suffered horendous headaches. Thought it was my brain trying to rewire?!! Left me withdrawn, my friends/ family saw the old me, couldn’t accept the new me?! Their loss!! Worked through what was left of the old me. Took the better bits, remoulded bits & jetisoned the worst. Made new friends, same age, disabilities. Lesson that helped me greatly was to SMILE at my stupidity!! Others thought me crazy, my way of releasing the stress!! Try it & good luck!!

[lcd8]

Bless you. I have obstructive hydro too but mine is congenital. I only really get headaches in hot/humid weather and when my shunt is blocked. And I don't have that old/new me feeling. But the other symptoms sound pretty familiar.

[cat3]

Hi A&b. This isn't a place for feelings of guilt ; it's just about the only place we can be honest ...without judgement !

Headaches are pretty common after any type of brain trauma but, when doctors aren't finding the cause, trial & error is often the only option.

But it's wise to check with your GP about possible interaction with other meds, and with personal tolerance ; I found Ibuprofen really effective for arthritis pain 'til I began suffering severe gastric problems.

I wonder whether you've tried Amitriptyline for the pain ? It's used for both depression and for migraine or tension headache and works as a chronic pain reliever rather than an instant fix.

It takes a couple of weeks for the benefits to kick in (usually starting on a low dose and increasing to suit) but worth a try if you haven't already and if your doctor will prescribe it..

Best wishes, Cat. x

[Shreds]

Hi and welcome,

I cant answer for your headaches but the coping thing is something I can certainly understand. Where we have a hidden disability it seems no one cares or wants to know which usually makes everything worse.

For me I take a break from whatever I am doing and try to pace myself. That sometimes helps. I even have a note on my desk to remind me to step back for ten minutes or more before returning to a task.

I do think you should get a second opinion on the headaches though as there may be a build up and that is important to address.

[paxo05]

Hi and welcome to the forum. W can all feel isolated and alone at times.

That is until you contact the forum. Then you realise no matter what there is someone out there feeling or having felt that way to.

Ask away on here and it will be answered best we can. Or just have a rant, that helps as well.

The only thing that is absent on here is judgement . There seems little time for that caper on here.

Once again welcome

Pax