Headaches

[Championbaker]

Hello. I've just been diagnosed after years of mysterious symptoms. I'm suffering with terrible headaches. I've been given tablets fir migraines but they don't touch it. Yoga and meditation aren't working. Has anybody any ideas please. They aren't the only thing that's bothering me but they are the most debilitating.

[PMRpro]

You are likely to get more suggestions if you were to describe ALL the symptoms you have - because the overall clinical picture points doctors in various directions. And that includes age and time scales.

[Chris21]

my daughter gets headaches that turn into a migraine last can last for days and totally wipe her out. The reason can vary, from overworking to eating food that has gluten. She has coeliac, sjogrens and diabetes.

Obvious questions; have had eyes, ears tested scan on neck, brain, blood test.

Are you getting enough sleep? If the tablets aren’t doing anything, then maybe another trip to the GP so that they can look into other possibilities causing your headache.

[dg70]

I suffered a lot in my early forties. I don't know if you'e female and what age you are but they do increase if you are susceptible to them as you get closer to menopause. My neurologist did suggest upping my blood pressure medication from 4mg to 8mg a day as it has been shown that high blood pressure meds help with headaches. This worked a lot. I can manage my headaches now much more easily and migraines are very few. I do take codeine when I feel a migraine coming which works for me although my neurologist says it shouldn't work, for me it does a lot. The key is finding the issue that's causing them which may take time and a neurology referral. As it can be eyes, teeth, dryness, blood pressure and the list goes on. I have sjogrens and its so important and I can't stress enough to drink at least 2 litres of water or squash a day if you get regular headaches whatever the cause. You have to keep your brain hydrated to keep the headaches at a minimum. Don't drink anything fizzy it will just dehydrate and I never drink alcohol now as that makes everything worse. The best thing would be to see your GP about a neurology referral and get a brain scan to check that out. Constant headaches can be a more serious issue that needs to be investigated.

[Championbaker in reply to dg70]

Hi. I am a woman 52 and very post menopausal. I have lupus , coeliac and a thyroid condition. Eyes are newly tested. No blood pressure problems, don’t drink caffeine and drink probably about 3 l of water a day. No sugary drinks and no processed sugar in food if I can help it. I do get stressed but I meditate and practice yoga every day.

The headaches are lasting for days on end, but I am an insomniac as well and struggle no matter how much I practice good sleep habits to get more than 3-4 hours a night and this has been ongoing for many years. My situation is further complicated by being on bipolar meds.

Having written all this I think I’ve solved my own problem but any thoughts would be greatly received.

[dg70 in reply to Championbaker]

My sleep was disturbed many times a night because of pain. I first had a nytol every few days but you can't take them long term. Progesterone pills for menopause started to help a lot with sleep so I take one every day long term with no gaps. My biggest saviour has been gabapentin at night for pain as it makes you sleepy too, great bonus. I just about sleep all night with maybe 3 wake ups briefly instead of 20. Sleep plays a big part in headaches. You need to find a way to get good quality sleep. I'm over the worst of menopause (53) now but its really mucked up my body the last 10 years or so. Every symptom you have seems to go crazy during menopause. I'm not out the other side completely yet but I'm not at the height anymore. I'd have a good chat with your GP. See what they can help with. I've had some awful insomnia in the past during peri menopause and menopause, I can sympathise with what its like. Drugs are the only thing that seem to keep me under now at night. It's bliss getting better sleep. I hope you find something to help you. take care. xxx

[poseymint]

Sounds like you are already doing all the right things as far as diet goes. Yes, deep sleep, Delta waves is so important for overall health. I sleep well when I don’t have to go to work the next day. I can relax without the feeling of responsibility. On work nights I have to often take a small bit, 2.5mg of the drug Ativan (USA) its for anxiety.

Just my story for anyone looking at changing their diet because of headaches: My neurologist encouraged me to stop all caffeine because I was having migraine auras, sometimes with bowel urgency. It took a couple years for him to convince me as I enjoyed my cup of coffee in the morning. I finally quit coffee, tea, chocolate and my migraine symptoms went away. I also do better when I eliminate gluten and sugar- though its hard during the holidays.

[Championbaker in reply to poseymint]

I don’t regret giving up caffeine it definitely helped me with the intestinal distress associated with my lupus. A bigger thing for me was giving up for fizzy pop. I dropped 3 sizes, my skin became clear and I don’t have sugar slumps in the afternoon. I already take a number of drugs for my conditions that should sedate me so sleeping tablets might not be an option but I’ll take myself to the gp.

[Stills]

I’ve had insomnia as long as I can remember and well before I was diagnosed with Adult Onset Stills Disease at 17, which for me manifests as rheumatoid disease. Symptoms can be very similar to Lupus.

During the years of stressful work anxiety made insomnia and migraines a regular state. In my late 20s migraines began which I manage with codeine based medication. Now in my early 60s the insomnia has eased a little, perhaps as I don’t work now.

Menopause has come and gone and I’m in HRT - Everol conti patch - which rather interestingly states not suitable for use if you have Lupus within the leaflet. I have wondered if it affects Stills Disease as it’s a similar condition but GP doesn’t know or care.

This year began with huge emotional trauma and I’ve been unwell since too, coincidence perhaps? investigations are ongoing to rule out cancer with various scopey pokey procedures but I’m sure it’s not a cancer.

Cluster migraines have increased and a drop in BP upon standing has brought vertigo into play but I was prescribed something that controls that. High cholesterol and gastric issues have emerged and I’m described as having subclinical hypothyroidism which I think is called Hashimotos Disease or autoimmune thyroiditis ( so much terminology to learn in this field).

So I think having insomnia, suffering anxiety, the chronic AI condition, other AI things like lichen Sclerosis all contribute in different ways and for me it’s possible I’ve had Hashimoto’s without knowing for years. I’m hoping the next scopey pokey shows nothing and Dr will start to look more closely at Hashimoto’s and I may get some treatment that resolves all my health problems, now wouldn’t that be wonderful.

Realistically I expect to have to see a private Endocrinologist to get diagnosed and prescribed for Hashimoto’s as on the Thyroid posts here it seems to be a controversial illness with difficulty getting the right medication in every way.

Until then it’s just a question if managing with pain relief and afternoon naps if possible. Hope this is if interest and you find your own solution soon.

Merry Christmas.

[Championbaker in reply to Stills]

Thank you for your kind post. If I could be of some hope. I have suffered with thyroid issues since my early 30s, and my initial dosage was found immediately and worked for many years. Over time it has increased but never to the point that I was as ill as the first time. This is complicated by pernicious anaemia. I found that giving up caffeine helped my thyroid as all my medicines metabolised more efficiently.

I, too have intestinal issues, and a couple of things strike me as similar. I, started taking codeine in my 30s for arthritis and my gut health has suffered since. There is a lot of research about this and insomnia. I noticed there is a causal link for me using a journal, and I cleaned up my diet accordingly. Though sometimes things are tough I'm more in control.

Firstly ,please do not be disheartened. Sometimes the answer is found first time and secondly sometimes you can help yourself to manage when it seems no-one is helping.

[Stills in reply to Championbaker]

Thank you very much indeed for taking the time to share and reply. Very interesting; I’ve read that codeine may have contraindications snd use it sparingly but for migraines it’s my only help. GP says a recent abdominal scan suggests diverticulitis which can be caused by codeine. The PPI prescribed for heartburn and indigestion at the onset of this malaise in February causes bad headaches so I’ve weaned off that and found the heartburn has decreased significantly on its own. Most of my medications were high but only over a few years when I was young like steroids and RA drugs.

My very humble lay opinion is that I may have autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimotos (if they differ ?) and the vaginal spotting and pain is just …. Well age or HRT issues.

Hopefully the colonoscopy shows nothing like the gastroscopy earlier this year and the recent scans, GP will then test thyroid which if proves to be the cause is then treated by Levo without too much hassle, I also believe in Santa 🎅

Thanks again , wish you good days x