Does anyone else suffer from chronic tension headaches?

[Tess359]

I've suffered from IBS C since I was a child and I am now 65. For most of my life I suffered from the typical IBS symptoms, but for the past 20 years I have been increasingly suffering from chronic headaches which start with muscle tension between my shoulder blades. Nothing will stop it, I've tried massage, yoga, chiropractic adjustments, the works. I came to the conclusion that the muscle spasms were being caused by histamine overload and a low histamine/low fodmap diet has helped the problem, but not solved it. I've been on this restrictive diet for over a year now, but when I try to re-introduce small amounts of restricted foods it flares up again. Does anyone else suffer from this, is there any hope that I will ever be able to eat normally again?

[Pthom50]

Hi..I too have really bad headaches and tension between the shoulder blades which goes up into my head. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a few years ago so I put it down to that.I cant take strong painkillers (probably cos of IBS) so i'm stuck with it! May be worth getting a referral to see if its Fibromyalgia. In these times you will have a wait ofcourse! I have also been doing low fodmap for a few months but like you I still get flares but am hoping to eat 'normally' at some stage. I think anxiety plays a big part in these conditions so am trying to de-stess. Good luck with it all...keep us posted

[Tess359 in reply to Pthom50]

Thanks Pthom, I too cannot take pain killers. I hadn't thought that it may be Fibromyalgia. I''l take your advice and try to get a referral. Take care.

[Maureen1958]

Sorry that nobody has answered your question and I am afraid I won't be of any use. Unfortunately although there are nearly 33,000 members on this site, there are only a handful of current participating members. If people don't get an answer they leave the site. You may well do the same. But generally they don't remove themselves from the site and keep their membership open so to speak, so although it looks like we have load of members we have only got about 30 active members at any one time (and even they can't play together nicely sometimes). I have had IBS for 35 years, started with diarrhoea but gradually over the years, especially since I have got older, it is turning more constipated. What I have found is that with the constipated variety I seem to get more headaches than I used to get, more like a continual low grade headache that can get worse as the IBS turns worse. I'm afraid I haven't got any answers for you though. All I can say is that if the restrictive diet works then just stick with it. I know it's no much fun but most of us have restrictive diets on here. Sorry I was not of much use, but wish you all the best.

[Tess359 in reply to Maureen1958]

I know that there is little information about the causes of IBS and it's varied symptoms, but thank you for replying, Maureen. It helps knowing that others who are having the same problems are there to support us. Flare ups are frightening when very severe and reading about other people's experiences helps a lot. Thank you.

[Maureen1958 in reply to Tess359]

Thank you for your lovely reply. Pthom50 must have been writing her post the same time as I was. When I finished my reply and saw her's, it sort of clicked with me. I have spoken to Pthom50 before about my own problems as I think I may have fibro. It all seems to be interrelated.

[Ashlynr18]

Hi! I’ve had IBS my entire life but just in the past year or so started having TERRIBLE tension headaches/ chronic migraines daily that would start between my shoulder blades or on the back of my head. I began seeing a Neurologist and we tried Muscle Relaxers, anti-seizure medicines, High blood pressure medicines .. I mean EVERYTHING. I now take Aimovig (the shot you give yourself once monthly) and it has worked WONDERS. I did notice my IBS got worse when I began taking the Aimovig, so I raised my Linzess dose (for my IBS) to 190.

Hope this helps!!

[Tess359 in reply to Ashlynr18]

Thank you Ashlyn, you seem to have the same problem as me and I have tried just about everything too. I have never heard of Aimovig so I will ask my GP about it. I'm so glad that it has worked for you because I know what torment it can be. I will certainly give it a try. Kindest Regards.

[Ashlynr18 in reply to Ashlynr18]

Correction: **changed my Linzess to 290mg