Debilitating headaches?

LATeagno · June 2012

Sorry this is a bit off topic, but I'm hoping that maybe someone with a similar experience might respond.

About 10 days ago, I began to have this awful headache behind my left eye. I've always had little headaches there when I see a bright light or go out into the sun, but this was a debilitating pain that wouldn't quit. The pain was worsened while I was moving and bending (or coughing or sneezing), so I thought it was a sinus infection. I tried to hold out going to the doc and took Sudafed, but it didn't help. I don't like taking antibiotics, so when I finally broke down and went to my doctor, you know i was in pain!

I also had an MRI which showed no tumors or anything scary in my brain.

She put me on a 14 day regimen of antibiotics for a sinus infection. I'm on day 5 of them and these headaches are still going strong. It's not just above my eye anymore, either... it's all over. I'm taking so much OTC pain medication daily that it's stressing me out knowing what I am doing to my liver. My doctor insists that it's nothing too scary, just a migraine or tension headaches on top of inflamed sinuses. I've never had a headache for this long before. I am really stressed out. I feel like it's going to be this way forever.

My doc offered to put me on some migraine meds, but they have strong side effects and I'm not really willing to do that. I don't like taking daily medications, let alone medications for something that I never had a problem with before. I was perfectly healthy before a ten days ago. I was fine and rarely had headaches.

Anyone else have a similar experience? I'm losing hope here.

leslisa · June 2012

Did have, yes, on and off for about 2 years. Had MRI, Cat Scan, and threw up a bunch. Along with pain were issues speaking, vision loss, and limb numbness (Talk about freaky. That one and the first time I went blind really freaked me out)

Cause was never diagnosed. It cleared up when I got bacterial bronchitis/pneumonia and had to go on some powerhouse antibiotics.

Um, might want to see an allergist if the antibiotics don't help. My SIL gets pretty bad ones and her's are allergy related somehow.

{{Hug}} It really sucks I know.

macpatti · June 2012

I suffer from debilitating migraines, but I won't take "migraine medication". I'm super sensitive to medication and can't handle the jittery feelings. When I have a migraine, I take Advil and Alieve but alternate them every 4 hours. I take a prescription strength amount of Advil (Motrin, ibuprofen) of 800mg. I wouldn't advise taking that high of a dose without checking with your doctor first. I know it's not good for anyone with stomach ulcers.

I know how bad the pain is! So sorry!

SueGremlin · June 2012

I take Imitrex for migraines. I only take it as an abortive, (when I actually get the headache) and I get virtually no side effects for it and it works really well.

I would try it if I were you.

buckeyegirl0103 · June 2012

Are you eating/drinking stuff with Aspartame in it? (nutra sweet-equal) I used to drink diet coke and crystal light- had HORRIBLE headaches like that- even passed out a couple times. docotr's couldn't figure out what was wrong. My mom saw a news report about Aspartame and headaches so we thought lets cut it out of my diet (was in high school at the time) and BINGO- headaches stopped. I tried it again a few years later and it started up again! Even now, if I have a diet drink without realizing it I WILL end up with a horrible headache!

tasmin21 · June 2012

My husband had the exact same thing happen. Varying degees of pain for probably two or three months. No other neurological symptoms, no problems with the eye itself, clean MRI/MRA, no signs of a sinus infection that they could see.

They never did figure out the cause of it, and it finally went away on its own.

Very frustrating.

jonesygetshealthy · June 2012

I suffer from cluster headaches (also known as suicide headaches because of the severity of the pain). Much more severe than migraines, sometimes people will cry or yell or in severe cases, tap their head against walls or furniture to distract themselves, but again, everyone tolerates pain differently. Generally, the pain is on one side of the head (but, the side can switch) focused mainly around the eye area, but can also hurt the neck. Sometimes you'll get what's called a shadow, which is when you recognize that a headache will be starting, but this isn't as common as it is with migraines. Usually the headaches last about fifteen minutes to four hours, and it's called "cluster" because they happen once to several times a day, for several days or weeks, and often occur in a pattern (in the evenings, before your lunch break, etc). Luckily most people go through several months' remission before they occur again!

Generally ibuprofen/excedrin/standard headaches medecines do not help cluster headaches. Call your doctor to check your hypothalamus for abnormalities, as well as think about getting your testosterone checked (as low levels may be linked). If you smoke, it's recommended that you quit because cluster headaches can be caused from dilation or constriction of blood vessels in the brain.

Things that are also said to help (and that have DEFINITELY helped me!) are cutting all gluten (wheat, barley, and rye products) from your diet, as well as avoiding scents (in your detergent, air fresheners, and make sure to get a scentless deodorant and try not to wear cologne/perfume for several days). Along with this, try putting a humidifier in your home. ALSO, very helpful, is a good breathing exercise, similar to what women do when giving birth, but holding breaths longer. Oxygen (in breathing techniques and tanks) is one of the only "cures".

Sounds a tad like my first experience with cluster headaches, I was put on antibiotics too.

Debilitating headaches?

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