Well, I'm kinda panicking here. The last few months I have had horrible, daily headaches. I get up with them, and no amount of painkillers can chase it away, it only suppresses it. Lately, this has been getting worse, I even wake up in the middle of the night cause of the pain. So, I went to the doctor, who told me to stop cold turkey with painkillers. She could not promise me that it would work, and it would take at least four weeks before any changes, if any, would take place. I panicked, I cannot afford to go without painkillers, I need to work on my studies. Plus, the prospect of not having any, no matter how small, relief for this is scaring the hell outta me. So, she offered to send me to a neurologist. She thinks a neurologist will give me the same advise but the very least it will calm me down. [wild notions of tumors have been going through my mind]. I had my hopes up for a great plan the campaigne from my doctor. Now, having had that appointment, and not much coming out of it, I feel at a loss. I have no idea what to do with this, and god, I just wish this would end. Positive note to all this, both my parents are completely worried over this. And I'm being pampered like a babe. My dad is paying for all my medical bills [insurance covers most, but not all] and is using his influence to get me ahead of waiting lists. And my mum brings me dinner, which is great, cause I hate, absolutely hate, to cook. Anyway, my question to you would be... Ever had any experience with this?
Headaches... any info?
by Vivamus 20 Replies latest social physical
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Scully
Hi Vivamus:
You've had a lot of stress in your life recently with your grandmother's death and the funeral (plus the worry about how the JWs were going to treat you), and I'm sure that the stress is continuing to build up with studies and deadlines for assignments and exams approach.
Depending on the type of pain killers you were using, it is possible to become physically addicted or psychologically addicted to them, in which case not having your regular dose increases (on a sub-conscious level) the stress and anxiety about the possibility of headaches, which in turn creates a vicious circle that perpetuates the headaches.
While your studies are important, it's more important for you to be well. In my work as a nurse, I see almost every day new mothers who are trying to function on not enough good quality sleep, trying to entertain visitors that come to see them in hospital, cope with all the new-mother stuff and breastfeeding and baby crying, etc. When I see that pattern, it comes as no surprise to me that mum is exhausted and gets a headache. Sometimes they get so tired that literally make themselves ill. It's the body's way of saying "Hey, SLOW DOWN!" So I'm going to tell you what I tell my patients: Take a break, for a WHOLE DAY, and pamper yourself. If you want to read, make sure it's something NON-SCHOOL related. I love going to the hair salon and having someone wash my hair and massage my scalp. It's so relaxing. I love going to the massage therapist for an hour treatment. I like relaxing in a jacuzzi or a hot bath with aromatherapy candles providing the light. Make sure you have lots of fluids, because one of the first symptoms of dehydration is a HEADACHE.
Hope it helps!
Love, Scully
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SPAZnik
Have you been getting enuf shut-eye (sleep)?
Drinkin' plenty o' water?
Have you had your eyes (vision) checked recently?
Sitting in one position for long periods of time? (studying/reading or staring at computer?)
Maybe get up and stretch out a bit or go for a walk.
SPAZ -
Pleasuredome
try reflexology, it can work very well. i use as a party trick sometimes if someone has a headache, the headache goes in minutes.
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SPAZnik
ooh, ooh....and massage.
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Mulan
MOST headaches can be traced to an intestinal/colon issue. Find a good fiber and drink tons of water, and try to clean out your innards. I know that is extremely personal, but constipation can cause so many health problems, that I had to bring it up.
Forgive me for asking this, but are you male or female. If you are female, they could be estrogen headaches, and probably every woman can tell you they are the worst. My doctor explained them to me as an excess of estrogen that spills into the blood stream (probably an oversimplification) and wreaks havoc. I got them when I was pregnant, and if not pregnant, they would come and go all month, and didn't seem to be cyclical.
I had them for years, and the only thing that worked for me was to lay down on my bed, flat on my back, no pillow and no lights, and no sounds. I could usually go to sleep for awhile, and wake up improved. One of my grandmothers had them too, and Mom said she would put her hands in ice cold water, and that would help.
If the headaches are hormonal, your doctor should be able to give you something to balance them.
This is the picture on my web site, about hormones. Looks like a headache to me.
Edited by - mulan on 28 November 2002 11:7:47
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Vivamus
Mulan, lol, that pict shows pretty much how I feel. I was thinking about it being hormones myself too. Reason for that is because they seem to worsen around that time of month. But I do have these blinding headaches all the time, it just gets worse when I'm having my period.
Thanx for all the imput.
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Nathan Natas
Is it possible that these are migraine "headaches"?
If so, that would explain the ineffectiveness of traditional headache medication.
There is a medication called IMITREX (sumatriptan) that your doctor can prescribe. It can be taken in pill form, via a nsal inhaler, or by injection.
Researchers are finding that migraines are completely different from "normal" headaches, and that traditional headache painkillers may actually set up the migraine victim for additional suffering. That may be why your doctor told you to stop the traditional painkillers. I'm assuming that your painkillers are the usual aspirin, acetominiphen, ibuprofen/naproxen type painkillers, not opiates, right?
Some people have reported that the herb FEVERFEW is effective at keeping migraines at bay, but the herb does not offer immediate help - it needs to be taken for a few weeks.
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RunningMan
Caffiene has been a killer for me. I have gotten to the point where I can't even go near non-decaf coffee.
Do you drink much coffee? If so, give it up for a while. After the withdrawal is over, you may feel much better.
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Valis
Yes the reflexology is good stuff. Also, nothing beats a really good massage and if it gets to where other treatments don't work you might also try accupuncture....and a visit to a nuerologist might not hurt either.
Sincerely,
District Overbeer
