Tension headaches

Bobbi

Bobbi

Cathlete
Are any of you tension headache sufferers? I am and I am so tired of them. I have learned they come in relation to TMD and can cause tinnitus. I couldn't find a cause for the tinnitus until I just took a shot in the dark and began trying therapies to stop it when my PCP, ENT, an MRI and a neurologist failed to help. Cranio-sacral therapy led to the realization that it was my jaw that was acting up.

But therapy takes time and money and I have 16 year old going to Germany and paying for that in advance in cash has forced me to put my CS therapy on hold and I can feel a difference.

I did quite alot of research into all of this and asked my PCP to prescribe a tension relieving medicine. She was very reluctant and, I think, put off responding to me for a wek during which I had a 4 day headache. I was rather ticked but I had an appointment with the TMD specialist and I had to bide my time.

I explained to him I like having doctors who want to take a holistic approach but also believe in spite of my desire to use a fit lifestyle, diet and exercise and alternative therapies, that drug therapy can relieve symptoms and I think it can be a great place to start while waiting for therapies to work. An anti-depressant I didn't want to need once brought me back from the edge of darkness, when lifestyle somehow failed. I know that sound dramatic and it was!

I have a couple of weeks until I can start the therapy again and my mouth guards need adjustment and I want to continue to feel like I
am. Dr. Harkins prescribed, Fiorocet, saying it was a safe and non-addictive tension headache reliever but it's a barbituate and it doesn't work other than to say, yes, it is have a hard to feel a headache when you are unconscious. :) Knocks me on my butt. I can't be dopey and do all I need to! But I can feel the tension returning and I can't sleep well again.

Can any sufferers or health care professionals recommend a safe and effective, muscle relaxant or something to help me until I get results
from the thrapies?

I apologize for taking so long to get to the point!

TIA!


Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver
 
Hi Bobbi,

Just a shot in the dark, but did you discuss a tricylic antidepressant? I have Trigeminal Neuralgia, which is nerve pain in the jaw. It also causes me extreme headaches and tinitus. I take Amitriptyline in a very small dosage along with Neurontin, which is a anti-seizure medicine. Before this surfaced three years ago, I was so against medication. My opinion has totally changed on medicine when there is a real need for it. I just wanted to put the idea out there. Unfortunately, I think doctors take womens pain issues with a grain of salt. It took me several months to get proper treatment. If I was male, I think there would have been a quicker response!

Good Luck,

Tina
 
zanaflex is a mild muscel relaxer that you could probably function on after the initial "getting used to it" period. i used to take it every day and it didn't disrupt my life at all.


hope ya feel better soon!


jes:)
 
Thanks, Jes. I already do! I went to yoga and my favorite kick behind instructor took it easy and focused on breath work, reminding me I know how to relax if I don't let my toughts get too far ahead to what MAY come. Two tough nights do not insomnia make! Thank you for the suggestion. I am calling the doctor tomorrow so I can be prepared but today I am getting to work, thinking only "Lips together, teeth apart, do not clench..." as I focus on one task at a time. I have no time for feeling overwhelmed. I am like Bobbi Jekyl, Bobbi Hyde and it's crazy!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver
 
Thank you, Tina. I am on Wellbutrin and have discussed that there are better anit-depressants, particularly anxiety but my first PCP office failed to call it in and I ended up switching docs. My new one didn't like me diganosing and prescribing for myself, particularly over the phone. She hadn't been to 8 doctors, therapists and specialists in two weeks. The thought of making another appointment drove me crazy. I can go a long time on little sleep and do just fine but when that period is over, well, it's sort of like Night of the Living Dead, without the blood.
The TMD prescribed Neurontin for me, and it did help with the insomnia at first. It is so frustrating that different drugs work differently for each individul but I am right there with you when it comes to using drugs to get through the tough spots. The anti-tesion medicine bonked me but it was back to the Night of the Living Dead, although I prefer to think of myself as a Mombie. :)

An anti-depressant may have saved my ife; at the very least, it gave it back to me. But there is a certain amount of stigmatism attatched. I love these forums because they've helped me work through that. I stayed on my anti-depressant out of fear. I really do need to switch anti-depressants to see if that makes a difference until my therapies work. I hope to reach a point when I can do it with lifestyle alone but, who knows?

Tinnitus, I have found incredibly horrible. It is much quieter now, thank heaven! The tension headaches came and went and have only been really bad lately. Since I am pretty sure I have found the casue of both, I just want meds to get me through the few months until I start reversing the damage. The TMD specialist is more open-minded than my PCP and she disappoints me because I want a doctor who is a partner and will work with me.

They all love you when you are a vibrant marathoner with an immaculate diet but show up stressed out and falling to pieces and they refuse to trust that you can actually do the research and at least begin to heal thyself, with their cooperation! :) I may just call my old doctor and say will you please call my meds in this time and take me back. We were together for years and I always loved her. It had gotten to the point where I was afraid to drive my kids which I do constantly and even a 24 hour wait to for a response got to be too much. And when none came at all, I switched. And that worked out no better. :)

Tina, I wonder if Cranio-Sacral therapy might not be beneficial to you. I can't wait to get back to it. The days after my first session were unbelievable. I slept, I laughed and felt like myself. Then my husband and daughter put me on a tight budget and I had to put it off. It also led me to the realization that my jaw was the culprit.

Thank you for your sugestion! Sorry to be so long-winded!


Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver
 
Bobbi
I have no advice for you but am 'listening' to your posts and sending prayers your way. I know you will find the right solution to this situation, because you always do!
Judy
AKA "Likes2bfit"
sport-smiley-009.gif
http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif
 
Yes, it starts at the temle and works it's way up around the ear and back to the bottom of the back of the head. It hurts to the touch. It's classic jaw related tension. Do you get them, Candi? My jaw has just started to click. The TMD specialist said 6-8 weeks to get to normal and 6 months to get to reversal with some maintainance involved. How are you doing with your TMD?
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver
 
Thanks, Judy! It's amazing how those prayers get answered. You just have to pay attention. No miracles, just taking steps! At yoga yesterday the instructor told me exactly what to do and then worked on the calming effects of breathwork. It flipped my attitude and I ended up feeling pretty good even though nothing had changed except my mind! :)
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver
 
Bobbi,

Just wondering cause I used to think mine were tension and found they were sinus.

Actually, jaw is doing so much better. No popping but some soreness. DH woke me up last night to tell me I was grinding. Why should I be grinding my teeth. We only just bought a piece of property, beautiful but way too much money and are having a house built on it that is way too much money and are going to put our house on the market for way too much money and hope someone will think it's worth it, LOL!

Just the thought of packing boxes and moving furniture makes me cringe! But I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. I am excited, too!. It's been quite an experience working with the builder and they haven't even broken ground yet, LOL!

Wish I had a magic pill for you, Bobbi :)
 
I do have sinus issues and they are all related. And the desert is in bloom! Let me guess, you are a little on the high strug side? Me too! Is that really a bad thing? Yes, when it causes tension headaches! Try a mouth guard. My neice, who turned me on to Dr. Harkins's grinds. She once ground a hole in her guard. I suspect mine will end up helping. I'm a clencher myself. Don't you think there must be a measure of talent involved in being able to tense one's head? I like to. And here's a big surprise. I have not made a single phone call this morning. But I DID join flylady! :)
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver
 
Hi Bobbi,

I came across some very interesting information on possible connections between TMJ, headaches, and depression. I have these things and research them from time to time. I tried to email you by clicking on your name, but it didn't work. If you'd like me to send you the information, please email me at [email protected]. I know I shouldn't post my email online, but I'll just cross my fingers and hope the spammers skip me lol.
 
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