Aa
Headaches
I have had this headache for going on two years. Pressure in temples that radiates around my eye sockets and also soreness at base of skull. Had sinus CT scan that was OK, Several MRI's of back, neck & skull which showed no abnormalities. Neurologist has me on 750 mg of Depakote to treat migraines, but the pressure just never goes away. It is constant both day & night. I am a 55 year old male in good health.
Sorry for the long delay in getting back.
In the month of January I started getting vertigo really bad and the headaches got worse.
My neurologist just said to stay on Depakote and give it time to work. I explained to him that I had been on it for over two years and was getting worse, not better.
Went to a new neurologist at Northwestern University hospital in Chicago. He did a complete exam and slowly took me off of the Depakote over a three week period. I am now on Propanolol ER 80 mg for one week and what a difference. The vertigo has disappeared and the daily headaches are almost gone. Only side effect, very bad stomach bloating and gas. I guess I will live with it and hope it subsides.
In the month of January I started getting vertigo really bad and the headaches got worse.
My neurologist just said to stay on Depakote and give it time to work. I explained to him that I had been on it for over two years and was getting worse, not better.
Went to a new neurologist at Northwestern University hospital in Chicago. He did a complete exam and slowly took me off of the Depakote over a three week period. I am now on Propanolol ER 80 mg for one week and what a difference. The vertigo has disappeared and the daily headaches are almost gone. Only side effect, very bad stomach bloating and gas. I guess I will live with it and hope it subsides.
OK,
your headache gets worse when you lean over.
Vitamins and meds make it worse - btw did any have Vitamin A in it?
Headache not relieved by sleep.
Your pain is at base of skull, and you descibe as pain around eye socket not "one sided" or "behind eye"
Depakote makes it bearable -
I am not a doctor but you either have plain old intractable Migraine or/and cerebral spinal fluid headache which I don't have enough info for firm diagnosis but you have clear symptoms of. Here is how it works, when you lean over the extra CSF pushes inside because it is taking up room just like a brain tumor or cyst would. Lots of vitamins and meds can temporarily increase cerebral spinal fluid prduction or pressure making pain much worse. Hearing the pulse in your ear is a classic symptom of cerebral spinal fluid headache. Pain that seems almost in your eye, major csf symptom. And if your neurologist says you don't have papilledema, latest nuerosurgery research shows you don't have to have evident papilledema for CSF headache and you don't have to have clear low hanging "cerebellum tonsil" either. Ask your doctor if you can take a weeks worth of DIAMOX. It is just a water pill but it lowers production of CSF, but it makes carbonated soda taste terrible. Again, I'm not a doctor but this is a simple diagnostic with an easy to take water pill. You'll know in a few days if it works. You have enough symptoms of it that the simple script and a few days is worth a try. Hope this helps.
your headache gets worse when you lean over.
Vitamins and meds make it worse - btw did any have Vitamin A in it?
Headache not relieved by sleep.
Your pain is at base of skull, and you descibe as pain around eye socket not "one sided" or "behind eye"
Depakote makes it bearable -
I am not a doctor but you either have plain old intractable Migraine or/and cerebral spinal fluid headache which I don't have enough info for firm diagnosis but you have clear symptoms of. Here is how it works, when you lean over the extra CSF pushes inside because it is taking up room just like a brain tumor or cyst would. Lots of vitamins and meds can temporarily increase cerebral spinal fluid prduction or pressure making pain much worse. Hearing the pulse in your ear is a classic symptom of cerebral spinal fluid headache. Pain that seems almost in your eye, major csf symptom. And if your neurologist says you don't have papilledema, latest nuerosurgery research shows you don't have to have evident papilledema for CSF headache and you don't have to have clear low hanging "cerebellum tonsil" either. Ask your doctor if you can take a weeks worth of DIAMOX. It is just a water pill but it lowers production of CSF, but it makes carbonated soda taste terrible. Again, I'm not a doctor but this is a simple diagnostic with an easy to take water pill. You'll know in a few days if it works. You have enough symptoms of it that the simple script and a few days is worth a try. Hope this helps.
You are quite fit, so these exercises will get you back to normal in 2 to 10 weeks.You will notice the exercises benefiting you within days.Come back to report here, as it will help others as well.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril
then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.
Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril
then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.
Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.
Also, another odd symptom since onset.
Cannot take certain medications or supplements without headache getting much worse
Vitamins - I have narrowed it down to the B vitamins
Tried Migrelief and it made it worse
Any over the counter for sinus relief makes it worse
Cannot take certain medications or supplements without headache getting much worse
Vitamins - I have narrowed it down to the B vitamins
Tried Migrelief and it made it worse
Any over the counter for sinus relief makes it worse
Treatment at physical therapy was massage of neck & shoulders. Did not gain weight on Depakote.
I am 5'8" and weigh 165.
No swelling
Fingers do not get white
No bad dreams
Have not been treated in ER
Did not play football
Live in area with no ticks
Yes, pressure is worse when I lean forward, but not if I cough
I hear a pulse in my right ear
No heart flutters
No stuffy nose
Headache does not get worse at any specific time of day. It is just a constant pressure that won't go away. Depakote has made it bearable so that I can tolerate it.
I am 5'8" and weigh 165.
No swelling
Fingers do not get white
No bad dreams
Have not been treated in ER
Did not play football
Live in area with no ticks
Yes, pressure is worse when I lean forward, but not if I cough
I hear a pulse in my right ear
No heart flutters
No stuffy nose
Headache does not get worse at any specific time of day. It is just a constant pressure that won't go away. Depakote has made it bearable so that I can tolerate it.
Sorry to clarify - common migraine with onset at 53 in a male without nausea - much more rare.
Hey I get the tearing eyes too. It is a response to something. First of all, the depakote obviously isn''t cutting it or you wouldn't be here. Does anyone else in your family or extended family both sides suffer from Migraine if so how many because if the answer is no I'm looking for a variant. By the way, have you gained weight on the depakote. Are you of somewhat normal wieght for your height? I'm betting you are sleeping well because the pain is not quite bad enough to keep you awake and you are exhaused from being in pain all day. Common migraine with first onset at age 53 without nausea? It could be something else. Sorry for all the questions but it is kinda like playing Dr. House. The fact that the phsical therapy made the headache worse is important. What treatment did you get there?
Do you ever get joint swelling or tenderness?
Do your fingers ever go white when they get cold?
Do you ever have bad dreams?
Have you ever been treated in the ER to break the headache?
Did you play football in high school?
Have you ever pulled TIC's off of you?
Does the pain get worse if you bend forward or if you cough?
When you lay down at night, make it silent, can you hear a pulse in your ear (not ringing)?
Do you ever have heart flutters?
Do you wake up with runny/stuffed nose that goes away once you use tissue?
What time of the day is the headache usually the worse?
Do you ever get joint swelling or tenderness?
Do your fingers ever go white when they get cold?
Do you ever have bad dreams?
Have you ever been treated in the ER to break the headache?
Did you play football in high school?
Have you ever pulled TIC's off of you?
Does the pain get worse if you bend forward or if you cough?
When you lay down at night, make it silent, can you hear a pulse in your ear (not ringing)?
Do you ever have heart flutters?
Do you wake up with runny/stuffed nose that goes away once you use tissue?
What time of the day is the headache usually the worse?
Just to clarify, pain is not sharp like a toothache, but a pressure. Neurologist sent me to physical therapy in June 2007 for neck and shoulder massages. This made the pressure worse and had to discontinue. Also, another odd symptom since headaches started. Whenever it is cold outside (40 degrees or below) my eyes tear up to the point of people think I'm crying. It happens when I go start the car, shovel snow, walk the dog, etc. It is so bad I have to constantly wipe my eyes when working outside in the cold. As soon as I step into house or warm area it stops.
Hi - I feel your pain. I'm about your age, chronic headaches for several years. Been to allergist, 2 neurologists, CAT and MRI's of sinus and brain, three sinus surgeries in last 3 years, chiropractor. Tried Lyrica, Neurontin and now Lamictal with modest, if any, relief. Have TMJ but use a nightguard for last 7 years. Considering acupuncture next.
Padraig
Padraig
Had eye examination three months ago. No nausea or aura symptoms. Painkillers give no relief. I sleep very well with at least 8 hours of sleep every night. I have never smoked and do not drink any alchohol due to being on Depakote. I drink plenty of water. I also have been checked for TMJ. Headache is constant both day and night.
Hi,
You need to relax and try to find out if there are any trigger factors for your symptoms. Do you have any nausea or aura symptoms? Any food substances that increase your headaches?
Are you taking any painkillers and do they give you some relief? You need to sleep well and and maintain adequate hydration. Eat a healthy diet and maintain adequate hydration.
Avoid alcohol and smoking. Try a warm shower, reading a book or listening to soft music before you sleep.
If the symptoms still persist get your eye sight checked and also consult your neurologist to rule out neuralgias as the cause of your symptoms. Do you sit for long hours in front of the computer? Is yes, then a bad posture could also be the cause of your headaches.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
You need to relax and try to find out if there are any trigger factors for your symptoms. Do you have any nausea or aura symptoms? Any food substances that increase your headaches?
Are you taking any painkillers and do they give you some relief? You need to sleep well and and maintain adequate hydration. Eat a healthy diet and maintain adequate hydration.
Avoid alcohol and smoking. Try a warm shower, reading a book or listening to soft music before you sleep.
If the symptoms still persist get your eye sight checked and also consult your neurologist to rule out neuralgias as the cause of your symptoms. Do you sit for long hours in front of the computer? Is yes, then a bad posture could also be the cause of your headaches.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Migraines and Headaches Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Allentown, PA
Queen Creek, AZ
Queensland, Australia
Trinity , TX
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
