Comments on: The headache that never went away: Part 3 – Have you tried…?

By: Karen P.

Karen P. — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:07:51 +0000

I see you posted this a long time ago, so I hope you have your headache sorted out by now. I feel your pain PQ. I thought things were going well until the insurance company decided they didn’t want to pay for my triptans anymore. I am trying Dr. Bucholtz’s Heal Your Headache Program which recommends giving up the triptans cold turkey, then taking everything good out of your diet and adding in a preventative. I already have all kinds of food allergies so already gave up wheat, dairy, nuts, eggs and legumes. Now adding coffee, chocolate and citrus to the list. Hope it works.

I am glad you are able to turn your struggles into good copy. I am also a writer, and most of my writer friends have migraines. We suspect that our left-sided headaches have destroyed my left brain so all I can do anymore is make up stories.

Best of luck with your writing and your headaches!

By: Jodi F.

Jodi F. — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:08:18 +0000

Hey,
I was doing my typical search on the internet about headaches when I found your post today. First of all I am very sorry that you are in pain for so long. I can totally relate. I am suffering from a headache for a little over 4 yrs.
Mine also started when I began a desk job. I have gone through everything you have with trying to find answers. Neuro, pcp, infectious disease, MRI CAT scans, allergy testing, physical therapy and no answers. I tried accupuncture and had some relief and relaxation, but it never went away. I did homeopathy and had the same results. I know my headache gets worse when I eat bread, pasta, cake, etc. I have eliminated these from my diet, but it still never went away! I am disgusted.

I found some information to be slightly promising lately and I wanted to share it with you. My mom works with a woman who had a headache for a couple of years. She was treated for chronic lymes disease with fluconazole. A lot of doctors do not recognize lymes disease as being chronic, but apparently it can be. Also, you can have a negative blood test and still have it. She is now headache free after years. Fluconazole treats fungus related problems, so I was wondering if it could possibly be a fungus, mold, etc. caused by the ventilation in our offices???? I have since moved on from that job, but I guess it can go into your body and grow.

I am going to get some fluconazole and try it I think.

Best wishes

By: Jennifer Carroll

Jennifer Carroll — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:45:51 +0000

I collect fat girl memoirs and the like. Found your book at a used book store and am *LOVING IT*! It is unusual to read about a woman who has small boobs, is (was) fat, AND also is over 5’6″ tall! I am 5’11″ 44B and weigh 314lbs. I needed to read your book right now- perfect for the transition I am undergoing (Self-employment WOOHOO!) as my schedule will be incredibly flexible and am looking forward to trying to like to cook as well as riding my bike more often. I am doing a 5K this Saturday (my 3rd in 3 yrs) and would like to jog one eventually!
I would greatly appreciate it if I could get you to autograph my book sometime. I am in the Indianapolis area once a month. Wow… maybe even get a bite to eat! LOL Take care!

By: Kelly K.

Kelly K. — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:40:57 +0000

Hi there. I just found your blog today. It’s interesting that you mention your headache. I feel your pain. Literally. I got a headache about 3pm on 10/26/07 and I still have it. Some days are better than others, but it’s always there. I have tried most of the treatments you have tried: MRI, stress-reducing, allergies, chiropractor, migraine drugs, dentists, oral surgeons, specialty dentists, herbalists, ENT, had blood work done. I’ve changed my diet. I’ve cut out soda. I’ve had a mouth guard made. I think acupuncture is my next step. It’s nice to know I am not alone. Maybe some day we will be pain free. If you ever find out the cause of yours, please let me know.

By: meghan

meghan — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:29:54 +0000

HI there,
A few years ago I had the same problem, a headache that lasted more than 3 months. However I did find the cure. After MRI’s and CAT scans that proved there was nothing wrong and steroids and a bounty of pain killers that did not work I went and did some research on my own. What I finally ended up doing was avoiding any artifical anything from my diet. Whether it was a sweetner, color or preseravative. Within 3 days my headache was gone. It is a hard path to follow. You would be amazed at what is contained in many foods including baked goods, canned products etc. Read every label and if does not inlcude a natural product do not eat. ANother bonus to this plan is you will end up losing weight. I wish you best. I have been where you are it is no fun.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:41:25 +0000

Your story sounds so familiar to me. I hope that you find a combination of things that helps you to feel better.

For me, what seemed to help the most was that I stopped drinking or eating anything with artificial sweetener. I limit my coffee to one cup a day (and it does have caffeine but is low acid). I stopped drinking soda. I went on gabentin (Neurontin) as a migraine preventative (prescribed by my neurologist). Maxalt is my migraine drug—but I have not had to take one in years.

I’ve had a hard plastic bite guard since junior high for TMJ (I grind and clench my teeth). Even after wearing the guard at night, I sometimes wake up with a tension headache (but that happens rarely).

I have scoliosis, so that throws my body’s alignment off too (and is often linked with TMJ). I do physical therapy exercises to strengthen my core.

Oh yeah. And I’m allergic to everything on the planet. So I take a nasal steroid (Nasonex), OTC Zyrtec, and Singulair (b/c I have mild asthma). The only headaches I get now are sinus headaches, and those usually only occur with a weather change.

By: becky

becky — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:22:25 +0000

I had a migraine for 5 months, none of the migraine drugs worked for me. My neurologist finally told me to take Petadolex, = butterburr extract (www.migraineaid.com) and it worked. I had to taper off another drug and go on the Petadolex gradually, so in a month or so the headaches eased off and they only returned if I forgot a dose. If you are still having your headache, good luck!

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:35:37 +0000

I’m sure you’re tired of suggestions and may have heard this already, but you might want to talk to your neurologist about Fibromyalgia. There are no blood tests to check for it, but chronic pain (including headaches) and fatigue are part of it. You may want to also talk to a physical therapist about myofascial pain. For mr Lyrica and regular visits with my physical therapist help.

Thanks for the great book and best of luck on the headache.

By: PastaQueen

PastaQueen — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:00:48 +0000

I haven’t used the neti pot yet, so it’s not that. Thanks for playing though!

By: Jennifer Katz

Jennifer Katz — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:38:47 +0000

BINGO!! Halfway down your list, I figured out exactly what’s causing your headaches. THE NETI POT!! Trust me on tis one, you’re not using it correctly. It happened to me. If you don’t bend over and breathe out of your nose to push out the remaining liquid, you’ll get a sinus infection. I had the meanest headaches for days from using the neti pot incorrectly.