Terrible headaches all day long

[JumBie]

Hows it going everyone, I just wanted to explain my problems here so that maybe I can find some valuable information from fellow AT members.

About 2-3 years ago I use to suffer from anxiety and consistent headaches. After going to many doctors, I was given a CT scan and sent to a neurologist who said I suffered from tension headaches. He told me that I should do little exercises here and there, and perhaps get some therapy for all the stress I was having at the time. I figured great answer, thank god it wasn't anything more serious, I went home with the knowledge in hand and concluded the headaches were caused by stress and quite possibly me being on the computer all day.

Fast forward a bit, A year and a half ago I got my wisdom teeth removed, the surgeon used so much force on my jaw to remove the teeth that my jaw is now messed up. I find I have spouts were my jaw would lock up or just overall feel tense and not right. My jaw now makes clicking and popping sounds when I move it around. I did not fully notice these problems with my jaw immediately or even months after. It has only come to my attention in the past few months.

The past year or so I have not been working much with computers, rather I was working outdoors in my families company doing tedious and hard labour, it gave me plenty of exercise and kept my busy all day long. I found that my headaches were no were close to what they are now, and would only set in during an anxiety attack or times were I felt a bit anxious.

I am now full time back on the computer with little to no exercise, and and found that for the first few months I had 0 headaches but a bit of anxiety. As those few months passed by however I now have almost no anxiety but severe headaches. I feel a fullness in my ear, pressure behind my eyes, sensitivity to sounds and light, and aching pain all over my head, front, top, sides and back.

Are these migraines? Tension headaches? Could this be caused by TMJ from the damage done to my jaw? Could this be because I'm on the computer 24/7? Could it be my glasses?

I've gone to a few doctors and they tell me my ear looks fine, and that it sounds like sinus headaches and pressure. They however give me no options to treat it or get rid of it. I'm not sure who to believe any more, all these doctors give me different answers with no solution. I feel like if I can manage or figure out the root cause of these headaches my life will be 100x better. I have been a long time sufferer of anxiety, but I have been dealing with it VERY VERY well and have made tons of leaps and bounds in the past few years to the point where I think I am over it completely. The only thing that seems to be causing me anxiety now is the pain that I am going through with these headaches. I might want to mention that I found 0 relief from Tylenol or Advil.


Sorry for this long and not well thought out or made post, but I would love it if some members can chime in on what I might be experiencing, thank you.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

As a total non-expert on headaches, it doesn't sound like a migraine, doesn't sound like a cluster headache, but it does sound like a tension headache....except for the part where paracetamol and ibuprofen don't help.

One of the theories about tension headaches is it's the result of muscle contractions in your neck, back, and head. You need ways to relax these. Maybe the exercises you were given before will help, or you might be able to find them on the Internet. But reducing stress and getting more exercise will help with the pain no matter what type of headache you have.

I'm sorry that you're experiencing these headaches, I hope they get better.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Seeing the doctor and getting referred to a neurologist was exactly the right thing to do. The tension headache issues, when identified, should've warranted a prescription to physical therapy. Tension headaches (i.e cervicogenic headaches) can be caused by years of poor posture (which have resulted in tight, hypertonic musculature at the base of the skull in addition to shortened ligaments, reduced nerve mobility, and reduce segmental vertebra mobility). While they don't typically result in sensitivity to light and such, they can sometimes cause autonomic nervous system dysfunction due to the pain. That might lead to the issue with the light.

Your neurologist may have given you exercises, but exercises need to be specific and guided in addition to manual therapy on the neck itself. In this case, I'd suggest a physical therapist. A chiropractor might also work well, but I don't agree with their use of global mobilization of the neck. The neck has a lot of vertebrae that contribute to its overall motion. Many times, immobility in one area results in excess mobility (hypermobility) in another area. Making the area that moves too much more mobile creates a whole list of new problems. Physical therapy is really the only field that does segmental (one vertebral segment) mobilization that is focused and direct. In addition, a PT should do some soft tissue massage, postural re-training, and give focused exercises based on the goals of therapy. You could probably just call the neuro and ask for a referral to PT. Many times, they will forward it to the location you'll be going to or they can fax it directly to you.

Surprisingly, tension headaches are one of the easiest things to fix once you have identified them as such (and ruled out other possible issues). You essentially restore normal motion to the neck and maintain better posture. It's typically relatively painless.

 

[Saint Nick]

I have TMJ and definitely causes me headaches. I got a mouth guard to wear at night and during the day to keep my jaw in a "good place" to help it relax. I clench a lot due to stress and grind at night.

Especially sucks when bulking because you have to eat ... a lot. And chewing sucks for me.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I have TMJ and definitely causes me headaches. I got a mouth guard to wear at night and during the day to keep my jaw in a "good place" to help it relax. I clench a lot due to stress and grind at night.

Especially sucks when bulking because you have to eat ... a lot. And chewing sucks for me.

I forgot to mention this, but PTs treat the TMJ as well. That's initially why I started my post.. derrrr. The cervical spine and TMJ affect one another, as some muscles cross the neck and jaw an can modify function in both.

Sounds like you may need a mouthpiece and/or stress management I used to do the same thing before I talked to a counselor.

Also, drink your milk, man. Half of a gallon of milk per day will get you there

 

[interchange]

I would go with the TMJ angle first and getting treatment for that. I'm guessing that will certainly make an impact on your headache frequency.

Most chronic daily headaches are in migraineurs though, and the daily headache is different than a migraine. Prophylactic migraine medication usually works for that.

Also, identifying triggers such as allergies is useful.

 

[Kaido]

Also, identifying triggers such as allergies is useful.

This was a big one for me. I suffered from daily headaches and multiple migraines per week, as well as severe anxiety and panic attacks for most of my life until I was able to identify my food allergies over the last few years. I have no anxiety now and no recurring headaches or migraines. My life has done a complete 180 health-wise. Basically a miracle in my life.

I had no idea that food allergies were the root cause until the last few years. I went to an allergist multiple times with zero positive results. Ultimately I have ended up going off Dairy, Gluten, and Corn. It's a difficult diet to follow at first, but you get used to it. Feeling good all day is worth avoiding those foods.

OP, if you're interested in trying the food angle, just google for the "elimination diet". You basically eliminate all of the major allergens for a few weeks from your diet (dairy, gluten, nuts, fish, etc.), then start re-introducing them. Corn is not on the list, but I would also recommended eliminating that. It's in everything, so I would recommend just doing really basic cooking by doing plain meats (ground beef, ground turkey, chicken breast) and steam the veggies in your microwave in a bowl of water, and only use sea salt and extra-virgin olive oil for cooking initially. This would have saved me years of trial-and-error if I had known about it.

At the very least, you'd be able to rule out food allergies :thumbsup: Hope you get some relief man, I know how not fun recurring headaches and migraines can be.

 

[Saint Nick]

I should have added that the mouth guard I got was custom fitted for my mouth. It has definitely helped me out. I also try to consciously control my clenching/grinding by simply stopping when I realize I am doing it, and to stop myself from doing it when I "feel " like I want to clench/grind. I have noticed improvements when I can consistently do this.

Just an anecdote for you.

 

[JumBie]

Hey everyone and I want to thank all of you for your feedback and advice its really nice to know there are some people out their that try their best to help others.

I think I have come to a personal conclusion that it is definitely TMJ that I am suffering from. I don't think it is from grinding my teeth, I do however feel that it was caused from the removal of my wisdom teeth. My jaw makes popping clicking and grinding sounds when ever I move it. I can almost shift it out of place on my own. I find that if I keep my jaw in a certain position and leave it there my symptoms start to become less intense while still there.

All the doctors I have seen have never even mentioned TMJ as a root cause, they all seem to go for sinus issues, ear infection, migraines, or tension head aches. I will be back on monday and go to the doctor then and mention that i think it might be TMJ.

I really really really....hope that this is something I can manage, at least in a sense of getting rid of my headaches and ear pain, I don't think I can live the rest of my life in that kind of pain and agony.