What Causes Persistent Headaches?

Brief Answer:
Please see details below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I went through your query and can understand your distress.

You have mentioned that you worry a lot and that you have headache all the time. These symptoms could be due to anxiety disorder as well as due to depression. To be able to help you better, I would have liked to have some more information regarding your symptoms:

>> Since when are you having these symptoms?
>> How's your sleep and appetite?
>> Do you feel sad all the time and remain tensed?
>> Could you describe more regarding the headache that you have mentioned, like location, character and duration?
>> Do you have anxiety symptoms like heart beating fast, sweating, restlessness, tremors, etc.?

I would also suggest that you should seek a psychiatric consultation for complete evaluation of your condition. In case of anxiety disorder, I would have treated you with one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) like escitalopram. In addition, use of benzodiazepines like clonazepam or lorazepam for a short duration to reduce anxiety initially would be beneficial.

You have mentioned that you are on ativan tablets only which is lorazepam. Using lorazepam alone would help you reduce the anxiety, it alone would not be able to control your illness. Use of some other agent like a SSRI as mentioned above is necessary. you should discuss regarding the same with your doctor.

I would also like to know what exactly do you mean by water pills. If you mean diuretics, then I would like to review the use of it.

I do hope that I was able to answer your query. Please feel free to ask any further query that you might have.

Best wishes,

Dr. Sunil Gupta

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Brief Answer:
Please see details below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for following up. I appreciate your replying and giving further information.

Having these symptoms for last two months denote a recent onset episode. Excessive eating often does occur in response to stress. Stress also leads to headache as well.

From all the information that you have provided it is highly likely that you are having symptoms of anxiety and depression. As mentioned in my last reply, I would suggest you should consult a psychiatrist and initiate treatment for the same.

Had I been your psychiatrist, I would have started you on of the anti-depressants like escitalopram with a short term course of clonazepam or lorazepam. Multivitamins can only help a bit, but the primary treatment remains as mentioned before.

Regarding a test to pick medicines, I am sorry to say that there is none. It will be your complete details of signs and symptoms and clinical history that will help your doctor decide the best course of treatment.

I do hope that I was able to answer your query. Please let me know if you have any further query. I will be glad to help. In case you have no further questions, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.

Best wishes,

Dr. Sunil Gupta

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