Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
How Can Severe Headaches Be Treated?
Hi, I have been suffering from debilitating headaches for over 15 years. I have been countless medications. I have seen too many specialist to count. I have had two mini strokes, a seizure and a few surgeries. I have the kind of headaches that mimic stroke like symptoms. I have been rushed to on the ER a few times for this and now I have just started to wait them out because the symptoms usually go away after 20 or 30 mins. I am so afraid of the symptoms not gong back to normal. My head hurts 4 to 5 days a week. Mostly on the left side. Sharp, stabbing pain. It stops me right in my tracks. Mosts of the times affects my vision for a few mins. Sometimes my scalp is so sore, I can t comb myhair for days. Nausea mostly. Sometimes i vomit. Im 51 yr old female. My body is tired. I have medicaid so that makes it so much harder for me to get help. I don t know what to do? PLEASE HELP C. CARTER
Mon, 12 Nov 2018
Hi,
Your description of headaches is certainly consistent with at least chronic daily headaches and very compelling for a chronic migraine with aura. I wouldn't be surprised if chronic tension-type headaches were mixed with the migraine headaches.
I realize that you've been on numerous medications, however, more details as to exactly which medications you've been tried on and to what extent they've been used it is impossible to make further recommendations.
I can tell you that in such headache cases we always to discover the cause of the headaches. This could involve imaging studies such as MRI and MRA imaging. With chronic daily types of headaches, patients will need both prophylactic as well as abortive medications.
In addition, my patients are educated in the filling out of headache diaries which we review on each visit in order to assess the efficacy of treatments.
There are also many alternative forms of treating headaches such as biofeedback, acupuncture, ThermaZone, and Cefaly devices. I would highly recommend staying away from chiropractic manipulation of the neck, especially with your history of strokes.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Dariush Saghafi,
Neurologist
Your description of headaches is certainly consistent with at least chronic daily headaches and very compelling for a chronic migraine with aura. I wouldn't be surprised if chronic tension-type headaches were mixed with the migraine headaches.
I realize that you've been on numerous medications, however, more details as to exactly which medications you've been tried on and to what extent they've been used it is impossible to make further recommendations.
I can tell you that in such headache cases we always to discover the cause of the headaches. This could involve imaging studies such as MRI and MRA imaging. With chronic daily types of headaches, patients will need both prophylactic as well as abortive medications.
In addition, my patients are educated in the filling out of headache diaries which we review on each visit in order to assess the efficacy of treatments.
There are also many alternative forms of treating headaches such as biofeedback, acupuncture, ThermaZone, and Cefaly devices. I would highly recommend staying away from chiropractic manipulation of the neck, especially with your history of strokes.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Dariush Saghafi,
Neurologist
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....