Depression and Chronic Headache

I'd like this thread to focus on the mental health issues that come with chronic headaches. This could include any type of migraine or chronic daily headache including New Daily Persistent Headache, Occipital Neuralgia, Chronic Migraine, Chronic Tension Headache, Hermicrania Continua, and others. All are welcome to comment.

There are groups focused on the treatment of headaches but this thread could be a place to talk about the mental health effects of chronic headache and how to deal with that.

I'll start by saying that I was diagnosed with New Daily Persistent Headache recently. I had a history of migraines but my 24/7 headache started on Aug 7, 2017. I was already a member of this forum and have talked about depression in the past. Of course the chronic headache as put an additional strain on me. It's been pretty significant. I have just left a message for my previous therapist to see if she has room in her schedule for me, hopefully.

That is an extremely long time to have to put up with a headache.
I can get migraines but they seem to have been squashed by a change in medication. Have you ruled out any physical reasons for the pain. Good luck with getting in to see your therapist.

Believe it or not I'm the new kid on the block. There are people who have had a 24/7 headache for years and decades.

I'm glad you get results from your medication.

I can't say I've ruled out everything yet. It's common knowledge that anxiety, depression, and chronic headache are all in a spiral of comorbidity. I was experiencing some pretty tough stress when me headache came on. Maybe that caused it maybe it didn't. I've been through a number or tests including CT and multiple MRIs. I finally had a myelogram done and it showed severe arthritis in my neck but no pressure on the nerve there that could cause this headache. But that did lead me to physical therapy where they did a concussion protocol test on me and found that I have post concussion syndrome from either a concussion from three years ago or just having a bunch of concussions throughout life.

Kind of anyway, we've checked a bunch of things but I'm keeping my mind open to more tests if anything comes up between all of my doctors.

My headache started in Dec 2017. I have a history migraines but this is chronic everyday 24/7 pain level from 8-10. I had 4 failed back surgeries so they thought I had a CFS leak.
They did non-targeted blood patches but I still have the headache. I've seen many headache doctors including my physiotherapist and psychiatrist. None of them have ideas what causing the headache.I 'm bedridden from the pain of this headache and cannot work anymore. Do any of you on this web site ever experience this before or can suggest anything to me. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing.

As some resources you might check out some Facebook pages like:
Chronoic Caily Headache and Migraine Support Group
New Daily Persistent Headache
New Daily Persistent Headache
and
New Daily Peristent Headache Support for Patients

Those won't be anonymous but they are closed groups which means people you know won't be able to see what you post unless they are also in the groups.

If you haven't seen a neurologist who is listed as a headache specialist then I would consider seeking one out. I started on a medication called Keppra which has gotten me out of bed. I've also seen progress with a Physical Therapist(also like a Physiotherapist depending on where you live). There is also a new medication that just came on the market last month in the U.S. called Aimovig that is specifically for treating migraines. I have been diagnosed with New Daily Persistent Headache and don't know for a fact that Aimovig will work for me but I'm looking forward to trying it. There are lots of other medications that some people have seen success with too. Botox is something else I'm on.

There is a known downward spiral of comorbitity between chronic headaches, depression, and anxiety. I would consider fining a therapist or counselor to help you through this and relieve stress.

If you find the right doctors and try all the medications and absolutely nothing works then there are potentially surgical options. Two are Nerve Decompression Surgery and Cervical Decompression Surgery. I'd consider these last resort options.

one might think of a chronic headache as a 'wasting disease'...

I have had new daily Persistent headache for years. Just found this site. I am extremely depressed.

Dee Jay posted this lovely link for headaches; (it's a 'binaural beat', which is a 2 toned subliminal that stimulates the brain, and MUST be used with stereo earphones~!) i hope it helps....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jmr...0s&app=desktop

Very glad you found this site.

One source of my migraines was from fruits that were high in citric acid like oranges, grapefruit, tomato paste etc. Took me many years to figure that out. Least it's something that may help some-one.

It's nice to finally figure something out.

I just got prescribed Aimovig today. It'll be here in about 7-10 days. It's the new medication on the market for chronic migraines. Hopefully it works for me. Anyone with chronic headaches might consider inquiring into whether they are a candidate for it. It came out in the U.S. this month, I'm not sure about other places.

Good luck with the Aimovig Abe. Hope it brings relief to you and many others.

I had chronic headaches starting in elementary school, to the point where the school had to make an exception to a rule because I was missing so much class. I was also warned in elementary school that if I kept taking so much Tylenol that I'd kill my liver.

In high school, it was upgraded to Somatization Disorder (stress-induced headaches). I spent years taking Atenolol and that helped... But I considered anything a success that kept me from having another episode of enduring a headache that lasted 3 straight months, going 24/7.

2 years ago my diagnosis was further upgraded to stress-induced migraines with auras + vertigo. (I was lost half my vision to sun spots and several fingers went completely numb.). However, because I've dealt with headaches for about 30 years now, not all of my headaches even register with me anymore so sometimes I just get auras and/or vertigo without recognizing/feeling the headaches. Joy.

One neurologist said my only option was monthly botox injections but I'm terrified of needles so that's a no go. My most recent neurologist told me that my current meds, which generally work since I don't have daily headaches anymore, are the last resort before the botox injections. The Gabapentin + Propranolol are working. I am hoping, however, to replace the Propranolol with Atenolol since Propranolol interacts poorly with so many psych meds.

Sorry