Headache Update

So its been a number of months since I have given an update. Yes I still have a headache every day, many days I will go for brief periods without one, and I can not say how grateful I am for these brief periods. The use of what I call the Lido cream (see list below) when my headache start to turn moderately severe, and Ambien have made the most improvement. One to two times a week I still get those pesky Migraines and I still struggle to cope with them.

After they have tried prescription after prescription and countless MRI's and lots of physical torutre (I mean therapy)all to no avail. They have come to the conclusion that the root cause of the headaches is due to a combination of sleep problems, and inflamed nerves in my neck and back of head due to authritis and minor bulging disks.

This week I will under go cervical facet joint injections, these injections are done while under general anesthesia and requires the use of a flouroscope which is used to track the exact placement of the needle to deliver a small dose of cortisone and lidocain. The goal here is to block the nerves which are triggering the headaches. If it is successful, it is the first step of three to permanently deadening the nerves which cause the headaches. On the down side is I will have two days of bed rest (over Thanksgiving, sorry dear I have to watch that football game dr.'s orders. Milk shakes, flowers and lots of gifts would be nice too.) and lots of ice packs for the days to follow.

I will let you know how that goes. In the mean time here is an updated list of the medications I have tried since my last post on the topic. Basically none of them worked, except for the ambien and lidocain cream.

Nadolol (generic for Corgard): 40mg twice a day- no side effects, but no benefit

Ketorolac 30mg and Promethazine 10mg compound suppository, taken needed not more than 2-3x a week

Lidocane injections

Diacetazone/Epidrin cap EXCE– (generic for Midrin)- droggy, but unable to sleep. Reduces headache

Vitamin D 50000IU: one per month, then moved to one per week

Lunesta 3 mg: took one for a sleep study at hospital

Methocarbamol (generic for Robaxin): take up to 2 tablets, three times daily max

Metoclopramide (generic for Reglan)

Bupeopion HCL 75 mg (generic for Wellbutrin) 2 tablets each morning, J reduces morning headaches, more energy

CPAP machine-

Tylenol w/ codine 30mg

Cymbalta 30 Mg

Toridal shot

Topamax prescribed, but ended up not taking it

Lidoderm Patches

Zolpidem 10mg (generic for Ambien)

Specially made compound of Lidocaine and Neurontin creame

Tizandidine 2mg

Meloxicam 7.5 mg (Generic for Mobic)

Home Cervical traction device (ouch)

Old list of medications from April to June Just incase you really like reading long lists of nothing.

--SG