July 26, 2011: I am now cured from 32 years of suffering. I just got the official diagnosis from my ENT so I need to share this with you all. My headaches had multiple causes which made them so difficult to diagnose. They were food allergies, Deviated Septum and TMJ. In 2008 having my amalgam fillings replaced gave me 100% relief for several months. I was certain I was cured and was in a very nice place in my life until allergy season arrived and the headaches returned in the spring of 2009. Allergy season of course! By the way, I had a tooth ache for over 20 years and just thought that was normal. That was a filling that was too high altering my bite and contributing to my headaches. The sore tooth has since been cured from the filling replacement. I was scheduled to do some work at a retired ENT's home and didn't arrive because I was in the ER. Several days later when I returned, the very understanding doctor took a big interest in my headaches. I really tried to dismiss his interest but he was persistent and asked me dozens of questions. He told me he could cure me. I was very skeptical of course. After a few more trips to the ER, he persisted that I should see a practicing ENT. I went to the doctor that took over his practice with the retired doctor. The practicing ENT did not concur with the diagnosis and would not perform the recommended surgery. I visited several other doctors and actually could not get any of them to concur with the diagnosis. Allergy season ended and so did my headaches. In 2010 allergy season returned and so did my headaches. At this point, I'm now pretty sure the retired ENT is right. By the way we are very good friends now. Allergy season ended in 2010 and so did my headaches. By chance I was chatting with a total stranger in a restaurant in December 2010 waiting for a table. This woman I was speaking to told me she had surgery on her sinuses to breath better and her headaches went away. She had the turbinectomy and septoplasty that I was urged to get done. I immediately made the said appointment to see her doctor and did not tell him I wanted headache relief. The surgery was performed on March 23, 2011. The surgery gave me the worst headache of my life. The pain made passing a kidney stone feel like a bee sting. I had a dull ache for four days . Then the pain went away and never came back. I still can't breathe through one side of my nose but I never have been able to. The last visit to the ENT who did the surgery concluded my headaches were from multiple causes and suggested future turbinectomy to help me breathe better. I will have to think about it. Maybe I should just enjoy this gift I have been given....

Late 2008:I have been in your shoes for about 30 years. Sometimes I feel like the best 30 years of my life have been ruined. I have spent uncountable hours researching and have tried every medication and remedy there is. Just a few to name, all types of oral medication, Botox, Chiropractic, shots, pressure points, diet, allergists, neurologists, sinus treatments, removal of stress, ect... Over the counter medications do absolutely nothing for my headaches. The past 2 years were the most miserable and trips to the ER were common. Sometimes vomiting in the ER for hours and even after all the drugs they were willing to give me, I would leave with a severe headache instead of total agony. I began taking Imitrex (Sumatriptan) or Axert every day as a maintenance drug to control the pain. I had to do this because the pain was just out of control. I could not function without it.  I lost count of how many blood tests, cat scans, x-rays and MRI's I have had and could not count how many specialists I have seen. My medical file is two file cabinets and a stack of film 6 inches deep. I have been exploring every treatment. On October 20, 2008, and I hope it is not coincidence; I tried another shot in the dark. I had my amalgam fillings replaced with composite. When I told my dentist why I was doing this, he told me not to have too high of expectations. I didn't actually as I was just scratching off another item on the list of possibilities. My teeth still hurt from the trauma of having 5 fillings removed but the headaches are completely gone. It is kind of strange expecting the pain to come back all day long. I keep thinking that in just a moment, my head will start to hurt and I will be reaching for the imitrex. Tox screens did not show high levels of mercury. I am suspect that the mercury in the amalgams was reacting in my head. Mercury is a catalyst and can do weird things. One experiment I was told to do was to touch a metal object to an amalgam filling and to my tongue at the same time. I used a paper clip.  I very gently touched the filling and the shock that went through my head was enough evidence to convince me to have the mercury removed from my mouth. I felt relief that night. The headaches are gone.  I also had a high spot on one of the amalgams that caused some TMJ. That was corrected at the time also. Although your results may not be like mine, I would not hesitate to suggest you have all amalgams replaced if you have any. They weaken the tooth anyway. You don't need mercury in your head either. Aside from a 3-month span once while taking large doses of steroids and antihistamines, I have rarely gone more than 2 days without a headache. In fact, I could probably calculate the exact number of days in my life that I was headache free. As of today, I have not had a headache for 18 days. I will post periodically of my condition. Be well! Joe B.