I am unfortunately all too familiar with headache & migraine pain... I have however, noticed a different kind of pain that I can't identify. I'm wondering if anybody experiences this too? The pain comes on very suddenly and is very strong. It feels like my head is on the verge of exploding. The pain is not localised but engulfs my whole head. The best thing to do when this happens is usually to cover my forhead & eyes with ice and pray that I fall asleep. When I wake up, it is usually better, although the pain level of my CDH is higher than average after these 'episodes'.
I haven't tired my Axert for these because it works too slow and their supply being quite limited, I choose carefully when to take them and usually reserve them for migraines. On the plus side, I think the Vitamin B2 is helping a little with the CDH, lowering the pain level. There's no miracle there, but after being is constant pain for the past 15 years, I'll take any kind of relief I can get.
Some triggers for these particular rapid-onset headaches are exercersice, fatigue, sun/heat. Any help and/or suggestions regarding these would be GREATLY appreciated...
Thanks a bunch!
How horrible!
Have you consulted your doctor about your new headaches? They sound like a big change from your normal CDH.
Since the Axert is too slow to work, have you tried a nasal spray? Imitrex and Zomig both have them. They get into your system much quicker than a tablet. And the Imitrex injection works very quickly, even in the middle of an attack that's gotten away from me.
I used the Imitrex injection in the early 90s, when it first came out. The injection system was very complicated. Almost not worth treating the headache. The new StatDose system is marvelous! You take the injector out of the case, pop open the dose, insert the injector and turn 1/4 turn, press the injector against your arm, and press the button. The needle is tiny, and the med doesn't sting much. And you don't even see the needle until the injection is over! You put the dose back in the same container, and when both doses have been used, the container can be safely tossed in the regular trash.
If none of the triptans work, have you tried DHE? It's a regular injection, but it's been in use for 60 years. It can be a great med. I used it when I was taking Nardil and couldn't have triptans. And what about good old NSAIDS like Indocin and Anaprox? Since it's so severe, your doctor might prescribe narcotics to get you through the attack.
Gretchen in Mississippi