I appreciate the information you share and hope you can point me in a healing direction. I have been debilitated by headaches since I fainted a year and a half ago and apparently incurred a concussion. I’ve seen a cardiologist (who diagnosed vasovagal syncope, which he says no longer needs treatment, and noted that I have “normal” blockage in my LAD and mitral valve prolapse), a neurologist (who diagnosed post-concussive syndrome, but says I should be past that now), an ENT (who sees a slight septum deviation but says it doesn’t need correction, diagnosed me as “highly allergic” and is giving me weekly anti-allergy shots), an ophthalmologist (who sees the beginning of cataracts, but says they don’t need attention yet) and many other doctors. At present, I am seeing a chiropractor weekly. I’ve had CT scans, MRIs and extensive blood tests. I’ve tried numerous medications. The final analysis, as synthesized by my family doctor, is that for some reason I am having tension, sinus and migraine headaches simultaneously. I also have fibromyalgia and GERD. I’m a woman, 43, with children, a busy job that involves travel and some significant emotional stresses (but there also are many joys in my life!). I must deal daily with headaches, vision problems, fatigue and fear of my symptoms getting the upper hand. Thanks in advance for any clues you can provide. Cheryl.

Answer:

Dear Cheryl;

Like many folks who ask me questions about daily headaches, your picture is not a simple one. My guess would be that your sleep pattern is less than what you would want it to be. 96-7% of folks who see me for the first time do not have a sleep pattern that leaves them refreshed when they wake. I wonder if you are in that group. One of the strongest statements I can make is that if you don’t look after creating a sound sleep pattern, nothing will improve! Travel, kids, lots of responsibility and fatigue on a daily basis signal a poor quality of sleep. This could be a driver for your headaches. “Tension” and “Sinus” headaches may actually be migraines and calling them 3 different things may be a disservice to you by the family physician, who is now the quarterback, but who may be quite confused as to what headache is what. We, in the headache trade, consider these to be forms of migraine, until proven otherwise. Seek out your local headache expert for sound advice and treatment.

Good luck,
John Claude Krusz and Teri Robert

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Dr. Krusz is a recognized expert in the fields of headache and migraine treatment and pain treatment. Each week, he and Lead Expert Teri Robert, team up to answer your questions about headaches and Migraines. You can read more about Dr. Krusz or more about Teri Robert. If you have a question for this section of our site, please click HERE. Accepted questions will be answered by publishing the answers here. No questions will be answered privately.