I've had a continuous headache for 6 weeks - it just started and never stopped. Any ideas for pain relief or ways of managing the pain would be really appreciated. I've found that panadol and neurofen don't make the slightest difference and I'm not sure if I should be taking something stronger, I haven't had a diagnosis yet.
- Find
- Manage
- Resources
8/12/09 10:13pm
Hi Cara,
At this point, stopping this headache or Migraine that you've had for six weeks needs to be a priority. When oral medications have failed, IV infusions will often break the cycle. For more information about this, see IV Treatment of Refractory Migraines.
How many days a week do you take something to relieve these headaches? Taking Migraine abortive meds such as the triptans or ergotamines or any kind of pain medication -- prescription or over-the-counter -- more than two or three days a week can make matters worse by causing medication overuse headache (MOH), aka rebound. See Medication Overuse Headache - When the Remedy Backfires for more information on this.
One of the most important things is to get an accurate diagnosis. To simplify matters and make it easier for people to get information and treatment, doctors usually go by the gold standard for diagnosis, the International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition (ICHD-II). You can read more about this in Ocular, Optical, and Opthalmic Migraines and The Type of Migraine Does Matter.
Good luck
Nancy
8/12/09 5:11pm
Sounds like a migraine of some sort, maybe combined with tension headache. I guess the next question would be, so you have, a good dr to go too. I have had migraines since 2001(was in a near fatal head on auto wreck. I didn't know that I was actually having migraines and headpain back then. I just thought, I wasn't able to sleep. I know see a neurologist and up till 1 month ago saw a pain specialists for meds. When I don't have any migraine meds available(meaning I'm not @ home), and I'm able to laydown, I usually do that; try to be in a darken-room, with no light comming in, NO noise,have ice water available for small sips, and have a washcloth that was dipped in ice water for my head.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
By Cara— Last Modified: 05/22/12, First Published: 08/12/09
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Thanks Nancy for your great advice and I agree stopping this headache needs to be a prority. I've since visited my doctor and he's taken some blood samples and prescribed some anti inflammatory meds which seem to relieve the pressure. I had a massage and I've visited a chiropractor who has adjusted my upper neck which was 'jammed up'. I'm feeling much better and today I woke up without a headache.
but I think I'll keep a headache journal just in case I run into problems again.