Suggestions for Chronic Headaches and Fatigue

Updated on May 06, 2012
K.B. asks from Saint Louis, MO
8 answers

I have been feeling extremely fatigued for about two months now and it's only getting worse. It's almost like I have insomnia. I can't go to sleep at all at night even though my body so desperately wants to, which equates to zero energy during the day. Also, I NEVER get headaches (I seriously mean never, it's never a problem or concern for me no matter what is going on with me). However, for the past three months I have been getting very bad migraines, not just headaches, 2-3 times a week. It's bad cause sometimes I'm in the middle of my work day and can't even keep my head up because the lights and voices cause my so much pain. I have no idea what is causing them. I do plan to go to my doctor this month for my annual visit anyway so was going to ask her to do a full work-up to see if it's anything physical. However, I can't see her till the end of the month due to my jobs staffing requirements.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with these problems so I can cope from day to day until then? I have tried aspirin, but it's never enough, massage (my co-worker is licensed for this so he has tried to help "knock out" the headaches with a quick back rub), melatonin, tylenol pm, all of which really just temporarily fixes the problem till the next day when I'm tired with a headache again. Thoughts?

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V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Well, I have no idea what could be causing what is going on with you, and it is good that you are planning on being seen by a doctor.

In the meantime, let me ask you this: Do you wear glasses? When was the last time you had your vision checked?

I ask only because last year, I suddenly began having daily headaches. Not migraines like you are having though, but daily headaches nonetheless. And I, too, am a person that NEVER has headaches. Seriously. Like... never. I MIGHT get a little tight feeling once in a while, and I will think--oh, that almost feels like a headache is starting, and then I get distracted and never think of it or notice it again. Advil at my house (for me) is only for strained muscles...not headaches.

BUT, last year..... daily headaches. Sometimes, almost as soon as I got up for the day. I'd drink my morning coffee thinking I didn't get enough caffeine the day before and just needed my morning joe. Nope. Headache would be worse. The longer the day went on, the worse the head.

My glasses were a bit scratched, and I just happened to go in to get a new pair/prescription check, etc. My prescription had changed. Now, my prescription has changed many times over the years (worsened) and I have never gotten headaches from it. This time my eyes were improved, so the prescription I was wearing was too strong! THAT was giving me the headaches. As soon as I get up I put on my glasses. So no relief after a good night's sleep.

Totally may not be even close to what is going on with you. But just a thought if any of it may be relevant to you. Mine started out of the blue. And went away the day I walked out of the doctor's office with a fresh set of contacts with a weaker prescription (until my new glasses came in).

Good luck to you. I hope you find relief soon.

3 moms found this helpful

T.M.

answers from Redding on

Dont drink caffeine, period.
Watch what you do put into your body.
You are having a reaction to something you are ingesting.
Eat well, drink water. Take a melatonin tablet about a half hour before bed time. Turn off the tv in your bedroom, turn on a fan for air circulation and white noise.
Sleep.

3 moms found this helpful

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

no caffeine after lunch so its out of your system by bed time. Watch your sugar intake also... regular or natural it will also mess with your sleep.

Try some lavender in a warm bath to help you relax at night or even a lotion with lavender. Lavender is a natural calming agent. Make sure your room is complete darkness and noise free other than white noise. Even if you have to take the sleeping agents to make sure you get a good night sleep for a few nights in a row.

Im guessing here but the migraines are because your not getting enough sleep. When I don't get enough sleep and get completely wore down is when I get them. My eye lids will twitch horribly also... usually a couple hours before the migraines kick in.

When you get the migraines take some excedrin. It does have caffeine in it, but it will knock the migraine out hopefully with out keeping you up at night.

Good luck !

2 moms found this helpful

R.B.

answers from Dallas on

You have lots of great answers so far. Just as a side note, if you drink anything diet, the chemicals in the diet drinks can have really, really bad effects on many people (including migraines).

Just my two cents,
R.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from St. Cloud on

I second avoiding caffeine and sweets. Sugar makes my headaches/migraines much worse! Caffeine CAN help migraines (it's in a lot of OTC migraine medicines) but if you're not sleeping, I'd avoid it.

You need to try to figure out if there is a trigger for your migraine. Start recording what time they start, how long they last, symptoms. It'd probably be a good idea to make a food journal too. A big migraine trigger for me is scents. Cleaning chemicals, even perfumes and scented lotions can do it...especially when combined with poor health in general. Another big trigger for my is my spine health. As soon as I start getting recurrent headaches, I know it's time to head to the chiropractor. It takes a few weeks to get my neck back in alignment but I'm all good after that. A good pillow and bed make a big difference for me.

Hopefully your doctor is open to it being a physical issue first. I've had some doctors refer me to a specialist who only wanted to prescribe medication. Sure, if I took muscle relaxers all day I'd feel great but it's not healthy or realistic! A good doctor may refer you to physical therapy or a chiropractor. I've done both at the same time and have never felt so good!!

1 mom found this helpful
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R.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

This happened to me when I got a new car. Off-gassing?

Anything new in your environment?

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J.F.

answers from Bloomington on

Not sure what is going on....great suggestions thus far.

I had a minor accident and with the tightness in my neck muscles, I started having serious headaches.

Going to the chiropractor and getting upper back/neck massages have helped tremendously.

Have you been jolted lately (like 2 months ago)? Over stressed?? Good luck!!!

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E.K.

answers from Lawrence on

Thyroid? Hypo possibly?

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