What's Wrong with Me? - Saint Paul, MN

Sounds like a pinched nerve. Sorry if someone else called that, i forgot to read what everyone else said

I have some of the same issues. I go to the chiro as needed and FINALLY caved in and got a night guard made for my mouth.

It was expensive but I could feel the difference IMMEDIATELY and wear it whenever I feel I need it during the day as well as at night. Insurance doesn't cover it apparently because EVERYONE could really use one (according to my dentist). Just like corrective eye surgery isn't covered. :(

You may want to try the cheaper treatments than going full force into lots of expensive labs and testing.

Hi A.:

I know how frustrating this can be. I suffer from Post tramatic vascular migraines on a 24 hour cycle which translates to me having a headache/migraine 24 hours a day. It took me 6 doctors and 2 years to get the correct answer.
My advice would be a little different from others. Due to your tension you might be grinding or clentching your jaw which can make you think TMJ. Doctors thought that was my problem and it wasn't.
I also tried a chrio and it only made things worse for me also. After each adjustment I would be in a terrible amount of pain for 2-3 days. I stuck with it for 4 months and then decided he had done enough damage.
After two years with no answers, almost doing damage to my liver and kidneys due to overmedicating to just dull the pain, and having black-outs my family doctor finally suggested that I see a headache specialist - Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago. They diagnosed me within 2 hours. Dr. Merle Diamond was the first doctor who actually listend to me and understood what I as feeling and going through. They thought me how to control my migraines with diet, bio-feedback, and medication. They treated me for 15 years and allowed me to feel human again.
Due to my experience I have a few suggestions:
Visit the National Headache Foundation website: http://www.headaches.org/ You can get answers to your questions and feel like your not alone.
Find a headache specialist in your area (Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago http://www.diamondheadache.com/ or Mayo Clinic Headache Center in MN http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/headaches/HE99999)

My last suggestion would be to find a competent acupunctist in your area. After 15 years of treatment my doctor at Diamond suggested seeking alternative treatments because I wanted to start a family and was worried about medications. I found a homopathic/herbalist/acupunturist that treated my migraines and has kept them under control for me for the last 7 years.
The key thing is to become your own advocate and push your doctors to find an answer for your pain. Your pain and symptoms are real and can be managed with the proper care and information. Biofeedback, diet changes, and medications can help you have a normal life again. Remember you are not alone many women suffer with headache pain, but we don't have to. Fight for yourself to find a solution.
Best of luck and please feel free to contact me if you need any further information or support.

Absolutely!! I have a freind who dealt with 20 years of migraines. Today due to a nutritional supplement she is 100% free of those debilitating mirgraines. Just e:mail me at ____@____.com and I would love to introduce you. You have got to hear what has happend for yourself.

Hi A.,

I am sorry to hear of all your pain. I can sympathize as I have had issues with headaches and migranes on and off over the years that the Dr.s couldn't diagnose and have had similar frustration with not feeling like they did enough testing just prescribing and feeling like they were only guessing especially with the neurologists. By luck I got my problems diagnosed and have been able to get rid of my headaches and pain. By luck I mean that I stumbled on the cures and I hope this info will help you too. First my health insurance at work changed and some preventatives were incuded and I was forced to change my dentist because he wasn't covered and when I found another one they had way to detect cavities with an instrument that imits radio waves and can tell decay inside the tooth even when the enamel seems firm when they poke it with the metal instrument. they found cavities in two teeth that by the old method were fine. I didn't have any pain in those teeth but after fillings my jaw pain nearly disappeared overnight and my pressure headache became less. They kept telling me that my birth control pill couldn't cause headaches but it was the only medication I was on at one point so I went off the pill and my migranes went away. I was later able to return to a different pill and they didn't return. Also my insurance included vision tests and I found I needed glasses when I was pregnant and that helped. I had a shoulder injury that after healing and due to my high stress job can cause build up of stress in my neck and shoulders and brought back headaches but none of the other things were wrong so a friend suggested deep tissue massages to loosen the muscles and it worked and for a while I went regularly but now with the help of my home yoga stretches I only need to go once every other month. I also found that some scents can trigger pain and the pain can show up where you wouldn't suspect it so it might not have been the motions but what you inhailed that is causing your pain. I hope some of these suggestions help. Good Luck!

Depression can manifest itself by physical symptoms such as yours. You may want to try the Zoloft that you already have. Keep in mind that it will take 2-3 weeks to reach a therapeutic level, so it will not be a 'magic bullet'. Anxiety often accompanies depression. I personally find a chiropractor helpful for neck problems. Being a parent doesn't really get easier; you have a different set of issues at each age level. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your girls! Good luck!

I think your idea of going to a ENT doc is good. Whether you need a referral depends on your insurance, so I would call them. Inner ear issues are a thought, but they do not usually cause headaches. Dizziness, yes. TMJ is also a good thought. I would see the ENT as the next step and then go from there. While I know people swear by their Chiropractors, I would be hesitant to get caught up in needing one all the time. And like all doctors, physical therapists, etc, some are better than others. Good luck.

make an appt with an ENT. sounds like could be vertigo. or more severe case which is called meniers.

i was lying on the floor doing back exercises and turned to lay on my side when WHAM i go dizzy. it was so bad i ended up going to er via ambulance. they were so lame- dont go to lakeside if possible. said i had tummy bug and sent me home.

5 min in dr office next day-the p a not anyone i had ever seen before and she had me diagnosed with vertigo.

i was sent to ent for further test and i have meniers. it is when you retain too much fluid in your ears.

i was in bed 3 weeks before we got symptoms under control.

the chiro was a good idea but since that second visit you may have loosened the flow of the fluid and your ears are fuller now.

i would reccomend Dr Simons at the clarkson west 144th center if you're in the omaha area. he is really good- he listens and is very into problem solving rather than wait and see.

good luck - contact me if you need any more info.

:)

Hi A.
Editting my response if you haven't read thru all these-- They are GREAT ideas.
One more thing I came across today-- do you drink diet sodas or eat a lot of sugar free products. Someone just coincidentally sent me that info on aspartame poisoning again-- you came to mind in a serendipitous fashion...

Wow-- not something anyone would want to deal with. Or be told to" relax".
If you are having physical dizzy spells- it could be vertigo-- inner ear stuff-- and yes-- an ENT is the one to see. Depending on your insurance-- you will want to check--you might be able to make a direct appt.
If it is vertigo- it might be fluid build up where they'll put you on sudafed-- so easy to try in the meantime on your own, and/or dramamine/meclazine (sp?)for the spins/dizziness. It might be able to be fixed quickly with an eply maneuver- again forget spelling sorry- too early.
You know your body best.
If you do need a relaxant-- I work with a nutrit. company that has smooth muscle relaxants and take the edge off mental ones (I'm currently using myself as I deal with end of life issues with my father that tipped the scales in life for me as a mom too) If you want to know about those you can email me privately at ____@____.com
Keep finding the answers you need to feel right-- your gut tells you.

About me 48 yo perfusionist, wellness coach and mom to 7 yo twin girls

B. J

I'd keep going to the chiro... when you have been out of alignment for a long time, it is normal to get headaches after your first few adjustments. That means that it is working and things are realigning.... Your body just needs to get used to it! It will get much better very soon.

See an AO chiropractor. I have a couple I can recommend. Your atlas may be out. I have to run, but if you have questions, you can p.m. me.

Hi A.-

I have two friends who started having similar symptoms in their 30's, seemingly out of nowhere, and suggestive of a neurological cause. One friend is a Physical Therapist and with her medical background, she was convinced she was experiencing early signs of MS. I might have a good lead for you. In both of my friends situations, they have TMJ and once they saw a specialist and began wearing mouth-guards, and following their advice (also included seeing a chiropracter), their symptoms decreased significantly. They were both unaware of teeth grinding, clenching of the jaw, etc. so were super surprised re: all of this. Apparently our jaw nerves are connected to many other nerves that all get affected when we hold stress there. I hope this proves to be the case for you as it was and is a relatively easy treatment for them! Good luck! S.

Have someone take a look at your jaw joint and your ears. I had problems with my jaw joint and had surgery about 16 years ago. Prior to the surgery, I had headaches much like the ones you describe. Also, fluid in the middle and inner ears can cause dizziness. If your jaw (or neck) is out of whack, it may be putting pressure on your ears and fluid could be trapped in there. Jaw and ear issues could be the primary source of the issue, with the neck pain really being secondary, or vice versa--who knows.

I would keep up with the chiropractic care; I have found that to be more beneficial than drugs or physical therapy. Let the chiropractor know that your pain is coming from the jaw.

Also, you may get relief from some massage therapy. I just had a massage a couple of weeks ago and she really worked on my face and jaw area, and it felt amazing. I would also try a warm, wet towel on your jaw and face when a headache strikes. You can microwave a wet towel for a few seconds, or just run really hot water over it.

As far as referrals to different doctors go, that all depends on your insurance. Some insurances allow you to see whomever you want, whenever you want, while others require you to get a written referral from your primary MD.

Just a thought have you talked to your dentis? Someimes things like TMJ and other dental problems can cause bad headaches.

Sorry to hear that you have been feeling under the weather. I had similar symptoms last year that went on for about 5 months. I experienced a lot of anxiety during that time. I would suggest seeing an ENT. You shouldn't need a referral, but I'm sure your GP would give you one. You may want to google viral labyrinthitis. I went to an ENT for some tests and he suspected that I might have had that. I guess it's tricky to diagnose. There is also a great forum with lots of comments and advice from people suffering from labyrinthitis. Just google sharp blue page 10. It's the first one that comes up-viral labyrinthitis comments Richard Baker. I hope this helps. Try not to research too much on the internet. I got a little obsessed with it, probably because the doctor never gave me a concrete diagnosis. I was convinced I had every condition that I read about, making my anxiety worse! Good luck!! Just remember that you won't feel like this forever! This too shall pass!

Hi A.
I also have suffered form really bad tension headaches and when they are really bad you may need to see the chiropractor 3 times a week for a couple of weeks. I have had a adjustment and then woke up with a even worse headach it is because your muscules are tight then release and the when you sleep they will tighten again. I would countunie to see the chiropractor. put aheating pad or rice sock on your neck and your daughter rub your jaw area and see if that dosent relive some of the tension Good luck Headaches are the worst I hope you feel better soon