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Suggest Treatment For Tension Headaches, Severe Neck Pain And Dry Eyes
Question: Hi,
I have suffered from headaches for many years and have been diagnosed with tension headaches.
I see massage therapists and chiropractors on and off over the years. I recently saw one that I have seen 5-6 times (saw her 2 days ago). The massage hurt, but it usually does a bit and I'm always okay afterwards. This time, shortly after the massage I developed severe neck pain. It feels like someone has reached inside my neck and pulled a nerve and stretched it over my head, or cut it. The pain is on the left side and goes to my left temple. Typically when I get headaches they start frontal and when they get more severe they go to the left side.
Over the counter medicines don't work and I have been prescribed with Tylenol 3/ muscle relaxant as well as tramadol. I recently started fiorinal as those weren't working. 2 days ago I took it for the first time. It is not helping. Sleeping seems to make it worse as I woke up about 2 hours ago crying in pain. I have since been sitting up, but usually I get sore doing that too and just keep alternating.
Over the last few months I've also felt like my headaches are sinusey. I don't have allergies that I know of (other to a couple medications and gluten, I have celiacs disease bad thyroid disease) but feel pressure around my nose quite a bit, get horribly dry eyes and sometimes a bad taste in my mouth. This last happened the same day I had the massage.
The last time I was in severe pain from a headache my doctor said I may have to go to the hospital for a shot. I waited it out though. But I can't miss anymore work.
I try lots of natural remedies, including ice and heat, hot showers, peppermint oil that tingles on my neck and temple, lots of stretching my neck and am sill in pain. I don't even know that it's worth going to the doctor again, as headaches are a chronic problem with me. I wish I could lay down though and can't as I wake up crying from the pain.
What should I do?
Thanks.
I have suffered from headaches for many years and have been diagnosed with tension headaches.
I see massage therapists and chiropractors on and off over the years. I recently saw one that I have seen 5-6 times (saw her 2 days ago). The massage hurt, but it usually does a bit and I'm always okay afterwards. This time, shortly after the massage I developed severe neck pain. It feels like someone has reached inside my neck and pulled a nerve and stretched it over my head, or cut it. The pain is on the left side and goes to my left temple. Typically when I get headaches they start frontal and when they get more severe they go to the left side.
Over the counter medicines don't work and I have been prescribed with Tylenol 3/ muscle relaxant as well as tramadol. I recently started fiorinal as those weren't working. 2 days ago I took it for the first time. It is not helping. Sleeping seems to make it worse as I woke up about 2 hours ago crying in pain. I have since been sitting up, but usually I get sore doing that too and just keep alternating.
Over the last few months I've also felt like my headaches are sinusey. I don't have allergies that I know of (other to a couple medications and gluten, I have celiacs disease bad thyroid disease) but feel pressure around my nose quite a bit, get horribly dry eyes and sometimes a bad taste in my mouth. This last happened the same day I had the massage.
The last time I was in severe pain from a headache my doctor said I may have to go to the hospital for a shot. I waited it out though. But I can't miss anymore work.
I try lots of natural remedies, including ice and heat, hot showers, peppermint oil that tingles on my neck and temple, lots of stretching my neck and am sill in pain. I don't even know that it's worth going to the doctor again, as headaches are a chronic problem with me. I wish I could lay down though and can't as I wake up crying from the pain.
What should I do?
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Acute pain needs to be treated and sinusitis evaluation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for posting your query here at HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
This acute episode of neck pain that spreads to left temple seems to be a side effect of chiropractic procedures.
It could be a muscle overstretched, or a contused nerve as well.
In such case rest is the best thing to do, other things that may help improve your symptoms is avoiding sudden neck and head movements, a soft cervical collar for a couple of weeks should help to.
As a treatment for this acute phase of pain, if I were your treating Doctor, I would recommend use of Diazepam 5 mg at evening for one week, and an NSAID drug (Ketoprofene/Artrosilen 160 mg/ daily for one week).
It helps relaxing muscles and improves your sleep.
Change of headaches characteristics and bad taste in mouth and dry eyes could be related to sinusitis especially if you experienced fever recently.
As a start a sinuses x-rays help evaluate correctly this diagnosis.
To conclude, treating the acute pain and assessment of sinusitis as possible aggravating condition needed in this moment.
I suggest you to discuss with your treating Doctor about above mentioned possibilities.
Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Take care.
Acute pain needs to be treated and sinusitis evaluation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for posting your query here at HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
This acute episode of neck pain that spreads to left temple seems to be a side effect of chiropractic procedures.
It could be a muscle overstretched, or a contused nerve as well.
In such case rest is the best thing to do, other things that may help improve your symptoms is avoiding sudden neck and head movements, a soft cervical collar for a couple of weeks should help to.
As a treatment for this acute phase of pain, if I were your treating Doctor, I would recommend use of Diazepam 5 mg at evening for one week, and an NSAID drug (Ketoprofene/Artrosilen 160 mg/ daily for one week).
It helps relaxing muscles and improves your sleep.
Change of headaches characteristics and bad taste in mouth and dry eyes could be related to sinusitis especially if you experienced fever recently.
As a start a sinuses x-rays help evaluate correctly this diagnosis.
To conclude, treating the acute pain and assessment of sinusitis as possible aggravating condition needed in this moment.
I suggest you to discuss with your treating Doctor about above mentioned possibilities.
Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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