Hi everyone,
Hope everyone is doing well,
I wanted to know if it's common in ataxia to experience very painful and debilitating headaches in Ataxia. Lately I have had a headache nearly everyday, and to control the pain I take advil, but I fear that
I will become addicted to the pain killer.
Ny insight or suggestions would be tremendous
Regards
Sam
I used to get loads of headaches each lasting two or three days. The best thing I found was acupuncture it works for a couple of months at a time. I tried all the drugs available in the drug store and my doctor prescribed me with stronger ones buy they just put me out of it completely. My physio said that because I use all the wrong muscles to move with, my shoulders and neck get really sore and stiff. That causes pain in my head. I was VERY skeptical about acupuncture but it certainly works. Except for the red wine headaches of course!
Sam: No headaches, just leg pain. But watch Advil and Asprin, I fell last month & bleed profusely.
Just one more thing to think about. Susie
Hi Sam,
Due to cervical spondylitis I used to get severe headaches and I have sinusitis too. As I am exercising regularly I do not get headaches. Besides due to hypertension I used to get headaches every day. It’s under
Control and I have done away with headaches. I had headaches for several years, but for the last 4 years I am free but not from Ataxia!
Hi Sam-I used to take an abundance of Excedderin(sp?), and ended up having an AVM bleed -different than ataxia-ataxia might be a symptom of AVM-really have no clue at this point.
Anyway, even though I have no idea if the headaches were related to anything else, your headaches might be masking a bigger problem-wouldn’t hurt to get a professional’s opinion. In general, headaches can be caused from dehydration-if you’re not getting enough water or fluids.
Hi Sam,
I get really bad headaches every now and then, have had them for years, but they're not related to my ataxia. Just a cross between normal migraines and cluster headache, a common thing to ask a GP about. Got migraine medication now, and that helps as long as I take it in time.
Hope you find a solution soon, it's a pity to suffer from your headaches, when there might be a simple solution available when you just ask your GP. Also, since you say they started recently (never had them before?), I agree with Julie: it's definitely a good idea to have it checked out.
All the best,
Cristel
My ataxia does not cause headaches. I'm assuming you've had an MRI? I agree with others that it's time to get your physician or neurologists opinion. Wish I could be more helpful...
The headaches were one of the first symptoms I noticed. The muscle spasms and head shaking was off and on, then. Dr. at the time told me 4 ibuprofin could help. It did and does for the daily headaches. Most of my pain now comes in the lower neck and across the shoulders. Stabbing pain that seems to radiate a burning.
Current Dr. says it's stress. The ibuprofin takes care of that too.
Sam,
My wife has been diagnosed with SCA6 and was having a terrible time with headaches (migraines). Her neurologist suggested that she try Botox injections. She has received Botox injections in her forehead and at the base of her skull, they have not completely taken care of the headaches but they have been fewer, shorter lived and less intense... Something to think about...
Best wishes
randy
Hi Sam, I used to deal with headaches and I woundered if it was my ataxia also. But my Nurologist told me it wasn't. Mine was a lack of a combo of things I guess because drinking 2 glasses of water with lemon before I put anything in my mouth in the morning and drinking more water throught the day, getting more blood flow thought my brain and body by exercising more and making sure I have gotten enough sleep my body needed.
I also think what Nan mentioned about getting your Blood Pressure checked is a good idea too. When I had high blood pressure just before I was diagnosed having ataxia. When I stopped refined sugars, alcohol, preservitives additives and anything in a box or bag, meditating every am (causing my brain to become more calm and not worry as much) along with my water, they seemed to go away! I never had headaches before this, so that's why I thought it might be from my ataxia also (but it wasn't).
I watched Dr. Oz Yesterday and he had given some really good tips about headaches how to get rid of them and when to see a Dr. Check this out when you get a chance. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/all-natural-headache-cures?page=2#copy
Hope this helps! :0)
Hi Wilis, I watched Dr. Oz yesterday and he talked about a new breakthrough about IBuprofen. I was very surprised to hear this yesterday on t.v. because I too used to take Ibprofen a few years ago regularly because my Dr told me that would help. But finding out that one a week I would have a 12% chance of hearing loss makes me want to let everyone know about this new study they had. So I wanted to send you this to help you be awaire about IBuprofen and the potential of hearing loss just in case you still take them.http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/link-between-pain-relievers-and-hearing-loss
I hoped that this will help you out! :0)
Willis Whitlock said:
The headaches were one of the first symptoms I noticed. The muscle spasms and head shaking was off and on, then. Dr. at the time told me 4 ibuprofin could help. It did and does for the daily headaches. Most of my pain now comes in the lower neck and across the shoulders. Stabbing pain that seems to radiate a burning.
Current Dr. says it's stress. The ibuprofin takes care of that too.
@ Jeannie-I saw that, too…very eye-opening. Great demonstration.
Hi Sam,
I cannot speak for others, but I can tell you I get migraine headaches often.
I try to avoid any food, drink, bright light or stressful situation that might act as a trigger for migraine,
Keep well and best regards,
Michael.