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What Can Be Done About An Artery Pursuing Against Never Endings And Chronic Headache For Years?
Question: I just went to a New York Specialist she's a Neurologist. I have had a headache for 8 years and it has progressively gotten worse over the years. First i took Fioricet for 4 years and it kept my chronic headache at bay by saying at bay, lets gauge it on a scale of 1 - 10 it was a 3. I work outside all day or i am driving. i have a very successful dog business. I must be able to do all these things and stay alert. I started to have rebound headaches, no XXXXXXX there. Then i was prescribed Oxycodone 15 mg. apparently the demon drug. Couple of years ago i had spinal surgery for the headaches. He took out 2 discs's covered in arthritis, i was so very happy! Strange, i know but I've been looking so long for an explanation for my pain.
No, not the answer for me. Two more years masking the pain with pills. Anti-inflamatory, then menopause, 2 hip replacements 2 cataract surgeries.I started taking anti-depressant pills. Before the New York specialist, i was in the hospital for a week. I went to see a neurologist he made me take a MRI with contrast. They found an enlarged artery pressing on nerve endings. Then the very next day i was in a hospital with 2 IVs.
Ive seen pain management people and they don't want to touch Oxycodone. Even if this is the only drug that takes away the pain.!! In the hospital they gave me DHE i was nerver so sick ion my life. Before i went to this doctor i wanted to know if i could stop the tasking the pill...no problem wiuth exception of a little diarrhea. Now that they found this pressing in my head we have an answer and they will not operate becayse its too close to my spinal cord. my question to you is how do i have a semi normal life????
No, not the answer for me. Two more years masking the pain with pills. Anti-inflamatory, then menopause, 2 hip replacements 2 cataract surgeries.I started taking anti-depressant pills. Before the New York specialist, i was in the hospital for a week. I went to see a neurologist he made me take a MRI with contrast. They found an enlarged artery pressing on nerve endings. Then the very next day i was in a hospital with 2 IVs.
Ive seen pain management people and they don't want to touch Oxycodone. Even if this is the only drug that takes away the pain.!! In the hospital they gave me DHE i was nerver so sick ion my life. Before i went to this doctor i wanted to know if i could stop the tasking the pill...no problem wiuth exception of a little diarrhea. Now that they found this pressing in my head we have an answer and they will not operate becayse its too close to my spinal cord. my question to you is how do i have a semi normal life????
Brief Answer:
Consider endovascular coiling
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Enlarged artery (an aneurysm) causing constant headaches, ideally requires treatment. Since the location of an aneurysm makes surgery non-viable option in your case, more conservative and non-invasive treatment modality like endovascular coiling can be tried. This procedure will help reduce the size of an aneurysm and relieve the headache.
It is also important to maintain normal blood pressure and quit smoking (if at all you do).
Pain management is an important part of treatment for leading a normal life. Nerve pain medication like Gabapentin can be tried.
Since your pain care clinic does not encourage the use of oxycodone, discuss with them if you are a good candidate for tramadol(which is a slightly less potent opioid than oxycodone). If Tramadol does not help, then it is fair enough to switch to oxycodone. Other treatment options like Acupuncture helps some individuals in dealing with the pain.
Hope this answers your question
Please let me know if you need further clarification.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Consider endovascular coiling
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Enlarged artery (an aneurysm) causing constant headaches, ideally requires treatment. Since the location of an aneurysm makes surgery non-viable option in your case, more conservative and non-invasive treatment modality like endovascular coiling can be tried. This procedure will help reduce the size of an aneurysm and relieve the headache.
It is also important to maintain normal blood pressure and quit smoking (if at all you do).
Pain management is an important part of treatment for leading a normal life. Nerve pain medication like Gabapentin can be tried.
Since your pain care clinic does not encourage the use of oxycodone, discuss with them if you are a good candidate for tramadol(which is a slightly less potent opioid than oxycodone). If Tramadol does not help, then it is fair enough to switch to oxycodone. Other treatment options like Acupuncture helps some individuals in dealing with the pain.
Hope this answers your question
Please let me know if you need further clarification.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you for your quick response. I forgot to mention the meds i have tried. I just saw this and have responded.
You will see Gabapentin (sry spelling) but I left out the therapy i have been doing for a couple of years. Even though I had my neck fused I still can get some relief from the tension. Tramadol was tested early on 5 years ago with the fioricet. Then the neck surgery, then oxycodone 15mg. I never asked for more mg. or "lost my prescription". Now i'm in the 4th go round of Botox. And, as i'm sure you are aware,
once you have a session of Botox (30 holes all over the head and forehead) you have to wait 3 months in between injections. Yes, I have some relief but it is small victory nothing like overwhelming relief. I am going to make appts. with a few Neosurgeons next. I have also met with a new pain management doctor. Hes a little scary. I filled out the neccessary forms and then he asked me questions without looking at me. Ok, he said, next you will make an appt. with a psychologist on my staff. Then, if she accepts you, we move on to a committee which will review all your info and see if you are worthy of being my client.
You will see Gabapentin (sry spelling) but I left out the therapy i have been doing for a couple of years. Even though I had my neck fused I still can get some relief from the tension. Tramadol was tested early on 5 years ago with the fioricet. Then the neck surgery, then oxycodone 15mg. I never asked for more mg. or "lost my prescription". Now i'm in the 4th go round of Botox. And, as i'm sure you are aware,
once you have a session of Botox (30 holes all over the head and forehead) you have to wait 3 months in between injections. Yes, I have some relief but it is small victory nothing like overwhelming relief. I am going to make appts. with a few Neosurgeons next. I have also met with a new pain management doctor. Hes a little scary. I filled out the neccessary forms and then he asked me questions without looking at me. Ok, he said, next you will make an appt. with a psychologist on my staff. Then, if she accepts you, we move on to a committee which will review all your info and see if you are worthy of being my client.
Brief Answer:
Answer detailed below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
The most important factor in pain management is to attain maximum pain relief with minimal strength/dose of medications. If Tramadol has already been tried and failed, then trying a more potent opioid like oxycodone is the next option. Many pain management clinics have a screening process with a psychologist and review board to identify those who are potentially at risk for drug abuse. However, if they feel that you are in pain, and need the medication to lead a normal life, there will not be an issue. So, communicate your symptoms and previous history in the most truthful manner with them. You have nothing to be worried as long as you have always been someone who followed physician instructions in taking opioids. Living pain-free is your right and I am sure the pain management clinic will help you.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Answer detailed below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
The most important factor in pain management is to attain maximum pain relief with minimal strength/dose of medications. If Tramadol has already been tried and failed, then trying a more potent opioid like oxycodone is the next option. Many pain management clinics have a screening process with a psychologist and review board to identify those who are potentially at risk for drug abuse. However, if they feel that you are in pain, and need the medication to lead a normal life, there will not be an issue. So, communicate your symptoms and previous history in the most truthful manner with them. You have nothing to be worried as long as you have always been someone who followed physician instructions in taking opioids. Living pain-free is your right and I am sure the pain management clinic will help you.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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