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morning without a headache, I will have one within a few hours because all of my neck muscles get sore from holding my head upright. Even resting my head back on the softest pillow in a reclining position does no good. The muscles on either side of my neck and the tops of my shoulders are tender to the touch all the time. Sitting upright aggravates them and radiates pain upward into my neck and head.
No one listens to me. They only seem to want to mask the pain instead of trying to find and treat the real problem. I am a Medicaid recipient, and the only rheumatologist in my area will not see me. She has refused the referral. Traveling makes me ill, so going to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where there is another rheumatologist, is physically and economically impossible.
I suffer from so much chronic pain that I cannot do much of anything during the day. I am light sensitive and heat sensitive. I have all of the shades drawn in my home and cannot go outside. I also cannot stand loud noises. Other than quickly checking e-mails, I do not use my computer much anymore. Even fixing a bowl of cold cereal has become difficult for me. It pains me greatly to type this message. Do you have anything you can suggest that will help me?— Ellen R. It is certainly challenging to have two significant disorders that are often completely incapacitating. Unfortunately, the complexities of your condition require careful professional evaluation, including a review of previous treatments, diagnostic tests and cooperative work in a multidisciplinary environment to try to find an answer. Going to a university medical center, such as the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, might be one of the best ways to find
solutions for your unique situation. I wish you success in finding answers that will afford you an improved quality of life.
— Dr. Frederick Freitag, MD, Baylor Health Care System, Dallas
DAY AFTER DAY
What can you tell me about new daily persistent headache? I was diagnosed with the condition and have had a daily, non-stop headache since Sept. 22, 2006. It started after I had a seizure at the age of 30. Some days I manage with my“ normal” headache, and other days I have a terrible headache that nothing seems to help.— Becky S. New daily persistent headache begins suddenly and remains largely unchanged. Although it resolves on its
New daily persistent headache begins suddenly and remains largely unchanged. Although it resolves on its own for some, for others it may continue indefinitely. www
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12 HEAD WISE | Volume 1, Issue 2 • 2011