Hello, my daughter is 17 and has had constant headaches for over a year now. Started in May of '08. Went to the doctor and she said she was probably depressed and gave her some Naproxen. That didn't work at all (and she was a little offended that she accused her of being depressed!) so then after a few months she went back to the doctor, and she gave her some migraine medicine which didn't work. She has another appointment on Sept 8 and if this doctor still does nothing, we are going to a new one. Sick of her not doing anything!! My poor daughter is in constant agony from the headaches. They are throbbing and are constantly there--even when she wakes up, they cause some dizziness too. Excedrin extra strength seems to control them by taking the edge off, but they're never really gone. Went to the eye doctor, got a new prescription, and he said that it didn't sound like it was related to her eyes. Plus, I don't know if it's related, but she has had her period for 5 years and is still not regular. Recently she went from April-August without a period. Gets very crampy, too. And no, she isn't pregnant... I mean, obviously since it's been over a year...

Any ideas?? We're pretty much desperate!!

simoneaugie

What part of her head hurts the most? Has she tried a sinus medication?

My mom used to have horrible headaches. After years of suffering, she saw an osteopath. This doctor spent an hour massaging her neck and shoulders. She is now headache-free.

artlady

I would insist that your doctor refer you to a neurologist.

For your daughter to be having debilitating headaches such as this is ridiculous.

enelya615

She said that it hurts mostly in the front of her head but throughout her head as well. We tried some sinus medication but it didn't seem to do much. Plus she isn't having pain when touching her cheeks or forehead. I also gave her some medication for neck pain and it didn't seem to do anything either... will have to talk to the doctors about some possibilities.

enelya615

I definitely agree. I figure I'll have to push her and if she doesn't I'll definitely be going to a different doctor with her that is willing to do a test--ANY test!

spiritcharms

WHat does your daughter eat and drink? this could be diet related,its certainly worth looking into.

enelya615

Pretty basic. She drinks water and pop, sometimes juice, iced tea... a lot of milk. Normal food, some junk but who doesn't? Haha... Gets vegetables regularly with dinner, meat and potatoes as well

spiritcharms

what kind of pop and juice does she drink? and how often? is it sugar free or low sugar at all, does she chew gum,suck on mints etc?

the reason im asking is because artificial sweetners can cause symptons, and chronics headaches are one of them. Im not saying it is this, but if doctors cant find an answer to this, then i would look at her diet. Also could be the cause of her cramps too.

enelya615

She drinks orange juice and coke, mostly for those types. Sometimes other fruity juices. It's regular, not any low sugar or anything, I think... Though her orange juice doesn't have pulp if that counts for anything? Her gum is usually sugar free, though. Juicyfruit. I'll definitely suggest this Tuesday at the doctors and see what she thinks.

spiritcharms

Im just wondering about the artifical sweetner 'aspartame' as i know thats in most gums and sugar free,low sugar drinks and food, but its also in normal stuff too, and diet coke, although i believe it isnt in regular coke, i believe that coke itself can cause headaches. Maybe try eliminating the chewing gum and the drinks and just see if that makes a difference,but yes discuss with your doctor first,although doctors dont tend to listen to this sort of thing. So i would suggest maybe seeing a nutrionalist.

sorry forgot to say that i dont know what pulp is?

Go and check the labels on the drinks and see what it says.