May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Headaches Constant Left Temple Pain and Migraine Headaches
Constant Left Temple Pain and Migraine Headaches |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: Doctor, I take Nortriptyline HCL 20mg daily to block general nerve head pain but it never blocked migraine headaches and used to take Methadone. In 2001, I had left frontal lobe surgery to remove a small two component primary brain tumor with radiation and two years of chemotherapy. I had daily head pain and terrible headaches prior and post surgery. I have also tried many medications to treat the pain, narcotics never worked, migraine medications (I.E.: Maxalt or Frova) have been the only type of medication to help relieve my pain but even these medications fall short. I even have tried to herbs and vitamins to prevent headaches. Vitamin B2 seemed to work for several months but now I'm getting them every other day again. I've tried Butterbur and other supplements as well. I've done food elimination and journalling to identified headache triggers, MSG is my worst trigger. I make great efforts to avoid all triggers. My migraines are so precarious and I am suffering so much. Without a headache, I noticed several months ago that I feel serious severe pain when I touch my left temple; this pain is constant. Could I have a vascular problem, should I be approaching my head pain and headaches differently? I am 48 years young and other than my head pain and headaches, and some colon digestive issues, I am a normal weight and healthy. Dear Jill: Thank you for your question. I am assuming that a recent CT or MRI of your brain has been done to rule out recurrence of cancer. If not, this should be your first priority. There are several things in your history that do support migraines - your response to migraine medications, relief with Vitamin B2 and identifiable triggers that make your headache worse. It does not appear you are doing anything incorrectly and migraines are considered to be a vascular condition. In medicine we often encounter severe forms of common conditions that do not respond to typical treatment regimes. Your case appears to be one. In such cases, if the patient is willing, often trial and error is the best way to find relief of symptoms. The trial and error period can be very frustrating but when relief is found - very rewarding. From my clinical experience, the only thing I can suggest would be to consider botox therapy after recurrence of cancer has been ruled out. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 15 January 2010 ) |
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