Tension Headache

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Has anyone ever had a tension headache that lasted several weeks?

I had a head cold which started several weeks ago (around 5-6 weeks) and the headache started in the front working it's way to the back of my head. Now it's been stuck there for about a month now and it just won't go away.

I've been majorly stressed lately and it feels just like a tension headache, but I've never had a headache last so long.

Just wondering if tension headaches can last this long.

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[+3] - OGIONIK - 08/24/2008i used to have them "tension headaches" i would bolt from the back of my head to the front. it was helped a long by a wisdom tooth i still have.

I'd also like to know what over the counter meds work best for tension headaches.
I've been taking Acetaminophen ever 4-6 hours for the past few days, but it helps very little. I want to grab something at the drug store tomorrow, but there's so much stuff out there these days, I don't know what's what.

I hear Advil is good. Any suggestions?

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Where in the back of the head? At the center where the largest part of the skull is or lower down, closer to the neck? Have you taken your temperature to ensure it isn't some kind of low grade fever?

What kind of work/exertion have you been doing lately, or has anything changed in the way of ergonomics such as a new chair, a new bed pillow, or a newly repositioned chair height, or new desk height, etc?

Are you working around any strong fumes, and have you checked your house and car for excessive carbon monoxide fumes?

Here's the Mayo Clinic's write up on tension headaches.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tension-headache/DS00304

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Thanks Butterfly :-D

It started with a head cold in the front of my head and worked its way back, then stopped in the back. It's at the very bottom of the back of my head and top of my neck area.
It feels the same as any tension headache I've had and when I look up headaches, it falls directly under tension headaches.
I've had vast amounts of stress lately, which I think is the cause, but since it all started with the head cold, I'm thinking it may just be that lingering.

I've just never had a headache for this long and it's beginning to drive me a bit nuts.

Not exposure to any chemicals that I know of or anything like that. No recently new pillows or bed. Same as usual, except the tension has been on extra high lately.

Going to check out your link.

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Very informative link Butterfly. I have been getting much less exercise as usual lately, which it says can contribute to tension headaches and I really haven't been eating right, so those things can contribute.

I'm going to try to change those things and get myself back to where I was.

Thanks again :-D

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Montana- I have no idea what it is that you have...............and neither do you. It seems to me that a headache that lasts for a month is worthy of a look-see by a medical professional.

It could be nothing at all, or it could be something more serious. If it were me, I would get myself to an internist as quickly as possible.

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Hey Montana

I agree - I know you are under a lot of pressure right now and certainly having a tension headache is likely - get this interview out the way and hopefully a fresh start and see if it eases off a little. I would certainly go back to the doc tho and get it checked out. I get problems with my neck which causes pain up the back of my head - more so when I start feeling the pressure and am a little less relaxed - certainly a good massage would do you a world of good Rolling Eyes

(if only a?) but a trip to the doc maybe a wise move if it continues.

Thinking of you and know in a few hours you will be "shining" in front of prospective employers - keep strong and focused and try not to be nervous - hopefully later on you can shed some of the worries and maybe the headaches will decrease. xox Talk soon!

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I agree with Phoenix, you're self diagnosing something that has gone on way past the norm.

Could be high blood pressure, have you had yours checked?

As Izzie suggests, a massage sounds appropriate.

Tension headache = contracted muscles in head and neck.

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Thanks girls. I know I need to see the doc if it keeps up, but I'm going to give it a little more time. I have a job intervier at 1:30 and of course that's my priority for the day.
The head cold lingered for about 3 weeks and worked it's way to the back of my head where it has lingered ever since, so even though I shouldn't assume, I think the combination of the head cold and the major tension I've had lately are the culprit.
I can feel the tension go right down the back of my neck right to my shoulders and that's a feeling I know well. I use to get so tight in that area years ago when I was bartending, my doc would give me valium every six months or so for a week just to loosen me up. Worked like a charm.

A massage would be heaven and if I had the $, I'd get me one. Everything is in knots.

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Montana--

Make an appointment with a doctor. Your symptoms have been going on for a month!

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I agree with getting checked out by a doctor. I did this when I was getting frequent headaches that were extremely painful - to the point where all I could do was put my head down until it passed. Fortunately they didn't last long. It ended up being "ice pick" headaches - caused by stress in the migraine family - the prognosis was to lessen my stress easier said than done - the doctor suggested I stop working at my current job if I could afford it.

I did find another job and voila the headaches went away.

Sometimes the doctors know what they are talking about.

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I know I should, but it's getting a little better every day and I think it's on its way out. I use to do neck stretches because I tend to get a lot of tension build up in my neck and the back of my head, but I hadn't done them in a long time.
I started doing them again last night and today it's better. I've always had major problems with tension, but I promise if it's not gone by the end of the week, I'll go see doc next week before I start working the 26th.

My interview went well, I think, but won't know if I have the job until the end of the week. If I get the job, that will no doubt take away a truck load of that tension.

Damn tension! I'm cursed with it.

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Montana:

I had a headache for many weeks while in high school. I considered it a "tension" headache. It was during basketball season, and it was affecting my play. I went to school one day and we had a guest speaker scheduled for my Psychology class -- a psychiatrist, whom I knew did hypnosis and other cool things. I got to class a bit early after lunch to hopefully pick his brain and get a free diagnosis/advice. I really didn't know if he could help, but I was feeling desperate. I told him my symptoms, and he told me to turn around ... he then performed an accu-pressure technique, by pressing very firmly with his thumbs on either side of my spinal cord, where my skull joins with my neck. He held it, pressing firmly for about 30 seconds. When he finished, my headache was gone. I've remembered the specific points ever since, and have been able to self-treat over the years.

I just checked, and there are some websites that discuss this technique. The Dr. who "treated" me didn't rub or massage, he just pressed firmly.

http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/headaches/tools/tools-acupressure.asp

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Linkat, I noticed it getting better as soon as I got a call from a job I applied for and I believe my problem is the same as yours was, except opposite. My issue was not being able to find a job, instead of having a stressful job, but it all amounts to the same thing.

After I got the first call asking if I was still interested in the job (Monday) some of the pain went away, then after getting the call yesterday from the manager to set up an interview for today, a little more went away. Then after the interview today, again, it's better.

Now if I could just get that one last most important call saying I have the job, I think it'll make all the difference in the world.

If I don't get the job, I'm going to see doc for some drugs because I'll need them knowing I'll have to go back to work at the lobster shop Laughing

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Ticomaya wrote:

Montana:

I had a headache for many weeks while in high school. I considered it a "tension" headache. It was during basketball season, and it was affecting my play. I went to school one day and we had a guest speaker scheduled for my Psychology class -- a psychiatrist, whom I knew did hypnosis and other cool things. I got to class a bit early after lunch to hopefully pick his brain and get a free diagnosis/advice. I really didn't know if he could help, but I was feeling desperate. I told him my symptoms, and he told me to turn around ... he then performed an accu-pressure technique, by pressing very firmly with his thumbs on either side of my spinal cord, where my skull joins with my neck. He held it, pressing firmly for about 30 seconds. When he finished, my headache was gone. I've remembered the specific points ever since, and have been able to self-treat over the years.

I just checked, and there are some websites that discuss this technique. The Dr. who "treated" me didn't rub or massage, he just pressed firmly.

http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/headaches/tools/tools-acupressure.asp

My ex use to do that, which prevented me from killing him Laughing

Can I do it myself or do I need someone else to do it? I know what my ex use to do was amazing! If I could afford a massage, it would make all the difference in the world.

((((((((((Tico))))))))))) Thank you :-D

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Looks like I can do it myself, so I'm gonna give it a try. I'll let you know what happens.

If this works Tico, I'm forever grateful!

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Wow! Everyone needs to bookmark this site. I did the head thing and the thing between the thumb and finger thing and my headache is gone. Even the stuffness in my neck is gone.
I couldn't understand how my ex use to be able to do that and I can't believe I forgot about it.

What a freakin relief this is. I really should have started this thread 6 weeks ago when it started.

Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much Tico!!!! :-D

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