My most recent headache has mutated from just a headache, to more of a way of life. A more grumpy, painful, throbbing filter of reality.
I have had the same recurring headache for ten years. I go through very long spells of little to no headaches when I am working out and eating right. But, four months ago I hit a rock while digging in my garden, felt a twinge in my neck, and it has been downhill since.
Four sessions of my beloved and usual go-to acupuncture with massage did nothing. The chiropractor that charged me 1000 Dhs (I only knew the price after the appointment, and never thought it would be that much), had a positive effect for only three days. Then the neurologist took an MRI, found nothing wrong and gave me a bunch of anti-depressants. The pills kept the headache at bay, but they wrecked my life (and this blog). I feel for people who have been taking them for years. It should be a criminal offence to keep people on them for long periods of time without seeking alternatives.
In the meantime I am experimenting. My dentist made me a wonderful little night guard for clenching while sleeping, which has helped a lot. And a new diagnosis has termed my condition as occipital neuralgia. The treatment is physio with laser, which I have never heard of, and I am not sure I want to cough out more money to "experiment" with yet another treatment.
Usually I know exactly what is wrong and what to do. But, this time I am stumped, and have been running at full speed towards what turn out to be walls. Walls of stubborn doctors and money hungry therapists.
I have had the same recurring headache for ten years. I go through very long spells of little to no headaches when I am working out and eating right. But, four months ago I hit a rock while digging in my garden, felt a twinge in my neck, and it has been downhill since.
Four sessions of my beloved and usual go-to acupuncture with massage did nothing. The chiropractor that charged me 1000 Dhs (I only knew the price after the appointment, and never thought it would be that much), had a positive effect for only three days. Then the neurologist took an MRI, found nothing wrong and gave me a bunch of anti-depressants. The pills kept the headache at bay, but they wrecked my life (and this blog). I feel for people who have been taking them for years. It should be a criminal offence to keep people on them for long periods of time without seeking alternatives.
In the meantime I am experimenting. My dentist made me a wonderful little night guard for clenching while sleeping, which has helped a lot. And a new diagnosis has termed my condition as occipital neuralgia. The treatment is physio with laser, which I have never heard of, and I am not sure I want to cough out more money to "experiment" with yet another treatment.
Usually I know exactly what is wrong and what to do. But, this time I am stumped, and have been running at full speed towards what turn out to be walls. Walls of stubborn doctors and money hungry therapists.
No comments:
Post a Comment