Having My Head Examined

I have a headache. I say this not as a complaint, nor a plea for sympathy, but as a statement of fact. Most days I have a headache. Most days for the last several years, I have had a headache. Somedays I have two or three different ones—a pain in the back of my head, another in my sinuses and one at my temples from stressing about my other headaches.

Since the onset of the problem, I have had my head examined by my regular physician, a neurosurgeon, an allergist, a pain specialist, an ear, nose and throat specialist, a neurologist, an optometrist, and my dentist. Also, several chiropractors, physical therapists, and an acupuncturist. Looking at this list I wonder if I should see a psychiatrist.

My diagnosis, according to my initial MRI and a discussion with a neurosurgeon with the unseemly name of Dr. Smucker, is degenerative disks in my neck exacerbated by arthritis.

There are days when my whole face hurts. The ENT found no problem with my sinuses but thought there might a problem with my jaws, TMJ, which was confirmed by my dentist. My PT has given me special exercises just for my jaws.

Five years of shots for my seasonal allergies with their accompanying headaches, primarily triggered by juniper and pinon, the state trees of New Mexico, brought minimal relief. The allergist recommended I see an acupuncturist. Lucky me, I already have one.

Fortunately, I am not afraid of needles as I have had steroid shots in my neck at the pain clinic, dry needling from my PT and, of course, all those tiny acupuncture needles.

 I am wary of medications, with cause, as some of them made me dizzy, while others blurred my vision; some did no good at all. Pseudoephedrine, the one drug that actually works for sinus headaches can be hard to come by. Doctors are cautious prescribing it because of its long-term effects on the heart. Pharmacists balk at selling it to me, as if I were planning to cook up some meth. But then I do live in Breaking Bad territory.

With my current regime—muscle relaxant at bedtime, Advil dual strength in the day and exercises—recommended by my smart, young neurology PA, augmented by regular visits to my doctor of Oriental Medicine and afternoon lie-downs, I manage. Sometimes I think I accomplish a lot given my challenges; other times I wonder if I am cutting myself too much slack.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have a headache.