Pea of Sweetness

What are Cervicogenic Headaches?

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I know I’ve posted quite a bit about my health issues. Unfortunately, it’s just part of my life. A BIG part of my life right now. Between chronic pain from Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, it can get overwhelming, but the most debilitating of all has been chronic headaches. It wasn’t until recently I learned they are cervicogenic headahces.
What are cervicogenic headaches?
I have been battling my headaches for over 5 years now. Over the past couple of years they have just gotten unbearable. I went from having a couple days a month where the headaches were so intense I basically couldn’t function at all to having headaches at this level at least 5 days or more. What’s worse is my headaches never really go away. I always seem to have at least a headache of some intensity. The debilitating headaches started taking over my life.
What are Cervicogenic Headaches
The worst part is I went all these years without a clear answer. Doctors tried various medications from migraine preventatives to the migraine quick relief medications like Triptans (which I couldn’t take because of the side effects). Almost no medications helped. I would go to Urgent Care at least once every three months when I just absolutely couldn’t take it anymore, and the “headache cocktail,” which usually included Toradol was the only thing that helped. Even that became less effective over time.
Regardless, I still didn’t know why I was getting these headaches, and I’m a firm believer in treating the problems and not just the symptoms. Some doctors said they were tension headaches, some said migraines, and some said they were tension headaches that triggered migraines. It was so confusing.
Enough was enough. I need to function, and my level of functioning was way too low. So I knew we needed to get to the bottom of this. My husband still has consistent medical problems as a result of his chemotherapy, and our kids still have challenges with their special needs, but we were finally at a place where we could balance it all, and I could start really getting the answers I need.
Off to the neurologist I went, and it didn’t take long to discover I have pinched nerves in my neck. I admit I wasn’t too surprised because when I do have the headaches I almost always have pain in my neck and around the back of my skull. An MRI revealed I have a few bulging disks in my cervical spine that were causing some compression on my spinal cord and, yes, affecting my nerves. I am blessed there is no permanent damage to my nerves, but it obviously causes a lot of problems!

What are Cervicogenic Headaches?

So what are cervicogenic headaches? The American Migraine Foundation refers to cervicogenic headaches this way:

Cervicogenic headache, in a way, is one of the most unusual headache disorders because the pain truly isn’t in the head. Cervicogenic headache is referred pain (pain perceived as occurring in a part of the body other than its true source) perceived in the head from a source in the neck. Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache, which means that it is caused by another illness or physical issue. In the case of cervicogenic headache, the cause is a neck disorder or lesion.

Because cervicogenic headaches are caused by issues in the neck, they are often misdiagnosed. Hence why mine were misdiagnosed for so long. I even had doctors take X-Rays of my neck and not notice the problems. It wasn’t until I had an MRI that the problems became so clear. It also explains why all the remedies I was trying weren’t working. In addition to medicine I tried many natural remedies which offered some relief, but, of course, it couldn’t address the actual problem.
Yes, my cervicogenic headaches range in severity, but they can be absolutely debilitating. When trying to pinpoint triggers, I started avoiding common headaches triggers and eating natural, whole foods. I noticed, though, that activity definitely aggravated my headaches, which has really been discouraging. Now that we know what they are, though, we can start trying to just treat the symptoms and actually work on the problem at hand!

Treating Cervicogenic Headaches

Treatment for cervicogenic headaches are going to vary based on what is going on in the neck. In some cases surgery may be needed. In my case, we are starting with physical therapy. It’s been a rough start, but I’m confident it will continue to get better. There is already improvement in my posture overall. I see Pain Management in a few weeks, which is where I will most likely start with injections.
This post contains affiliate links. Regardless, I only share what I personally recommend.
In the meantime, I stick to the few remedies that really do help. They don’t take away the pain completely, and I was even in Urgent Care again the other day, but any help counts. My best friend is heat. Some people say ice helps, but ice always makes my pain worse. Here are a few things that help me:

  • Heat. I don’t know what I would do without heat! Some people say ice helps, but ice always makes my pain worse. I use a heating pad under my neck and microwave rice heat pack on my head. I’m looking into a moist heat pack as well.
  • Cervical Neck Traction. They use a fancy machine for me in Physical Therapy, but use an Inflatable Neck Pillow for some relief around home as well. It sure isn’t as good, but it helps, and it’s easy and convenient.
  • TENS Unit. I use a TENS Unit on the back of my neck. Even better is I use the TENS Unit under the heat!
  • Relaxing. Tension and stress definitely make my issues worse, so it’s important to relax as much as I can. I love using Aroma Siez for a nice, relaxing massage.

Please note, these are things that help me, personally. I am not a healthcare professional. I’m simply sharing my personal experience.
Getting a diagnosis (and relief) for cervicogenic headaches can most definitely be frustrating (and may take a long time). I definitely suggest being an advocate for yourself. If you don’t feel confident in your headache diagnosis and/or treatment, speak up. Ask for more answers. When it comes to cervicogenic headaches, I’ve definitely learned the answer is treating the problem and not just treating the symptoms.
 

The Unintentional Flake – {Living with a Chronic Condition}

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For the past few months my health has not been on my side. I’ve had chronic migraines for months straight with just a little relief for a couple of weeks after giving in and going to Urgent Care and getting the Toradol shot. After a couple months of waiting, I finally got in to see some specialists – both Neurology for the chronic migraines and a Rheumatologist for my Fibromyalgia (and to rule out any auto-immune disorders). I’ve had X-rays, a brain MRI, blood work, etc. and have more tests to come.
The frustrating part? I still don’t have any clear answers and went from not taking medication to taking five different medications. All I know at this point is I do, indeed, have Fibromyalgia (FMS), which was never under question because I was diagnosed with FMS many years ago, and I get to add TMJD and IBS to my list of ABC’s.
In another post I mentioned I was tired of writing cliché phrases in regards to working with a chronic condition, but my personal life is no different. Living with a chronic condition can sometimes be extremely lonely and isolating. If people didn’t truly know me or don’t know of my chronic health issues, they would definitely label me as a flake.
The Unintentional Flake - Living with a Chronic Condition
Sometimes I have to cancel appointments, can’t make it to an event or get together, or just plain don’t show up. The last one is the one I despise the most. I have always been the person who at least says I can no longer make it. This scenario usually happens, though, when something isn’t quite right whether it be I have a major headache or, lately, it’s been I’m not adjusting to all these medications very well, and I end up taking an unintentional nap. My husband doesn’t like to wake me when this happens (or sometimes he just completely forgets) and so, I end up missing whatever was planned.
Events at my house are no different! Although it’s definitely a lot easier to have people come here rather than us go there, it’s not uncommon for me to not be prepared for guests. I will be scrambling last minute to make sure I’m properly dressed (a.k.a. not in pajamas) and likely shoving toys, clothes, and whatever else into closets because I don’t have enough time to actually put them away. It’s madness! In fact, I had to do all that for the House Party we had tonight for the premier of Disney’s Descendants. I was a mess!
I think what makes things even more challenging is that my husband also has a physical disability and our kids have special needs. It makes it that much harder to “keep it all together” so I am not a complete disaster every time I leave the house or that I totally flake and don’t even leave the house.
All I can do is say “I’m sorry,” and I truly do mean it. I wish I wasn’t in too much pain, or have a major headache, or can’t fight my overwhelming fatigue. I wish whatever it was that caused me to flake didn’t exist. Instead, though, all I can ask is that people who don’t have a chronic condition try to understand it’s not intentional and it’s definitely not personal. Whatever it is I missed, I’m sure it was a whole lot better than than whatever caused me to miss it!
Sometimes I just push through it. Sometimes I can’t. I never know what “type of day” it’s going to be. The important thing is communication. Sometimes friends and family understand, and sometimes they don’t, but it’s important to be open and honest. Maybe you’re like me and don’t want to make a big deal of your medical concerns, but if you keep it all in there is no way people can understand! You don’t have to let your condition define you, but you also can’t ignore it. Sometimes the brave thing to do is talk about it.
Do you have a chronic condition? How do you explain to your friends and family what it is and why you may sometimes seem like a flake?

I'm Getting Tired of Writing Cliché Phrases

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Something that comes along with working with a chronic condition (at least for me) is the need to use cliché phrases over and over and over again. Sometimes I feel like I’d rather slam my head into the wall rather than have to write “I’m sorry, it’s been a rough week” one more time.
I’m blessed that I can work from home, but it doesn’t mean working is easy for me! The past few weeks have been particularly brutal between the non-stop migraines dragging on for over two weeks followed by the now side-effects from getting back on my medications (which I trust will help me in the long run). In fact, I almost started my post about setting realistic goals with “I was going to share my 2015 goals, but it’s been a rough week,” but I cringed and decided to go with what I really wanted to say.
That’s what it boils down to, though. Am I going to say something appropriate or just lay it all out there? I can’t tell you how many emails I have sent over the past few weeks with “I’m sorry for the late reply” followed with something along the lines of “the week got away with me,” or “I’ve been under the weather,” or “it’s been a busy week,” or “I haven’t been feeling well,” or yes, “it’s been a rough week.” I even found something called “Canned Responses” for Gmail so you can reply to an email and choose from a premade list of response. If I could get it to work correctly I would have totally been using it over the past couple of weeks!
Working with a Chronic Condition - Cliche Phrases
Clearly my responses aren’t dishonest. It has been rough and I haven’t been feeling well, and the week (weeks really) have been getting away with me, but I am just SO tired of having to say that over and over again. Sometimes I just want to say “I’m sorry for the delay, for the past two weeks I have felt like I’m being stabbed in the head over and over again and every time I move my head pounds. The thought of looking at the computer screen makes me want to run and hide because I know I will be in agony for a few hours afterwards and most likely won’t get much sleep. I’m tired and my body hurts all over.”
Of course, that would be absurd! Would people be understanding? Sure, but you can’t just say! When I feel this way, though, it’s so easy to get behind – to let days slip by and not even realize that email I moved to “Urgent Action Needed” was 3 days ago. I really WANT to answer my emails in a timely manner and complete everything that needs to be done as quickly as possible. I really, really do, and it makes living with my condition even harder to accept because I have to accept that I have limits. I have to accept that I have to just shut down and disconnect right this minute or risk being down for a couple more days because I pushed my body too hard.
Sometimes when I’m being particularly hard on myself I wonder if I have to accept that I’m just not good at this – at what I do – blogging – my job. I can’t do it every day like I used to. I get behind. I’m setting more realistic goals and expectations this year knowing my health has been challenging and I’m finally taking better care of myself like I’ve needed to do for so long, but it still nags me sometimes because, well, that’s what happens when you’re faced with challenges. Can I really do this? Can I keep pushing through this? Can I still succeed at this? Lately, I haven’t been too sure, but one thing I know for sure even if I have to keep using those cliché phrases I’m going to keep trying!