I know that headaches aren't often shown as part of this disorder but oh do they add to it. I have had headaches since age 5. Not just regular headaches but powerful ones that would shut me down. You'd think after having them for 27+ years I'd have figured out how to deal with them. Problem is I super stubborn. I know if I take an Excedrin type medication, drink something with caffeine, and go to sleep for a few hours it should go away. Well that works 50% of the time. Lately, I've been having headaches that are very strong. I've even started to wake up with them which didn't happen before.
Three times in my life I've "broken down" and sought professional help. The first time was about eight years ago. The neurologist ordered an MRI of my head and prescribed two drugs. One as a daily and one to take only when I felt a headache coming on. The MRI came up with no answers regarding the headaches (tumors, etc.) and the medication made me feel very bad so I stopped taking either.
The second time was when I went to the ataxia specialist and I told him my aversion to medication so he prescribed a medication to take only when I felt a headache coming on. I got that medication, felt a headache coming on and took it. I proceeded to have the second worst headache of my life. When it finally slowed down and I could safely take more I did and it ramped right backup to as bad as it was.
This caused me to miss two and a half days of work. So I went back to my family doctor and he prescribed a daily medication but it was one that you should be on long. For a glorious week I didn't have any headaches! Then came yesterday, the first day without the medication and it started absolutely fine. When 1:30 in the afternoon rolled around along with it came another massive headache. It lasted until about 9:00 this morning and as of right now at least, it's gone.
These headaches most likely don't have anything to do with my ataxia but they sure make it harder to deal with. Back to the drawing board.
