Because it started suddenly when I was out of town, I originally thought it was something to do with the neck and sleeping posture. My Doctor prescribed some sort of pill that he thought would help, but it had stroke risks, so I talked my Doctor into checking it out at the physical therapist, since I was already working there to return mobility to one of my knee joints.
They found that the C2 vertebra had rotated out of position. After their treatments and exercise, my neck and back felt better than for the last 20 years. But no luck with the headaches. Then I started having some visual blurring intermittently during the day.
So my doctor sent me to a Neurologist. Since I was able to walk a straight line, touch my nose with my finger, and didn't bring anyone with me, Mr Nuero Doc decided that nothing was wrong with me within just a few seconds.
He asked me questions which I couldn't remember the answers to, but went right on to the next question while I was thinking. I had reviewed all of my medical booklet the night before, so I could answer a lot of the questions, if I hadn't done that maybe he would have noticed.
The eye doctor also indicated no problems. If I have a really bad headache, the best way to get rid of it is to take 1 aspirin and 1/2 Tylenol. Put a heated rice sock around my neck, and a cool wet eye patch over the eye and lay down on my back against a 30 degree wedge.
Sometimes, when at the computer, I have to wear an eye patch because the blurriness gets too obnoxious, and I can see better just using the one eye, and yes I have glasses that are supposed to be helpful for this, but don't do diddly.
My primary doc has decided that they are cerviogenic, and there's nothing further to do except take aspirin, Tylenol and be thankful the pain is not worse. I think I have a symptom in search of a cause.
I personally think that it also involves the tiny blood vessels in some way, since they are on the side that hurts, and apparently close to the occipital area. I also think that whatever has happened to these tiny vessels could be related to the high calcium content revealed in my blood work - started around 2010. When tiny vessels have issues, I wonder if big vessels could be on their way too?
My primary doctor doesn't feel the high calcium is anything to worry about, just don't drink milk and limit other high calcium foods, since I have no markers for cancer. Well, I also have osteopenia and after the Dax scan, he told me to continue my Calcium supplements and take a little more D3 as I was deficient in that still. Contradiction? Yes.
My cardiologist is much more concerned about it, and he is referring me to an endocrinologist. It took 20 years to find out what was causing the overwhelming fatigue that ended up in horrible short term memory. (I would tell my daughter something and within 30 seconds tell her again - with zero memory that I had).
With the oxygen therapy/cpap I now remember what I have told her for several days, before I forget, and keeping notes makes life manageable now, so I am really thankful for the added energy and memory.
I just hope that I find out soon what the entire cause of headaches and calcium buildup is so that maybe we can get rid of it for good, and I don't have to take meds, and I can drink all the skim milk I want. LOL
You’ve been through a lot. Thank goodness your cardiologist is pursuing this more vigilantly than your primary doctor. I hope that your endocrinologist has a similar devotion to finding the cause of these chronic headaches, which must be exhausting to cope with over such a long period of time!