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[cranefly]

I get migraines. I also get tension headaches, some of which can be far worse than my migraines and are usually weather-related (they might also be migraines, but I get no aura, no nausea, and no scotomas that I get with migraines). I usually get really bad pain from the suboccipital region. I've tried just about everything I can think of--accupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic, medication.

Has anybody had any success in dealing with these?

[patchouli]

Cranefly, have you gone to a doctor?  A family member of mine had recurring headaches for years and was finally diagnosed with a genetic nerve problem--but very painful.  It isn't degernative, and there are surgery/options for treatment (non-surgical, too).  The doctor did tons of tests to find this out, apparently narrowing down other sorts of problems.  Maybe a full range of tests might help you? 

[cranefly]

Thanks Patchouli. I have seen a doctor, many times, but I can't say I've had a full battery of tests for it. Really, it comes and goes with the weather. Maybe I should move to the desert. 

[inthelab]

Really, it comes and goes with the weather. 

You mean, headaches come when low pressure systems do?

[mountainguy]

Cranefly, I've had weather-triggered headaches in the past. They're quite debilitating. Have you tried acupuncture? That ultimately worked for me. I also found that drinking caffeine (even a a single cup of regular coffee in the morning) made the headaches much, much worse. I now drink only decaffeinated coffee and caffeine-free sodas as a result.

[cranefly]

Yes, the headaches come with low barometric pressure, and feel somewhat akin to altitude headaches. I guess I'm just super-sensitive to oxygen levels in the air.
I have tried acupuncture, without any success.
I'm not sure I could give up caffeine. I suppose it's worth a shot.

[georgiaprof]

My BIL recently started having severe migraine-type headaches when he had not had them previously.  Never did get a clear answer as to what changed to start things now, but in looking into it, his ENT found that one of his sinuses had no opening.  He had rather extensive surgery that cleared up a whole host of what seemed to be unrelated issues.  I recommend going to find and ENT.

[inthelab]

Yes, the headaches come with low barometric pressure, and feel somewhat akin to altitude headaches. I guess I'm just super-sensitive to oxygen levels in the air.

Here's an article on barometric pressure headaches (I get them too):
http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/barometric-pressure-headache.html

If you are going to see anyone, IMO it should be a neurologist who specializes in headache pain (call your local med school and ask).  That person can determine if the ENT trip is necessary (as revealed by CAT scans, etc).  Just my 2 cents.

[cranefly]

Thanks, In the lab. Nice to know I'm not the only one who can predict the weather with my head. I think I may look into a neurologist.

I wonder if anybody has tried oxygen as a cure? Like, have an oxygen tank and suck away on it when the barometer starts dropping? Seems like it should work.

[thundering_m]

FWIW, I, too, have suffered such headaches. I have attributed them to seasonal allergies and also light, which changes with weather/pressure. I always feel better after a rain, and a shower is a close substitute. Also, I am often surprised at how dehydrated I must become (talking/reading/handling papers, I guess) and how much better I feel with a tall glass of cold water. The medication issue is a matter of not forgetting to take what I normally do. I have never found relief from anything other than simple aspirin, and that not so much. Light beer works, though.