I've been having almost daily headaches since I was diagnosed in 8/06. Two years of headaches and I'm finally getting serious about trying to find a way to stop them. I've just assumed they're part of the disease (I've heard of other acromegalics who have headaches after surgery), but maybe that isn't so.
I've been to a neurologist who wanted to medicate me, which I didn't want. So I let her send me to physical therapy. The heat and massage helped, but didn't solve it. I notice I get headaches when I get stressed (never used to happen before acro). My neck tenses on the left side and then the headache is always on the left side of my head. I've had blood tests to check for vitamin deficiencies, glucose problems, etc. Everything is normal. And I am happy about that :-) I've been to the chiropracter, that seems to have helped. I learned my C1 vertebrae is out of place slightly. I'm looking forward to seeing how the chiropracter may help my headaches. Although insurance doesn't cover it so I can't go very often, not 3x a week at $40 each visit. As a result I'm trying to locate other possibilities.
I'm wondering if I'm creating my own problems. I always had a sweet tooth when I was younger. But with the acromegaly the sugar cravings (mainly for refined sugars it seems) really seem to have grown. I noticed so many things that I buy are sweet things. Maybe it's a combination of things? Too much sugar, and not enough water? Fluctuations in blood sugars causing headaches? I don't think it's a caffeine problem. I have a soda a day or less. So I just started a journal a few weeks ago to try to pinpoint the cause of the headaches. I believe it was Ken who mentioned early on to me that sugar and coffee were very bad for acromegalics. I kind of brushed that off, probably because I love them so much! :-D In the first article below I read, "One of sugar's major drawbacks is that it raises the insulin level, which inhibits the release of growth hormones." So maybe my sugar cravings have been my body's response to the disease, trying to decrease my elevated growth hormone levels. Interesting.
Hopefully I'll have some interesting answers to report in a few more weeks. I'm trying really hard to cut out refined sugars (seems impossible in our fast food/prepackaged society).
Sugar's effect
Sugar: Pleasure or Poison
Sugar Sleuths
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4 comments:
I have THE EXACT SAME HEADACHES. The tension in the neck too.
I used to think sugar caused my adult onset acne to flare, before I was diagnosed with acromegaly. Since then, I try to go easy on sweets (for my acromegaly but also my teeth!) and I avoid high fructose corn syrup whenever I can (no soda, no junk food).
Have you tried acupuncture? I think it helped me. It's been a while since I've gone but I'm supposed to go back again in 2 weeks. It can be expensive too, but you wouldn't have to go 3X a week! I went once a week for a little while, then once every 2 weeks. Try it out! I figure there is no harm in giving it a shot (ha ha!! shot, needle, pun?)
My c-1 is out of place a little too, and I have had headaches everyday for 10 years as a result.
Chiro's start getting expensive but I tell you what has worked for me. neck traction everyday. This is what my physical therapist did, and what i do everyday on my own now.
There is a contraption you hang on your door, that you can do this with...sweet relief i tell you the truth. go to amazon and look up neck traction device, it is 50 bucks but worth it!!
Thank you Gina. I'm willing to try just about anything at this point!
Yeah it is called neckpro, it really really works for those c1 c2 instability issues i have. For the first time in 10 years when i have that neck tension/pain start i have something that will relieve it before it turns into a full blown headache! As well as the ability to do it myself and not pay an arm and a leg for chiro's.
post an update if you get one and it works for you, i would love to know!
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