When I got sick nearly 20 years ago there was no information at all.
Docs told me "it will resolve". It (the headache, obviously) didn't.
It feels like someone shoved a golf ball between my brain and spinal
cord and it's covered in the feeling one would equate with the sound
of fingernails scratching on a chalkboard, all the while being pressed
on with a constant heavy hammer-like feeling. Without meds the pain is
1000 on a scale of 1-10. Beyond bearable. I doubt I would choose to
live long without pain meds. A good chiropractor can stop the part of
the pain that isn't touched by any amount of pain medication, but
nothing has changed the underlying pain. Massive amounts of fentanyl
keep me mostly vertical. This is not a true headache, it's
sub-occipital cervical pain. I get a positive response from opiates,
with very little downside. Headache meds don't touch it. I've tried
everything. You name it, I've done it. It's gotten worse over time
from additional problems. Twice I've lost consciousness (reasons
unknown) and managed to injure my neck, head and shoulder. Now it's
just too complicated and has gone on for so long docs just shake their
collective heads. One doc suggested laminectomy with fusion, but when
pressed couldn't give a connection between my relatively low level
stenosis and the meningitis. He gave me 50% chance of getting better,
50% chance of getting worse. I canceled the (cross country) surgery
the night before. Now I can't lift anything, walk very long, or now
even do tai chi without ending up crying. Yesterday I couldn't pick up
a half cup of tea. I may have to do the laminectomy eventually, but I
cringe at the idea. I think it's wrong. I'm surprised and saddened to
see there are so many of us. It seems there are many variations and
specific challenges, along with many management methods. I sure would
like to have a life. Something must change. I'm looking for a doc to
add to my small group of helpers. I need someone who can take all the
information and think about what's happening in totality, then think
of ways to intervene with whatever pieces are changeable. I'm
interested in looking at nerve impingement at the sub-occipital area.
I believe I have inflammation, scarring, pressure etc. in nerve
branches at the skull base. Anyone have thoughts? In reading through,
it looks as though I'm the long time winner on this. Sorry I don't
have something to offer.