Hi everyone,

I just stumbled upon this newsgroup, and I figured I would give it a shot,
since nothing else is working.

I have had a "sinus-like" headache going on 7 weeks now.

A little background - I never had ANY allergy problems until I relocated to
Cincinnati. I had heard that this area was bad for sinuses, but I didn't
think much of it, since I never had any problems before I moved here.

I've been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis by my
allergist - After MONTHS of unsuccessful antibiotics and various drugs by my
allergist, I had endoscopic sinus surgery by my ENT this past March - he
enlarged the sinus openings and removed the sinus infection - I felt ok
until about 7 weeks ago - In the meantime, I had been getting my bi-weekly
allergy shots the entire summer from my allergist, and was not experiencing
any problems.

My symptoms include a VERY WARM forehead, along with pressure around my
temples, eyes, cheekbones, jaw and the lower part of the back part of my
head/neck.

Needless to say, it is VERY aggravating - it makes it VERY difficult to get
through a day of work, and my social life has become zilch lately.

I have taken EVERY headache/sinus/migraine type medication that's on the
market, with no relief.

I have been to my allegist several times, along with the ENT doctor that did
the surgery - they both have assured me it's NOT my sinuses, even though the
pressure I'm feeling is from my sinus areas, and it's the SAME WAY I felt
months before my surgery, when I had my sinus infection. They said the CT
Scan and MRI show "some" inflammation, but not enough to make me feel the
way I do.

My medical doctor and my ENT suggested a neurologist, so I've got an
appointment with a neurologist in 2 weeks, and have really been researching
my headache pretty much non-stop in an effort to find out what's causing it.

I have looked into rebound headaches, and even mentioned it to both of my
medical doctors - they sort of just shrugged it off.

I've also had blood work and a physical - nothing.

I called my dentist - he said my teeth were not the problem.

I went to see my optometrist - he thinks it "might" be how I hold my head
when I'm on the computer. He said this could be causing my headaches from
the muscle constriction in the lower part of my head/neck (back part). I
have an astigmitism - wear bifocals (which is good for reading and distance,
but not computers) - so you to kind lean your head back to see things up
close on the computer. He told me to make sure I am at arm's length from the
monitor, and that the top of the monitor is level with my eyes. In fact, I
can pretty much see the computer screen clearly without my glasses, but
taking them on and off all day makes me feel dizzy and worse, so I didn't
try that anymore. I've even read about computer glasses - might consider
that over my contacts (when I wear them) and/or reading glasses. I thought
maybe the eyeglasses/computer usage might be the culprit, but now I'm
doubting that.

I also have gone to my chiropractor several times, who also has a Licensed
Massage Therapist on site. He has been great for whenever my lower back
spasms pop up, so I thought I had nothing to lose by going to see him. Last
Wednesday, he had a very difficult time trying to adjust my neck - so he
sent me to the massage therapist who found several knots in my neck to work
out. I was VERY sore after that. I then went back Friday, as well as this
past Monday and Wednesday. They said they thought I 'adjusted' much better -
but to be honest, I DO NOT feel any better.

I have had friends recommend everything from cortisone shots in my neck to
acupuncture. One even suggested fibermyalgia (spelling?) - but I thought
that was only for women primarily (I'm a guy). And I really did not have
most of the symptoms - just a few.

The ONLY thing that seems to help me at all is a cold pack across my
forehead/eyes and the back of my neck. Oh yea..sleeping is great..you can't
feel the pain. For the first time in my life, I'm taking sleeping pills at
night, in an attempt to try and get some rest. I had a good suggestion from
a friend about a pillow with a gel in it to keep your head cool at night.
And would you believe I'm doing things like sticking my head out the window
on cool days, turning on the AC on cold days, and blasting the fan on my
face, in an attempt to keep my head cool.

As I type this, my eyes are really hurting - sore - and my temples on both
sides are throbbing. So many times during the day I have to stop whatever
I'm doing and hold my hands over my temple area or my forehead just to stop
the constant throbbing.

It's starting to become a strain financially, and working is become more and
more difficult.

And of course it's raining and cloudy today, so you know what that means -
it's more intense today.

I'm pretty frustrated at this moment, and would really ANY suggestions that
anyone might have to offer out there!

Greatfully yours,

Mark