19F, 5'7, 68kg, Caucasian, United Kingdom.
Medical conditions:
Asthma / eczema - I don't take medication for either.
I have struggled with chronic daily headaches for the past 3 years, with varying degrees of intensity and consistency. Especially in the last 1-2 years, this has made my quality of life considerably worse - as I struggle with fatigue and dizziness almost on a daily basis.
The headaches generally start about 5 hours after I wake up, and gradually worsen throughout the afternoon and evening.
Doctors have prescribed me a number of different medications, whilst refusing to refer me to more specialised treatment - such as headache clinics, which are apparently "full". Medications so far have had little or no effect.
The most consistent of these medications has been Amitriptyline, which I have taken since January 2025. This medication does not stop the headaches, but it does mitigate them somewhat, although it is not nearly as effective as it was when I first started taking it.
I feel somewhat neglected by the medical system, because I've been struggling with this pain for years and would like to at least know what's going on, and how to manage it, rather than just taking heavy medications that only deal with the symptoms. So far, it feels like doctors / GPs don't want to help me deal with the route cause of the issue - whatever it may be.
I occasionally drink and smoke, which can make the headaches worse, but it isn't a direct factor and they simply exacerbate the underlying issue.
Medication I have tried / been prescribed:
* Amitriptyline (at higher doses, slightly mitigates but does not stop headaches)
* Propanol (no effect)
* Sumatriptan (caused nausea and full body aches)
* Candesartan (just started, preventative, currently no effect)
Symptom Timeline:
* 2023 - Summer - Headaches begin and I have an intense month, where they occur almost daily.
* Headaches come and go, varying with intensity month-on-month.
* 2024 - Autumn - Headache intensity ramps up, with increased dizziness and fatigue throughout the day, necessitating frequent naps and putting a strain on full-time education.
* From then, headaches have continued to build in frequency and intensity - with no sign of stopping, despite many prescribed trial-and-error medications.
Factors that affect headache intensity:
* Stage of hormonal cycle (worse in period and luteal phase).
* Consumption of sugary snacks / drinks.
* Colds/flu that create congestion and blocked sinuses.
If anyone might be able to give me some advice, or point me in the right direction with regard to what's causing this, I'd be enormously grateful. To finally deal with this problem would uplift my life in so many ways and free me from almost daily pain and fatigue.
I am open to any questions or clarifications.
Thank you for reading!