You will find it hard to remember what life was like without headaches.

You want something done about it.

Most people who attend me with severe headaches are describing what is called "chronic daily headache".

There are many different types of chronic daily headache. It is important to know which type of chronic daily headache you have.

The advice and treatment given for each type of chronic daily headache is different, although in every case lifestyle advice and proper use of painkillers is needed.

Family doctors (primary care physicians) will look after a lot of cases of chronic daily headache extremely well. However, if you start to run out of options, advice from a neurologist or headache specialist may be necessary.

The reasons for getting advice from a headache specialist include:

1. To confirm a headache diagnosis - eg which type of chronic daily headache is it?
2. To rule out a serious cause for headache - remember that most do not have a serious cause
3. To arrange brain imaging studies (brain scans) - which in the majority of cases are normal
4. To get specialist treatment for common headaches like migraine, cluster headache and cervicogenic headache which have got out of control
5. To have an expert listen to your symptoms and reassure you

You may have suffered bad headaches a long time before you find someone who understands your problem.

I know from meeting people like you every week, that visiting a Neurologist or Headache Specialist is a stressful experience.

If possible, you should prepare for your visit to a Headache Clinic.

Why not bring helpful information about your headaches - like these?

1. A Headache Diary
2. A list of your Current medications
3. A list of previously tried medications, and what happened when you tried them

If you do this more time can be spent trying to sort out your problem.

Feeling prepared like this can reduce the sense of stress you might feel in going to see a specialist.

In most countries of the world, it will cost you money to see a headache specialist. In countries where health care is free (like the UK) it will cost the government money!

People with severe headache will often want to pay to see a specialist at a private headache clinic. This may help you decide if you should attend a private headache clinic for advice about a severe headache.

Please remember that my writing is not a substitute for proper medical care - you must always consult your doctor for symptoms that concern you.

Severe Headaches make life difficult and exhausting.

I hope that what you read will help you get back in control of your life.

Regards,

Raeburn Forbes

Dr Raeburn Forbes MD(Hons) FRCP

Consultant Neurologist

Author of Severe-Headache-Expert.Com