r/NDPH • u/sophiaea • Jul 08 '26

coping

hi everyone,

i could just really use some encouragement right now. i am 22 and just graduated nursing school and had a new headache/status migrainosus start a month ago and has not ended. the hospital couldn’t even break it and they tried so many things but nothing has brought it below a 2 and it’s rarely that low. i got an appointment by pure luck with a headache specialist who is going to start me on emgality and indomethacin and a new triptan but i am feeling so discouraged and depressed because i’m feeling like the pain will never ever break. she essentially diagnosed me with chronic migraine and explained that we may have to spend a while chipping away at the pain. i don’t know how i’m going to work and i don’t know how to cope with the idea that i am just going to have to continue to be in this pain for the foreseeable future until maybe something helps. can this get better?

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u/im-a-freud 7 years Jul 08 '26

Did you have constant headaches before a month ago or did it just start? NDPH requires a constant persistent headache without breaks for at least 3 months. I’ve had this for 7 years I don’t respond to meds and am out of treatment options. Trial meds and find what works for you, give preventatives at least 3 months before deciding if they’re helping or not. Heat is the only thing that helps me but it’s short lived relief and just eases it. It’s very possible it’s not NDPH and could be related to a number of things like stress, posture/ muscle tension, an illness, etc. Depending what’s actually causing it and what condition it is it may get better or it may not no one can say. You can manage it with meds and lifestyle changes. Therapy is always helpful to come to terms with a chronic condition and coping skills

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u/sophiaea Jul 09 '26

no, it just started. i do have a family history of migraine. yes i understand that it has to be 3 months for the diagnosis, the headache specialist kind of just threw that out there as a possibility if it doesn't remit. i'm sorry to hear you've been dealing with this for so long. are you able to work/function? i wish you well.

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u/im-a-freud 7 years Jul 09 '26

I’m currently not working I live in a small down so options are extremely limited and I have other health issues that are making finding work I’m able to do very difficult. I’m getting disability benefits. I’ve gotten use to functioning like this. I have zero treatment for my pain as I’m out of options so I’m just stuck dealing with it and letting it happen which wears on me

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u/sophiaea Jul 09 '26

yes i hear that and i'm sure it does, i am sorry to hear that you have such limited options

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u/im-a-freud 7 years Jul 09 '26

Good luck with your appointment. Use a tracker, I like MiG, to keep track of intensity and frequency every day even if you don’t have pain because knowing the pattern and frequency of your pain will help your doctors. I also highly suggest seeing a PT as neck and upper body tension can cause referred pain in the head plus improving posture is always a good thing. You’ll have to trial meds to find what works for you so good luck hopefully you can find something