Tension Headache

My Correspondence

Since I have placed my program on the Internet back in December 2002 I responded to all the requests for additional help. However, earlier this year I began to realize that I was receiving, at times, as many as fifty emails a day, and the pressure has begun to take its toll. I reluctantly came to the conclusion of placing some of the emails on this page. Most questions are already answered in the body of the program.

Before addressing your question in email please read this entire page and FAQ page. It very well might be that you will find the answer by reading of these two pages. I am saying this because every day I see several emails saying something like this: "I'm 19 years old and I am having bad headaches during past 5 days. I have not yet read anything about it and haven't seen my physician. Can you tell me please what is it? I would be very grateful for your help."

I regret that I am unable to reply to Emails of that sort. I do hope that people with real chronic headaches will understand it and will forgive me.
Michelle Simkins.

P.S.
I understand everyone's concerns about such sensitive issues as health related subjects. I have permission of my respondent for every quote published here. I have changed their names to initials.
M.S.

P. S.
Before You Email Me
I welcome your email. I enjoy answering your questions. And if the question is very good, and my answer seems worthy of it, it may wind up as an article on this site (though I wouldn't use your real name).


But before mailing me, please note the following:

I get a lot of email every day. It may take a while before I get to yours. I cannot guarantee when I will get back to you. I may be able to respond immediately, and sometimes it can take a month. If you write me, and you don't hear from me in two weeks, it's okay to write me and remind me. I may have somehow overlooked or forgotten your letter.

So after you receive my answer please let me know that you have received it, simply for the good feeling of accomplishment it gives me, knowing I have helped someone, and that my work has not gone to waste.

If you are on AOL,

please set your security options to allow me to respond.

Most of the people who write me from AOL have, apparently, blocked incoming emails, and they can't receive my response. So when you write me from AOL please let me know that you have made sure I can respond. It's quite frustrating to put together an answer to a question only to discover that I can't give you the answer anyway!
M. S.
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Hi Micehlle,
I was just reading your website and was hoping I could ask you a question. I noticed that you say if your headache is associated with feeling "dizzy, unsteady, or have slurred speech, weakness, or numbness" you should call a physician. These are some of the symptoms that are associated with my headaches. I am 23 years old. I also have a stiff neck when I get the headaches. I have noticed they are usually worse during work or at times when I am under high amounts of stress.
My question is, why would you suggest contacting a physician if your headaches are associated with the above symptoms? What might those symptoms be a sign of that would be considered a more sever condition? Thank you for your help and time,
J.

Hi J!
Thank you for visiting my site.
It looks like you are having typical Tension Headache. I am just applying 'Programming Attitude' to everything I am doing. The reason I am suggesting to take standard medical exam is simple. Just to rule out any possibility of something bad. It should be no assumptions when the issue is your health.
M. S
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I have had a headache for a year now, 24/7. Many things have been tried, including the newest of meds, nortriptyline. Headache still around. You say in your web site that depression can be caused by headaches, can that also go the other way around? Can depression cause headaches? I have been treated for depression for many years. The question that I have for you is this; will your method work if depression is part of normal life? Once again, headaches have been for a year, depression for many years. I would appreciate an answer to my question and any other information that you may have for me. I am seriously considering your method. Life would be nice headache free.
Thank you.

Hi there!
Thank you for visiting my site.
1.……..Can depression cause headaches?
Short answer is yes. More than that, I think from your brief description, depression was a trigger of your constant headaches.
2 ……can that also go the other way around?
Short answer is yes. Usually it is unbreakable loop and sometimes is very difficult to sort things out. At least in my case.
3.….will your method work if depression is part of normal life?
Short answer is No. First of all when depression is part of everyday life, this is not a normal life. Until you'll get to the root of the problem headaches will be part of you. Headache will be not so intense though, but will not go away completely.

About my method
It is a combination of:
--Prescription medications
--Supplements
--Exercises and stretches
--You determination and commitment.
If you looking for some easy solution, I am afraid my method is not the one. Should you have some more specific questions please don't hesitate to email me.
M.S.

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Hi Michelle,
I'm a 31-year-old male that has been suffering from muscle tension headaches for about 5 years. Have tried everything. My symptoms are tension in the temple area, shoulders and neck. A also wear a splint for night time grinding so the muscle in the jaw are tender some time as well. The other symptoms I have developed is when the muscles are really tender I have dizzy problems along with balance. Its been so frustrating, it takes control of your life. So my question is...is your program designed with anti depressants? I've spent a ton of money on things so I would want a heads up before I went ahead. I hate the side effects of those drugs and they are just not an option for me. Thanks for your time.
S.

Hi there!
Thank you for visiting my site.
Answering your question:
Yes, antidepressants are part of my cure plan. To break unbreakable we need a strong initial momentum, and SSRIs and Tricyclics are indeed for this initial push. Unfortunately we (people with chronic headaches) have to choose smaller of two evils.
Regards.
M.S.

Hi Michelle,
Today I bought your package and it is encouraging. Not sure yet if I want to got the antidepressants route again because as I said I hate the side effects. I will discuss it with my headache specialists though.
3 months may be something I can hack through. I just got to make sure my neurologist knows what he is talking about. Taking those zombie drugs and not getting results can be just crippling. I have a few questions for you: did you have dizziness with your headaches? I have them and they are brutal.
When you were taking all your anti depressants (100mg) were you a complete zombie?
As well if you don't have access to a sauna can a hot tub or bath be substituted?
Thanks again for your time Michelle
S.

Hello again!
Thank you for purchasing my program.
About your questions and concerns:
1. Yes, of course you should discuss your cure plan with you neurologist. The major thing: You should understand completely what exactly you are doing and what results you can expect from every cure option.
2. Did I have dizziness with my headaches? Yes. At some point it was not easy to control my movement and my speech. I also have some sensation, which is not easy to describe. Something like there is not enough space for my brain inside my skull. I am not sure that every neurologist I visited during that bad time really understood what I am talking about.
3. Was I complete zombie on a maximum dosage of Pamelor? No, I wasn't. Time of intake is very important. I was taking it right before going to bed at night. Next morning I was a little sleepy, nothing beyond that. However, my reaction was a little slower comparing to Pamelor free state. I felt it playing tennis and driving a car. So, some precautions are a must.
4. Sauna is essential part of the program. It is mandatory at least once a week. Hot tub, taking bath are both good relaxing things, but they couldn't replace the therapeutic effect of sauna.
Regards.
M.S.

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Hello Michelle!
I suffered from Tension Headaches for many years since I was in my teens, I am now 46! After about 6 or 7 headache-free years they are back with a vengeance, and I have had a headache almost non-stop since May. I have being attending physiotherapy but there has been no improvement - I was thinking of trying a chiropractor when I saw your Web Site and the ad for your program. Does your program require prescription drugs and are the supplements you suggest available in the UK?
Many thanks.
M.

Hi there!
Thank you for visiting my site.
About your questions:
1. Yes, prescription medication is a component of my headache cure plan. I would like to say "NO" and you can deal with it with natural ingredients only, offering you a Wonder Medicine, but unfortunately (as any chronic headache sufferer knows) I don't have it. My personal experience and a feedback from people who bought my program indicate that without prescription medication it is very difficult to overcome unbreakable loop of constant headaches.
2. I have a lot of downloads from UK. All of the natural ingredients I recommend in my program are broadly available there.
Regards.
M.S.
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Hi Michelle!
I live in Mexico. Can I download from here? It is necessary in your program to use the botox, and how? I ask you this because I am afraid of it in particularly.
Thank you. I really don't know how to find an answer to my headache problem.
A.

Hi there!
Thank you for visiting my site.
About your questions:
1. Program is available for immediate download through VISA or Master Card worldwide.
2. Botox is not a part of my program, however in my program I made an assessment of it because I've had tried it three times.
Regards.
M.S.

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Hello Michelle!
I am a chronic headache sufferer and have been recommended to a cranial chiropractor, which I have been seeing for the past 4 weeks. I am definitely seeing an in improvement, but of course I know from previous experience that I should wait a while before I make a proper judgment. I was just wondering if in your travels you ever had any experience with a cranial chiropractor, and If so for how long? If this doesn't work out for me I'll be looking at trying your program so I was wondering if at the end of your 3 month program, do you have to do any ongoing exercises or take any supplements on an ongoing basis?
Cheer,
A.

Hi there!
Thank you for visiting my site.
I did try a chiropractor (actually four of them) and from my experience relieve in headaches was insignificant, next morning headache was still part of me. About my program: I think I have to disappoint you a little. After first three months you still need to stick with some of exercises and relaxation technique (maintenance mode), though you can do it with less intensity and skip every other day. I would be happy to offer you a magic pill (as many Internet's sites do), but I don't have it. Nobody does.
Regards.
M.S.

Michelle,
Thanks for your quick reply. Can I ask you where your tension headaches originated?
And where you suffered with them on a day-to-day basis?
Thanks,
A.


It's always been and still is (despite the fact that for more than two years I do not have them, despite of all my studies) kind of difficult to describe that condition. Per my observation prior to headache itself it was always same discomfort in upper back --- base of the neck area. At the very beginning I didn't even characterize it as a headache. It was like some discomfort in the head. Starting with an area at the back of the head. Slowly but steadily this area was growing creating sensation of a very strange sort. It was a feeling that my brain has not enough space in my head. Sometimes it was a feeling of something like you are out of spot, not sure if majority of neurologists understood my description.
At the beginning of my entrance to a 'Chronic Headaches Sufferers Club' it started somewhere at 3:00 - 4:00 PM. Gradually it shifted closer to 12:00 PM. Couple of month after that it concurred more space, starting at 9-10 in the morning. Finally it became part of me, jamming entire head, creating feeling like I'm behind some kind of curtain. Most of the time it was low to moderate level of pain, only occasionally elevating to severe unbearable headache. But, it was constant, it was part of me, effecting ability to concentrate, ability to drive a car etc.
So, not sure if it helps.
M.S.

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Dear Michelle,
I have just ordered and read your program. I have had a tension headache for 4 years now and all painkillers and other treatments etc have failed. I think my condition was brought on by poor posture, in keeping my head stooped over too much. As a result the muscles in my neck and upper back have tensed up. I have started to wear a neck collar, same as those used by whiplash neck injury patients and a special neck supporting pillow, whilst I sleep on my back at night. I have experienced some relief with this. Have you tried this? Do you know of anybody else who has tried this?
You do not mention much about correcting posture in your program not believe posture has to be corrected in order to get long-term relief? Also you do not mention much about how tension headaches are brought on. Do you attribute them to the upper back and neck muscles tightening up?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards.
J. J.

Hello J!
Thank you for visiting my site and thank you for purchasing my program.
About you questions:
1. … I have started to wear a neck collar, same as those used by whiplash neck injury patients…
Yes, I did try neck collar. It is helping a little on short term. The problem is that after you take it off your body will automatically returned to initial shape if I can call it like that. I also tried neck-stretching devise (bag of water over the block). It was not a lot of help. I didn't try a maximum weight thought, it'd probably made some difference, the problem is that difference could be achieved when weight of the bag is substantial enough to make that difference, hence here we are already stepping into dangerous zone. Optimum solution to it, as I mention in my program - strong abdominals. With strong abdominal muscles you will not need any of these devices. Your body will have strong foundation, so with it is much easier to keep correct posture.
2….a special neck supporting pillow, whilst I sleep on my back at night…
Yes, it is very important to sleep on special pillow, which will help to relax exhausted muscles of your neck and upper back. Some people use three pillows: one (the special one) to put a head on it face up, and two regular ones on each side to secure face up position. Just make sure you choose the right pillow, which means tried every one available in nearby stores.
3. You do not mention much about correcting posture in your program…
Practice a lot of exercise where you are holding your legs 30' to the horizon. When you will be able to sustain 3 minutes (if you consistent in your determination it should happened somewhere after month and a half of practice) observe your posture. If you still will have some questions about your posture you'll ask me. However, I think you will not have any. Please don't hesitate to express any concern of yours and to ask more questions. It is my pleasure and my responsibility to answer them.
M.S.

Dear Michelle,
Many thanks for responding to my e-mail so quickly & your answers are very much appreciated - you don't know how much. It seems that nobody in England seems to know anything about Tension Headaches & even less about how to cure them. I've arranged to see the best headache Neurological Consultant in Sheffield again next week, armed with info from your program. I'm going to request (rather demand) that he puts me on 100mg of Pamelor per day, starting at 20mg. I just hope he doesn't refuse! Is it safe to take Effexor with Pamelor and please suggest a dose? Also is this the best combination as you also mention Zoloft.
Many thanks again and your help is a real ray of light into a very dark endless tunnel at the moment.
God bless.
J. J

Hello J!
Thank you for visiting my site and thank you for purchasing my program.
About you questions:
1. … Pamelor … at 20mg….
I would suggest 10 mg from the start, after that increase dosage by 10 every week. About 0.5% of the people has Pamelor intolerance in form of severe urinary tract irritation. So if after one week you don't feel anything like that you are in 99.5%.
2. Is it safe to take Effexor with Pamelor and please suggest a dose? Also is this the best combination as you also mention Zoloft.
As of my knowledge there is no restriction of taking Pamelor and SSRI medicine and/or Effexor together. Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil are accentually same things with two differences:
- Manufacturer.
- Half-Life and average time to clear out off your system.
The difference in Effexor is that affects two neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) involved in chronic headaches: serotonin and norepinephrine. So as a combination of medicines mentioned above is proved to be safe you should know that serious, sometimes fatal reactions have occurred when Effexor is used in combination with other drugs known as MAO inhibitors, including the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate. Never take Effexor with one of these drugs; and do not begin therapy with Effexor within 14 days of discontinuing treatment with one of them. Also, allow at least 7 days between the last dose of Effexor and the first dose of an MAO inhibitor.
3. ..and please suggest a dose…….
My dose was 20 mg of Paxil + tryciclics. I think you can start with 10 mg a day and push it up gradually.
M.S.

Dear Michelle,
Please advise if Botox injections have to be given in the neck & shoulders area where muscles are tightest or can it be injected anywhere in the body. Also does a Doctor have to give the injection or can it be done by the local beauty Salons.
God bless.
J. J

Hello J!
About your questions: First of all forget about local Beauty Salons. Botox injections for chronic headaches must be done in reliable neurological institution. The most advanced of them have now a special electronic device (EMG) allowing to find the most troubling spot in the tensed muscle. So the toxin is working efficiently. The botox is injected through a small needle that is also playing a role of EMG sensor connected by a wire to machine, which is recording the activity of the muscle. The placement of the needle is verified by the electrical signals shown on the screen. At that point, through the same needle, botox will be injected.
As I said in my program I went through that procedure three times; in all three occasions shots have been done to the head, neck and shoulders area. The limitation with Botox is that it is working well when injected into relatively small muscles (musculature of the head). In case with neck and shoulders the safe amount of toxin, which could be injected into human body, is a much lesser the necessary amount to soft those muscles.
M.S.

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Dear Michelle,
I started having this mysterious headache about 3 weeks ago and it's a constant dull achy pain on top of my head. My scalp on the top of my head is very sensitive when I touch it. I feel like as if I have the ingrown hair on the top of my head. I have this head ache all day and worries me. Is this considered as a tension headache?
Your prompt response would be greatly appreciated.
R.J

Hello R!
Thank you for visiting my site.
Three weeks is not a term to consider you a chronic headache sufferer. I would suggest taking comprehensive medical exam.
Regards.
M.S.

Dear Michelle,
Thank you for your prompt reply!
I forgot to tell you that I had the same headache exactly a year ago and lasted about a month and went away. It didn't come back until now. My neck is sore and it hurts as well. You still don't think this is related to "Tension Headache"? I can still do my daily activities even I have this headache.
What are the classic symptoms of the "Tension Headache"? Why is mime different from it?
Your prompt response would be greatly appreciated.
R. J


Hello Again!
I am very much pleased you are having interest in my program.
I just don't want to mislead you. My program is for people who are suffering for years, for people who had tried many things (if not everything) and failed. Several prescription medications are part of the program. And I think that at this point there is no reason for you to exercise this option yet.
You've mentioned that some time back you were having similar headaches?
How did it disappear? Did you take any medication for that? Did/do you do any exercises for your neck and upper back? I need more information from you.
Looking forward.
Regards.
M.S.

Hi, Michelle,
Yes, I had exactly the same headache about a year ago. At that time, I went to the Chiropractor and had my neck and back adjusted. I also had my massage therapist worked on that area. After that treatment, my headache vanished and never came back until now. At that time, it lasted about 1 month. My headache is not a debilitating kind like migraine headache. It's a dull constant achy type of headache and I can still go on with my daily activities. Last year, I didn't take any prescription medicine. I just took one ibuprofen a day. I am trying to find the cure for myself. If I'm successful about getting rid of my tension headache, I will certainly let you know.
Regards,
R. J.

Hello R!
Yes, now I see that's it is a typical tension headache. The fact that chiropractic treatment helped you some time back is just another prove of the nature of your headache.
Well, what can I say?
You are at the very beginning of what could be a serious problem if untreated. It could be otherwise as well; meaning you will have this type of headaches periodically; coming and going away. Perhaps my case was not very common. During those five miserable years I was on disability 3 times: 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks.
At the beginning it was exactly like you are describing: My headache is not a debilitating kind like migraine headache. It's a dull constant achy type of headache and I can still go on with my daily activities. So, I was going with my daily activities. And then it was like elevating loop: It started with a deadline (I had to finish some projects), so I pressed more, and it was OK for a month approximately (with two Tylenols). After that I pressed more and pain elevated higher (4 Tylenols). It actually wasn't pain, something like jamming my brain from all directions. I was loosing my ability to concentrate. I started filling uncomfortable in public. Driving a car was not an easy task. So I pressed more. And then one day I was completely out, just out. I was not able walking without assistance. I started panicking. I thought I have something like brain tumor, blood disorder: something of that sort of things.
But all tests were negative. No tumor, no leukemia. Good MRI of C and T spine.
So first time after three weeks of complete rest it got normalized somehow; meaning with 2 Tylenols and one Clonazepam daily I was able walking, driving, working.
Second, third time it was very similar if not identical. Total incapacitation, frustration, depression….
Any way, it is all history now.
Back to you and you tension headaches. My suggestions:
1. Resume your visits to chiropractor.
2. Right after spine manipulation do exercises to restore suppleness of neck and upper back.
3. Do abdominal exercises.
4. At least once a week spend hour and a half in sauna.
5. Resume your massage sessions
6. Learn relaxation technique.
I hope it will help you. BTW how old are you?
Regards.
M.S.
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Dear Michelle
I am not sure if your panacea actually works as I am the kind of person that is reluctant in buying such 'Claims' from any source let alone the internet, but I would like to ask you a question.
I am writing on behalf of my beautiful wife, M, who for some cruel reason has been cursed with this headache bug just about her whole life. I see the pain that it causes her, I hear the hopelessness that it creates and I see her struggle through days at a time on a of drug induced intake of over the counter pain killers.
It affects our normal functioning life, it impacts on our sex life and it pretty much can destroy the joy of spontaneity because they seem to come so out of the blue.
She has approached pretty much every avenue that you have including 'naturopathic remedy, SSRI's quack diagnosis and the typical lackadaisical gp diagnosis of "Take a couple of aspirin and stop being such a sissy"
What I guess I am writing to say is that I find it hard to believe that if you truly suffered with the same thing and understand first hand how life destroying this can be, why oh WHY would you not be freely sharing any cure that you may have discovered completely free and without the need of any remuneration.
I bet you have a hundred reasons why you feel that you should be paid for your time and that you spent many hours perfecting an E-book that holds the elixir and how you only need to pay for the cost of a web site or whatever but I think that if you truly wanted to help the small number of women who suffer this terrible affliction you would desperately trying to GIVE them this help and NOT CHARGE them for it.
In case this letter gives you the impression that I am seeking something from you then I apologize, I am not. I have spent many man hours trying to find if not the cure then at least an understanding of how I can help the love of my life, and If I can find the cure I will give it to all women pro-gratis. If you honestly look at your web page objectively it is not to dissimilar to those opportunistic revelations that read "Send me 5 bucks and I will tell you the secret of how you can get rich too"
SAD HUH !
Yours Faithfully
R. W. S.

Hello R!
Thank you for visiting my site.
First.
I am not trying to present my program as a panacea. It will work only if your wife will be consistent and will dedicate her completely to it.
Second.
About financial base for my site. It was created and funded by me personally more than two years ago. For all this period it was practically invisible by ordinary Internet user. I reluctantly came to the conclusion of starting active advertisement complain, which is only option in Internet nowadays to deliver valuable information to people who heed it most.

I MAKE NO MONEY FROM THIS SITE, NOR DO I WISH TO.

Every time someone clicks on Advertisement Banner (as you did a minute ago) GOOGLE is deducting 10 cents from designated account. Site has about 3000 visitors a month, which makes monthly advertisement expenses $300. One out of 200 visitors is buying my e-book, equalizing monetary losses with cash inflow. Some months I am fifty dollars plus, some I am slightly on a negative territory. I donate my time in web design, creation and maintenance and I voluntarily spend as much time answering e-mails from people who decided to give my program a shot as I possibly can.
I wish your wife would get better.
Thanks again for visiting my site.
M. S.
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I clicked on AskJeeves.com and found this, the first item I clicked on...I have had CAT and MRI and now a neurologist wants to put me on Nortriptyline....I have not filled the prescription....
I would just like an honest answer from someone who apparently has taken this.....did it do any good?

Thank you.....G.

Hello G!
Thank you for visiting my site.
Yes, Nortriptyline (Pamelor) is one of the components of my cure plan. Right dosage of the medicine can make a difference in your headaches. However it will be not much help if:
- Dose of Pamelor is too small to be efficcieent.
- Pamelor is only option in your headachess ccure plan.

Regards.
M. S.
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Hi,
My name is M-A and I live near R, NY. I suffer from a chronic daily headache/sensation type feeling every day. It all started
when I went to the ER for severe heartburn last June, and they gave me a nitroglycerin pill "just to rule out a heart attack." Within 15
seconds, I felt this HUGE headache explode in my head and it never went away. The doctors don't believe me when I tell this story. The neurologists I've been to all say they've never heard of that and it wouldn't last this long (it's been almost ten months). At first it was excruciating pain like a knife sticking in my brain. I laid on my couch for a month and could hardly eat. I lost 18 pounds
since then. I had an MRI and every blood test there is, all results were normal. I'm 47 and I have four kids. My husband and kids are so
sick of me having this never-ending headache - I truly feel sorry for them. For about the past 4 months, I have not had a classic
"headache," just this weird dizzy sensation that feels like I'm walking on a boat (not spinning, like vertigo, just a funny full
sensation inside my skull) and no one understands what I'm talking about. I downloaded your informational packet, which is quite overwhelming. After reading, I'm more overwhelmed than ever. One of the neurologists I went to put me on nortriptyline - I take 20 mg at bedtime, but he never told me to keep increasing the dosage. I've searched thousands of websites trying to find someone who knows how I feel, and yours is the best so far!

I just have to say this - I was very skeptical about giving my credit card # because it looks like a scam - mostly because of all the grammar and spelling errors - it was very hard to read and unprofessional looking - But, it definitely contains a wealth of information and covers a lot of your experiences. I am going to be more assertive when I talk to the doctor from now on, and I will try some of your
suggestions. I wish I had access to a sauna, but I have no idea where to find one. I am desperate to feel normal again! I'm so scared that this feeling will stay with me for the rest of my life. Thank you for letting me vent.

M-A

Hello M-A!
Thank you for visiting my site and thank you for purchasing my program.
My apology for all spelling errors and grammatical mistakes and for pure presentation as well. English is my second language and no matter how hard I try this is perhaps the best of my ability. Unfortunately I think it is scaring out every visitor and turning off about 50% of them.
There is one more thing I’d like to disclose for you. This is not something that I see very often in my correspondence, but some people are accusing me in making money of someone’s suffering. They simple don’t believe that my site is operating on non-profit base. I make NO money from this site, NOR do I wish to. Why am I doing this? It is giving me two things:
1. It is giving me personal satisfaction that I can help people.
2. I am improving my English.
About editing.
Two people (who have downloaded my e-book) had offered their professional help. Unfortunately the price for editing of presentation part (web site) and of an e-book itself was much beyond reasonable numbers. One person initially offered a voluntarily help, but she’s did not reply to my e-mail where I’ve said YES.
So, this was a little bit of history. I apologize for having your attention for so long.

Now back to your case. … not a classic "headache," just this weird dizzy sensation that feels like I'm walking on a boat …. Brilliant!!! This is a very precise description of Tension Headache” Here are my thoughts:
Tension Headache has been officially recognized not so log ago. Earlier it was considered as some kind of rare neurological disorder and didn’t even qualified “to be a headache” In a last 10 years however it got more attention. But what is still ridiculous, in 95% of the cases neither patients nor doctors understand this strange sensation of walking on a boat. They simply use this definition (Tension Headache) in cases when it is not a Migraine and it is not a Clusters Headache. Some doctors are even putting an equation mark between strong tension headache and migraine. OK. At least they recognize it as a headache without even knowing precisely how it feels. The theory has been build behind it, that the reason, the cause is STRESS, TENSION. It is building up slowly, accumulating week-by-week, month-by-month, and year-by-year. And I do mostly agree with that theory. I do almost certainly know that was what happened to me.
However!
However when I started receiving testimonials from all over the world I have made an alteration to official theory. To put it simple:
One short sudden major stress can do as much damage as a very slow stress accumulation.
Take a look at some examples:
1. Quiet a few of my respondents emphasize premature death of a parent or a sibling as a beginning of Constant Tension Headache. I think no comments we need here.
2. Another case. Lithuania. Female 50 years old. She took a short 45 minutes flight from Kaunas to the Cost of Baltic sea (popular vacation destination). Her plane was hijacked. For about 30 minutes you can imagine how did she felt. For about 5 minutes during wrestle in a cockpit it became even more dramatic. Aircraft was flying dangerously low literally touching tips of the trees. Luckily for all who was on that airplane pilots regain control back. Special police forces took care about hijacker after safe landing. Tired and exsosted she finally got to the hotel. Next morning she woke up walking on a boat. And it happened …18 years ago when she was 32! So all these years she was living with Permanent Tension Headache. With time it became part of her. Somehow she adapted it; learn how to manage it mostly with acetaminophen and countless small cups of black coffee. Her daughter has found my site, downloaded my e-book and translated it for her. After two months I’ve received a letter from Lithuania with voucher-invitation for 10 days vacation in her country. When we’ve met she literally was going to kiss my hands. She was full of emotions beyond any description. And I could understand it. I was “actively” suffering with my headaches for about 5 years, but 18….
3. One more case. Netherlands. Male 28 years old. Oxford graduate. Perfect career Football, tennis. Perfect health record. Mens health magazine can put his picture on a first page without any doubts. Tremendous success and confidence with women. At age 26 he’s met a love of his life. After about a year of relationship he had proposed, and…he has been rejected. She told him no. In the morning after second conversation where she had confirmed her answer is a final one he had woke up walking on a boat.
4. One more case. Russia. Male 44 years old. 25 years ago (just think about it 25 years!) he was drafted for military. After 30 days of basic training his destination: Afghanistan. He was wounded in his first convoy 30 hours after crossing Afghan’s border and 2 hours after leaving his base. The wound was in a leg and relatively minor. But common confusion and disorder in his division almost cost him his leg. He was transported to one hospital; doctor who was supposed to perform a surgery was transported to another one. He was transported to a third place, was waiting for his saver; upon his arrival they discovered that there was no basic equipment to perform an operation. Finally after about 30 hours of been in that mess an inflammation has spread all over his leg. He was about 2 hours away from loosing his leg. He’d got lucky. Somehow they saved his leg. Couple of days later when all that fear was left behind him he’s started felling that strange sensation of walking on a boat.

I think your case is one more example proving my theory about sudden short major stress. Can one dose of a nitroglycerin trigger Chronic Tension Headaches? Of course it is highly unlikely. And your neurologist is right about it. The problem starts where/because he is thinking “very narrow”. Additionally it very well might be all concepts of his vision are about 25 years old, and never been refreshed.

NITROGLYCERIN.
It is very well known fact that one of the nitroglycerin’s side effects is excruciating, unbearable headache shortly after an intake. It is very rare, happened in a tiny percentage of people, but it is a PRROVEN FACT! Couple of time I was driving my mother-n-low to ER with heart problem. The very first question they asked was a question about her tolerance to nitroglycerin.
So, what I think happened to you is very simple. Shortly after intake of nitroglycerin you started felling this very well known side affect. It scared you to death. Plainly speaking it was trivial panic attack. That sudden stress “locked your system”, and ever since it is still in a “locked mode”. And it is becoming even more locked because with every new day it is becoming bigger. You are frustrated, you want to overcome it, you are trying to get through it, but it is still no improvement. Here is my suggestion. You can’t beet this thing in such manner. The more you are pushing your system the more tense your system is becoming. You should understand that only way to beat this thing is heading to 180 degree opposite direction. YOU SHOULD relax as much as possible. You have to give your system an opportunity to take care of it. So do as I did once. Just tell yourself: OK, I have passed all these medical tests, everything is negative. What does it mean? It means that I am not going to die tomorrow, and even the day after. Yes, I have this strange condition with my head, but it is highly treatable. When you’ll had convince yourself in that you will already feel much better. And what about the rest? Just stay with a cure plan you have downloaded. You have to find access to sauna. It is essential. Without it you are delaying your recovery. To be on absolutely safe site when you’ll reach 50 mg of Pamelor make a blood work for Northriptyline and Amitriptyline level in your blood.
Keep moving, be consistent. And don’t look inside your mind every morning asking am I still having it? Relax, one morning you will see that you don’t have that strange feeling walking on a boat.
I hope it helped.
M.S.
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Hi Miss Michelle,

Hope you are doing fine. I am bought your program on June 2005. During the summer I followed your instructions and felt reduction in headaches. I didn’t know if I was doing the exercises right, I sprained my neck and had to stop your physical exercises on November. I still did go to gym for weight lifting and it did help me in reducing the headaches. I stopped taking Effexor on November, as I didn’t see the difference. I still do take Nortriptyline - 4 pills b4 going to bed. Since I am in engineering, I have too much load and recently felt an increase of headaches. Some headaches take weeks to stop. Secondly Nortriptyline is giving dry mouth and I feel it difficult to speak during presentation for more than 7 minutes. Any remedy? Lastly can you or do you have group site like Yahoo groups where all the tension headache sufferers discuss and share issues related to headaches? If you don’t have can you make one? I am sure ppl having same questions can get their answers from the site and can form first headache tension suffering community :)
Looking forward to your reply.
Regards,
Cycle_of_trouble.

Hello Cycle of trouble!
About your questions.
1. Nortriptyline. First of all you should realize the role of Nortriptyline in my (or in any other) tension headache cure plan. Yes, it is one of the major components, which is helping you at the beginning to make a very first big step in tension headaches reduction. However, many people who have downloaded my cure plan (you are not along in your situation) start using it as a long-term solution and many of them eventually pick Nortriptyline as only solution for their headaches. I think I have emphasized it in a cure plan itself, and I am repeating it now: Nortriptyline – is a temporary remedy to help you to move things from frozen point. You cannot be on Nortriptyline indefinitely. Because to put it simple: Nortriptyline is a very bad thing. Yes, it is helpful, but it should not be considered as a panacea of any sort. Side’s effects of Nortriptyline are numerous. My advise – if you are on Nortriptyline for more than 6 month please monitor your general health very carefully, especially your cardiovascular health. I would recommend ECG every other month to make sure you are OK in that department.

2. A bottle of water in you pocket seems like the simplest solution to your dry mouth. However! Remember – you cannot drink more water that your body is capable to digest. Typical and very dangerous mistake of Nortriptyline abusers - over consumption of water. My advice – drink water in moderation and use lollypops.

3. There are numerous headaches forums on Internet; unfortunately I haven’t found a single one, which would satisfy my skeptical approach. I was (and I am still) thinking to make an addition to my site in form of a chat or a forum. However it requires additional recourses and additional time, which at this point are not in existence.

Regards.
M. S.