Need support for daily headache

I can't remember exactly when my journey of chronic pain started but it's probably around my mid 20s back in 2006-2007. It started with a left neck and left wrist pain which never went away. I probably spent a year of therapy and pain management but never took any medication for it. After a year I just got used to it and moved on with my life. I just occasionally crack my neck and wrist to get relief when it bothers me. Never stopped me to become an engineer as well as live my life to the fullest. Then 2014 came, I started training for my second marathon when my lower back and right neck (lucky me both sides of the neck) started hurting. Again after a year of medical check ups and physical therapy, I got used to it and moved on again. Again never took any medication for all those chronic pain. I just accepted it as part of my life. Doctors never really found anything. I did have a traumatic car accident when I was in highschool which I figured caused all my chronic pain.

And come July '21, I have a very demanding job (which I love and enjoy) and that was the case for three weeks leading up to the headache. My family wanted to take a vacation after my crazy work schedule but I was hesitant at first because of coronavirus, taking the vaccine, and tons of work that I needed to finish. But that Sunday morning, I decided to book vacation. As soon as I entered to purchase the vacation it triggered a sharp pain in my forehead. Didn't think anything about it then but I decided to get tested for covid just to be safe or thought I was just fatigued due to work. I also have been working out everyday for about 100 days so I thought that could also be the culprit of the headache. Covid test came back negative and so I decided to get the first shot of the vaccine two days after the headache started just to be safe.

I don't want to bore you with all the details but it's been the hardest 6+ months of my life (including canceling our vacation). After two weeks of the daily headache, I started developing so many physical symptoms/anxiety symptoms, and insomnia. Most of the other physical symptoms are gone now except for the 24/7 everyday tension/pressure type headache, sometimes I get really anxious, random heartburn, and random earache. I have been to a lot of doctors since then and all the tests came back negative including blood test, CAT scan, MRI and endoscopy. I never really had a headache or anxiety prior to this.

Then two weeks ago someone recommended "The way out" by Alan Gordon which I listened to everyday and started practicing to approach chronic pain. I also signed up with Curable and started listening to Dr. Sarno's mindbody prescription.

I know I have to be patient but what else can I do to help my recovery. I used to be able to live my life normally with chronic pain but the headache has been my kryptonite.

I really appreciate any help and guidance. It's been really hard and tough for my family.

 

Dear @palaab
You are doing so much!
I read that you are under a lot of pressure to feel better. This is part of the stress that your books speak of. Ease up on yourself. You chose Curable, so why not begin working with it. Go slow, easy. One lesson at a time. The app guides you through the work and features success stories.
Your headache merely became kryptonite because you ignored the past pain, and did not recognize it was a message to attend to you, your warts n all, lovely inner human self. As you work through Curable, watch for connections to the books you read. Think about your life and what you THINK is perfect, then realize that your inner self may actually feel another way deep down inside, in a way that you don’t give yourself permission to feel.
Good luck!!

 

You're doing great. Iìm writing right now with headache. Once again. Like yesterday. And last week. And so forth. And anxiety and a lot of other symptoms. So, I hear you and you're doing great. The only one thing that I can suggest you is meditation, just because to me it works as a natural relax. I'm a long time meditator, but anyways I needed to join the program. Love to you.