Do you have something for a headache?

 Migraines are certainly not unique to PCS. They're also not the only type of head pain we get. There's also cluster headaches and tension headaches. If you are unlucky enough to get any of these chronically after a brain injury, they earn the title of Post-Traumatic Headache. The only one that stands alone is migraine. It seems to be traumatic enough without the extra title.

The mechanism of these headaches after brain injury isn't understood by professionals. Indeed, the causes are varied on any given day for any specific headache I might have. But the so-called specialists will tell you that it is an abnormal pain response to the one moment in time when I hit my head. As for me, I'm not so sure.

The brain is forced to change and adapt after such a brutal attack, like the fall I had. So it seems to make sense to me that something might become sensitive that wasn't before. Remember how I said this isn't unique to PCS? My aunt gets migraines with weather changes and she never had a brain injury. Now I also react to weather changes. I also react to heat.

There is an aspect of my headaches that is in fact a PCS symptom, and not shared with others who do not have PCS. PCS headaches and migraines tend to worsen when we are pushed beyond our energy limits. If I push myself beyond my energy limits, I will develop a headache. This is my body telling me to back off. My chronic, never-ending pain that has been dampened down by strong medication is a message long ignored by specialists and professionals.

What's that old addage from sports? No pain, no gain? My brain disagrees. I've tried living with the pain. I've also tried killing the pain with medications. It just gets louder. I complain that I am suffering and the old refrain is the same: just keep going.

Have you got any drugs? I have a splitting headache...

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