Headaches

I have had a headache every day since I had COVID seventeen months ago. A number of factors contribute: sunlight, bright artificial light, smells, heat, motion sickness, sea sickness, over-exertion, tight neck muscles, lying down too long, bending over, not drinking enough water, and eating the wrong thing or eating at the wrong time. No matter how I manipulated this list of variables, the headaches persisted.

Yes, I've tried Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Tramadol, Valium, gummies, CBD, vodka, allergy pills, sudafed, lymphatic drainage, dry brushing, neti pot, massage, acupuncture, sleep, heat, and lots of ice cream because if all else fails I like to throw some Rocky Road at it.

Yes, I have told the doctors. I had an MRI, blood tests, and allergy tests. They are all fine.

Friday the headache was so bad, I considered driving myself to the ER. But, I couldn't drive. Instead, I threw up for three hours, until I was finally able to fall asleep.

Saturday morning I woke up with a headache hangover and a small headache. That afternoon, I saw an eye doctor for my yearly eye exam. My prescription for both eyes was too strong. After recovering from the splitting headache caused by the dilation, I put on last year's pair of glasses (a lower prescription), and my headache went away. I was so relieved.

Yes, I was also pissed that I hadn't thought to get my eyes checked. I mean... what if I could have prevented a year of headaches by simply getting my eyes checked? My inner critic is pretty loud.

But, I had an exam in September of 2020 after I had COVID. How was I to know I had been given the wrong prescription? Or maybe COVID messed up my eyes for a bit and they recovered? Or maybe my eyesight was worse and improved after a year of not staring at a computer. Who knows?

Saturday afternoon and evening were glorious. I watched six episodes of Yellowstone in pure, headache-free bliss. I began to imagine a life free of headaches.

Sunday I had a headache. It was just a regular headache. I didn't throw up. Today I woke up with a headache.

So, the headaches persist, but at least I am wearing the right glasses. Also, the eye doctor found a small hemorrhage behind my right eye. She said this doesn't make sense, since my diabetes is under control. I did mention that I tend to throw Rocky Road at my emotions, so it's not as under control as it could be. I forgot to ask if the hemorrhage could have been caused by my migraine vomit the night before. I know you can get a bloody eye from throwing up, but this blood is behind my eye in the small blood vessels. I know COVID can cause blood clots and hemorrhages. But this is likely diabetes related.

I go back for a follow up appointment on New Year's Eve. I have adjusted my Rocky Road intake accordingly. I continue to go to work and go to the beach and sit in the shade and try to smile through the headaches.

I am not looking for advice or sympathy. I am simply sharing my experience in recovering from COVID. If you, like me, are still suffering, you are not alone.