Patients are suffering from nerve damage that’s caused persistent headaches and other symptoms. Doctors say they’re not responding well to treatments.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s one of the most common side effects of a COVID-19 diagnosis – a migraine that just won’t quit. We’re talking about a throbbing pain that can last 24/7 for some of our long-haulers, or patients who’re still suffering months after their infection.
And neurologists say the treatment isn’t working well.
A headache is just one of the symptoms of a migraine. There’s also light and sound sensitivity, nausea, trouble concentrating, and dizziness – all of which impair the ability to work.
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Dr. Brian Plato, a neurologist with Norton Neuroscience Institute said the current treatment includes anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids, and sometimes anti-seizure, anti-depressants or blood pressure medications. A year ago, he said anywhere from 50 to 75% of his migraine patients would have seen a significant improvement with these treatments. That’s not the case today.
“Off the top of my head, 10 to 15% are getting significantly better, which is really frustrating, to be a physician who cares so much about improving quality of life for people, to be struggling to make that happen,” Dr. Plato said
Plato said more than half of people who lost their sense of smell with COVID-19 have headaches or migraines as a related symptom. It’s a direct effect of nerve damage that can make the months that follow more debilitating than the virus itself in some cases.
“Injured nerves don’t recover nearly as quickly as perhaps the sense of smell, so this could be a problem that goes on for months, or I’m afraid to say, even years,” Dr. Plato said.
Most neurologists are learning as they go, with new migraine medications on the market today, but with no real idea yet as to where they will lead.
If you suffer from persistent headaches or migraines, take this quiz to find out what type of treatment you may be missing.
Contact reporter Brooke Hasch at?bhasch@whas11.com. Follow her on?Twitter (@WHAS11Hasch)?and?Facebook.
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I have had a debilitating migraine since receiving my 2nd Moderna vaccine on January 20th 2021. Nothing at this time has helped. I am currently on Ajovy injections as well as Botox for migraines with no relief. I’ve had an MRI and MRA with no signs of what the problem is. Praying to find answers. Almost 6 months with no relief.
Unfortunately that is all Too common. It is probably an autoimmune response to the vaccine. Steroids could help but have significant side effects and may only help temporarily. For long haul symptoms there are experimental treatments such as ivermectin. YouTube has videos on these such as by a company Incell. Good luck this is not that uncommon
I’ve had a debilitating headache and brain fog since 1st shot of Pfizer 2 months ago. All the drs that were so big on pushing the vaccine act like they’ve never heard of this reaction, yet I hear it from individuals all the time. If I had the decision to get the jab and a do over, I wouldn’t go close to a vax center