You have had extensive testing done to prove that you do not have vascular problems. Now, the headache could have a vascular component to it, but nothing that is 'hurting' you or damaging you. Simple dilation/constriction of blood vessels. Though as I said I think it is largely muscular. We don't feel 'vascular' pressure.. we might feel pain from vascular changes in the head.. aka: Headache. However the pressure you feel in your hands and feet have nothing to do with your vascular flow. I'm sure it feels that way, but I assure you it isn't. The pressure 'feeling' and the tenderness behind your left knee can be totally unrelated to the headache(s). I would look into possible 'nerve damage' if the knee is a bothersome 'chronic' item. It is somewhat difficult to accurately diagnose nerve damage. As we have no way to measure them and map them. They are too complex for us at this moment, and everyone has grown a different 'configuration'.

Do you swell? Do you have any fluid retention problems?

I have the same thing, but also have that pressure that you get when you have a sinus infection. This has been going on since 2000. I was FINALLY diagnosed last year with Sphenopalatine Neuralgia. I have to go through another sinus surgery, but since my deductible is $5000, I can't get it any time soon. Look into that, and see if that's what you could have. Let us know. Good Luck!

No fluid retention problems, unless I have eaten fast food or something with an equal amount of salt (which I rarely do).

I think it is probably nerve damage

-and I wonder if there is any logic to the thinking that I might be extra sensitive to stimulants after taking benzos for so many years? Hmmm...your thoughts?

I have been really, really, busy lately, hence my lack of "posting"
Thanks,
J

Well, waking up can indicate brain tumors and other brain conditions, so I was just wanting to rule that out. Those that worsen throught out the day tend to be tension by nature...not that this is a given rule, just a rule of thumb.

Based on finding of a recent study researchers say the drug gabapentin (Neurontin) taken at 2,400 milligrams a day is an effective preventive measure for people with chronic daily headaches.

Gabapentin is an approved anti-epileptic drug. Studies have also shown its success in treating other pain-related health issues like diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, and migraine headache. Since gabapentin often reduces migraines by more than 50 percent and chronic daily headaches often have migraine-like features, researchers in Australia conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine the drug's specific effect on chronic daily headaches.

This type of study is the gold standard of clinical research studies where neither the researchers nor the participants know who received the drug or an identical dummy substance, called a placebo.

For the study researchers recruited 133 patients who had headaches at least 15 days every month that lasted more than four hours at a time. The patients were randomly selected to receive gabapentin or a placebo for six weeks. After that period, none of the patients received either treatment for a week, and then each group switched to the opposite treatment for a second six weeks.

Results showed 36 percent of the patients taking 2,400 milligrams of gabapentin a day stopped having chronic daily headaches. Negative effects of the drug included vomiting, dizziness, dysarthria (problems speaking), sleepiness, and constipation.

I have taken Neurtontin and Lyrica (not together) for peripheral neuropathy. I don't care for either of them. Neurtontin makes me feel weird, and Lyrica made my feet swell so much the pain actually increased.

I have never heard of taking these for headaches, but that would be a good question for your neurologist. I would definitely recommend seeing a neurologist for recurring, painful headaches to rule out anything serious and/or life-threatening.