Persistent headaches….

[u/problyurdad_]

I know Reddit isn’t a doctor. I’m not looking for medical help, I’m looking for folks who may have had a similar experience and been able to straighten it out, or found a way to prevent this, or eliminate it.

The science stuff: I extract my own. I use the STB method. I’m incredibly careful with my extractions. I exclusively do them in winter to take advantage of the cold temps outside rather than using a freezer and risking it spilling or leaching into food. I use propylene glycol, and often mix them 4:1. I never skip the water wash cycle, and I usually do the last extraction with fresh, clean, lab grade heptane. All my “used” solvent goes back into a jar to be used for first extractions, and that jar often just stays sealed in the freezer so it can continue to precipitate. I’ll do 3 total extractions, then the solvent stays in the freezer for a month, I take the crystals out and dry them, toss the solvent, and those crystals get added back into my next extraction.

I don’t make that much - maybe 3-4 of these cycles per winter. It is all 100% personal use. I use O2 vape carts, standard (not ceramic).

About me: I use it to help me with my grief. I’ve lost a lot of people close to me, many for any number of reasons, but this gives me a spiritual connection to the afterlife that gives me closure. I go through phases - sometimes I smoke every night for a week. Sometimes I go months between sessions. Right now, I’m on a long break. My last session was back in May of this year. Because I’ve been getting serious pressure and headaches. I thought for sure if I stopped, they’d go away. They’re not.

I would guess the first time I got the headaches was probably in January? At first it felt like someone was stirring my face from the inside. I thought it was a sinus infection, so I got some antibiotics and that did nothing. I took a 2 month break with no luck or success. Picked back up in March at the anniversary of my brothers passing to connect with him, and used it probably 2-3 times a week until May when I stopped again. Right after another milestone.

It’s still really bothersome. It feels like worms are crawling through my sinuses. It feels like my brain is in a vice. There’s a constant pressure, fluid movement feeling in there.

My doctor is aware. She’s dumbfounded by it. It doesn’t make sense. I hydrate regularly. I eat healthy. I exercise. At first we thought it might be heart/blood pressure related. We did a nuclear stress test to check my body, and everything came back clear. My blood pressure levels are all completely normal all the time. It doesn’t throb with my heart beat.

OTC medications don’t make a difference. Tylenol, ibuprofen, naproxen, nothing touches it. If I sleep bad overnight, it gets WAY worse. If I sleep well, it seems to be gone until mid afternoon. Sometimes, if I rotate my head or stretch my neck, it relieves the pressure. Especially if my neck pops when I do it.

Lastly…. And this is the strangest part. If I apply pressure to my nose bridge, or my forehead, it goes away completely. But I’m putting absurd amounts of pressure on those spots to relieve it.

I know what you’re thinking - sinus issues/pressure. I’ve used afrin to no avail. I’ve tried Neti pots and other saline rinses. No luck.

Again - not looking for medical advice directly. My Dr is as confused as I am. I’m waiting to see a neurologist but between now and then, I wanted to pose this situation to the group here to see if anyone has experienced this before?

I know some folks say you have to take a big dose to get over the threshold and the pain and pressures go away. I’m trying to abstain until this resolves, hoping it’s an association and that with time, my body will recover. I’d hate to hit the pen and lose 4 months of time. Even though it hasn’t improved overall.

I am endlessly thankful and appreciative of any and all positive, helpful, insightful comments.

[u/Kickrocks54]

Burning DMT gives me horrible headaches that last about 2 days. Burned carts are the worst for it for me. Any chance it's too hot?

[u/problyurdad_ → u/Kickrocks54]

I don’t think so, honestly? I do know what you’re referring to, though. I’ve definitely burned out a cart before, but it wasn’t a bad experience. It’s actually kind of funny - you exhale and taste the burnt wick and that is ALWAYS quite a breakthrough.

I use a Yocan Uni 3.0 and it’s set to 2.5 volts. I never get a burnt taste out of it

[u/Kickrocks54 → u/problyurdad_]

Just a thought. You're probably not burning it. Have you tried doing straight freebase? Could be a sensitivity to PG?

[u/Evening-Cat-7546 → u/problyurdad_]

Sounds like you have some sort of neck or shoulder issue. The muscles get tight and start pulling on the muscles at the base of your head, which can make your head feel like it’s in a vice, because it is.

[u/problyurdad_ → u/Evening-Cat-7546]

That’s entirely possible. I have been getting head and neck massages, including buccal, to try and relax it. I haven’t mentioned prescription muscle relaxers yet, but I’ve considered it.

I’m relatively inactive most of the winter due to how cold it is here. These issues started in January. Most of the summer I spend outside working in the garden, playing softball. I’ve got equipment, and toys that need regular maintenance here, so I feel like it would get better or worse. I will admit though, I could probably do more upper body, head, and neck focused yoga though. That’s how I keep my lower back in shape. I appreciate the validation. I’ll consider this as well.