FAQ/Headaches & Pain

• Medicine will be forever changed because of his discoveries.
• I am so greatful to god for the work you and your staff are doing for people in such pain.
• 48 year old male, pain in lower back, shoulders, knees and neck. Also very exhausted after work.
• My daughter, age 43, diagnosed with fibromyalgia - nothing helps the pain
• Ocular migraine, acne - will natural progesterone cream will help me?
• Morning headaches, any insight?
• Severe pain in knees and lower back
• Lower Back & leg pain & numbness. Plus Fatigue, Weight.
• 9 yr old son: severe congestion, headaches, chronic stomachaches
• Chronic headaches for 3 Years, male 29 yrs old.
• 17 year old daughter had headache for 3 months. GONE thanks to your website!
• Asthma, allergies, headaches, earaches - 27 year old old female
• Daughter diagnosed with CFS at age 13, suffers from headaches, neck pain, fatigue, insomnia, and body aches.
• Chronic allergies, headaches, fatigue.
• Presistent Headache 15 days
• 16 yr. girl - Severe headaches (behind eyes, base of skull).

Medicine will be forever changed because of his discoveries.
Monday, August 09, 2004
I was moved when I read your article in Lifestyle Solutions. I lived in Plano in the 70s', and read the Intowner regularly. It seems that you have reached a comfortable place in your spiritual life, now I would like to offer the same level of comfort in your physical life. In 1988, I was living a wonderful, though high stress, fun life in Hong Kong. On a trip home to Texas to visit my family, it became evident that my mother was quite ill, and I decided that I would move back to care for her. Almost immediately after I moved here, when I went in for my annual pap smear, I was diagnosed with vulvar cancer.

That wasn't particularly worrisome, they said. I could have a course of chemo, and be on my way. Unfortunately, the chemo didn't work, so we tried surgery; then more surgery, and even again. My problems worsened with each procedure, and in 1991, I was finally diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Behcets Disease. I was told that it is a painful, always fatal disorder that has no known cause, no real treatment except palliative, and it is always fatal. The doctors were quick to tell me that most Behcets patients died within three years of diagnosis, and that no one with Behcets lived past age sixty. I, being rather mulish in my obstinance, went to other doctors for other opinions, but they were all agreed that, yes indeed, my doctors were correct in their collective opinion. I would die very soon. My migraines escalated, and my joint pain was almost unbearable at times.There was always the extreme fatigue, sleeplessness, and my brain was always fuzzy, at best.

In 1994, I was introduced to Russell Roby, J.D, M.D., a traditional doctor here in Austin who specializes in "mysterious diseases", who also uses some untraditional methods of application. He has become the physician of last resort for many, many people who have been told that traditional medicine has no hope to offer them. Of course, we know that what they really should be told is that traditional physicians have not been taught what to do in medical school. My first appointment with Dr. Roby happened on a day that my usual migraine was, on a scale of 0 to 10, the worst that it could ever be. He walked into the exam room, introduced himself, spoke with me about quantifying my symptoms (0 to 10), told me the reasons, in his opinion, for my problems, and asked if I would mind if he did a couple of little intradermal tests to see what I would react to. I agreed. My vicious, number 10 migraine, was totally gone in less than 10 seconds. This had never happened before!

The substances that I was reacting to were progesterone and estrogen. As it turns out, I am, along with countless other people, allergic to some of my own hormones. That is what was making me ill. I have a number of other allergies, too. I have been allergic all of my life. I know now, having been a patient for so long, and working for Dr. Roby, that hormone imbalance causes all sorts of problems for us. He has done a huge amount of research over the years on hormones and allergy, and the synergistic effects of the two together.

Medicine will be forever changed because of his discoveries. He has worked with the people at ImmunoSciences Lab, in Beverly Hills, to devise a standardized allergy test, for hormones. Until they did this, no one had ever thought that such a thing existed. You can now be tested for IgE response to any of your own hormones.

This would be a good time to tell you that most of the people who work with Dr. Roby, began as patients. Most have worked with him for many years, and believe very passionately, in his work and his generosity. He is willing to share his knowledge with any other doctor who wants to learn, and has never turned away a patient. We feel that he has been blessed to be the person who has been chosen to facilitate these 'reversals' of disease. We feel so privileged to be able to be a part of it.

I am so greatful to god for the work you and your staff are doing for people in such pain.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Dear Dr. Roby:

I am a new patient as of yesterday. For the first time in months i have not had to sit up in alift chair to try to sleep. I have a continous hacking cough and have a constant clearing ofthe throat. This is mostly at night. It fells like i can't cough up the mucus and cannot swollow it down. The buffered c along with the samples benadry and guifenicin has given me a night in bed and not a chair. I also have severe neck pain, low back pain radiating toi rt hip and down rt leg toankle. I also have rt pain in thumb. Very swollen joint and drs. Have advised a joint replacement in the thumb. I have had a rt knee replacemt and this was the haredst surgery that i know and took avery long time to get over.

After taking the drops my neck pain is gone and my thumb. I can actually touch with extreme pain and may be able to leave off thumb brace. I have morning stiffness that takes me at least 30 minutes to 1 and 1/2 hours to get over. This means streatches with rope and rubberband and exercising in bed in order to get started. It is a blessing from god not to have this stiffness. I have a blind and wheelchair bound, father in law that I live with and care for with help from my husband. Could I have possibly received the benefits this soon?! It is almost scarey to not have the pain as it has been with me it seems forever. I have been recommened to have back surgery for unstable back (spinal fusion) and would like to put it off as long as i can. I wanted to ask how you felt about the studies that came out last year that caused to drs. To take patents off estrogen. And is what we are doing comletely different? (Dr R: It is!!) Also do you take male patients as i saw many many women but not many men. Thanks for reading this e-mail.

I promise not to have to take up so much of your reading time but i am so greatful to god for the work you and your staff are doing for people in such pain. And i do not know what people do who do not have god in their lives. Thank you so much for a good night. Thanks for all you do.

48 year old male, pain in lower back, shoulders, knees and neck. Also very exhausted after work.
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2002 10:58 AM
Question:
I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I currently work a rotating shift schedule. I was told by two doctors that until I obtained a fixed work shcedule, my condition was not likely to improve. Is this true? Secondly, a neurologist has said that I may have secondary fibromyalgia. I am scheduled for an ERG. What is this? I am a 48 year old male and most of my pain is lower back, shoulders, knees and neck. I also am very exhausted after work. I used to work 8 hours and then go homw and work in the yard for 4 to 5 hours. All I can do now is basically just sit. I can only walk short distances without my knees and back beginning to hurt. I can't stand for any period of time without my back hurting. Any suggestions?
Dr. Roby Answers:
Stress is a major player in this. Read my section on hormone imbalance. it was written for women but has ths same application to men. I would guess you are undergoing hormone changes...low DHEA, testosterone. If so then you get memory loss, diminished sex drive, weight gain, mood swings (mainly depression) and bone-jarring fatigue. Go to bed tired, sleep poorly, wake up tired every morning. Isn't that about right?
Check out that section. Consider a very low carbohydrate diet (like Dr. Atkins') and start walking, slowly, one hour each evening when you get home.

My daughter, age 43, diagnosed with fibromyalgia - nothing helps the pain
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2002
Question:
My daughter, age 43, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at Mayo Clinic in 1994. She suffers from severe pain. She's presently in hospital because of pain. While there her heart rate was way too high, and they determined through tests that she has scar tissue on her heart indicating a previous heart attack.
Nothing they give her helps the pain. These exacerbations of pain, often in the hip area happen every few weeks. She's on clonopin and amytriptilene, prozac, and vicodin (which just occasionally takes the edge off pain). We are so frustrated that she can't seem to be helped. Do you see or treat patients? Where are you located? We live in Fort Lauderdale area. Do you know of any "fellow physicians" who follow a successful treatment plan of fibromyalgia in this area? I thank you in advance for any consideration or guidance you might offer.
Dr. Roby Answers:
I do treat fibromyalgia. While more physicians are adopting the protocol all the time, the closest one to you is a student of mine in New York City.
Why don't you check out the section on hormone imbalance on my website and see how much of that applies to your daughter. I outline the treatment and the lab tests as well. Our statistical results treating pain... hip pain was 92% relief in less than 30 seconds.
See my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on the website. Many types of allergy have their basis in hormone reactions. This is particularly of ladies who experience increasing symptoms as they undergo hormone changes, usually in their late twenties or after the babies are born.
Check out that section and let me know how those characteristics apply to your daughter and then I can get more specific. You may find some useful areas to explore in your search for medical solutions. Areas such as dietary changes, low level exercise and alternative approaches to solving medical problems.

Ocular migraine, acne - will natural progesterone cream will help me?
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Question:
This website has been the most informative one that I have seen yet. Just about every symptom that you described fit me perfectly. I am 35 and the past year have been battling an acne type rash on my forehead between my eyes and on my chin, have very heavy periods, break outs in my scalp/hairline just before my periods, low-high energy levels, short term memory loss and just recently an ocular migraine. I do exercise 5 days a week and don't eat sugar, white flour and most recently cut out all red meat and chicken.
Do you think that using the natural progesterone cream will help me? I don't want to take any synthetic replacement hormones. Thank you for your website!
Dr. Roby Answers:
Progesterone actually makes it worse! You are high in progesterone the week before your period begins. That is the problem. I "block" the effect of the progesterone using homeopathic progesterone drops, sublingually, and neutralize the symptoms within seconds. All this is happening because you are getting lower and lower in DHEA, testosterone, estradiol and cortisol. This makes your progesterone have a greater effect and makes your thyroid less effective. The result is all the symptoms you mention...and weight gain.
See my section on "Hormone Imbalance." Many types of allergy have their basis in hormone reactions. This is particularly of ladies who experience increasing symptoms as they undergo hormone changes, usually in their late twenties or after the babies are born.
Check out that section and let me know how those characteristics apply to you and then I can get more specific. You may find some useful areas to explore in your search for medical solutions. Areas such as dietary changes, low level exercise and alternative approaches to solving medical problems. The lab tests I use are outlined there as well. It is very important to get your Progesterone Antibodies (IgG and IgM) measured. You will undoubtedly have high levels of these antibodies and that establishes your hypersensitivity to that hormone.

Morning headaches, any insight?
Sunday, October 27, 2002
Question:
For about a month I have been waking up with severe headaches each morning, they last from 2 to 4 hours. I had a cold when I went on vacation and the 3rd day went to the emergency room because I had been suffering with the headache all day and was not completely conscious part of the day. The ER physician thought I had a reaction to the codeine cough syrup I had been given by the doctor I saw before I left, also he thought I had 'allergy black eyes'. He prescribed Allegra and Rhynocort and to not sleep in the camper we had. I went and got mattress and pillow covers and things seemed to improve. However during this time I was having my menstrual period with very heavy flow and clotting. When I got back I saw my doctor who referred me to a GYN. When I saw the GYN a couple days later the flow had slowed but she looked at the blood tests put me on iron a nd told me to call if the bleeding persisted and got heavy again, otherwise I would see her in two weeks.! Well, the flow did get heavy, I called her and within two days she put me in the hospital and did a D and C and a hysteroscopy. She found a polyp. This was 3 days ago, I am still on the iron, my hemoglobin count was at 7.3. The headaches are worse.Could there be a relation between the anemia and the headaches? Or the allergy/sinusitis? I am in such pain for the first two hours of every day that it is difficult to function. I am a 49 yr. old woman that is 5'2" and weighs approx. 130 lbs. Any insight would be much appreciated.
Dr. Roby Answers:
Early morning headaches are due to mold (See killing molds). You are more sensitive because your hormones are changing. The heavy periods are caused by an imbalance...mainly a reaction to progesterone. I measure hormones and in particular Progesterone Antibodies (IgG and IgM). When these are put back in balance the headaches will be resolved.
Many of your questions relating to headaches, allergy and other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. Please read that section. Let me know how much of that material applies to you. I can then address your specific questions much more efficiently.

Severe pain in knees and lower back
Thursday, October 17, 2002
Question:
I have seen several bone drs thinking l needed knee replacement because walking has become unbearable, and they all say someday, but the pain is really bad, as soon as I sit down l get 90% relief, but need to get up and down often, l need a cart to lean on to shop. l can hardly walk anywhere, l am now trying accupuncture, but wonder how long before it works. I've been in pain over 3 yrs, but it gets worse every year, I take Exedrin for pain, I have tried synvisk, it did nothing,I hate to try cortizone shots but I am so miserable.
Dr. Roby Answers:
I block the pain within seconds using homeopathic dilutions of progesterone. Come and see me or have your doctor learn my methods. A protocol is posted on my website for licensed physicians.
Many of your questions relating to allergy and fibromyalgia and other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. Please read that section again. Let me know how much of that material applies to you. I can then address your specific questions much more efficiently.

Lower Back & leg pain & numbness. Plus Fatigue, Weight.
Saturday, October 12, 2002
Question::
Due to the pain in my back and leg the Doctors seem to believe I will need another surgery. I have had two back surgeries and pain management. I am tired of being in constant pain. I have been battling this for 14 years. I control the pain through pain pills until I can not take the pain any more then I have surgery and I get some relief but the pain is still there. I want to know if you think your program will help me? What insurance do you accept?
Dr. Roby Answers:
I use homeopathic dilutions of progesterone to block back pain (and any other kind of pain). In a study just completed. we found nearly 90% of the patients got relief of the back pain from the drops, within seconds. The average of these responders was over 65% relief of the pain.
Yes, I think I can help you. See my section on "Hormone Imbalance" for an overview of how I approach the problem. Many of your questions relating to pain and other symptoms are addressed in the section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. Please read that section. Let me know how much of that material applies to you. I can then give you a fairly accurate estimate of your likelihood of responding to the treatment.

9 yr old son: severe congestion, headaches, chronic stomach aches
Sat, 12 Oct 2002
Question:
My son is 9 years old and used to be a very good eater. Over the past 6-9 months his interest in food has changed - it is very difficult to find something he likes. He battles the typical allergy symptoms regularly - the most alarming, though, are chronic stomach aches and severe headaches. He also states that he "just flat doesn't feel good!", which of course affects his disposition as well. We visited an allergist in Kerrville last week, and will have some testing done next week. I begin to have some hope that his stomach and headaches are allergy related. The doctor has started him on a nose spray which he has been taking for 5 days which hasn't affected his stopped up nose, but interestingly enough, he is a bedwetter, and he hasn't wet the bed since he started the nose spray.
My mother was treated by you yesterday for the first time, and when I talked to her this morning, she is in disbelief at how good she feels!
My question is, Is this a familiar description of symptoms that you have treated? Is the bedwetting part of his allergy? In your opinion, is there possibly a simple solution for helping him feel better?
Dr Roby Answers:
Yes. Yes. and Maybe.
Yes, these are familiar symptoms. Yes, bedwetting is often part of the deal because when we are allergic we put out lots of adrenalin, our emergency hormone, and this hormone "scares the pee" out of us. This why you might awaken at 2 A.M. and feel an urgent need to pee and yet only void a small amount.
Maybe there is a simple solution to helping him feel better. You might want to bring him to Marble Falls (that is fairly close to you) as I treat the kids with sublingual drops and they like that a lot better than shots.
Read my section on airborne allergy for a more complete explanation as to why his stomache is upset (he is swallowing copious amounts of snot and this causes the stomache to put out enormous amounts of hydrochloric acid which makes him feel queasy). He gets headaches and doesn't feel well because the allergy makes his brain swell.

Chronic headaches for 3 Years, male 29 yrs old.
Friday, October 11, 2002
Question:
My question is not for me, but for my son. He is 29 years old and has had a miserable headache for about 3 years now. He has a headache continuously with very little relief. He is being treated for migraines without much success. Is there anything else he can do or try to get rid of his headaches? He is depressed and feeling miserable.
Dr. Roby Answers:
Have him read the headache sections on my website; there is always a cause for headaches. He simply has to begin to try to determine the causes. Foods are always part of the deal. Have read the section on "Food Allergy" and follow a low carbohydrate diet like Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution while also avaoiding the eight most common food allergens listed in my section. They are:
1. Sugar- first and foremost cause of headaches and allergies
2. Citrus
3. Dairy
4. Tomatos
5. Grains
6. Chocolate
7. Eggs
8. Brown Cola drinks and real coffee
Try this for five day periods. Also read the section on "Hormone Imbalance". Many questions relating to headaches, allergy and other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. While it was written for women, it has many applications to men, in particular, the soft-tissue swelling that leads to the headaches...mainly a result of our changing hormones as we age.

17 year old daughter had headache for 3 months. GONE thanks to your website!
Sunday, October 06, 2002
Question:
My 17 year old daughter had a headache for 3 months. I took her to two neurologists and even the ER one night because the pain was so bad. She was on three different migraine medications, none of which had any effect. She was on an anti-depressant which was supposed to block the headaches, but never did. All it did was take her appetite away. They gave her a narcotic in the ER but by 2 PM the next day, the headache was back. She was a bright athletic teenager who was in pain every day.
I found your website while seaching for headaches caused by allergies, which was my next avenue to explore. As soon as I saw your group "Grains", I knew that was it. Since she had no appetite, she was eating very little. She was eating a small bagel at breakfast and usually pasta salad at lunch. She often ate microwave popcorn. When I thought about her diet, it was full of grains! She cut them out completely and has been headache free for seven days. Right now she is very willing to never eat them again, but I am guessing that won't last forever.
I really think it is the pasta and the corn. Is there a particular grain that is usually the culprit? At any rate, thank you so much for your website. My daughter has her life back!
Dr. Roby Answers:
You probably are not out of the woods yet. There is usually more than one food group involved. See the entire list of foods to avoid on the site and have her do that school days and nights (Sunday through Thursday) for a couple of weeks. By re-introducing the avoided foods on Friday night and Saturday, it will quickly become clear what other foods might be involved.
Also consider ordinary allergies to pollens and molds. Of basic importance is "Hormone Imbalance". Read that section on the website. Many of your questions relating to headache and other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. Please read that section again. Let me know how much of that material applies to your daughter. I can then address your specific questions and make suggestions much more efficiently.

Asthma, allergies, headaches, earaches - 27 year old old female
Tuesday, October 08, 2002
Question:
I am a 27 year old old female who was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 11. Although my asthma has seemed to improve over the years, I still do not feel like it is under control. Over the past few years, I have also noticed that I am having more allergy symptoms than asthma symptoms (it used to be opposite). I now suffer from fatigue, headaches, itchy watery eyes, sometimes sneezing, and some earaches. The headaches are a constant in the fall, but if I remember my Allegra they are dulled - but they don't go away.
I am currently on Allegra, Flovent, Serevent, and albuterol for emergencies. Although I spend all of this money on these medications, I still am miserable. Lately, my chest is very tight in the morning/evening, but during the day I am mostly symptom free of asthma. Sometimes I wake myself up coughing in the night. But I rarely have serious asthma attacks anymore.
One of my biggest complaints is my reaction to cats (and dogs). If I am at anyone's house that has a cat or dog for more than an hour, I begin sneezing, get hives, and start having asthma problems. This is a major concern since I can't avoid all of my friends. Also, my serious boyfriend's parents have 5 cats and a dog. Since they live out of state, we stay with them when we visit. I am completely miserable on these visits and often over-use my albuterol to get through.
I need help getting under control, and I don't feel like my general physician knows enough to help.
Dr. Roby Answers:
If we get rid of the rest of your allergies, the cat and dog part will become much less of a problem.
As far as the asthma goes you look at my section on asthma to make sure you are using your meds correctly. My most recent research had to do with severe asthmatics and hormone allergy. We did spirometric exams of pts before and after treatment with drops of dilute progesterone and got over 80% relief of symptoms in seconds (see "abstracts" on my website).
The most interesting part of the study was that 80% of the women did not really have asthma. They had all the symptoms, SOB, chest tightness...but, the spirometry showed it wasn't really asthma. That is why so many women do not get complete relief from the inhalers and meds. They don't really have asthma...they have hormone allergy.
See my section on hormone imbalance for an overview of the tests I use and the methods to treat it.

Daughter diagnosed with CFS at age 13, suffers from headaches, neck pain, fatigue, insomnia, and body aches.
Tuesday, October 08, 2002
Question:
My daughter was diagnosed with CFS at age 13.She developed symtoms at age 9. She is now 17. She suffers from headaches, neck pain, fatigue, insomnia and just overall body aches. She has been to pain clinics headache clinics, a mile long line of doctors and even an acupuncturist. Her hormones are postmenopausal with an FSH of 98.8 and an LH of 58.7. I have believed for a long time that this is all related but I haven't found any one who knows how to help her. Can you please shed some light on this childs dilema?
Dr, Roby Answers:
This is certainly connected to hormones. She began changing hormones about 9 when the symptoms began. Now, all her symptoms will be worse the week before her period begins. Check out that section on my site and see what you think. Also be sure to try the "food allergy" avoidance list as carbs always play a role in this.
Many of your questions relating to allergy and other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. Please read that section again. Let me know how much of that material applies to you. I can then address your specific questions much more efficiently.

Chronic allergies, headaches, fatigue.
Tuesday, October 08, 2002
Question:
Help! I live in Memphis, TN...also a well-known allergy capital in the US. I am 38 years old, started my periods at age 12, gave birth to my two children when I was 20, then again at 22.
I have experienced headaches, scratchy eyes, runny nose, sore throat, absolutely no energy, irritable bowel, mitral valve prolapse and had exploratory surgery last November for endometriosis (which a D&C seemed to clear up those pelvic cramping symptoms). I have been prescribed all types of medicines for these conditions over the years, am on a daily allergy serum, nose spray, Allegra. No one, even my gynocologist has ever tested my hormones to see if I have an imbalance in this area. I have been told that maybe I'm depressed ( I have a wonderful husband, wonderful teenagers and a great job that I LOVE). No one has been able to help me. What type doctor can I see that can successfully take a look at the BIG PICTURE and try to connect the dots? Seeing a separage allergist, gynocologist, cardio doctor is not working for me! Help!
Dr. Roby Answers:
Many of your questions relating to allergy and other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. Please read that section again. Let me know how much of that material applies to you. I can then address your specific questions much more efficiently.
Patient Responds:
I have read this section again on Hormone Imbalance. These are the areas that have affected me over the last couple of years...
Headaches, stomach pain, pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis, oily skin from the neck up, very dry skin below the neck, spot breakouts (not severe) of almost cyst-like acne on my chin, airborne allergies, extreme fatigue, water retention, visual disturbances (blurry vision), a case of vertigo approximately every 6 months (in some cases I have not been able to drive for a couple of weeks; I have been thoroughly tested for Meniere's), numbness in the fingers on my right hand.
The hair growth that you mention - I have had thinning hair from my usually thick mane, hairy legs, a line of hair that grows from the pubic bone to the naval, and a few stray hairs around my breast. The pubic hair is quite thick.
I am 38 years old, weighing 120 lbs. Also, my gynecologist put me on continuous birth control pills - Loestin - taking the pill packs 3 months straight then taking the 1 week of blank pills. This has cured the cramping symptoms I was experiencing prior to the endoscopy and d & c I had last November. My last checkup revealed I am a bit anemic, to which he put me on an iron supplement 3 times a week.
Dr. Roby Answers:
That certainly puts you squarely in my profile of hormone imbalance, I outline the tests needed to deal with this in the section on hormone imbalance. In addition to estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, thyroid and DHEA, I would get Progesterone Antibodies (IgG and IgM) from Immunosiciences Labs in LA. Most commercial labs use them and I'm sure your's knows about this. If your doctor won't order these let me know and I will fax a lab requisition to you.
Once you have that information you can begin to nudge things back into balance. Some of your hormones may be "within the normal raqnge", but that range is enormous. The protocol I use to treat the reaction to progesterone is available to licensed physicians, at no charge, on my website.

Presistent Headache 15 days
Sunday, September 15, 2002
Question:
thank you for the great website, and if I had the money, I would fly to Austin tomorrow. But I digress. My health problems are many, but like you said, there is nothing worse than a headache. Mine is very weird. I usually never get headaches. But about 15 days ago I got one, that is still happening as I write. I have to take Motrin sinus to make it go away, and after about 10 hours the pill loses effect, and the headache comes back. It's a terrible pain. It starts in the back of my head, in two specific points, and it hurts on my forehead too. If feels life I have an arrow stuck in my head from back to front. Most of the time it burns, like my head is on fire. This is very peculiar, because the same exact thing happened two years ago, right about this time of the year too. It lasted a full month. I don't know if by coincidence, it went away after 3 days of massages to the neck. Maybe a tension headache? But I doubt it, I am always tense...
Dr. Roby Answers:
Read ( or re-read ) my section on "Hormone Imbalance". It seems you are the "poster child" for this constellation of symptoms. The anxiety and all the rest of your symptoms) stem from low cortisol resulting in your use of adrenalin. I would suggest you think about that plane trip to Austin.
Many of your questions relating to allergy and other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. Please read that section again. Let me know how much of that material applies to you. I can then address your specific questions much more efficiently.

16 yr. girl - Severe headaches (behind eyes, base of skull).
Wednesday, September 04, 2002
Question:
Dear Dr. Roby: My daughter, Lisa, is almost 16 years old. Growing up (starting at age 7), she frequently had headaches and was diagnosed with migraines for which she took OTC drugs. The headaches never lasted more than one day and seemed to diminish as she got older. Then, one year ago in August, she started having daily headaches (in fact now, they don't go away). She has had a CT scan (normal). She has also been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. In addition to the headaches, Lisa cannot read as it increases pain and pressure in her head. Her Doctors and psychotherapist say her headaches are not caused physically, but are due to her having a somatic disorder. I would almost agree, except that this last summer Lisa and the rest of our family went to visit my Mother-in-law in New York (we live in CA). Lisa did not have headaches in NY. However, they returned as we were heading home (in Phoenix airport). I sent her back to NY for five weeks (summer vacation) to see if that was just a fluke or if she would again find relief. For her entire time in NY, Lisa did not have one headache. Upon return to CA (again in Phoenix) she started getting the headache back and has had it ever since (some times worse than other times). I asked her Doctor to do a blood test (hormones, thyroid, allergy). Everything except allergy came back in the normal range. I'm not sure how they tested the blood for allergy, but her Doctor told me that a high score for what they test for would be around 200, and Lisa had a count of 489. She went for a skin scratch test yesterday and we will not have the results for 3 weeks (she did have alot of raised spots that were measured by a Nurse). She has no symptoms of itchy eyes or runny nose - but could her headaches be allergy related? In the last year she has not been able to attend school due to the pain and the inability to read. I have tried Bowen Therapy, Chiropractic Treatments, and N.A.E.T. in addition to traditional medicine. Only once did an N.A.E.T. treatment work for several hours, but we were never able to replicate the success. I am leaving no stone unturned in my quest to find help for my daughter. Any help or guidance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Dr. Roby Answers:
See my section on "hormone allergy". that is always part of the picture, particularly in young ladies going through hormone changes. Bring her to Austin for one day. We accept most insurance plans. Many of your questions relating to allergy and other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. Please read that section carefully and let me know how much of that material applies to your daughter. I can then address your specific questions much more efficiently.

Patient Responds:
We have an appointment with the allergist to get information on what Lisa's scratch test shows. I will get back to you afterwards because as I read in your website, you see people who have exhausted the other avenues. As far as Lisa relates to the hormone allergy profile, during the 6th grade (one year before starting her menses at age 13.5), Lisa began gaining more weight than usual. Before then she could eat whatever and stay slim. Now she is 5'5'' and approx. 180 lbs. She has very large breasts (C-D cup) and her weight is mainly on her butt, thighs, upper arms. She has beautiful thick hair on her head, but suffers from very flakey scalp. She suffers from fatigue and severe headaches (except when in NY - as stated in my previous email). She has a 28 day menses cycle that once in a while is slower or faster. Lisa also seems to have an exaggerated response to pain and to is very sensitive to what others may think. She is negative in her approach to life. I'm not sure how much is caused by depression and how much is pain related. Although her skin is usually clear, she does break out when nearing her cycle.

I will see how it goes here in CA, but if nothing changes, I will contact you about bringing her to Austin. Southwest flies from CA to Austin. In the meantime, I am grateful for the time you took. Please respond if you have any ideas, suggestions for what I could ask the allergist (or any other Doctor) about. I know you can't tell very much without seeing Lisa, but if you think I should try or ask something, please let me know.

Dr. Roby Replies:
I suggest you try a low carbohydrate diet. Something fairly well balanced like "Sugarbusters" diet plan. She has the sensitivity because these females are low in cortisol and therefore high in adrenalin. Little things quickly become "big" things.

Walking is the best exercise. I don't care how "normal" her thyroid test is. The range of nromal is huge. She will have increasing trouble with her weight if her doctors don't address that. I would ask them... "which is more dangerous, more thyroid...or more weight?"

It seems to me that her hormones are in such an imbalance that her body thinks it is 50 or 60 years old. I list the lab tests I use. Perhaps you could get your pedi or PCP to order estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, thyroid panel and progesterone antibodies (IgG, and IgM, both from Immunogenics lab in L.A.).

Patient Responds:
Thanks again for your quick response. Yes, I think a change in diet is needed as well - I have not heard of Sugarbusters, but will find it and try it. You are so right when you mentioned her body thinks she is 60-70 years old. She has mentioned to me that she feels like an old person and is constantly complaining about aches and pains. I thought it was just part of her sensitivity to pain due to the headaches. I will get her walking as well.

Thank you so very much. I will see what I can do here and if our doctors are not open to your suggestions, then I will plan to visit to your offices. You are a wonderful person to take the time like this for someone you don't even know. You have restored my dwindling faith in medical doctors. I guess there really are some who care about people.

Dr. Roby Replies:
THE DIET AND WALKING WILL RESULT IN 50% REDUCTION in symptoms in about 50% of patients. The younger the patient the greater the impact of restricting carbohydrates, particularly simple sugars. These kids are using adrenalin for all their allergy, energy and stress needs. As a result, they get seriously addicted to the fuel needed to run on adrenalin...carbohydrates.

Good luck and let me know if you have further questions.