I have been having the same headache almost every day for about four months. It began at the end of 2008, but just after I was getting over a cold, so I blamed it on that. However, it's persisted through the months without relief, even when I'm otherwise healthy with no other symptoms of an illness.

The headache presents as a dull ache/strong pressure that extends from the base of my skull up over my ears and into my temples (and a bit of the forehead). Every so often I'll also get a sharp jabbing pain in my left temple, but this doesn't last nor does it occur every day. The headache most often occurs in the afternoon and will either last through dinnertime or the entire evening. I usually wake up headache free. My eyes feel quite tired as well, and sometimes I feel like it's a strain to keep them focused, but I haven't experienced any visual disturbances.

The headache sometimes feels worse if I stand quickly and after running last night, it also seemed to intensify and is a bit more painful and longer-lasting today than usual. When I press on my skull, it's tender but not unbearably so, and it brings some relief. I'm stuck in front of a computer all day in a chair that's not great and I know I have neck and back problems because of this. I feel a little bit weaker than usual, but it's not bad at all.

I'm a 25-year-old female with good blood pressure. I had an echo and was hooked up to a Holter Monitor about 2 months ago because I was experiencing heart palpitations. Everything came back normal---I just have PVCs and a benign murmur. Around the time of my headaches, I also had some pressure in my neck and noticed as I was lying down that the veins on the side of my neck were bulging, something I've never noticed before. I also have pretty bad allergies and am currently taking Claritin every day, as well as using Flonase and saline solution. I'm not sure if either of these things can be related to my headache.

There's a history of migraines in my family, but this doesn't sound at all like what my mother and grandmother experienced. I've never had this before and am curious as to what can be causing it. I'm going to the doctor on Monday.

Thanks for your help.