I have been diagnosed with PTC over a year ago. Since then, I have had 4 spinal taps of which the first 3 helped. The last one did not and I ended up in the hospital for a week. I was on pain meds for the headache which seemed to never go away and *still* doesn't. Before I was discharged, the doctor told me to stop taking the Diamox I had been on since it appeared to "not be helping you" and because it lowers my blood pressure signifigantly to the point that they get concerned I will pass out. Previously I was also on Topomax which they have since taken my off of as well because I just can't afford it and was told I didn't really need it anyway. So now, I am on fioricet (generic) and Maxalt MLT (which is for migraines and doesn't usually help). The last visit to my doctor about 2 weeks ago found me taking a weeks worth of steroids to "try to break the cycle of headaches you are having". My doctor told me he felt I was having 3 headaches in one....1 from the PTC, 1 being a recurring migraine, and 1 being a "rebound" headache. Now I have had these darn headaches since I was young and have searched in vain for years attempting to find a cause and always being misdiagnosed as having a "migraine". Finally the doctors are starting to listen to me since none of the migraine meds work for me at all, because my last opening pressure on the lumbar puncture was 38 (and on previous ones, was high as well), and because they have found swelling of my left optic nerve. I have nausea and/or vomiting almost daily and also have PCOS which I have read will sometimes be a factor of PTC. So, my question is this...... Does anyone know of anything I might be able to do to help eliminate and/or get some relief from these headaches? It seems as though I have one constantly and have to take pain meds. They are debilitating to the point that I am no longer able to work and my doctor has me on leave "until further notice". I also experience trouble with night vision so much so that I won't drive at night for fear of having an accident. Yes, I am obese and I have attempted to loose weight but it sure isn't easy even when one is not able to digest what they eat most of the time. And because I feel so badly/poorly the majority of the time, it is difficult to exercise. Just two more factors....I am also diabetic and take metformin 2 times daily for this as well as suffering from depression which I take Cymbalta for. Advice anyone?