Would you go to the GP with these headaches?

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

I seem to have begun suffering with the worst headaches. They last over a week and regular painkillers don't even take the edge off.

The pain is always on the left side, above and behind my eye. Optician says eye is fine. The pain is so bad I can't even bend down because it feels like my head will explode.

It's always in the same place and always lasts for quite a long time. I'm so down because of it, I don't want to do anything with anyone it hurts so badly I just want to stay home and feel sorry for myself.

It's not a stabbing pain its more a really severe throb.

Would the GP laugh me out of the door for making an appointment because of a headache?

[RobotBananas]

I'd definitely go.

You've ruled out eyes being a problem, could there be anything else causing the headaches (crappy monitor at work/stress/etc)

It needs investigating.

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

im sahm so no work issues normal day to day stresses but nothing out of the ordinary. sleep is fine.

I've taken two nurofen and three paracetamol today and its no better at all

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

what investigating would they do? I've made an appt for weds but headache will probably be gone by then.

[RobotBananas]

I don't know, but I think its worth seeing a gp about this.

If nothing else they might be able to give you some decent pain medication.

[Montybojangles]

Go see your gp. There are prescription meds other than painkillers that can stop you getting migraines, cluster headaches etc.

You need to find out what it is and whats causing it so that you can get the right treatment.

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

I did wonder if it was cluster headaches.

they're truly awful.

[PiHigh]

I went to the gp about headaches. He did a test with his finger moving it to see when I could no longer see it iykwim. He also asked a load of questions. He ended up speaking to a neurologist because he was a bit concerned that I was waking up with them (as in when I got up I'd have a headache, not that they were waking me in the night) but neuro didn't seemed concerned and they put them down to stress.

[RantyMcRantpants]

DH had constant headaches that got worse and worse and it turns out he had high blood pressure.

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

my bp has always been a little low.

trying not to convince myself it's a brain tumour!

i can go to bed fine one night and the next morning bam! and then it won't go away. the shortest has been three days... im currently on day 5 of one now.

this isn't just a normal headache i can tell. the fact it is exactly the same in the same place every single time is the thing that concerns me.

[ChestyNut]

Sinuses?

Yes go get checked out.

Let us know what they say

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

i will let you all know.

isn't sinus pain usually below the eye? sort of across the cheekbones?

[lougle]

Sounds like migraine.

My longest stint was 15 days in a row. By that point I'd taken every painkiller in my drugs cabinet and was beside myself. When I went to A&E they said that my stomach had shut down because of the migraine and wasn't absorbing the painkillers. They gave me an injection of sumatriptan and within 20 minutes the pain was going. I now have the injections at home, but I hate taking them.

I often wake up with migraine and go to bed with one.

My migraines are exactly as you describe, except they're over my right eye. Like a rod going through my eyebrow. I do have other symptoms, depending on what vessels are involved, but it always starts with that.

If the GP is concerned, they will refer you for a CT scan to rule out a tumour. They may treat you themselves, or refer to neurologist to get a treatment plan.

[Mummydoctor]

I would see your GP definitely. The diagnosis will be in what you can tell them about the headaches and that with a thorough examination should rule out anything sinister. These sound like possible cluster headaches or migraines and other drugs aside from usual painkillers can be very effective.

[ChestyNut]

coconuts you have sinuses below your eyes, inbetween your eyes and above your eyebrows.

[ChestyNut]

Ps the exploding head/ pressure on bending over is typical of sinus pain.

[ghosteditor]

Poor you

Yes, get checked out. I have had exactly the same headaches, lasting 3-14 days. They have mostly stopped now (hope this helps to know).

I have variously been diagnosed with:
Cluster headaches
Migraines
Heat-related headache
Sport-related headache
Bruxism
Muscular-induced headache

I was prescribed amitriptyline which helped a bit but left me vague and sleepy until mid morning, and dead to the world at night. I eventually stopped taking them and somewhat later the headaches went away.

Ask someone to (gently) press your scalp behind your ears, over your neck, sinuses, jaw. If there anywhere that is tight and tender? I have a spot over my ear on the affected side which, if pressed, causes the whole sickening headache feeling. Physio and Pilates and yoga have helped me a lot.

Good luck OP. do be aware that a GP is very unlikely to investigate a course of treatment which doesn't involve medication.

[DeathByTray]

Sorry to hear you are suffering OP. Definitely worth seeing a GP.

My dad used to suffer from excruciating cluster headaches during the summer months. The pain was very much like you described.

[ghosteditor]

Oh, and when I had pregnancy induced hypertension and my medication was being adjusted, I had very similar symptoms from soaring and plummeting blood pressure.

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

the pain is unbearable today. im sat in tears trying and failing to get an appt today

[ghosteditor]

Could you try going to minor injuries? Tell your GP it's an emergency.

Poor you

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

managed to get an apt at 3.45.

im not leaving without drugs.

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

Dr said sounds like severe migraines. Been prescribed amytriptiline. An antidepressant? And it'll properly knock me out at night...

[ghosteditor]

That's what I had, a low dose of amitriptyline - you can have the dose adjusted so do go back to the GP. Hope it works for you.

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

did it work for you?

i have to make an appt in 4 weeks for a review.

thanks all

[ghosteditor]

It helped a bit and stopped them lasting more than a few days!