Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

AIBU?

to ask if anyone knows what's wrong with me? I feel like I'm dying.

130 replies

Alibubba · 15/05/2017 00:07

Apologies for the dramatic title but I'm really feeling awful and would appreciate any advice.

I began getting a headache on Saturday. It got steadily worse and was absolutely awful by Monday so I started taking paracetamol which I hardly ever resort to. It made no difference. It was excruciating to bend down, cough, climb or go downstairs. My brain feels swollen and throbbing and like I'm being smashed over the head with a hammer. It was so severe by Wednesday that the DC were late for school because I was struggling so much to even move around. I got an emergency GP appointment and was referred to hospital, particularly as I'm pregnant.

My blood pressure was fine and I had an MRI scan which came back clear. They checked my eyes but there was nothing wrong there so I came home. Since then, the pain is absolutely terrible as soon as I wake. I take paracetamol immediately but still can barely move around for an hour because it's so painful. It remains excruciating until after lunch time then calms down a bit and I can function again.

Today I've also started getting cramp in one of my calf muscles but I don't feel sick or dizzy or anything so I really don't know what it could be. I'm reluctant to go back to the doctors/hospital as they seem clueless too and it's more comfortable being in pain at home with DH not having to take time off work.

There was talk of a lumbar puncture if it continues but I don't see what that will establish. I feel okay right now but I'm dreading the morning because I know I will be in tears and in agony. Has anyone had anything similar or have any idea what could be wrong? I'm not usually bothered by pain (I managed childbirth drug free several times!) but this is appallingly bad.

OP posts:

Report

FellOutOfBed2wice · 15/05/2017 00:14

Sounds like my migraines which got worse in pregnancy but it's tricky because they can't give you much. Did your GP suggest that?

diodati · 15/05/2017 00:15

I think you should get back to the hospital immediately. I don't want to frighten you but being in this much pain indicates that something is wrong.

Alibubba · 15/05/2017 00:16

I've never had headaches or migraines before though, and I'm not offended by lights or noise which I thought was typical of migraines?

OP posts:

Alibubba · 15/05/2017 00:17

Google says brain aneurysm diodati but the MRI was clear.

OP posts:

gleam · 15/05/2017 00:20

Dehydration?

What difference is there in your life from morning till after lunch, when it calms down a bit?

SiouxieQ · 15/05/2017 00:21

It could be a virus, I had it as a child and couldnt lift my head from my pillow for almost a week, it was so painful, thumped like a jackhammer every time I moved.
There's also something called cluster headaches which I've heard can be very debilitating. As you're pregnant I wouldn't take any chances though, give 111 a call and explain as you have here.

lizzieoak · 15/05/2017 00:21

I'm sorry you're feeling so terrible.

If it is migraine, then magnesium helps. Not magnesium w calcium though! I take magnesium glycinate and a B complex and coenzymeQ10 daily (all as advised by my neurologist).

If you have someone who could at least get you magnesium this can help. If it's not migraine, magnesium will cause no harm. Muscle cramps can come from magnesium deficiency, as can migraines. My life is vastly improved from not being horribly ill much of the time. I still get migraines, but the pain is turned way down so I can either ignore it or take a triptan.

brasty · 15/05/2017 00:22

It could be a cluster headache.

Alibubba · 15/05/2017 00:22

I presume just the paracetamol kicking in gleam. The doctor said something was up in my bloods so could be a virus or infection somewhere but they didn't know what or where.

OP posts:

Alibubba · 15/05/2017 00:25

I don't have any pain around my eyes or anything for it to be a cluster headache. It's the back, top and sides.

OP posts:

Notmyrealname85 · 15/05/2017 00:25

Go to the hospital please! Don't risk more time of feeling like this by trying remedies at home

diodati · 15/05/2017 00:27

It sounds like an infection. I'm not qualified to diagnose but possibly meningitis?

Alibubba · 15/05/2017 00:28

I will call 111 if it's as bad in the morning but no doubt they'll just advise hospital, who don't know what is wrong.

OP posts:

Bunnyfuller · 15/05/2017 00:28

How far along are you, op?

Note3 · 15/05/2017 00:28

Could be viral, migraine or something more sinister. By that I mean have you been checked for pre-eclampsia? Also for HELLP as you're pregnant?

Bunnyfuller · 15/05/2017 00:30

Thinking same, Note my first symptom was crashing headaches.

Alibubba · 15/05/2017 00:30

The lumbar puncture would be to rule out meningitis but the only symptom I gave of it is the headache. My blood pressure is fine, so it isn't pre eclampsia. I'm 22 weeks.

OP posts:

MakeItStopNeville · 15/05/2017 00:31

You need to go see a Doctor. Nobody on MN is going to be able to tell you what's wrong, particularly if you're in the U.K and it's after midnight. You're responsible for your own health, so if you're worried, go see someone who can help. Good luck!

Bunnyfuller · 15/05/2017 00:32

My bps were never the v high ones, but my body was naturally very low so they were high for me iykwim. 22w is very early for pre eclampsia tho.

Alibubba · 15/05/2017 00:32

I hadn't heard of HELLP. Just Googled it but I only have the headache, no nausea or dizziness or bleeding. Normal blood pressure and urine.

OP posts:

Alibubba · 15/05/2017 00:34

I have DC in bed and I'm alone Neville so I can't go anywhere. I'm not in pain very much now but know I will be in the morning.

OP posts:

Bunnyfuller · 15/05/2017 00:35

No protein in wee is good. My blood pressures were labile so basically all over the place. Guess it could be migraine from the extra blood volume? Definitely keep badgering the GP.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Jedimum1 · 15/05/2017 00:36

I'd go to A&E and get tested. I suffer from migraines and only triptans help (and if!), but they start always behind one eye, I can feel like a congestion coming to my nose, blurry vision, one-sided weakness and then sickness. Not too fused about lights or noise beyond what I would be with flu or fever. If painkillers are not helping, and considering you are pregnant, just go to the hospital and get yourself fully checked

Alibubba · 15/05/2017 00:37

Can it be migraine without nausea and dizziness and without being sensitive to light or noise?

OP posts:

diodati · 15/05/2017 00:37

Impossible for anyone to diagnose you on here or for you to diagnose yourself. Please go back to the hospital asap.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.