Daily headaches- should I be worried?

[Halloumifriesforbreakfast]

Hi,

I've always been a bit of a headachy person, but actually they seemed to get better after I really cut back on pain killers, especially ibuprofen.

Also, I was anaemic for a long time without realising and as soon as I started taking iron, the headaches seemed much less frequent.

The last 3 or 4 weeks though, they're literally every day. Not really bad. Quite low level and I don't always need to take anything, but it's always there or about to be.

It's usually in the back of head, almost top of my shoulders and will then move up and make me feel quite sick. If I put pressure on it, it usually helps.

I'm also feeling very emotional and stressed. I feel like I need to cry every day, more than once. It's like I can feel my head filling up and the only way to release the pressure is by having a good cry.

It's turned into a bit of a routine now when I go to bed

I'm also getting little aches and pains throughout my body, like I did when I was anaemic, but I'm still taking my iron and had a blood test not that long ago.

I feel like something is really wrong. I'm lying here now with a headache which I've had for hours, so might have to give in and take painkillers.

I can't seem to drink any alcohol recently, as that seems to be an instant trigger. I'm talking one glass.

It's a friends birthday today and then we've got family coming to stay, so I've got so much to do and get sorted, but I know I'll feel horrible most of the day again.

Obviously I will see my GP, but I'm honestly very scared. Was hoping someone could maybe put my mind at rest a bit.

TIA

[Flurgle]

Could it be your neck?
I was having this and told my chiropractor- my neck tension was giving me headaches.
Just wondered as you say you are stressed.
Obviously you should probably see a GP just in case, but it’s a thought.

[aNonnyMouse1511]

I suffer with headaches and have for years. I got sinusitis over Christmas and had a sinus headache which evolved into a tension headache where I was stiff from the pain and then a TMD headache and nerve pain from my neck, all from tension!

What you’re describing sounds like you’re suffering emotionally and have a tension headache which can last for ages.

I’d see your GP for bloods to rule out anything else going on like deficiencies etc but it doesn’t sound like anything worrying to me.

[Halloumifriesforbreakfast]

Thanks @Flurgle. I'm hoping it's something that simple.

I am definitely very stressed, but tbh, I usually am. There is a lot going on though.

[Flurgle]

Oh- check your sleeping position and pillow. Just a thought.

[Prokupatuscrakedatus]

I second the pillow and sleeping position check.
I am suffering from migraine (since I was about 12) but a couple of years ago I developed dayly low level headaches of a differente type.

I changed to a memo foam side sleeper pillow and got a proper mattress for my hight and weight (luckily in the sales) and these headaches stopped.

Getting you stress levels down is a good idea, too, it always is.

[Footle]

I always thought I needed two pillows to be comfortable. Turns out chucking one of them out has helped my migraines a lot.

[DangerMouse17]

I suffer with migraines. Have low iron and have had a tough few weeks of daily pain with vomiting, so sympathise.

I dont think your headache is anything sinister. You have got yourself in this cycle of pain and sound emotional (understandable if you've been in pain a while and not sleeping etc).

I would try a different painkiller.. often you get used to one and it creates a rebound or daily headache...get a different one and take that (syndol from the chemist is good, make sure it's the original formula with the muscle relaxant)
Drink lots of fluids
Some gentle stretching and movement. Yoga? Get out for some fresh air
Check your bedding/pillows as others have said
Eat right, stick with simple foods where possible...avoid the obvious headache triggers like choc, milk, citrus, alcohol etc for a while
Less screen/phone if you use yours a lot

[Halloumifriesforbreakfast]

Thanks for all your replies.

I actually do have an orthopaedic pillow (memory foam) and initially it did help with sleeping and recurrent pulled neck muscles, but this seems different.

I do find it eases when I go for a walk, so I get why people would say...well go for a walk then! But I suppose it's just because it's new that I'm worried.

I didn't sleep last night, as we have stupid arsehole neighbours, who think it's perfectly acceptable to shout to each other from about midnight onwards. Obviously that won't help today, as lack of or no sleep is a definite trigger.

[Ellapaella]

Sounds like the headaches I used to get. Mine were nearly always cyclical and would last for days and days depending on where I was in my cycle. The pain in the shoulders radiating up to the neck sounds just like mine.
Have you tried paracetamol and ibuprofen together? Sometimes I found that would be enough to shake it off for good.
It's so awful when they seem to go on and on but I would try and get as much fresh air and exercise as possible so you can sleep a bit better at night which will hopefully help break the cycle.
Avoid all alcohol and cut down on caffeine (don't cut out altogether just yet though as caffeine withdrawal can make headaches even worse).
I would see your GP if they go on for too much longer. There has been a nasty virus going round though which has been causing ongoing headaches.
I hope you feel better soon.