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Original poster

111 for a headache?

59 replies

BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 12:44

This is day 7 or 8. It’s constant and in one spot. (Above my eye). It doesn’t respond to painkillers of any type at all. Every morning I wake up with a tightness across my forehead before it settles above my right eye and builds in severity throughout the day. It’s a pressure type pain. I’ve tried to get a GP appointment and been fobbed off/ told there are no appointments and I’ll need to try the next day. Now it’s Easter and obviously nothing is open. Would you wait until Tuesday and try GP again? Just wondering if this is a 111 issue or not? I’ve never used the service before and feels like it needs to be urgent before you call.

OP posts:
Original poster
BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 13:20

Just to add I don’t have blurry vision now at all. That was literally over a week ago and lasted a few minutes at most. In fact by the time I was starting to panic about it my vision had gone back to normal.

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Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 19/04/2025 13:19

T bh I think they will advise you go to A&E anyway if you call 111.

olderbutwiser · 19/04/2025 13:17

111 will just send you to A&E/walk in but might be able to book OOH GP or indicate a time slot. Given the sudden onset, blurry vision, length of time it’s persisted, pharmacy visit, multiple medications tried to no avail I think you’ve done due diligence and need a proper review.

Original poster
BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 13:16

Gloriia · 19/04/2025 13:12

How did your gp fob you off? Surely sudden onset, debilitating headaches necessitates being seen?

It's probably viral or hormonal but no one here can say obviously so yes ring 111 and next time don't let gp receptionists fob you off.

GP you have to call at 8am to get an appointment. I call at exactly 8am and am always somehow at least 20-30 in the queue. By the time I get through to anyone I’m told there are no same day appointments left for today and to try again tomorrow. Told for urgent matters to go to A&E. But it’s obviously not urgent enough for that so we just cycle through the same thing every day.

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FlyingUnicornWings · 19/04/2025 13:13

You can do nhs 111 triage online, at the end it will give you directions ie go to walk in, and wait for callback, or in my area they can book ooo gp appt for you. (won’t let me link so just google it)

Definitely reasonable to do this. Hope you feel better soon!

endofthelinefinally · 19/04/2025 13:12

Definitely talk this through with111. A high street optician would have all the correct equipment to check the back of your eyes, which is the first thing they would do in hospital (IF they have the correct facilities - not all do). I do think this is important especially if you have recently had covid. Unfortunately they are probably all closed this W/E.

Gloriia · 19/04/2025 13:12

How did your gp fob you off? Surely sudden onset, debilitating headaches necessitates being seen?

It's probably viral or hormonal but no one here can say obviously so yes ring 111 and next time don't let gp receptionists fob you off.

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 19/04/2025 13:08

BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 13:06

Why would that update change anything? Doesn’t it just make a migraine the more likely cause? Sorry, I’m just feeling a bit anxious now. Was expecting to be told to get over myself and wait for the GP to open again.

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Not to alarm you, however with an ongoing headache, visual disturbances you would want to rule out a TIA- not saying that is what’s happening at all but I am saying your symptoms warrant a doctor to review and you’re not being unreasonable to call 111

cestlavielife · 19/04/2025 13:08

Can you get an optician appt today like specsavers? They can check pressure in eye

Original poster
BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 13:06

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 19/04/2025 13:03

With the update I would definitely ring 111 and inform them of what’s been happening for them to rule out all causes

Show quote history

Why would that update change anything? Doesn’t it just make a migraine the more likely cause? Sorry, I’m just feeling a bit anxious now. Was expecting to be told to get over myself and wait for the GP to open again.

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ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 19/04/2025 13:06

Phone 111. Migraines can last over a week. But this is a new thing for you and could be a symptom of something, you should get it checked out. Pre-pregnancy my record for a headache was six weeks of proper sharp pain constantly. During my second pregnancy I had one that lasted literally most of the pregnancy. I had my brain MRId at 19 weeks because they were actually pretty worried. I am something of a connoisseur when it comes to headaches. This sounds like one you should get checked out.

spiderlight · 19/04/2025 13:06

BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 12:55

Can a migraine last over a week? I’ve never had one before and if that’s what this is they are absolutely vicious

They can - I had one last month that lasted nearly three weeks. This does sound very much like a migraine but hopefully 111 will be able to advise you. I hope it eases off soon.

dogcatkitten · 19/04/2025 13:04

111 may get a doctor to ring you back, a headache that lasts that long, is intense and doesn't respond to pain killers is not trivial. Give them a ring, they are helpful and not judgemental.

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 19/04/2025 13:03

BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 13:01

Oh and actually the day this all started I had a weird few minutes were the very edges of my vision went all blurry in that eye. It came back very quickly like nothing had happened. Later on the headache started. Maybe that does point to a migraine after all.

With the update I would definitely ring 111 and inform them of what’s been happening for them to rule out all causes

BethDuttonYeHaw · 19/04/2025 13:02

Absolutely call 111

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 19/04/2025 13:01

BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 12:59

No, nothing like that. I’ve had problems with finding the right words for things since being ill with Covid but that predates the headache by a few weeks.

Show quote history

In that case, I would ring 111 as over the counter medicines are not working and would need to be assessed by a medic

Original poster
BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 13:01

Oh and actually the day this all started I had a weird few minutes were the very edges of my vision went all blurry in that eye. It came back very quickly like nothing had happened. Later on the headache started. Maybe that does point to a migraine after all.

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TestingTestingWonTooFree · 19/04/2025 13:00

Not at all unreasonable to ring 111.

Original poster
BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 12:59

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 19/04/2025 12:57

Very reasonable to ring 111 for this- just wondering do you have any other symptoms such as feeling dizzy/lightheaded any visual disturbances? Are you having any nausea or vomiting or any co-ordination problems?

No, nothing like that. I’ve had problems with finding the right words for things since being ill with Covid but that predates the headache by a few weeks.

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SeedyHotel · 19/04/2025 12:59

Do you have any other symptoms? Such as smaller pupil in that eye? Droopy eyelid?

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 19/04/2025 12:57

Very reasonable to ring 111 for this- just wondering do you have any other symptoms such as feeling dizzy/lightheaded any visual disturbances? Are you having any nausea or vomiting or any co-ordination problems?

DancefloorAcrobatics · 19/04/2025 12:57

BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 12:55

Can a migraine last over a week? I’ve never had one before and if that’s what this is they are absolutely vicious

Mine can last up to 10 days, especially if I don't get the 24/ 48 hours rest my body is demanding! (Which can be tricky with young DC & FT work.)

Phunkychicken · 19/04/2025 12:56

I get hormone related migraines like this sometimes. But could it also be sinus related? Am just getting over a sinus infection that didn't come with a cold so took a while to diagnose. Pharmacy First can prescribe for them

Original poster
BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 12:55

I should say I’ve been to pharmacist and taken all the medication they advised. It hasn’t made any difference

OP posts:
Original poster
BambooLanda · 19/04/2025 12:55

Can a migraine last over a week? I’ve never had one before and if that’s what this is they are absolutely vicious

OP posts: