I'm rubbish at deciding when to call the doctor

[IToldYouThisBefore]

I avoid doctors if I can for various reasons but I don't know whether I would be wasting their time with this (I have health anxiety which is worse since lockdown so I don't know if I'm being dramatic)

I have had a headache since yesterday that paracetamol and ibuprofen won't touch. I have always suffered with headaches so can usually ignore them, but this really hurts all over my head, behind my eyes and I can feel pressure in my face that comes and goes. I had an itchy ear last weekend that the pharmacist wouldn't give me anything for but it went away although my ears are sometimes a bit achy at the moment (dont know if related)

Would you call a doctor for this headache or not? I don't know what they can do but it hurts and although paracetamol usually works it has only just taken the edge off this one.

Have you tried something for sinusitis?

It sounds like it might be Sinusitis, maybe try Sudafed or something similar first?

Ah no I didn't think of that. Will see if we have anything in. Thank you

How bad is it? Can you still see? Still work? Still move around? Is it the worst headache you've ever had?
I don't think I would go to the doctor for a two day headache unless it was really bad and I have had a serious brain infection before. It is quite hard for random Internet people to advise, probably best for someone who knows you better to help.

How about you ring the doctors and get a telephone consultation? They seem to be doing these first at the moment. Hope you feel better.

Does sound like sinusitis.
Pharmacist and over the counter drugs would definitely help this.
No need for a Dr, just home remedies will do it.

I think I'm more wondering about the doctor because of my ear last week - the pharmacist wouldn't advise anything and told me to see a doctor but I didn't because it stopped itching (although now aching) so was more worried it might be an infection.

Anyway I have Sudafed in, it contains ibuprofen so I will have to wait a bit longer to take it, but will try that today and go to pharmacist later when DH is home. Thanks for the replies, sometimes I need someone to talk me down and I realise now I was overreacting.

How are you feeling this morning? Did you manage to see the pharmacist?

The pharmacist recommended cocodamol. It's taken the edge off again but still aches. The pressure has gone from my face now so will keep going with it today and hope for the best as obviously can't take it for longer then 3 days

Try a saline nasal spray and a hot water bottle over the painful area. This will help the sinuses to drain and reduce the pressure.

A beclomethasone steroid nasal spray will reduce the inflammation further.

Will give it a go, thanks. I don't have a blocked nose or anything though so is it still likely to be my sinuses?

I’m another who thinks sinuses, mine is linked to hayfever which seems to arrive with no warning at all, even on these miserable rainy days. It’s horrible but hopefully will go away soon 👍

Glad it's easing off slightly.
It does sound like your sinuses, even if you don't feel blocked up. This might sound silly but if you bend over or move your head does it get worse? I always find the pain is much worse if I move quickly or bend over for something.

Yes it does get worse if I am moving around or bend over! Maybe I'll stick with the Sudafed rather then the cocodamol then. Thank you all

Yes, you have sinuses higher up in the skull, so even if your nose is clear, they can still be full of mucous and swollen higher up. Sinusitis is very painful, you have my sympathy.

How you feeling now OP?
I often use mumsnet to look up illnesses so good to get an update

Sorry have only just seen this. Pretty sure it was my sinuses in the end as it went away with a few more sudafed. Thanks to everyone for your help