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Does anyone else get a headache every day?

53 replies

Surroundedbytime · 09/05/2021 20:22

I have had headaches for years and years. I seem to have one every day at the moment. I woke up this morning and my head was clear, had a cup of tea and half an hour later I had a headache and it’s been awful all day. It’s only just gone now after several painkillers.

I can’t work out a trigger although sometimes I feel if I haven’t eaten and drunk enough at the right time, I can feel the start of a headache. And if I even look at a glass of wine, I always get a banging headache.

I have been to the doctors years and years ago and used to have codeine on prescription but I don’t take them any more as they have side effects. Doctors have never been interested in pursuing if anything else is going on so I assume they are within the range of normal.

Does anyone have any tips on preventing headaches as I can’t go on living on painkillers?

OP posts:
TheBitterBoy · 09/05/2021 20:31

Have you heard of medication overuse headache? If you are taking daily paracetamol it could be worth considering <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/types-of-migraine/other-headache-disorders/medication-overuse-headache/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjKgd38qr3wAhX3VRUIHSzmBtwQFjAJegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw3i-c2r2GEQLxQQ1VWFPHag" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Link

Iceniii · 09/05/2021 20:31

What painkillers are you using?

How much screen time do you have? How is your mattress and pillows? Do you oversleep?

I get them several times a week. Sometime it comes from my neck, but I'm just a headache person.

TheBitterBoy · 09/05/2021 20:32

I know that link talks about migraine but it applies to just headaches too.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

cpjoli · 09/05/2021 20:34

I suffered from constant headaches and lived on ibuprofen for tgem. Doc told me to gradually wean off the ibuprofen as it was possibly causing them. Headaches stopped. Also had my eyes tested which showed I needed weaker glasses.
Now I take codeine for back pain which has started causing headaches again Sad

romany4 · 09/05/2021 20:37

Try magnesium.
I used to get loads of migraines.
I barely get any now

Surroundedbytime · 09/05/2021 20:56

I used to use ibuprofen but I was taking so many I knew I had to cut back. Occasionally I use paracetamol too.

I have tried to avoid taking too many painkillers but then like today, I didn’t take any this morning but the headache got so bad I could barely get anything done. Now I’m thinking it would have been better to take them straight away.

OP posts:
MikeWozniaksGloriousTache · 09/05/2021 20:58

Have you had your eyes checked recently? Not necessarily for a change in vision but it’s how a medical issue that caused headaches was picked up for me.

Andi2020 · 09/05/2021 21:01

How much water do you drink
I got headaches every day not drink 2 to 3l water a day and no headaches

Surroundedbytime · 09/05/2021 21:02

Yes I have had an eye test recently and I do wear glasses/lenses for short sightedness.

I don't oversleep.

That’s link is interesting re painkillers and exactly the cycle I am in.

OP posts:
Surroundedbytime · 09/05/2021 21:03

I will definitely try to drink more although I would find it hard to drink 2 litres a day.

OP posts:
rainbowfairydust · 09/05/2021 21:04

My partner had headaches for years, then he started getting sinus issues and his nose would stream and stream, he went on a prescribed nose allergy spray thing and his headaches stopped too, might be worth exploring

ThatOtherPoster · 09/05/2021 21:06

I never used to, but since my Moderna vaccine a couple of weeks ago, I’ve had a headache every days. 😔

aliloandabanana · 09/05/2021 21:15

Google chronic daily headache. My GP told me about it - I didn't fully meet all the "criteria", if you see what I mean, but I took the advice to stop taking painkillers at the slightest sign of a headache, on the assumption that it would get much worse, and it really didn't take long to stop getting the pain. I had to put up with some pain for a while but it never got too bad and now I only take medication if it feels like a migraine, usually hormone related.

I would always have two types of painkiller on me and frequently need to take them, but now I don't really think about it. I think you need to look after yourself as well - drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and eat at regular-ish times, but try stopping the medication.

TeenTitan007 · 09/05/2021 21:16

I am in your boat OP. I use paracetamol and ibuprofen depending on severity. I know some triggers but some days are just random. Yesterday was one such day and the whole day was 'wasted' tending to my headache despite painkillers. I hate my headaches!

FranklySonImTheGaffer · 09/05/2021 21:19

I used to get a lot of headaches and the dr told me to keep a diary. I found some very interesting triggers (certain foods, both not enough and too much sleep, particular drinks etc). Also basics like wine, out of date lense prescription, too much screen time and hay fever and the associated stuffiness.
It was very helpful so I'd suggest you try that.

Dr also told me some of the most common causes of headaches are dehydration, large blood sugar level changes, overuse of medication and lack of sleep.

If you have hay fever, remember to take an antihistamine every day. Honestly, it's made a massive difference to me (and I use a nasal spray if it's really bad).
Get a drinks bottle and drink small amounts regularly throughout the day. BTW the 8 glasses / 2ltrs a day isn't based on anything so just find the amount you need (for example my DH will easily drink 2-3ltrs while I aim for 1.5ltrs which is plenty for me).

What you eat can make a big difference, as can caffeine use (but if you drink lots of coffee / energy drinks and try to stop you'll end up with more headaches initially)

I personally find paracetamol more helpful than ibuprofen but my first stop when a headache starts is alway drinking at least half a pint of water, getting some fresh air, eating some fruit and putting something cool on my head.

If it is verging on becoming a migraine (which I also suffer from), high dose (900mg) soluble aspirin has worked wonders - but be warned if you haven't eaten it will massively upset your stomach.

MsMeNz · 09/05/2021 21:35

This really only works for tension headaches as far as I know often stress or anxiety caused but can be unknown causes anyway..
Botox was my answer tbh weeks it's settling in and teh few weeks towards the six month mark it wears off it's a tad worse but then like no headaches for 5 months. So worth it to me. But got to a proper Dr with lots of experience.

PriestessofPing · 09/05/2021 22:28

If you would find it hard to drink two litres of water how much do you actually drink each day that isn’t tea or coffee? I think this could well be a big part of your problem, people often underestimate how much dehydration can impact them - even mild dehydration.

Surroundedbytime · 09/05/2021 22:32

I drink half a litre of water a day and two cups of tea. I would drink more water on a hot day. I will make myself drink more and see if that helps.

OP posts:
Trumpetpants · 09/05/2021 22:39

Yes every day :( but I'm waiting for eye surgery so could just be connected to my vision. Couldn't get along with the hospital contact lenses and new glasses cost two to three hundred pounds so can't change them more than twice a year

Jannetra17 · 10/05/2021 11:27

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Ollinisca · 11/05/2021 02:28

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Mrbob · 11/05/2021 03:29

You need to drink more!
There are also low pressure headaches which are similar to post epidural ones- if it is worse standing up and fine lying down that could be a cause.

40sNonBlondes · 11/05/2021 05:24

mine are triggered by fluorescent lighting

BadGherkin · 11/05/2021 05:32

Where do you get the pain? Temples, top of head, back of head, area just above neck at the back? Where the headache originates and manifests can narrow down potential causes &/or treatments.

I’ve had headaches every single day of my life, so know a lot about them!

GinJeanie · 11/05/2021 05:47

I echo the magnesium suggestion. It's made an incredible difference to me as I was getting frequent headaches/migraines. I'm usually a bit sceptical about supplements (and assume you just wee it back out) but this has made a massive difference. Lots of us have a deficiency apparently. Hope you can get your head sorted Flowers