In hospital abroad and so so scared

[sorehead123]

Earlier today I looked upwards while on a zip wire and immediately got a blinding pain in the back top of my head. This happened earlier this week but went away quite quickly and I thought it was stress as my ASD child was mid melt down.

My head felt like it was going to explode for maybe 20 minutes. It felt like I had been whacked round the back of the head.

Has now eased off but 3 hours later the pain in the back of my head is still there. Has turned into a more general bad headache feeling.

I'm abroad and called 111 in UK for advice. They advised I come to hospital and said possible brain haemorrhage which has frightened the life out of me.

My husband has taken the children for food and I am waiting alone. Im so frighted.

You poor thing, I imagine if it was as serious as a brain haemorrhage then you wouldn’t be capable of posting on Mumsnet so take comfort from that?

I hope so. I know 111 always mention the worst case scenario for safety but I'm so frightened.

It could be a form of migraine, I've periodically had similar and after investigating it was nothing sinister. I get flashing prior and find if I take a double dose of ibuprofen and drink a pint of water I can head it off (at least it appears that way)

Hopefully it is a migraine or something similar.

Ah no this sounds stressful.
are they kind where you are and English speaking? I assume you’ve spoken to your insurers so one less thing to worry about?

hope you get some reassurance soon. I think a haemorrhage would generally get worse and worse not ease off. But you do need to be seen.

I am sure you must be terrified. My auntie had this happen to her, the worst diagnosis ever, but she made a full recovery. Modern science is incredible. Wishing you all the best

I've had that before it was just a trapped nerve in my neck. Hopefully they get you sorted quickly.

ps any chance it could be dehydration- that gives me horrendous headaches that have got worse as I get older

drinking lots helps slowly but I have learnt to drink in advance when very hot

I wondered about a form of migraine. I've never had them before. I'm terrified of it being something very serious. Or a brain tumour. It can't be normal for that amount of pain to have just exploded in my head instantly.

Pressure headache? The first time was from shouting I think and at the time this second one started I was doing something quite strenuous and had my head at a funny angle

I've just been off work for a week with a headache that I thought would split my head open .
Having googled it would appear it was a trapped nerve in my neck.
My first thought was brain haemorrhage but I didn't have any of the other symptoms.
Hoping yours is nothing serious.

@Rowgtfc72 thank you that makes me feel less panicked

Oh bless you. Try not to worry.

Trapped nerve in your neck can 100% feel like your head is about to explode.

Are you happy to share what country you are in? Do the staff speak good English? I’m in the Central Algarve and speak serviceable Portuguese and I’d help in any way I can.

It’s right to be cautious but I’d be hopeful it’s not a brain haemorrhage x

Thunderclap headache? I got one on holiday last year that then turned into a week of them. I’ve got an extremely high pain threshold and can safely say it was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I also thought I was going to die and I’ve also had sepsis and was seriously ill then but fear with the headache was on a different level.
after the third, I went to hospital and was given a scan via a&e who confirmed I wasn’t having a brain haemorrhage and sign posted me to GP. I had two doses of morphine there which didn’t help the pain.
the headaches continued for a week - sudden and uncontrollable bit then disappeared.
i paid to see a neurologist privately who said (not very reassuringly) that if you dont die immediately of a brain haemorrhage it’s probably “just” a thunderclap headache. They go away eventually. I thankfully have not had them since.

@LightDrizzle thank you that's so kind. I am in France though.

@GreenSalon thank you that is reassuring. I also found thunderclap headaches online which seems to maybe describe it

OMG "just a trapped nerve" can be a serious problem. Debilitating pain can be very serious. Pain is a symptom- I'm glad you are seeking help.

I think Trapped nerve too which might have happened when you put your head up
It's actually agonising but specific nerve pain killers( Pregabilin or Gabapentin) will help with pain
I hope you're more comfortable very soon

Yes definitely my "just" a trapped nerve was as opposed to a fatal brain hemorrhage there is absolutely nothing minor about trapped nerve pain.

Hear to handhold.

Hopefully some of the staff there can speak English and are looking after you well? My experience of French medical care has always been good

DeepL Translate (don’t have to download the app) is very good, better than google translate, if communication is a problem.

French medical care is excellent ime.

I appreciate everyone who has commented - thank you all. I totally understand what you're getting at with trapped nerve type pain and the "just a trapped nerve". I'd far rather that then brain hammorage obviously!

It is easing off from feeling like I'd been hit with a baseball bat around the back of the head. I have no other symptoms and still alive so feeling a bit less scared. When this happened the other day I think I also tipped my head back to look upwards so could be onto something there.

Currently trying to decide how long to wait or whether to go back to
Hotel rest and sleep

@Georgie8 thank you I will try thag