Please help. Two week long headache

[RhubarbCircles]

I'm not coping at all, I've never felt so unwell 😢

For about 3 weeks, every time I went in the car I felt sort of travel sick and got a headache even if I was only driving 5 mins.

Then 2 weeks ago I had a massive migraine- I was so sick and sobbing in the dark in pain. The next day, I then had another, which was the worst one I've ever had. I've had them before, maybe once a year max.

Since then I've had a constant headache, I've not left the house for two weeks, can't shower alone without feeling light headed, can't go up and down the stairs without my head booming and instantly feeling sick. If I bend down to put something in the dishwasher for example my head bangs. Can barely get dressed by myself.

I've spoken to the doctor 3 times. After the 2 migraines I went for an emergency appointment and she checked my ears- all clear. I also had an eye test the previous week- all fine.

I'm now on propranolol 3 times a day, aspirin 4 times a day, anti sickness once a day and I've been given sumatriptan to take if I feel a migraine is coming on, I haven't used this yet (I’m quite scared of new meds in case they make me sick, but I will take it if the migraine happens again). I was taking paracetamol, ibuprofen and naproxen but yesterday the doctor told me to stop and switch to aspirin since they weren't having any impact at all anyway.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me please? I honestly feel awful.

Thank you.

Just taken one as it was coming on and I was starting to feel sick.

Been thinking about you a lot. Sorry you are still suffering. I hope the meds give you some respite...

For goodness' sake, take the sumatriptan!

How you feeling now?

Thanks everyone. Things got worse yesterday and despite the sumatriptan and anti sickness meds I ended up in my worst ever state by 4pm, and was really sick too (horrific for an emetophobe)

So I called 111 and they got me an appointment at 9pm at the minor injuries. My phobia of hospitals in so severe I was sobbing throughout and the lights and sound really were awful so I sat with my migraine hat on (covers your eyes) and ear defenders. It was so distressing. Anyway the doctor was lovely, said there were no red flags and blood pressure and temperature fine, so just to go home and carry on with what I'm doing. She said she could appreciate how unwell I was, but if they were to admit me they'd only be giving me the same meds anyway plus I'd probably not meet the threshold for a bed. She gave me different anti sickness since the ones I was on weren't working.

I went to the GP today who did a check up too and she also said no red flags either so have to continue with meds. She's stopped the propranolol, and given me amitriptyline instead.

Feeling pretty desperate now.

When did you last have your eyes tested?
Might be an idea to get them tested anyway, and see if there's anything they can pick up?

So sorry for what you're going through @RhubarbCircles . Migraine & emetophobia is the worst possible combination. Well done for actually getting to hospital to be checked out - you should give yourself a big pat on the back for that.

I can see that all this is really starting to stress you out. Can you just sit still in a cool, dimly lit, quiet place with a cold wet cloth around the back of your neck for a few hours? Try to sip some water now and then. This is literally the only thing that works for me when I have migraine with nausea and I'm waiting for it to pass. It's almost like a meditation and it does help me (as a fellow emetophobe) to cope with feeling sick.

I do understand; I've had 79 days of migraine or headache so far this year so I totally get how you're feeling, my heart goes out to you. My migraines are drug resistant but I really hope that proves not to be the case for you and that the amitriptyline works.

I'm sending you sympathy, empathy, gentle hugs.

@Pyreneansylvie thanks so much for your kindness and understanding. I'm sorry you're suffering with them and drug resistant too, how awful.

I'm spending all my time in a cool dark room, only occasionally I can go on my phone but not often. Sometimes I can listen to podcasts but not always. I can't even go into my kitchen as it's too bright as big windows and no blinds. I've got headache strips permanently stuck to my head, I don't think they do much but I keep one on a day anyway.

@Ariela thanks, I had an eye test 3 weeks ago luckily all was fine.

GP's are useless at dealing with headaches.. I was diagnosed with 'chronic migraine' after a 6 month long headache.. everytime i went to the GP i was away with another pain killer to try up too and including Tramadol. I eventually got sent to see the migrain clinic who instantly took me off all the pain killers i'd been given (opiate based pain killers cause headaches) and had to go cold turkey for about 2 weeks before putting me on Topiromate and naproxeen.

i have a headache 24hrs a day, 7 days a week its just the severity that changes.. normal days are a 2 or a 3, bad days are a 10! I've looked at my diet and removed all the things that i've found to trigger my migraines, and i've made lifestyle changes.

There is no reason for them, I've had CT scan and MRI scan after scan with nothing onbvious as a result.

I have noticed that since menopause they have however changed track and now, instead of just a headache, the entire right side of my face goes numb along with the right side of my body. The first time this happened they thought i had had a stroke, and also checked me for MS... again all clear.

Don't be fobbed off by your GP. get a referral too a migraine clinic at your local hospital, they have a much better understanding of headaches!

@thursdaymurderclub

Oh my gosh - sending you massive sympathies - your situation is even worse than mine. I've had 79 migraine/headache days this year but, unlike you, I do get some days of respite.

I'm also post-menopausal and I've woken up with complete left side numbness twice, I was sent to hospital to be checked out for stroke and told it is Hemiplegic Migraine. I've eliminated so many foods, we run a fragrance free house, I stay away from odours and avoid bright light but to no avail. Medications don't work for me.

I hope things improve for you now you're under the migraine clinic.

yes the term Hemiplegic Migraine has been banded about but no formal diagnosis. it is what it is.. i've been like this for more than 20 years now, and i cope until the days when i can't cope if that makes sense.. there are plenty of people out there a lot worse off than i am.

I've had a ruptured brain aneurysm and to be honest after what I went through I'm glad I got an MRI

It's rare but it's possible.

Not trying to alarm you at all, I just get red flags when I read about migraines.

I've also suffered hemiplegic migraines but aneurysms tend to be fast and full on.
Yet they can be missed.

Keep an eye on it op. I promise this isn't to scare just inform.

X

Poor you.
I recommend the Headache Doctor podcast.
Also some one said about headaches and migraines and neck pain being strongly associated (& stress!). I recommend seeing a chiropractor 💐

Thank you @Tcateh I'm sorry that happened to you.

I've got access to my private GP again now, do you think it's worth getting an appointment with a neurologist or will they just send me away for a 2 and a half week issue?

I asked my GP yesterday for further tests/onward referral but she said I don't meet the criteria for anything yet and they will keep managing me and my pain at the GP surgery.

@benefitstaxcredithelp I don't have neck pain but can a chiropractor still help? I've never tried one before but I'll try anything.

I also have acupuncture booked in for the next 3 Fridays in a row (again never tried before)

@RhubarbCircles

If you can afford to see a neurologist privately, do so. I'm all for supporting the NHS but I was given a referral to see a neurologist when I had the hemiplegic migraine at the start of January and I'm still waiting for an appointment.

Oh that's terrible @Pyreneansylvie, how shitty.

I am -touch wood- feeling slightly more alive today. I still can't get off the sofa without struggling and feeling like crying, but it hasn't yet crossed that line into I-can't-do-this-anymore.

I had a day like this last week though so don't want to get my hopes up!

@RhubarbCircles
Slightly more alive sounds good!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed that you are finally turning a corner and things are slowly starting to improve. Take it slowly x

Sumitripan is the only thing that helps me. I take one and two coedine and sleep for an hour and the headache lifts. Nothing else has any impact whatsoever.

I'm so sorry for you.

I really hope you find some ease.

Yes it can. Even if your neck isn’t painful per se, there could still be compression in the upper spine neck or shoulder area that could be causing headaches. I’d really recommend it for headaches and migraines.

Acupuncture is good too.

Thanks all.

I'm going to book a chiropractor- nothing to lose. Will do it tomorrow.

@bryceQ the sumatriptan really hasn't helped, I've taken it 3 times and it hasn't seemed to touch it. Once I took it and ended up vomiting 2 hours later. But I did take it then fall asleep yesterday which I felt a little better when I awoke so I'll persevere with them.

I had a better day yesterday as the anti sickness stopped the nausea apart from when it was wearing off and it was time for the second one. Was so nice to have respite from the sickness.

Today woke up feeling awful again but feeling a bit better now that the anti sickness has kicked in again and the painkillers.

Has anything happened in your life lately like high stress?

Nope.

I've rang around chiropractors and can't get an appointment in under 3 weeks. I've made it anyway and gone on the cancellation list.

That’s great

do you do any gentle exercise op?