I've got a really bad headache

[crackinghead]

I'm getting a bit fed up now.

Day 5 of headache, it's getting worse and I don't know what else to try. Only now is it stopping me from doing things but maybe that's because I'm tired. Any ideas or sympathy, it's in short supply here?

• doesn't feel like a migraine, no visual disturbances like I've had in the past, it's more ache than pain
• regularly taking paracetamol and ibuprofen
• asked at the pharmacy today and got codeine, had 4 so far but not touched it

Sorry I know it's stupid to ask about medical things on the internet, I just don't know what else to try and gp seems overkill plus they're shut until Monday.

Feeling sorry for myself now.

What illness did the parent have and were you in the same room as them?

My dad was in hospital with something not contagious. It was a busy stressful few weeks, back and forth to the hospital, getting a diagnosis etc.

I have no other symptoms. It's so hard to describe, suppose more like a tight band around my head, particularly on top, rather than stabbing pain. Generally just very achy in my head.

I'm very tired but slept for almost 12 hours last night, so shouldn't be this tired.

Headaches should be checked out by a GP if they don't improve with painkillers and continue to get worse. I'd make an appointment in the morning or ring and see an OOH GP tonight if you can.

I'm a headache sufferer too and I get migraines. I recently tried this - sounds mad but it worked within an hour for me - rest your feet on a hot water bottle whilst putting a cold compress (bag of frozen peas or similar) on the back of your neck. Do this for at least 10 minutes. Make sure you have enough to drink too. Good luck

Try hot or cold compress on forehead or back of neck. My peri headaches were only relieved by cold compress on neck and migraine tablets even though I'd never previously suffered with migraines. It open your blood vessels or something.

Sounds like its time to see a GP

Contact your GP - it's most likely nothing serious but there's always that tiny chance. And at the very least it must be a miserable experience.

Many years ago (I was 15/16 at the time) my dad, who never went to the doctor, made an appointment due to a persistent splitting headache and it was sufficiently serious that he was sent straight to hospital. I won't go into details as I don't want to cause any panic - it's just to illustrate that it's never a waste of time to check. He's still around and fighting fit 35 years later incidentally.

Have you had your eyesight tested recently?

Have you checked your blood pressure

Hope you feel better soon x

Mebbe yer brain is trying to make a bid for freedom.

One of my first perimenopause symptoms was constant headaches, but not for that long. Ask for blood tests (checking iron levels etc), get your blood pressure checked, and your eyes tested.

I'd stop taking codeine/co-codamol as they tend to make headaches worse (for me, anyway)

This. I also won't say what it was to avoid panic, but my sister had a headache that got worse and worse when she was a child and ended up in hospital for weeks following surgery. She is extremely fortunate that she had no lasting serious problems and made a full recovery. If the headache continues to get worse or you find that you are having any other problems (difficulty with speech, difficulties with movement on one side of your body, weakness, confusion, visual disturbances etc) it is worth ringing 111 or going to A&E and getting it checked out.

Thank you, I'm going to try taking a migraine tablet soon. Will ring the gp in the morning. It's currently a lot worse but think that's just because it's almost 4 hours since I took anything.

I think I would just ring 111 in your shoes @crackinghead. If nothing is wrong you might have a very dull night in A&E but if something is wrong, time may be of the essence.

Covid lowers my oxygen sats and that brings on a dreadful headache.

I really appreciate all the advice and kindness on here, so thought I would update.

I did ring 111 on Sunday night, she told me to stop all meds other than ibruprofen, give it 24hrs then see gp if no better. I saw the gp this morning, she was happy there are no red flags and think it's likely tension/stress. She has prescribed naproxen and lots of r&r - something I'm not good at. Go back in a week if still there.

Currently sat with a heat massager on my neck. Have scheduled a pyjama day tomorrow and booked a back massage for Friday. I do have a stressful work week ahead as we go live on a project but hopefully it won't affect me too much. I think the main worry has been my dad's health, which will unfortunately be long term now.

Thank you all

Hope you are doing OK, @crackinghead

Thanks, they had gone but back worse than ever today, nothing is touching it and the only thing I can think that triggered it was getting very cold today, so tense 🤷‍♀️

Are you sure it’s not sinusitis? I had a week of unbelievable headaches last week, though also snotty, sore face etc, and antibiotics have finally sorted me out.

How are your neck, posture and trap muscles? Could someone give you a good neck and shoulder massage every day to see if that will help? (Or see an osteopath).

I've no other symptoms and haven't had a cold or anything.

Posture is quite good and I've been using my husbands heated massager thing to try and help.

I've got tingling in my hands today, I think I need to go back.

You poor thing. I would definitely go back.

Taking paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly for a single persistent headache won't in itself cause a headache. Please ring 111 or get an out of hours appointment. Having a headache for 5 days is cause for concern. I'm a migraine sufferer. Migraines typically last up to three days so this is something else. Years ago I had the most horrendous headache up the back of my skull. Painkillers didn't work. I went to the doctor's and it turned out I had an ear infection, not a brain tumour as I was starting to worry, and I was prescribed antibiotics.

Have you reduced your caffeine intake recently?