Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Week long headache. Haven't been to doctor. Friend had a go at me...

40 replies

LoriAnya · 07/12/2018 20:21

I've had a headache for a week. It's constant and fluctuates in intensity. I'm breastfeeding and my 7 week old is up all night and feeds every couple of hours, so I put it down to being very sleep deprived.

A friend of mine had a bit of a go at me. Apparently she knew someone who had a headache that ended up being a brain tumour. She subsequently died from this. Awful, though my friend was quite rude to me and said 'if you care about your son at all you'll go to the doctor'

I wasn't moaning about my head hurting. I just said 'this headache is driving me nuts, had it for a week or so. Can't wait for it to disappear'

Have I been unreasonable not getting it checked out? She made me feel really guilty and I honestly just think it's because I'm tired...

OP posts:
1moreRep · 07/12/2018 20:26

i know someone with a similar aged baby who had this, it was meningitis and she died- get it checked out

WutheringFrights · 07/12/2018 20:28

I started getting headaches a few weeks after DS was born - transpires after ignoring them for two year and being bedridden for at least a day a month that they are hormonal migraines....pop along and see a doctor

Original poster
LoriAnya · 07/12/2018 20:30

And it honestly is just a headache. I have no fever. No rash. No stiff neck. Nothing. Just a headache! If I go to the doctor, they aren't going to do anything. They won't order an MRI just like that. I just don't see the point in going. Guaranteed they will tell me I'm sleep deprived, need to drink more and to go to a&e if I have certain symptoms (which I don't).

That's my logic anyway. I'm also deathly scared of hospitals and medical places so may be being slightly irrational or making excuses subconsciously...

OP posts:
claraschu · 07/12/2018 20:33

Headache for a week doesn't sound normal at all. Have you been drinking enough water and have you tried painkillers?

Original poster
LoriAnya · 07/12/2018 20:34

@claraschu I drink a lot (always have a bottle of squash next to me) and have tried normal painkillers but to no avail. I think I need sleep but DS is still very erratic with his sleep...

OP posts:
Lymphy · 07/12/2018 20:35

I might be making this up but I’m pretty certain that in the info given on leaving the hospital after having my babies it stated prolonged/ intense headaches post nataly should be checked out

Original poster
LoriAnya · 07/12/2018 20:37

@Lymphy I think that's because of pre eclampsia but my bp is pretty low (90/60).

I think I'm just scared of being admitted again for something, which is mad because it's only a headache. I was inhospital for 2 weeks after he was born and just feel traumatised by it all...

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 07/12/2018 20:38

Please see the GP OP.

If you think it’s sleep deprivation, send DH out with DS for a walk or drive for an hour and get your head down but please, still see the GP.

Cornflake15 · 07/12/2018 20:41

You might be a bit anaemic which is common after having a baby, and that can cause headaches. If you see doctor they can check your bloods and iron levels etc. Don’t self diagnose though, best check up with GP, many people go with less troublesome things. Good luck!

Original poster
LoriAnya · 07/12/2018 20:42

Ok. I'll make an appointment. Just not convinced it'll be useful :( never had good experiences with doctors!

OP posts:
noodledoodler · 07/12/2018 20:44

Hi OP, my BP spiked upwards suddenly after deliveries, I didn't have any pre eclampsia, definitely get this checked out as it could be post partum high BP, the headache was the only symptom I had after one baby. It will need monitoring if it is high BP.
Congrats on your new baby.

claraschu · 07/12/2018 20:46

I am sorry OP. That sounds terrible.Flowers

I do think you should ask a doctor about it though. A week is a long time. Is it possible that it is a sinus infection? Do you get a sharp pain if you press the spots right above the top of the arches of your eyebrows? Do you get a terrible full feeling and increased pain when you put your head down low-- between your knees?

I had a bad headache when I was pregnant, that was very persistent, and it turned out to be a sinus infection which needed antibiotics. My nose was not blocked at all.

Original poster
LoriAnya · 07/12/2018 20:49

I honestly just feel totally normal other than headache and tired. No sinus pain etc. I'll try the docs but put money on them telling me to sleep more, drink more and send me on my way!

OP posts:
User0ne · 07/12/2018 20:51

Pp may think I'm being daft but have you taken pain killers (obvs just paracetamol and ibuprofen)?

I'm bf 2 ds and am often reluctant to take pills because of that but sometimes I get a headache that goes on until I take something.

If you have then see your GP on Monday

Caprisunorange · 07/12/2018 20:55

I have week long headaches all the time. To be fair for every person who dies of a headache there are millions who don’t. I’m sure you can work out for yourself when to contact a dr. What would a GP do anyway, they’re hardly going to send you for a basin scan

Are you drinking loads and loads and loads of water?

CharlesChickens · 07/12/2018 20:56

Post natal headache can be a sign of pre-eclampsia , but im not sure if that applies after so many weeks. Could be cluster headaches. Anyway, absolutely should be checked out.

Caprisunorange · 07/12/2018 20:57

Basin scan?😭

BRAIN SCAN!

WilburforceRaven · 07/12/2018 20:59

What Caprisun said. But people on MN use 'get to the GP' as much as 'log it with the police/101'. I'd try drinking loads more water, I was soooo thirsty whilst breastfeeding.

Caprisunorange · 07/12/2018 21:02

Yep. They clearly have different GPS to mine who would tell me where to go if I wasted their time with a headache (would take 10 Days to get an appointment anyway)

Original poster
LoriAnya · 07/12/2018 21:03

@Caprisunorange @WilburforceRaven exactly. People must go to docs with headaches ALL THE TIME. Surely they don't send people for scans or give strong medication etc for everyone? It'll be a waste of mine and docs time imho.

OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 07/12/2018 21:04

Where and how is the headache and what does it feel like - a weel long one does need investigating

Do you have support (DH etc) who could take the baby and let you have a decent night sleep

WilburforceRaven · 07/12/2018 21:05

Same here, Capri. It's always something very serious on MN.

Original poster
LoriAnya · 07/12/2018 21:06

@Quartz2208 I choose to let DH sleep all night as he drives 5 hours a day for his job and operates very dangerous heavy machinery (he's happy to do night changes but I don't let him!). He does do more on weekends though. He's ebf and I just change him whenever he feeds so no point in DH waking at night!

OP posts:
Tiredmum100 · 07/12/2018 21:07

Does it ever ease off or has it been continuous for the last week? Did you feel an initial pain to start or did it come on gradual?

Original poster
LoriAnya · 07/12/2018 21:08

It's just continuous and wasn't sudden. It's dull and in my temples. Just a normal headache.

I just feel a bit guilt tripped by my friend who keeps texting to see if I've made an appointment yet!

OP posts:
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread