To have a doctor's appointment for this...

[Dorismargaret]

For the last 5 months I've:

• had a headache most days.
• have dry eyes.
• I drink lots of water as it relieves it for a few minutes, but then that gives me the chills.

I feel like it's a minor thing to go docs for when there's a pandemic but the headaches are exhausting.

Has anyone had these symptoms? And worked out what it is.

Sometimes when I Google my symptoms I think it's migraines which makes me think just crack on because what can the docs do anyway, I just need to manage my own stress better.

I used to think it was due to a lack of sleep but I get at least 8 hours each night now.

Yes. A doctor as opposed to an online forum of strangers is probably your best bet.

I would go to the opticians rather than the doctor.

Paracetamol for the headaches, drops from the pharmacy for the dry eyes.

Drinking too much water can cause migraines.
If you are suffering with migraines, or think you might be, then absolutely go to the Dr!! There is a lot they can do, usually they'd start with triptans which are migraine specific tablets or nasal spray to take at the onset of a migraine. It is not a painkiller like paracetamol, it does something to do with widening or constricting the blood vessels in your brain to counteract what a migraine does.
You could also be put on low dose daily preventatives if your migraines are regular and severe enough. They can even prescribe Botox to prevent them.
I am a migraine sufferer and am very glad of all things drs have at their disposal to help me not have to live with the symptoms, so I would urge you to go.

Drinking too much water can cause migraines. What?! Didn't know that.

That's interesting about the Botox. Because i also get a twitch in my eye which my dad also gets and he has to have Botox to stop it. Looks like I'm destined to have Botox.

Have you had your eyes checked recently?

I'd speak to an optician first. They'll tell you if you need them or the GP.

I would send an econsult. They'll decide if they have to see you.

Not drinking enough water also causes migraines. Many things cause migraines.

Go to the doctor, don’t feel guilty. If something isn’t quite right, it’s good to get checked.

Paracetamol works temporarily but I wouldn’t suggest to anyone that they should take daily paracetamol to relieve a headache.

No. Headaches can be anything from something minor to something more sinister - especially if it's not your normal pattern of headaches.

Even if it is 'just' migraine, they can advise on how to improve them, recommend better drugs, prescribe preventative medication

I've just booked an eye test for the new year. Thanks 😊

I do wear glasses I haven't noticed a problem with vision but yeah an ongoing headache is reason to get it checked.

Definitely worth going. They might check your blood sugar and do a general blood test to spot any deficiencies.

Drinking too much water can flush out electrolytes, meaning you might be deficient in sodium/potassium etc, which would exacerbate the headaches.

If they are daily migraines not caused by something that shows up on a blood test, I suspect they'd offer you some kind of prophylactic medication. There would be other things you could try too, like high doses of daily magnesium, but you can cross that bridge once you know what you're dealing with.

If you already wear glasses then that's even more reason to get an eye check.

I never notice issues with my prescription until I get tested and find out I need new glasses. Suddenly everything seems much clearer again

Apparently it's very common not to notice a deterioration in your sight but even minor changes can result in headaches and dry eyes as you're constantly straining to see
properly.

Not drinking enough water can cause headaches so I really doubt that not drinking enough gives you migraines! Water is the thing to drink to stay healthy, keep the memory refreshed, cleanse out the kidneys, stop teeth rotting, quenches your thirst and many other qualities, but giving you a migraine?! Nah come on that can’t be...

Have you lost weight recently?

I'm married to a diabetic and amongst other things, headaches, drinking lots of water and dry eyes can all be signs of high blood sugar.

I don't think you're unreasonable to see GP at all.

Sorry drinking too much gives you migraines, as in I severely doubt this!

Have you become a vegan recently? Could be B2 defficency.

I wear glasses and always have a constant headache when I wear them - it's the weight on my nose, gives me a tension headache. Switched to contacts and no headaches!

No you are. It could be nothing but it could also be a sign of something serious. Go and get it checked. That is what GPs are for.

Opticians can do a lot more than just vision problems they can check your eye health generally and give eye drops. I’d see them for the dry eyes. If you’ve never had a diagnosis of migraine then yes you need screening by a HCP. How’s your sleep? Twitchy eye is often caused by lack of sleep. as are migraines/ headaches

Agree you should get it checked out by a professional but just adding that I had all these symptoms before I was diagnosed with sleep apnea.

@ScottishAngryBird

Sorry drinking too much gives you migraines, as in I severely doubt this!

Too much water can even kill you, I'm afraid. Disturbs the electrolyte balance, which is why if you're severely dehydrated you're not given plain water but water with electrolytes added - like dioralyte for instance. OP you could have a mineral imbalance but I hate giving this kind of advice over the internet, check with a doc and perhaps mention it.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/7779079.stm
medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002350.htm

I find my headaches worsen if I feel dehydrated and drink too quickly

You should be checked.
Drinking too much water absolutely CAN give you migraines. Too much water imbalances your electrolytes.

I've not been having migraines most days for the last few months. I'd say 5 days out of 7.
I have a headache for half to the full day. And I have a migraine maybe once every 2 weeks.

I think I'm drinking a normal amount of water. I have about 1 litre a day. And I only have one cup of coffee or tea in the morning as I'm so sensitive to caffiene.