To ask how to get rid of this awful headache??

[Imthecaffeinequeen]

Became ill on 23rd with what I presume is a cold.
2 pcrs and multiple lateral flows since then all negative so not covid!
Started out just feeling generally grotty; bodyaches, snotty, sore throat, ear pain and fatigue.
The whole time I've had this horrible headache feels like massive pressure between my eyes, over the counter meds are not touching it!
I'm working tomorrow, 12.5 hour shift and dreading it because I just cannot shift this headache, it's making my ears hurt still and I feel like I'm constantly squinting. The only thing that slightly takes the edge off is a cool patch stuck on my head, but i can't walk around with that on at work.
Still blowing out thick green stuff from my nose also (sorry if tmi) so wondering if its sinus related?
Any tips on how I can shift this headache would be much appreciated, it's so draining.

Thanks in advance

Have you tried Sudafed? It sounds sinus-y.

Nasal spray always helped sinus pain for me.

Definitely sounds sinus-y! If you can’t pick up any medication, try steaming your face (carefully). A hot flannel on your face will also help too.

Take some herbal tea with you tomorrow for a subtle steaming, too!

@Emmelina

Have you tried Sudafed? It sounds sinus-y.

I took Sudafed for 3 days to begin with, helped with nasal congestion but unfortunately not the headache. Thank you for your reply

Sounds like it could be sinusitis, in which case you'd need antibiotics.
Can you phone in sick tomorrow, sinus pain is awful and your head must feel like its going to explode whenever you tilt your head down.

I've had 4 operations on my sinuses. It's sound like you need a antibiotics .

Just to add I work in care and there are currently covid cases in the home, hence the frequent testing. Wanted to rule it out for definite

Have you tried ibuprofen, that seems to be more effective than paracetamol for me, you can get it with codeine if you need something stronger

If it's sinusitis, definitely antibiotics, Sudafed and Nasonex spray.
I would also suggest a steam bath to get rid of the gunk in the sinuses. Just boil water with plenty of salt, put the pot on the table, let the worst steam off and then cover your head with a towel and lean over the pot, inhaling as much steam as you can. Make sure you don't go into a cold room immediately afterwards.

Until you can get to the doctors, try Sinutabs interspersed with Ibuprofen (swap the Ibuprofen for Paracetamol if you're Asthmatic), also put Vicks in hot water and steam your face with a towel over your head. Green goo is a sure sign of infection. Hope you feel better soon.

I am hesitant to phone in sick as it's a relatively new job and I've already had a day off with my Ds being unwell.
I was considering calling the Gp on friday if theres no improvement, I just didn't want to sound dramatic

Many thanks for all your suggestions! Will try the steaming tonight, didn't think of that for some reason.
I have tried ibuprofen, paracetamol, sudafed and even cocodamol the other night when I couldn't sleep.
I think I may try and tough it out tomorrow and call the Gp on friday if no improvement.

I agree with previous posters who have advised trying steam. I've got covid just now and steaming has made a big difference.

Hope it helps a bit

I hope you’re feeling better. I just came in to say that I misread your thread title as ‘how to get rid of this awful headteacher’ (it’s been a long day!). I started reading, expected to be outraged at a parent complaining about a headteacher, and wondered why you were blaming him/ her for your headache…before the penny dropped.
Laughed at myself!
Probably doesn’t help you though.

I get bad headaches.

Your headache sounds like it could be sinus pressure related as you have cold symptoms, I have bad sinuses and the headaches are intense. It's not an infection for me though, just bad sinuses due to various reasons. The headaches are hell. My cheeks, nose and teeth hurt with them too.

Anyway, heat helps me and I use wheat bags in the microwave. Also a hot bath with head lying in water! A hot flannel or towel js also an option. Or a steamy shower. Or a facial steamer, hot water bottle. You get the idea.

Hot or room temperature drinks. Fridge cold drinks can make sinuses worse.

Alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen. I've always thought paracetamol was paracetamol, but when I had covid recently and intense sinus headaches, panadol helped a lot. You can get the panadol + caffeine which is meant to kick in quicker.

Other options -

Kool and soothe strips on head

A little vicks on your head. It's cooling.

Saline spray.

Decongestant sprays are an option but personally I avoid as seem to make things worse for me and decongestants raise my blood pressure lkke crazy!

Try saline nasal spray. You can get a big bottle from boots. It's grim but I bet it will help

Does it hurt more if you lean forward?

I had an awful sinus infection about a month a go and the pain was just incredible. I rinsed my sinuses with saline, steamed until I was a prune, took sudafeds sinus capsules, every pain med I was allowed. It was misery so you have my sympathy. It took about 2 weeks to pass and almost 4 for my ears to unblock fully.