DH says I’m wasting NHS time. AIBU?

[Tulipelle]

For the past two weeks I’ve had a persistent headache which is absolutely relentless. It’s an excruciating sharp shooting pain in one side of my head which just will not go with OTC painkillers and it’s been present non stop all this time. Contacted my GP last week who thought it could be a migraine (no other migraine symptoms, not made better by darkness etc) but the maximum dose of migraine medication doesn’t touch it either. Noticed the pain is getting more intense over time and tried my GP again, who can’t fit me in for another appointment for another week. I’ve barely had headaches before and certainly not a persistent one for this length of time and I’m seriously concerned about the fact it’s getting worse rather than better and is impacting me both mentally and with my work (I’ve barely been able to work since this came on 2 weeks ago).

Spoke to DP this morning as I’m at my wits end and considering contacting 111 for some urgent help/investigation. DP says it’s clearly a migraine and I shouldn’t waste time contacting an emergency number and should wait out my GP appointment. Would appreciate your thoughts, I don’t want to waste anyones time but I really am at my wits end with this pain , surely this isn’t normal?

See a doctor. It’s been going on a while and over the counter stuff isn’t working so you need some help. Like to see him cope for 2 weeks with a bad headache that paracetamol won’t touch

DP is an unsympathetic idiot.

Unexplained/sudden/persistant/activity limiting pain should always be investigated

Of course YANBU!

Have you had covid recently that you know of? I only ask because SIL has these types of headaches after covid. Relentless at first, now it goes away for a couple of days before coming back, but it's been a year.

I’d go to walk in/urgent care

And I'm sure he would have the same opinion if it was him suffering(!)

Definitely seek help
Tell your dp to stuff it.

I really hope you feel better soon

If the migraine medication hasn't helped, then it's probably not a migraine.

I would ring 111 for advice if I couldn't get a GP appointment for another week.

Contact 111, if it's worrying you and stopping you do normal activities, definitely seek more help.

Bet he'd be more sympathetic if he was in pain.

@Blueeyedgirl21

I’d go to walk in/urgent care

None of our walk-ins are offering a walk in service because of covid! You have to ring 111 who give you an appointment if they think it necessary.......

Your DP is both cruel and stupid. You definitely need to be seen by someone.

Even if it turns out to be a migraine, which are horrible, it is new to you, severe and not eased by painkillers etc so needs a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Please phone 111 ASAP and ignore your DP.

Is 111 an emergency number?

Phone them now! Bugger what your (D)P says, after all it's not his head.

111 is not emergency, 999 is.

Is he confused?

Call them

Could it be this? www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Trigeminal-Neuralgia

Thanks everyone. I’ve not had covid recently as far as I’m aware and I can’t think of any other triggers. It’s completely debilitating and after this amount of time I’d expect the pain to be easing rather than getting more intense! DH adamant I should wait it out, disappointed in him.

I'm not a doctor but it sounds exactly like the pain I had when I had an unknown neck sprain. I went to a chiropractor who diagnosed it. I'm not sure what 111 can do for you, truthfully.

Ignore DP and call

@Tulipelle

Thanks everyone. I’ve not had covid recently as far as I’m aware and I can’t think of any other triggers. It’s completely debilitating and after this amount of time I’d expect the pain to be easing rather than getting more intense! DH adamant I should wait it out, disappointed in him.

That's so uncaring of him. You really should get that checked out, that's a very long time to be suffering with a headache

Just go to A&E. Walk in/ GP can’t do scans, which I imagine you’ll need. It may be something or nothing, but after 2 weeks of pain not relieved by OTC meds you really do need it checking properly.

If migralieve or similar hasn’t worked then it’s probably not a migraine.
Could be anything — first time I had sinusitis I was convinced I was dying as the head pain was horrendous, and I couldn’t get up if I crouched down.
111. If you wait for GP app you’ll either get a prescription or be sent for X-ray / imaging if you’re very lucky.
This is prime start of allergy season so might be worth getting some Otrivine drops or spray for your nostrils just in case it’s allergy induced sinusitis. And steam your head over a bowl of hot water for half an hour.

Just to add: I work in A&E

It’s getting worse, you’ve tried self care options and the medication the GP suggested and no joy. Of course you should seek help. 111 deals with all manner of issues and can signpost you to the correct services. You are ill. That’s not wasting the NHS time, it’s exactly what it’s there for. Rocking up to A&E would be overkill but calling 111 is exactly what I would suggest if you cannot access your GP more urgently than a weeks time.

I don't get migraines myself, but Ive never heard of one lasting for two weeks.

Definitely worth medical attention and pushing for answers, I don't like that painkillers are not having an effect either. Have you tried co-codamol?

Is your H a trained medical professional? If not then how does he know it’s just a migraine and a waste of NHS resources.

The advice is appreciated, it definitely doesn’t feel like a sinus headache, this is a shooting pain in the top of the right side of my head which feels like an electric shock. Will ring 111

I've had severe migraines for decades but I've never had one that lasted for so long with no relief and that didn't eventually respond to meds.

You need to be seen and properly investigated.

**Is your H a trained medical professional?

He certainly isn’t but seems to think everyone should “just get on with it” and has accused me of being “dramatic”. As someone who has barely visited the GP in my life I certainly am not!