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?

Your DH is an opinionated dick. I assume he has no medical qualifications?

It could be a migraine but it could also be something much more serious. You need proper investigations to assess for eg brain tumour etc. Try GP again and be ASSERTIVE, if they aren’t helpful explore walk in hospitals in your area or go private.

Yes you are not wasting NHS time, very right to get investigated.
Also get your dentist to check you out. My DH had a severe headache once, never got them, it seemed like a migraine and was getting worse and worse, and painkillers weren't touching it. He got sent for an MRI and they discovered nothing. It turned out to be a rotting upper tooth... no pain in the tooth or surrounding area... it was all up the top of his head! As soon as he got the tooth out it was instant relief.

Was also going to suggest dentist if they don't find anything. It could be wisdom teeth moving and pressing on a nerve.

READ THE OP'S POSTS IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO READ THE WHOLE THREAD. THIS IS ONE FUNCTION THAT MUMSNET MAKE SUPER EASY

@Tulipelle

The GP has advised I go to A&E for a neurological assessment so I’m heading off there now. Still can’t help but feel I don’t necessarily need A&E but since it was advised I will go along and see what they have to say.

I think that is the right call. Best of luck and hope it's not serious.

You could have a blood clot glad you are on your way to a&e

How are you? Xx

@Tulipelle

The GP has advised I go to A&E for a neurological assessment so I’m heading off there now. Still can’t help but feel I don’t necessarily need A&E but since it was advised I will go along and see what they have to say.

If A&E is the only you can get seen at then thats what it is. (Not that familiar with UK medical system but it looks to me its either a GP who is often unavailable for days or A&E). Hope they will help you to ease the pain and find out what it is. Hugs.

@Tulipelle

The GP has advised I go to A&E for a neurological assessment so I’m heading off there now. Still can’t help but feel I don’t necessarily need A&E but since it was advised I will go along and see what they have to say.

In all likelihood it isn't the right call, and is therefore something non life threatening (which is the outcome I'm sure you are hoping for), however it is the GPs call, not yours, so if it is an inappropriate use of A&E it is on the GP for not seeing you in a timely fashion and not your responsibility.

Good luck OP.

I’m so sorry your husband wants you to suffer.

I’ve noticed especially with headaches/migraines that people who don’t get them often really don’t understand. I had a good friend convinced I was just being a wuss about my headaches/migraines. Until she had one. She apologized profusely.

Of course get help ... you must be worried and you need to put your mind at rest ... if there is a long wait he can treat you to a private GP appointment!

Poor you two weeks is a long time. I've never had a persistent headache for more than a few days. Hope you get help at A and E

Hope you are ok ... please let us know

Better
to be checked out properly.

A & E it could be anything & some of the things it might be may need urgent treatment
& no way would I diagnose this on my past experiences -because.I.am.not.a.doctor.

Hope you're OK.

Definitely sounds like you need to be assessed- if the psin isn't easing with simple painkillers. Is ut possible it could be coming from a tooth ache? Like a nerve pain?

It’s not TMJ !

What a nasty arsehole your OH is. Really hope you get some reassurance soon OP.

Just catching up with your update - glad you're getting checked out OP.

@Tigertigertigertiger

It’s not TMJ !

Gosh, shouldn't you be dealing with your patients Dr Tiger? You certainly shouldn't be discussing the OP after treating her.

This is how my migraines present tol - i've suffered for years sonce puberty. No other migraine symptoms but a sharp stabbing pain in one part of my head that last for 10 days - 2 weeks and its always gets wore in intenisity before it gets better. You DO need to see GP or Walk in because the only things that's helped me is having the right mix of medication to shorten the length of the migraine/ lessen the intensity...i had to many drs/specialists to land on the right thing. I feel for you...it's not nice at all

Good luck, op! I hope you are seen soon and find out what's wrong.

My niece had similar symptoms , Gp treated het for migraine then stress , turned out she had viral meningitis, she is much better now .But it's not worth risking your health for anyone ,better to get checked out .

A family member ended up in hospital for two months last year after a brain haemorrhage. Her symptoms were a persistent headache and blurred vision. You cannot be too careful about these things.