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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DH says I’m wasting NHS time. AIBU?

448 replies

Tulipelle · 14/03/2022 11:45

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 Sad, surely this isn’t normal?

OP posts:
implantreplace · 14/03/2022 12:16

Well in that case
I’m confused what on earth would make the OP think she was possibly being unreasonable

TatianaBis · 14/03/2022 12:17

111 aren't much use unless you know what you want out of it. They're not trained medical professionals.

If you're in London 111 is what you call to get an OOH GP appt, so I'd make a decision whether you want to see a GP or you want to go to A&E. If the latter then don't bother with 111.

justasking111 · 14/03/2022 12:18

Sounds grim ignore DP

peachy3 · 14/03/2022 12:18

Don’t listen to your DP, what a silly man.

A migraine shouldn’t last that long, especially if you don’t usually suffer with them. I’ve had migraines all my life but just over a year ago I had a really strange headache that felt nothing like my usual migraine and left me unable to get up from the sofa as my vision was darkening and I could tell I was going to black out if I stood up again. Super scary as I was babysitting and the only adult in the house was me. Called 111 and they passed me through to 999 for a paramedic to come out, I had to get a 6 year old to answer the door because o couldn’t move and my head felt as if I’d been hit repeatedly with a brick, I’ve never experienced anything like it. I ended up in hospital but we never got down to the bottom of it but it took about a week to fully go away. Never happened again but I wouldn’t hesitate to ring 111 or 999 again.

MysticCT · 14/03/2022 12:19

I've had this happen to me, it turned out to be a trapped nerve in my neck causing the pain in my head.

Blossomtoes · 14/03/2022 12:20

I wouldn’t be bothering with 111, I’d be off to A&E sharpish with that. And I’m normally in the pull yourself together and get over it camp.

kittensinthekitchen · 14/03/2022 12:23

Any chance you could be leaking cerebral spinal fluid? Have you had any discharge from your nose or ears? That sort of headache can be extremely debilitating, and possibly require a blood patch.

You're right to contact 111. I hope you get answers and relief ASAP

milkyaqua · 14/03/2022 12:23

It’s an excruciating sharp shooting pain in one side of my head

It could be a cluster headache, which are truly excruciating. Do seek medical advice.

implantreplace · 14/03/2022 12:24

@kittensinthekitchen

Any chance you could be leaking cerebral spinal fluid? Have you had any discharge from your nose or ears? That sort of headache can be extremely debilitating, and possibly require a blood patch.

You're right to contact 111. I hope you get answers and relief ASAP

She wouldn’t be starting a long thread on mumsnet and updating regularly if this was the case!!
implantreplace · 14/03/2022 12:25

Tbh in my experience
The thought of starting a thread in the midst of a debilitating migraine was so far from what one was capable of

Abcdefu · 14/03/2022 12:27

@Xpologog

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.
Came on to say this too - I took a lot of the decongestant sudafed and it eventually cleared - as well as steaming head and using a heat pack. But could be anything and if in pain I would contact doctor again
EIisheva · 14/03/2022 12:27

I had this for a week, it was hellish. It was TMJ apparently and it disappeared suddenly although my head was so tender I was completely anxious about moving at all fkr another week incase it came back

BrutusMcDogface · 14/03/2022 12:28

He’s a dick. Yanbu to call 111. Hope you’re ok and they get to the bottom of it!

LittleGwyneth · 14/03/2022 12:29

Is he always like that? Unless a) he's a doctor b) you are a persistent hypochondriac he is being a dick.

kittensinthekitchen · 14/03/2022 12:30

She wouldn’t be starting a long thread on mumsnet and updating regularly if this was the case!!

@implantreplace

Please do tell us what you did the last time you had a CSF leak?

kittensinthekitchen · 14/03/2022 12:30

Sorry, forgot the !!!s

Pllink · 14/03/2022 12:30

I had a similar situation about 5 years ago and went to a&e - they didn't think I was being overdramatic at all and rushed me straight in for tests. Would recommend you go in ASAP.

TristesseDurera · 14/03/2022 12:31

@A580Hojas

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.
You are as medically qualified as the chiropractor you went to, though.
Htotheizzo · 14/03/2022 12:32

This could be a pituitary tumour, please get it checked.

thisplaceisweird · 14/03/2022 12:32

I would have gone to a chiropractor on day 4. At this point, go to A&E if they can't work it out, try a chiropractor.

implantreplace · 14/03/2022 12:32

@kittensinthekitchen

She wouldn’t be starting a long thread on mumsnet and updating regularly if this was the case!!

@implantreplace

Please do tell us what you did the last time you had a CSF leak?

Have you read the symptoms?
TristesseDurera · 14/03/2022 12:32

Hope you get it sorted soon OP. I'm pretty stoical and have left things much too long, but this sounds really bad. Your 'D'P is callous and wrong.

implantreplace · 14/03/2022 12:32

Equivalent of going for a run with two broken legs

pigletsbiggestfan · 14/03/2022 12:32

In all honestly I wouldn't bother with 111. I'm still waiting for my call back 21 hours after calling for my 5 year old yesterday.

But agree you need seeing, I think I'd just go straight to a&e if your GP really won't see you. Ours has an 'on call' doctor who would review a message taken by reception and see you if needed, even if I called now.

TristesseDurera · 14/03/2022 12:33

@thisplaceisweird

I would have gone to a chiropractor on day 4. At this point, go to A&E if they can't work it out, try a chiropractor.
Why do you think someone with no medical qualifications offering a pseudoscientific and frequently dangerous practice would be able to fix it if actual doctors and nurses can't?
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