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?

Sounds like a type of neuralgia to me, which needs proper investigation and certain specific meds. You certainly aren't wasting NHS time on this.

@implantreplace

Yes, I have read the symptoms. And I asked the OP a couple of questions which might be worth mentioning when she speaks to 111 if they are relevant.

So what did you do last time you had a CSF leak?

My DH was similar, I ignored him, I had head and neck cancer.

Not saying this is on the same level, but IGNORE him.

Call 111. If needed, they can get you a same day appt with your GP.

Unless your DH is a doctor, then he's just another speculating random, as far as medical issues are concerned. Why would you listen to him, or feel the need to seek his advice? You're an adult. Your health is between you and doctor.

Family are for the domestic and practical elements of support and care, not the specialist medical ones.

This is exactly what doctors are there for. You have tried to treat it at home and given it some time.

Now it's time for the professionals.

Hope everything is ok.

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but it might be an idea to get your blood pressure checked. Most surgeries have a self use piece of equipment, which will print the reading. At my old surgery, you pass this to reception then if out of normal range will contact you.

Now I don't mean to frighten the Op, and I'm a lot older, with other illnesses, I ignored it for over a week, then had a stroke. I was 58, and have fortunately recovered very well, but I wish I hadn't ignored the relentless headaches (had previously been on BP meds but these were stopped due to weightloss) x

Meanwhile, remember this next time he has a medical emergency man-style, like a stubbed toe or a splinter.

@implantreplace

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

Good job it’s not a migraine then hey?

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🖕

As a few have said, if it feels like electric shocks then it sounds like nerve pain

I have occipital neuralgia and no painkillers work on it - as they’re not used to treat nerve pain

Try an ice pack, if the nerve is inflamed it may provide some brief relief - definitely see a GP at the very least.

The only thing that’s worked for me has been nerve block injections - finally got to see a neurologist after months of GPS thinking I just wanted painkillers from them

Call 111. You're not wasting anyone's time. It's not like you are demanding an emergency helicopter.

@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?

I had a post lumbar puncture headache for 8 days (same pain level and cause of headache as a CSF leak) and I could still type and read messages. I just couldn't sit or stand without horrific pain. So, yeah OP could absolutely be posting regularly.

You need to ring your GP back & insist on an emergency appointment... A&E isn't the right place for this & wont do anything other than refer you back to your GP

The pain you describe actually sounds like cluster headache, which I've learnt years down the line is in my case triggered by cervical disc problems & an osteopath is more helpful than migraine drugs, which does nothing. Oxygen helps during an attack

implantreplace
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

Everyone is different as are peoples migraines & pain tolerance. I manage just fine with screen brightness down, but grammar & spelling go out of the window

Maybe try and optician? They can often get a better look in there than doctors.

I hope 111 are helpful unlike your husband

Glad you’re calling 111. Your DH is neither the boss of you or the NHS (unless there’s a major drip feed coming!) so really he can eff off.

@RockinHorseShit

You need to ring your GP back & insist on an emergency appointment... A&E isn't the right place for this & wont do anything other than refer you back to your GP

The pain you describe actually sounds like cluster headache, which I've learnt years down the line is in my case triggered by cervical disc problems & an osteopath is more helpful than migraine drugs, which does nothing. Oxygen helps during an attack

That's what I would do. But if she's in London she can get a GP appt via 111 somewhere in the borough. Otherwise she will have to take pot luck at 8am with her surgery tomorrow morning.

111 will get you an appointment with your/an overflow GP if they feel you need to be seen today .

Sharp one sided headache could be lots of different things, definitely needs checking out sooner rather than later.

Your DP is an idiot.

Hope you get sorted soon and it turns out to be something and nothing.

Persistent pain should always be investigated. It may or may not indicate a serious problem. But if you feel you need your husband's permission to make a phone call, that is definitely a serious problem.

Go to a&e. You need a CT scan asap

I Agree to 111 too @TatianaBis, we have that service here too, but it's only for out of hours here

Unless your DH went to medical school and qualified as a doctor he needs to STFU!
I would ring your GP and tell them you need a same day appt

@Tulipelle

Thanks so much everyone for your sensible advice and sympathy, I really needed this today. Calling right now!

Good luck. Hope you get seen soon.

I had a headache for two weeks that was eventually diagnosed as a stress headache. I then spent ten weeks in bed with glandular fever. The nurse thought my headache was the start of it.

Your husband is a dickhead. How dare he try and tell you what to do but why are you giving him the chance too? It is your health and your pain.

YANBU.
Call 111 and ask for advice. Likely they will just refer you back to your GP as it isnt out of hours.
If desperate go to minor injuries as they are technically an extension of your GP surgery.
Migraines are awful and can be relentless lasting days on end. Mine dont shift with regular pain relief and i have to rely on prescribed meds.
The only time they stopped was when i was pregnant.