Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
FarFarFarAndAway · 14/03/2022 16:14

I just rejoined Mumsnet (having a break) to say that you should go to A and E because with the best will in the world, a GP cannot know what's in your head, you need scans to rule out various possibilities- I have been in this situation and there are several different things it can be, none of which a GP can tell.

If it were intermittent, going away, relieved by pain killers, whatever, I'd say migraine, investigate later. But not this. Really would just go.

If you present at A and E with potential stroke/meningitis/tumour type symptoms, even if they are likely caused by a common or garden headache, they will see you, scan you and then you will know whether going back and talking to the GP and trying different headache medications is the right way to go.

There are several people on this thread who have had a bad experience like this, as well as a hospital doctor who says go, I'm not sure what people think a GP can do- the first thing to do is always to rule out anything terrible, then work backwards. You cannot assume all is ok just because lots of people have headaches, this is an unusual type lasting a long time and not common for the OP, definitely go in and get seen, ignore your husband and look after yourself.

Original poster
Tulipelle · 14/03/2022 16:15

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.

OP posts:
BoldMove · 14/03/2022 16:16

Had similar. Duty gp told me to go straight to a and e but to to get someone to take me. Was ok and diagnosed with migraine but none of the usual treatments work for me. Bloody exhausting. If you're dh hasn't had them then he won't understand. Hope they ring you back soon. I really sympathise with you esp as have just got over a 4 day stint of migraines.

gogohm · 14/03/2022 16:16

Call your gp

Original poster
Tulipelle · 14/03/2022 16:17

I should add that the GP did not seem convinced I’m suffering from migraines given the symptoms I described

OP posts:
FarFarFarAndAway · 14/03/2022 16:21

You need A and E not because there's necessarily anything very wrong, but to rule those things out. Your GP surgery doesn't have the facilities to rule out the nasty but uncommon things, so has to send you there. That's absolutely the right decision by the Gp and I'm glad they are not worried about wasting NHS time like some people on here. It's not about severity, it's about facilities and A and E have the facilities to run quick scans and rule stuff out!

FarFarFarAndAway · 14/03/2022 16:24

Also, once some things are ruled out, the GP can then get on with efficiently treating what you do have. Much more effective than bashing away trying all types of painkillers and preventives and not getting anywhere.

The NHS is in a state partly due to funding, but partly due to inefficiency and having really poor pathways to pick up the most serious cases, leaving them too long. This is actually a great example of what's supposed to happen, and I hope you come back knowing there's nothing massively sinister going on and can then start to look at treatments given it's interfering with your everyday life.

Sorry if I sounded sharp, I'm actually really glad you are taking the GP's advice, and I wish you all the best when you get there.

BenchBench · 14/03/2022 16:27

Glad you’re getting seen today

BenchBench · 14/03/2022 16:29

[quote endofthelinefinally]**@implantreplace

A medical colleague of mine was actually at work when he was diagnosed with a CSF leak. He was complaining about a nasal drip and a headache. We were all pretty surprised.

OP, either A&E, or failing that, your local optician can do some basic checks and, more importantly, can send you to A&E with a letter. Mine sent me off to A&E on a Friday afternoon and I am extremely grateful as I am still having treatment and follow up a year on.[/quote]
I just wanted @implantreplace to read this again after their rubbish about not being able to post with a CSF leak. You most definitely can!

zingally · 14/03/2022 16:32

It's your head! Absolutely call. A 2 week headache isn't normal, and should be investigated.

Sounds bonkers... and tell me to shut up, but could it be allergies? Only reason I say, is because a very similar thing happened to me maybe 4-5 years ago now, about this time of year, when I had a bad headache I couldn't really shift.
It turned out I was having an allergic reaction to a tree outside my work place, which was just blossoming!

tkwal · 14/03/2022 16:32

Is there any visual disturbance .? If there is and you have glasses go to your optician who can do scans etc to see if it's connected. If no visual disturbance still phone 111. 2 weeks with no relief from the pain at all, something is clearly going on.

Flowersandhearts · 14/03/2022 16:34

I'm so glad you're going to A&E. New onset, persistent, worsening headaches are definitely worthy of a proper assessment.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 14/03/2022 16:43

Glad you are being seen today. You need a proper medical assessment.

And sorry your DH is such an unsympathetic arse.

Hope all goes OK and let us know.

BowerOfBramble · 14/03/2022 16:44

Best of luck! Hope they can fix you up quick

TravellingFrom · 14/03/2022 16:51

@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.
Perfect! That’s exactly what should have been done a week agin when you first went to see the GP.

And yes it is extremely likely that it’s not serious. BUT you don’t know that just now. That’s why you need A&E and to be seen ASAP.

Good luck with the trio to A&E

PortalooSunset · 14/03/2022 16:52

So glad you're being properly checked out op.

GreenFingeredNell15 · 14/03/2022 16:57

Well done you, OP. Your husband is a twat. I wonder about neuralgia or TMJ?

kittensinthekitchen · 14/03/2022 17:04

I just wanted @implantreplace to read this again after their rubbish about not being able to post with a CSF leak. You most definitely can!

@BenchBench

She'll be back in a bit; she's gone running with those two broken legs Wink

dumdumduuuummmmm · 14/03/2022 17:05

Please update us OP. WOuld like to know if it is anything serious x

dollymuchymuchness · 14/03/2022 17:14

Here’s hoping it’s nothing much @Tulipelle. You are definitely doing the right thing getting checked.

Ddot · 14/03/2022 17:25

This may sound stupid but get your teeth checked.

Twilight7777 · 14/03/2022 17:30

Ignore ‘D’P he sounds like a delight sarcasm. For me as someone who has chronic illnesses, if I had a response like that from my partner it would be a proper red flag, and I’d be considering whether the relationship was right for me. But as I say that’s my opinion. Please try your best to get seen too, 111 as a first step, if it gets unbearable and becomes a 9/10 on the pain scale I’d be going to A & E

UniversalAunt · 14/03/2022 17:30

Ring 111.

Any visual disturbance?
Any nausea?
Any change in feeling of pain if you bend over, change postural position?

History of blood pressure issues?
Knocked your head in any way?
Anything fallen on your head?

Had a recent routine eye examination?
Had a recent routine dental examination?
Any dental pain or issues, sore or aching teeth?

Just a few questions to consider whilst you wait to speak with 111.

UniversalAunt · 14/03/2022 17:33

‘ This may sound stupid but get your teeth checked.’

Not at all @Ddot.

Diseased teeth &/or gums can affect the nerves along the jaw line & facial nerve pain on one side may result.

VioletOcean · 14/03/2022 17:35

Call 111
I wouldn’t give a shit what my partner thought