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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Headache for a week

25 replies

festiveoverwhelm · 14/12/2022 09:56

My husband has had a headache for a week. It’s focalised on the left side of his head, more towards the front. He’s not experiencing any other symptoms (no vision changes, no sickness, no change in any other way apparently). There’s been no lifestyle changes or anything like that.

Is there anything anyone can suggest that may be causing it? It’s not a migraine headache where he needs to lie in a dark room or anything - he’s working on his laptop and able to converse and is watching TV etc. It’s just constantly there apparently. He’s not a person who gets headaches really, which is why I’m baffled by this and a little concerned.

He gets chronic heartburn if he takes too many painkillers so although has tried aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen he says none of them have made much difference, but hasn’t take them every four hours for a few days if that makes sense.

Given the general state of the NHS this doesn’t feel like something we’d be able to see a doctor about or even get to 111. But happy to be advised differently if people have experience with this. Any suggestions? Any advice?

OP posts:

Zumarocks · 14/12/2022 10:31

My daughter had similar last week, we thought it was a migraine but then my husband got it. I think maybe it's going round. Some weird sinus related headache that's worse when you bend down. But please don't avoid seeking treatment if you think you need to just based on my response

My2pence2day · 14/12/2022 10:36

This could be a sign of something more sinister (or not, maybe he needs glasses). Please seek medical advice not advice from internet random who have no idea

dreamingofsun · 14/12/2022 10:40

has he taken a covid test?

KrisAkabusi · 14/12/2022 10:41

A headache for a week isn't normal, so he should see a doctor. If he's working away and it's not badly affecting him, it probably doesn't need to be urgent, but he should see his GP, probably looking for a referral to a specialist.

MrsSkylerWhite · 14/12/2022 10:41

Has he had his eyes tested?

litlealligator · 14/12/2022 10:41

Absolutely needs to see a doctor.

ofwarren · 14/12/2022 10:42

I'd go for an eye test. They can refer on to the hospital/doctors if needs be. They look at pressures behind the eye and can diagnose lots of different things that might cause a headache.

35965a · 14/12/2022 10:43

Taking painkillers sometimes makes headaches worse, especially if they’ve lasted a few days. I definitely suggest an eye test, they look at the back of the eyes so can spot things like high blood pressure or if anything looks suspicious. On top of that I’d also make a GP appointment.

EndlessRain1 · 14/12/2022 10:44

See a GP. A good friend of ours recently passed away due to a brain tumour. It started with a continual headache. That's obviously worst case scenario and really quite a rare outcome, but does make it worth getting checked out.

Unsureofitall · 14/12/2022 10:45

I was gonna suggest an eye test aswell. I had a headache for about 2 weeks. Wasn't terrible like your DH's. Went and got my eyes checked and my prescription had changed.

Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead · 14/12/2022 10:46

Does it hurt more in the morning or the evening

Does it hurt more on moving or staying stationery

Does it hurt more if he bends over

I'm not suggesting you get the answers and post them here OP but just some questions to have the answers to if he does speak to a doctor

I would go with the suggestions of the eye test first though. If I get a headache on one side of my head persistently near the front its usually because the prescription has changed in that eye and its straining.

Is he in his 40s?

Also the optician can recommend the GP refers him for investigation if they find anything concerning which can then get him referred quickly to the right place

Original poster

festiveoverwhelm · 14/12/2022 10:51

This is all really helpful, thank you.

He doesn’t have glasses already but hasn’t had his eyes tested for a long time so I will try and convince him to do this.

OP posts:

Original poster

festiveoverwhelm · 14/12/2022 10:52

Also reassuring to hear other people saying to take it seriously. He’s a bit of a typical man about things so always thinks I’m overreacting. He’s only 30, so still thinks he’s fine all the time.

OP posts:

StrawberryWater · 14/12/2022 10:56

Could be a migraine or a cluster headache.

That said it could also be Temporal arteritis and he needs to be seen by a doctor. It can be treated with steroids but is serious and needs ruling out.

StrawberryWater · 14/12/2022 10:59

The best thing to treat long term headaches is probably antidepressants (Amitriptyline) so he should still go to the dr even if it isn’t anything serious. Over the counter medication for long term headaches is naff and not worth bothering with.

Also yes, get him an eye test.

AutumnIsMyFavouriteSeason · 14/12/2022 11:43

Check his blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause continuous headaches that don't respond to pain killers.

underneaththeash · 14/12/2022 11:43

Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead · 14/12/2022 10:46

Does it hurt more in the morning or the evening

Does it hurt more on moving or staying stationery

Does it hurt more if he bends over

I'm not suggesting you get the answers and post them here OP but just some questions to have the answers to if he does speak to a doctor

Is he in his 40s?

Also the optician can recommend the GP refers him for investigation if they find anything concerning which can then get him referred quickly to the right place

It could "just" be an eye headache, but we (optometrists) can do lots of other tests to determine the cause of headaches. It's a lot easily that seeing the GP at the moment.

Does he feel under the weather at all at the moment? Taking vitamin D?

Mischance · 14/12/2022 11:45

If he has heartburn it would be wise to leave off the aspirin as this is likely to make it worse. Aspirin is the active ingredient in things to burn off warts - just think what it does to your stomach!

SinnerBoy · 14/12/2022 11:49

A colleague had a continuous headache, a few years ago and he was in his late 30s. He eventually went to the doctor, who referred him to hospital and it transpired that he had a bleed on his brain. He's fine and on some sort of treatment now.

It's abnormal, so he needs to see his GP at least.

I'm not saying he has a bleed, just noting a colleague's experience!

Eggmcmuffin · 14/12/2022 11:51

I had this and it was high blood pressure

schnubbins · 14/12/2022 11:54

Get his blood pressure checked.

snowinthesticks · 14/12/2022 11:58

Has he had covid recently? Or any kind of virus?
I've had headaches that go on for weeks, it's very debilitating. One thing I've found is that they often come after a virus. DS2 seems to have the same problem since he had covid.

Original poster

festiveoverwhelm · 14/12/2022 20:33

It took some emotional blackmail and I had to show him this thread but he’s booked an eye test for tomorrow… thank you for everyone’s advice!

OP posts:

MrsSkylerWhite · 14/12/2022 22:13

Good news.

billy1966 · 14/12/2022 22:24

StrawberryWater · 14/12/2022 10:59

Also yes, get him an eye test.

This appears a bit of a magic pill.

My son was given it for neuralgia.

Its also prescribed for epilepsy, depression, anxiety, and now headaches.

He took it for a few days and it did the trick thankfully.

OP, my daughter had a week of blinding headaches that were so bad she was CT scanned, thankfully all clear.

It was on session of acupuncture on the suggestion of a friend that miraculously cleared it.

Very common in those that are students and on technology a lot.

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