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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be really worried about coughing - head injury?

11 replies

PocketRainbow · 25/12/2022 23:13

Developed a horrible cough virus (no other symptoms) in the last 2 days, today is the worst day so far. It constantly feels like there is something sitting on my chest and chest is burning/stinging. COVID negative but I just cannot stop coughing and all the pharmacies are closed, obviously

I have been coughing so frequently and with such huge force that now my temples and head hurts when I cough. I’ve googled this and now I am worried I have caused damage or even a bleed on the brain which apparently can happen! Apologies if this sounds irrational, please be as kind as possible - am I being a total numpty about this? I have had the worst Christmas ever for reasons I don’t want to go into so health anxiety is really working overtime tonight :(

OP posts:
Lougle · 25/12/2022 23:15

Sorry you're having a hard Christmas. It's really very unlikely that you have caused damage by coughing.

Flowerfairy101 · 25/12/2022 23:18

I'm 3 weeks into this, it started as a cough then turned into a real head cold, buckets of snot and still coughing so your headache might be caused by your sinuses filling up for the next stage (sorry). It is an awful cough though, for weeks someone in my house has been coughing at any given moment. Hope you feel better soon.

NosyNeighbour22 · 25/12/2022 23:18

Sorry I can’t really offer any advice, I Hve health anxiety too so I’m so how it can be once you get these ideas. However, I know someone who has had a bleed in the brain and said it was stage most excruciating headache they had in their life, you wouldn’t mix it up with a normal flu headache.

Bekindbekind · 25/12/2022 23:19

I have a chronic cough caused by asthma, sometimes (like today) I cough until- sorry for TMI - I almost vomit, it makes my head hurt and my ears ring. Have not caused any serious damage as of yet. Our brains really are well-protected in there.

I hope you’re feeling better soon, both physically and mentally. I really don’t think you need to worry about the coughing causing damage though 💐

thelobsterquadrille · 25/12/2022 23:22

It's very normal to get a headache with a cough, and also to get sore muscles from coughing too much.

Try sitting up as much as possible so you can breathe a bit more easily.

Ponoka7 · 25/12/2022 23:23

What's going around is nasty. The pain in the chest it can cause is the same as a mild heart attack. My friend who has had heart attacks and the pain caused by so much coughing, said that to me. The head pain is another symptom.

pink1173 · 25/12/2022 23:27

It is honestly the worst cough I have ever had. Have had the worst week ever! The pain you get in the chest and head is really bad. The nurse I saw gave me a great tip. Get a tea towel or hand towel. You fold it in half length ways , then again and again and it should feel quite solid. Keep it with you and when you feel the cough coming press into your chest and it helps to keep the pressure off. It really did work. Hope you feel better soon.

oishutup · 26/12/2022 12:17

I sympathise. I had this cough for 3 weeks and felt exactly the same way about my head. I got really scared and worried. But I feel a ton better now, and can appreciate that it was just my mind going to dark places when I was feeling so ill.
Hot honey and lemon was the only thing that really helped my cough, and then a nasal rinse and over the counter sinus spray for the congestion afterwards.
I hope you feel better soon. Headspace has some lovely reassuring meditations that helped me.

OooScotland · 26/12/2022 16:57

I have asthma that escalated recently into a cough that ended up giving me a pain that felt like a knife coming down diagonally across my head, along with pain under my shoulder blades. I was a bit scared, honestly, but it seems to have been par for the course with some of the virus going around atm.

I’m sorry you’re ill, OP, I hope you’re better soon.

Original poster
PocketRainbow · 26/12/2022 18:32

Thank you everyone. Cough is no better and now have a fever. It’s awful to have health anxiety and you’ve all been so reassuring 💐

OP posts:
BackT · 26/12/2022 18:52

I'm on day 3 of the cough and also now have fever, aches, headache etc.

Worst cough I've ever had. If you have any Ventolin inhalers accessible, a puff will help to suppress the cough.

I've pulled all the muscles in my stomach coughing and it's touch and go whether my pelvic floor will hold up much longer.

It's a really awful virus so I feel your pain. Ive sent all the family away and im feeling very sorry for myself

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