In A&E worrying I’m being a complete hypochondriac

[Headsissues]

I’ve been getting daily headaches for around 6 months with random dizziness and loud whooshing sounds in my ears that get so loud I can’t hear anything for about 30 seconds. GP never seemed overly phased so I’ve always just taken paracetamol and got on with it. I never get migraines, just your standard headaches.

On Saturday morning I woke up with a banging headache that is still ongoing. I’ve been taking paracetamol and ibruprofun around the clock, tried relaxing activities etc, and nothing is stopping it. I’ve been feeling incredibly dizzy and nauseous with it and its just a prolonging, heavy headache that doesn’t come and go, it stays - It seems to be worsening so I called the doctor yesterday and explained what was happening thinking she would give me some better painkillers. She told me she wants me to go to A&E because she’s concerned and wants me to get a scan. I got some cocodamol and decided to stay at home because I just felt so silly.

It’s worsening even more today and I haven’t coped with it at all so I’m here at A&E waiting to be seen by a doctor. Been given codeine by triage but not touching it at all.

The headache is all across the front of my head and temples.

Ive had the dizziness, some blurry vision (looks like most in my eyes), nausea and feeling weaker than normal but bright lights don’t bother me and my neck isn’t stiff. I’ve never had a proper migraine before so wouldn’t know whether this is one or not.

Anyway, anyone experienced this before or have any advice? I’m feeling quite silly being here and worried they’re going to think I’m a hypochondriac.

Just popping in to see how you got on and if you're okay

As soon as I read swooshing in your ears I was concerned. I had exactly those symptoms (swooshing, nausea, headache etc) and it was meningitis. The swelling from the infection in my brain meant i could 'hear' the fluid moving around my head. I thought I was being very silly and was reluctant to mention it to the A&E doc but I did and she said afterwards as soon as i mentioned that she knew what it was. Had to have a lumbar puncture to remove excess fluid and IV antibiotics etc and was fine after about a week. Hope you're being well looked after

Do you grind your teeth in your sleep. That can cause INTENSE head pain.

@Blueey I had Intracranial Hypertension and am not overweight. It was a response to Dianette, which they gave me for acne. But OP doesn't mention the GP seeing issues at the backs of her eyes (they will have looked) so maybe it's something else.

Get well soon OP x

Could it be Labrinthitis?

Well put. Sending you love and i hope it goes ok ❤️

You're in the right place and have every right to be there when the GP has advised you to go to A&E.

I get whooshing. It's called pulsatile tinnitus and can have several different causes. It's especially important to get it investigated given your other symptoms, which sound quite severe.

Does the whooshing stop completely or diminish if you press on the side of your neck? Is the whooshing in time with your pulse? Is it only in one ear? It's important to tell them all of this. They don't always ask. I'm under ENT and neurology awaiting scan results. They will probably scan you too. I've had MRI & MRA so far. It can be caused by bloodflow or could be intracranial hypertension, as others have mentioned. Lots of causes and some are dangerous so best to get it checked out. Don't feel you're wasting anyone's time. And don't let them fob you off. My previous GP dismissed it as ordinary tinnitus but it's completely different.

Hope you get seen and get help soon. The headache sounds awful. Good luck!

Stay in A&E and don't leave without having an MRI. You are NOT being a hypochondriac at all. The symptoms you describe could be signs of many things, but it is very important that you are seen and at least some possibilities are ruled out.

@Headsissues have you been tested for intercranial hypertension?

Good luck op

@Headsissues not sure if anyone has suggested being checked out for fibromuscular dysplasia. Especially if the whooshing sound you hear occurs with the heartbeat.

My mum used to get ‘migraines’ I remember seeing the Migraleve tablets in the bathroom cabinet. But shortly after she was diagnosed she had a major stroke. Please go to A&E it may be nothing but the risk of it being something is huge.

We see people in A&E with bad prolonged headaches all the time. Your GP is shocking. He/she should at least refer you for a scan if you get constant headaches. Feel for you x

Checking in to see how you are. Thinking of you

Sending love and strength . You have every right to be there. That’s what A and E is for.

You’re wrong. One of the things A and E deals with is pain control. The OP is obviously in really bad pain. So A and E is the place to be.

This should have been investigated properly after a couple of months of headaches, not 6 months.
It's good the doctor sent you in to the A and E.

Also people mean well trying to diagnose it and recommending things like triptans etc,but any one who has a constant headache like that needs to have it investigated.

Migraines don't normally go on for months on end.

You're not a hypochondriac so don't feel silly. Your GP was concerned enough to send you straight there to rule out anything very serious.
They will work down from the worst case scenario to the simplest so please sit tight and be seen, although it's not exactly comfortable and relaxing
I hope you will be feeling better very soon

Many migraine sufferers can use their phone, even during particularly bad ones!

@CarrotsAndCheese I have this too. They didn't find anything on scans so have been diagnosed with vestibular migraines and menieres disease. Unfortunately there isn't much they can do to stop the tinnitus which is very annoying.

My DC just had brain surgery for a Chronic Subdural Heamatoma. The only symptom was headaches for two weeks which slowly got worse.

He saw three different GPs who gave painkillers but it wasn't until he went to A and E that he had a scan and was transferred to a big hospital.

Operation the next morning.
Apparently this is rare is a young person in their 30s.

Probably caused by a bump on the head 12 weeks before. No symptoms at all for 10 weeks.

You were literally told by an actual doctor that you should go to A&E with your symptoms, so you are absolutely not being a hypochondriac and the A&E will absolutely understand that. From what you've said, it sounds like A&E was an appropriate course of action given that the usual medications haven't helped and the GP isn't sure what's wrong. Hope all is well and that you get some answers soon.

@Headsissues I hope you are doing ok?

@porridgeisbae sorry yes, I know you don't need to be overweight to develop it. I just associate the condition with being overweight as gaining 40lbs very rapidly is what seemed to trigger it for me. But you're absolutely right.

I hope OP is OK either way.

It is usually associated with it, to be fair.