How much of a headache is normal after Astra Zeneca.

[Bubby2997]

Had my second dose last night. Had zero side effects with the first.

Today I have had a headache. Nothing too severe but making me feel a bit meh.

Tbf I did have a headache before the vaccine yesterday and I do suffer from headaches - it doesn't feel much different to any other headache.

I was told to look out for severe headaches. But what really is severe? Sometimes I suffer from very painful tension headaches that sometimes don't fully clear for several hours or can linger for days with varying severity.

Any advice?

I was told after my first dose to drink lots of water so I did, then got a bit of a headache on day 4/5, which went with some water and paracetamol. BIL had a much worse headache that also turned out to be dehydration. So maybe try drinking lots of water and take a paracetamol to help meantime. Hope you feels better soon.

Call 111 immediately if you get any of these symptoms starting from around 4 days to 4 weeks after being vaccinated:

a severe headache that is not relieved with painkillers or is getting worse
a headache that feels worse when you lie down or bend over
a headache that's unusual for you and occurs with blurred vision, feeling or being sick, problems speaking, weakness, drowsiness or seizures (fits)
a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin
shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal (tummy) pain

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/

I was definitely told that if it feels worse when you bend over and painkillers don't help then that's severe enough to call 111. The problem was that I get those sort of headaches all the time but the nurse instructing me still said to call 111 and take their advice.
It was Ramadan as well so couldn't stay as hydrated as I normally would and I worried for 3 days. On day 4 it was gone

@Sh05

I was definitely told that if it feels worse when you bend over and painkillers don't help then that's severe enough to call 111. The problem was that I get those sort of headaches all the time but the nurse instructing me still said to call 111 and take their advice. It was Ramadan as well so couldn't stay as hydrated as I normally would and I worried for 3 days. On day 4 it was gone

I was told if the headaches are normal for me not to worry too much but to ring if I was concerned. My usual headaches are often worse when lying down and bending over too. They are typical tension headaches caused by jaw clenching and tmj!

Tbf I didn't have a headache before the vaccine and this one doesn't feel any different. I've been jaw clenching really bad. Typically a jaw headache for me often lasts all day and faced by the evening so I'll see what I'm like this evening and if it goes like it usually does. I'm up and about, cleaning, walked the kids to school etc. It's not severe but certainly there.

See this is so tough! If you are someone for whom headaches are "normal", such as a migraine sufferer, chances are you do an awful lot to try and prevent getting a headache in day to day life. I can go weeks without. But if one gets hold, they are very, very difficult to stop and tend to last days.

Surely this leads to so much unnecessary worry and trips to A&E. It might have been simpler to screen out people who normally suffer headaches from receiving the az.

The info given at the vaccination centre is exactly what @roguetomato has posted.

@HJ40 the vaccination centre only mentioned the headaches to me, not the other symptoms listed - I've obviously read the other symptoms in the leaflet given but they did only mentions headaches when I got there 😒

I think the guidance is quite clear, even for those prone to headaches. The key word is unusual and getting worse with added symptoms like blurred vision or feeling sick. I assume the blot clot that causes headaches are causing blood haemorrhage in the brain.

How odd - I was going to post the photo I took of the info but it is that exact wording. Weird it wasn't at your vaccination centre.

it doesn't feel much different to any other headache.

You're fine - stop worrying.

@HJ40

How odd - I was going to post the photo I took of the info but it is that exact wording. Weird it wasn't at your vaccination centre.

I had the same information in the leaflet but I wasn't verbally told by the staff I mean 💕

@bookworm1632

it doesn't feel much different to any other headache.

You're fine - stop worrying.

True! I think the anxiety is making my headache worse. It's a typical tension headache!

Roguetomato sickness, weakness and visual disturbance are also migraine symptoms for some sufferers, which is the difficulty, and they can happen with varying intensity. So it would be very hard to know from the symptoms as described.