Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Headache after AZ nearly seven weeks on

17 replies

Realitea · 09/08/2021 08:24

Is this normal? Every day and sometimes it wakes me in the night. Sometimes a dull headache, sometimes a sharp quick shooting pain by the temples
It started after my second dose nearly seven weeks ago
Should I tell my GP or is it normal? I am going through a very stressful time at the moment so I don’t know

OP posts:
Mindymomo · 09/08/2021 08:47

If you are stressed at the moment, chances are it’s that that is giving you headaches. Headaches from stress are usually pain at the temples. But if it’s been everyday for 7 weeks, I would ring GP just to go over a few things that could help.

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 09/08/2021 09:48

Ring the GP. My mum had this, they gave her that low level anti depressant that blacks pain receptors. She took it for 3 weeks, had a head and neck massage in week 2. Fixed. Can't remember name of AD, sorry.

Original poster
Realitea · 09/08/2021 10:44

Was it amitriptyline? I’m on that already for something else but doesn’t seem to work for this
I’ve sent an email to the GP so I expect they’ll call me back soon

OP posts:
Silkiecats · 09/08/2021 10:49

I would contact GP as you have done. Its not normal but think the blood clot risk is in first 4 weeks so could be stress related. Best to get checked though. Make sure you are drinking enough as well.

Original poster
Realitea · 09/08/2021 17:30

I’m thinking it must be stress. It might also be linked to my iron levels which’s re always low. Ah e they’ve gone even lower
The GP has given me a phone consultation later this week. She can’t be too worried.

OP posts:
Original poster
Realitea · 09/08/2021 17:31

That should say ‘which are’ always low and they’ve gone even lower

OP posts:
leafyygreens · 09/08/2021 17:35

Have you been taking frequent painkillers @Realitea?

Medication overuse headache is annoyingly common and often goes unnoticed.

Original poster
Realitea · 09/08/2021 17:41

No not really, if it’s really awful I’ll have two paracetamols but only once a day of that, as I like to ‘tough it out’!

OP posts:
leafyygreens · 09/08/2021 17:45

@Realitea

No not really, if it’s really awful I’ll have two paracetamols but only once a day of that, as I like to ‘tough it out’!
Ah so taking low doses of painkillers frequently is actually a risk factor for medication overuse headache. The definition of "frequently" does depend on the individual and how sensitive they are to it (I am sadly vert sensitive Grin )

Not saying it is MOH, but could be worth asking your GP about it. Sadly the only solution is to go cold turkey which can sometimes make you feel worse initially before it clears up :)

HSHorror · 09/08/2021 18:32

It maybe the anaemia as your body uses iron for antibodies

BunsyGirl · 09/08/2021 18:54

I had a persistent headache after AZ. It took around 8-9 weeks to subside. My GP did send me to the hospital in week 3 and they checked me out for blood clots but that was clear.

greenweepingwillow · 09/08/2021 21:04

I had a headache for around 10 -12 weeks after my second AZ which I had at the end of March. I have also had palpitations which have ony just started to improve in last 3 weeks and awful exhaustion. I was previously a very fit and active person. Since my second covid jab I have had to stop running and all exercise and have spent vast chunks of the weekend just sleeping (I work full time) again it is only in the last couple of weeks this has started improving. I have just got back out running 2 - 3 miles a couple of times last week. I was regularly running half marathons before.
I am not an anti vaxxer, and I am a senior nhs clinician and had my vaccination as soon as availble to me, but this vaccination has honestly broken me and has made me really unwell for many months. Sad
no one belives me though, and I have been totally fobbed off by gp who has refused to even do any investigations. I am improving now I think, but it has made my life very, very difficult since March

TokyoSushi · 09/08/2021 21:16

I had my second AZ at the end of June, I'd say I've had a headache about 5 days out of 7 every week since then, it's pretty miserable.

bleughheadache · 09/08/2021 21:19

Lost count of weeks but had first AZ in March and had a headache until 1 week ago.

I did have second vaccine that made it worse again for a few weeks but it is now much better.

I have been referred to Neurolgy but the appointment is not til the end of August.

The headache started 6 hours after the first vaccine and just did not shift at all.

Got a bit fed up of people telling me to drink more water to get rid of it!

Fcuk38 · 09/08/2021 21:22

I had the other vaccine and I have. Sore existing extreme headache condition. Af r the vaccine I was in agony for weeks with even
More chronic headaches. I asked the doctor who said there’s no link but they still referred
Me to neurology.

Original poster
Realitea · 09/08/2021 23:14

Gosh I wonder if I’ll be referred now. They will most likely put it down to stress though i expect.

I had no idea the vaccine used iron to create antibodies. I’d be surprised if I had enough iron in me for that!

I keep drinking water but I have about two litres a day anyway so surely it can’t be dehydration

Interesting to hear others who’ve had these side effects and more since their vaccine
I’m still glad I had it
I just hope it works well when I get covid. I can’t imagine I’ll dodge it forever

OP posts:
Bells3032 · 10/08/2021 10:08

Honestly it's irrelevant whether you've had a vaccine if you are having daily headaches for 7 weeks please contact your GP. it is likely nothing but better to be safe

New posts on this thread. Refresh page