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Original poster

Headaches back - any ideas?

18 replies

GloryHunter · 30/08/2012 11:32

I have been suffering from severe headaches since last November. Painkillers don't really help, CT scan clear. Dr. prescribed 10mg amitriptyline which helped for a while. Just back from 10 days in Spain, sitting in the sun, drinking in moderation (don't touch alcohol at home as makes headaches worse) and didn't have a headache the whole time I was away. Since I've been home have had a headache every day - so fed up. Can't think what could be causing them. Please does anyone have any ideas? Nothing too stressful at home at the moment.

OP posts:
ProudNeathGirl · 30/08/2012 11:34

Have you had your eyes tested? You were probably using your eyes less on holiday - ie less close work such as computers, TV, reading, cooking etc.

MrsZoidberg · 30/08/2012 12:43

Is anyone else in the household getting headaches? If so, there might be something in the house that coud be causing it.

OneWaySystemBlues · 30/08/2012 13:11

Could it be something to do with pillows? I get bad neck pain that can turn into head-splitting headaches if I sleep 'wrong' or am stressed/tense.

Londonista1975 · 30/08/2012 13:13

Drinking plenty of water usually helps with me.

booksandchoc · 30/08/2012 13:17

The dentist diagnosed me with bruxism which is clenching the jaw, it caused severe headaches for me, it's to do with all the muscles in ur jaw, they spread over ur skull. Chewing gum made it worse too. I stopped them just being conscious of when I was doing it. The dentist was going to give me a gum shield thing for sleeping with but I didn't need it.

PedallingSquares · 30/08/2012 13:50

You have my heartfelt sympathy OP

I used to be like you, with an almost constant headache that always let up when I went on holiday. (I remember one year DH asking me to write down that I really didn't have a headache while we were away because he knew when I got home I wouldn't really believe it had ever gone)

I went for endless tests and found nothing. In the end I put it down to stress as it disappeared while I was away.

Then I moved out of London and my headache went. If I return to London for a visit within a few hours the headache is back and stays for the rest of my stay.

I am sure it is caused by pollution/air moisture levels etc in some form but still don't have a scientific explanation though so not really much help.

dinkydoodah · 30/08/2012 13:51

I am watching with interest. I could have wrote this post - diagnosed with migraine variant headaches last November. Scan clear. 10mg Amitryptiline had a little positive effect so raised to 20mg in February. Still got headaches of varying strengths most days so stopped taking meds in March (stupidly!). Was not really any change until beginning of Auguat when they ramped up again. I get dizziness with mine too so rather unpleasant. Went to Spain and they completely disappeared. Was marvellous! I came back last week and bam! Headache within. 2 hours of return! Back on 10mg ami and miserable again. Can't afford to move to Spain Sad

Dollydowser · 30/08/2012 13:58

You could try a magnesium supplement, it can help relieve headaches.

Original poster
GloryHunter · 30/08/2012 14:53

Thank you for all your help. Nobody else in the household gets headaches and I've had the boiler serviced so its not that. I will try and drink more water! Very frustrating. I live in suburbs so could be pollution as fairly near a busy road. I'd like to move to Spain too dinkydoodah!

OP posts:
dinkydoodah · 30/08/2012 19:24

Have you tried increasing your dosage? I am going to give 20mg a go. My neuro said to go back if it doesn't work as there are lots of other things to try. He was sure their were often environmental factors at play including allergies but he said its difficult to pinpoint triggers.

Original poster
GloryHunter · 30/08/2012 19:49

My neurologist said mine could be using too many painkillers, which I've cut down to minimum now i.e. not every day. Then he got hold of my head in both his hands, shook it, and pronounced me fit and well Hmm

OP posts:
Clockless · 30/08/2012 22:33

How awful. It must be jolly frustrating to think that there is something that is causing it and it would all just go away if......

I think people who haven't suffered from constant headaches and migraines really don't get it. I'm so sorry your dr did that, glory I would have been Angry

hiddenhome · 30/08/2012 23:10

Whereabouts is the pain occuring?

I suffered from severe headaches for months, then happened to be reading something on the 'net and realised it was my sinuses. Went to the GP who peered up my nose and told me they were inflammed. Gave me antibiotics and advised that I take ibuprofen. I was better within days. I have to take a regular dose of ibuprofen otherwise the sinuses flare up and the pain returns. A damp atmosphere can make them worse. Perhaps you've already been examined for this and it's been ruled out, but if the pain starts off at the front of the head and moves back and your face is sore, then it could be that.

carocaro · 31/08/2012 13:55

I find that if I go though a phase of headaches, an antihistimine and a nurofen really help. Sounds simple, but really works, I would get one sided days long headaches and they go with this combo.

dinkydoodah · 31/08/2012 20:12

Carocaro what type of antihistamine do you take? I would like to try one as my neuro said he felt allergies might be my trigger.

hiddenhome I suffer from chronic sinusitis too - had op on deviated septum 10 years ago and was ok for about 6 months after then back to normal. I always assumed all my headaches were from my sinuses. It wasn't until I started getting other symptons last year - dizzness, nausea, aura, that I realised I was having Migraines too. Oh the joy!

OP I also got my boiler checked out as my DS9 developed Migraines the same time as me last year. Boiler was ok and we have always had carbon monoxide detectors in place anyway. DH and DD7 are headache free. Its frustrating!

hiddenhome · 31/08/2012 20:21

I think sinuses must be very sensitive because some Dove antiperspirant has set mine off this afternoon (it stinks like air freshener) Confused It's in the bin now.

Sad dinkydoodah it seems you must be destined to have headaches.

dinkydoodah · 31/08/2012 20:23

Carocaro what type of antihistamine do you take? I would like to try one as my neuro said he felt allergies might be my trigger.

hiddenhome I suffer from chronic sinusitis too - had op on deviated septum 10 years ago and was ok for about 6 months after then back to normal. I always assumed all my headaches were from my sinuses. It wasn't until I started getting other symptons last year - dizzness, nausea, aura, that I realised I was having Migraines too. Oh the joy!

OP I also got my boiler checked out as my DS9 developed Migraines the same time as me last year. Boiler was ok and we have always had carbon monoxide detectors in place anyway. DH and DD7 are headache free. Its frustrating!

dinkydoodah · 31/08/2012 20:39

Sorry about double post! [Confused]

I did not have any headaches until I hit 30. I always had sore throats which led to recurrent tonsillitis. After years of tonsillitis misery I had my tonsils out at 28. Had two years of good health then sinus problems started. Now migraines. Am beginning to wonder whether I should have held on to my tonsils [Hmm]

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