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Original poster

If you had headaches like these would you be worried?

59 replies

souvenir · 01/04/2006 22:13

I've been having headaches for over 6 months after previously never being prone to them, even when quite poorly. I've done a stack of research into headaches and seen the GP a couple of times for blood tests etc. and it would seem most likely that I'm having tension headaches. Except that mine don't follow the pattern of them exactly.

I have headaches for at least 3-4 days a week, sometimes so bad they make me feel really sick others they just wear me down. It's a tight feeling over my head and neck and some of my shoulder area which is classic tension headache. But my vision is always affected too - it's like my eyes want to close there's so much pressure behind them and I can't focus on anything like putting make up on or looking at someone's face while they talk to me.

Anyhow, does anybody else have anything similar? Or any advice for me?

TIA

OP posts:
LadySherlockofLGJ · 01/04/2006 22:15

Sounds like Migraine to me.

PinkTulips · 01/04/2006 22:17

could be migraine but it sounds a bit like your eyes need to be checked, do you wear glasses? if you don't you might need them and if you do you might need stronger

spacecadet · 01/04/2006 22:17

could be migrain or you could be suffering from cluster headaches

jampots · 01/04/2006 22:18

sounds like migraine too or possible eye strain. Agree you should see an optician. FWIW I find when I have tension headaches that wont go, those Kool & Soothe gel pads work fabulously

SaintGeorge · 01/04/2006 22:22

Do your eyes get bloodshot?
Do you find exposure to light extra painful?

SorenLorensen · 01/04/2006 22:28

It's unusual to suddenly start getting headaches like that. I've suffered from migraines since puberty - and mine are definitely hormonal, I get them on day 2 of my period, it's all very precise. I also get visual disturbances but not in the way you describe - mine are like rippling water obscuring my vision, and my migraines are always on the right side of my head.

Definitely get your eyes tested asap - and mention the headaches to the optician (they will ask anyway)

You can also try keeping a detailed food/drink diary to see if you can identify triggers - cheese, orange juice, chocolate are ones I can think of off the top of my head (no pun intended). Various things help me - I use that 4Head topical stick (you can get it in Boots) and apply it to where the headache is - that helps for a while, experiment with painkillers (the ones the GP prescribed for me made me even more nauseous, Migraleve don't work for me though a lot of people swear by them), another thing you can try is squeezing your thumb nail/pad of your thumb between your thumb and first finger of the opposite hand really hard (swap hands to see which gives most relief) - sounds mad, but it sometimes helps, also if you can lie down with an ice pack on the back of your neck - that sometimes helps too.

But see your GP again and stress that they are becoming really debilitating - 3 to 4 days a week must really be affecting your quality of life.

Original poster
souvenir · 01/04/2006 22:29

Thanks all.

Well, I don't think it's migraine as I do get those too from time to time and the pain's quite different. Plus I get real visual disturbances with the migraines - i.e. wiggling lines in my vision.

I don't get bloodshot eyes but yes, my eyes definitely hurt more in the light. And you know those little 'patches' on your vision you get after seeing something bright? Mine linger for AGES. It used to be fleeting but now they stay around for minutes.

I'll try those cool and soothe things. From Boots?

OP posts:
misdee · 01/04/2006 22:31

getyour eyes tested. i was suffering bad migraines and all my gp did was perscribe painkillers, and poo-poo any questions i had about my eyes. But i booked at eye test anyway. I needed glasses. Also my eyes dont focus on the same point at the same time, one is slower than the other. I have eye exercises to do to improve that.

SleepyJess · 01/04/2006 22:31

Cluster heahaches? I know someone who suffers from these.. she had LOADS of tests (inc various brain scans) before diagnosis. Only treatment is rest and breathing oxygen (via cylinder and mask) until they pass. They come in phases.. can last months on and off.. and then she doesn't get them again for over a year.

Original poster
souvenir · 01/04/2006 22:32

SorenLorensen, they are really ruining my life at the moment. I feel like I can't think straight most of the time.

By the way, I don't wear glasses and I did get my eyes tested when these started.

And I've been to the GP a few times. They won't do anything further ... Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
souvenir · 01/04/2006 22:35

Oh yes, and in terms of painkillers I've tried EVERYTHING from soluble aspirin to codeine. Mostly I find I'm taking a Neurofen Plus and a couple of paracetamols a day. Some days I'm lucky and don't need to take anything, but that's getting more and more rare.

OP posts:
SaintGeorge · 01/04/2006 22:36

Some of your symptoms resemble Iritis.

The pain is typically more intense in bright light, more particularly when moving between different areas of light and shade - the pain is caused by the movements of the pupil.

Needs diagnosing at an eye clinic.

SaintGeorge · 01/04/2006 22:38

Oh and the headaches tend to be centered around the eye socket and into the cheeks, then down into the next and shoulders.

SaintGeorge · 01/04/2006 22:38

Neck even, sorry

Original poster
souvenir · 01/04/2006 22:42

SaintGeorge that sounds very much like my headaches. In the supermarket for instance or under the lights at work I always end up with terribly painful eyes. What can I do about it, do you know?

I'll google iritis anyhow. Thanks.

Anyone else had tension headaches that affect the eye socket area?

OP posts:
SaintGeorge · 01/04/2006 22:55

If it is iritis then you will likely need treatment with steroid drops. Unfortunately there is no cure, only treatment.

It is often associated with blepharitis also (infections of the eyelashes). Eye hygiene is important, clean like you would a babies with cotton wool. You can use a little 'no tears' shampoo in the water.

Any irritation of the eye can set off an attack - loose eyelash, grit, having a cold and wiping your eyes.

Sort of hope for your sake it isn't iritis, but something much easier to deal with.

And if you haven't guessed, I have it Sad

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 01/04/2006 23:00

souvenir - I really think you need to go back to your gp. you need to stress how debilitating they are and that you want them to help establish the cause. Don't be fobbed off. Keep a diary if necc and show it to the GP

Original poster
souvenir · 01/04/2006 23:05

SG, I'm not sure it is iritis. Mostly because I have no redness in my eye at all and no tearing. But I will mention it to the GP just in case ... Sorry to hear you have it.

I will revisit the GP but I honestly don't know what further they can do. I had a brain CT scan even a few months ago which showed nothing. My GP's convinced it's tension headaches and stress and will only now offer me ADs which I don't want to take unless I have to.

OP posts:
starshaker · 01/04/2006 23:09

ive been getting really bad headaches for over a year and the docs have done loads of tests. im just waiting on an appointment for a brain scan to rule out really bad stuff then they will put it down to stress or something like that. do any painkillers work for you

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 01/04/2006 23:09

If you had a brain scan then I wouldn't worry too much. tbh I was a bit concerned that it might be something that a brain scan would spot. But anything like that has obviously been ruled out. But it would be good if they could give you some guidance about identifying a trigger to see if you can eliminate it.

SaintGeorge · 01/04/2006 23:13

I wondered that myself - must admit I do get very bloodshot eyes during an attack.

I would still be inclined to ask for a full opthalmic referal anyway, just to rule out associated conditions. Certainly wouldn't let it rest at 'tension' headaches, needs much further investigation IMO.

Hope you get it sorted soon x

Original poster
souvenir · 01/04/2006 23:13

starshaker, can you describe to me what your headaches are like? How often, etc.?

I've tried all kinds of pain killers. I'm so sick of it all, honestly. Mostly now I stick with neurofen plus and paracetamol as the others tend to have other nasty effects on me.

OP posts:
edam · 01/04/2006 23:14

Agree with everyone who says see your optician.

Cristina7 · 02/04/2006 00:23

Sounds like cluster headache with the eye symptoms being due to Horner syndrome.

chipmonkey · 02/04/2006 01:12

souvenir, do you get the headaches on waking or do they occur throughout the day?

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