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Original poster

Advice re. sudden onset headaches (one sided)

19 replies

FrankandJenny · 02/03/2013 17:41

For the last week I've been having headaches on the left side of my head. They come on quite quickly and are painful. They are mainly concentrated near my eye and temple but also I have some pressure on top of head.
It's awful! Any ideas what might be going on? I don't want to keep taking painkillers.

OP posts:
Dromedary · 02/03/2013 17:44

Why not see the GP? I know nothing about it, but a week is quite a long time and presumably it might just possibly be something serious, eg brain cancer or an eye problem such as glaucoma. Worth checking?

Original poster
FrankandJenny · 02/03/2013 17:47

Yes DP keeps saying to go to the GP but it seems a bit spurious to go about 'headaches'.

OP posts:
Dromedary · 02/03/2013 19:57

Headaches that go on can be the symptom of something serious - I have named 2 of them I just happen to have heard of. I think it would be totally appropriate for you to check with your GP at this stage. I expect you heard the recent stuff in the news about Britain having a bad cancer record due to people being reluctant to bother their GP.

Lucyellensmum95 · 02/03/2013 20:27

I'm willing to bet you need glasses! But do go to the GP i think migriaines tend to be one sided

fedupandtired · 02/03/2013 22:44

Why wouldn't you want to bother your GP? That's what they're there for!

Anything that's unusual for you needs checking out.

bingodiva · 02/03/2013 23:02

i suffered from bad one sided headaches for about 4 years, just over my right ear and round the top of my head and down the back of my ear, they used to come on really quickly and at times i literally couldnt move because of the pain - sometimes it was so sore i ended up in tears, had an MRI scan, which nothing showed, and lots of different things with nothing working but eventually seen a chiropractor who pushed and pulled me and twisted me for about 6 months and they went away

Original poster
FrankandJenny · 03/03/2013 07:45

I already have glasses Grin
Ok I'll see GP. I didn't read the stuff in the news about cancer diagnosis but it doesn't surprise me. I once saw my GP as I had tonsillitis and he said "you're probably the only person I'll see today who is actually ill" Hmm

OP posts:
Carolra · 03/03/2013 07:51

And maybe a dentist? It's quite common for a problem tooth to cause headaches. DH had it a couple of months ago, sudden onset of headaches on one side in the same spot. Was a mild tooth infection cleared up by a quick course of antibiotics. Hope you feel better soon xx

LadyKinbote · 03/03/2013 07:54

Migraines are typically one-sided. Definitely worth getting a doctor's opinion.

Antidote · 03/03/2013 08:01

Cluster headaches also tend to be one sided. Migraines and something called temporal arteritis (very rare) can be one sided

As a general rule headaches from brain cancer tend not to be one sided so that's less likely.

GP won't mind at all and will be pleased that you didn't go to a&e. I would probably get it checked.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 03/03/2013 08:04

Yes see GP..then dentist.

Is it worse when you bend over ? That could indicate a sinus problem.

Is your neck sore at all..I get awful headaches from sore neck muscles.

Original poster
FrankandJenny · 03/03/2013 08:18

It sometimes goes down to my neck but not always.

I have one now (screen turned down to low brightness!) and my eye is slightly watery. My initial thought was a sinus infection too but although I have that 'punched in the eye' sensation there is a lot of pressure on top of my head too.

I will try the dentist too if no luck at the drs - hadn't thought of that.

Thanks for all the replies Smile

OP posts:
fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 03/03/2013 08:24

Touch your neck muscles and check if they feel tight and sore

Original poster
FrankandJenny · 03/03/2013 08:31

They do if I push on them Fanjoforthemammaries but I have the headache now. They don't feel harder than muscles on the other side of my neck Confused I will give them a test once the headache has gone.

OP posts:
vimtoqueen · 03/03/2013 08:38

i have had these exact headaches for ages!! been tested for allsorts by gp, neurologist etc etc. now been given the diagnosis of chronic and acute migraine and am waiting on botox and possible surgery. i have no traditional migraine stuff (sickness etc)

my advice - for what it's worth,and i'm new here so it's prob not worth much! - go to gp. any headache is worth getting checked out if it keeps coming back!!

let me know how you get on!

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 03/03/2013 08:41

I just asked because I had the same headache yesterday and couldnt tell it was from neck until I pressed muscles and they hurt. A neck massage cured the headache

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 03/03/2013 08:42

Have been laid up with it in bed before until I sorted neck out

Antidote · 04/03/2013 08:43

Google cluster headaches (i don't promise that this is it but if memory serves it sounds pretty close).

Disclaimer: not a neurologist.

Kundry · 04/03/2013 23:12

Go and see your GP! This sounds a lot like cluster headache - which has been described as the worst pain a human being can have, so go and get it sorted

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