Active discussions

Best Amazon Prime Day deals: Mumsnet favourites

Best Amazon Prime Day deals:
Mumsnet favourites

Shop now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

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

Original poster

Regular headaches upon waking in morning?

29 replies

harryhausen · 14/04/2013 08:38

Does anyone else experience these?

I've always been a very 'headachey' person - I suffered badly when pg and had a low level pretty permanent 2 day headache just before my period. I've always been prone to headaches.

However sometimes I go through phases of having headaches as soon as I wake up. I take a paracetamol and it goes before long. However, I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else? What could possibly be going on in my head (stress, tiredness etc) whilst I'm asleep??

OP posts:
digerd · 14/04/2013 08:53

It could be, while sleeping, a nerve gets slightly trapped/touched in your neck.
Try a different pillow to see if that helps.

WishIdbeenatigermum · 14/04/2013 08:56

I wake up with a headache if I'm dehydrated or the windows's shut. Try both.

marriednotdead · 14/04/2013 09:01

When this happened to me, I assumed it was hormonal or stiff neck. Osteopath drew a blank but some time later, a dental check up revealed I had been clenching/grinding me teeth in my sleep.

I have a lower gumshield to sleep in now which fixes it and preserves my poor teeth.

marriednotdead · 14/04/2013 09:01

MY teeth, sheesh!

TripleRock · 14/04/2013 09:03

My first thought was maybe dehydrated as well

memphis83 · 14/04/2013 09:03

I have had this since I had ds. I went to the dentist for a check up and he said I had a few tiny chips on my bottom teeth indicating I grind or clench my teeth while asleep and had a bottom tooth guard fitted. I haven't woke with a headache since. Amazing really as I just presumed I was a headachy person and never mentioned it before.

Original poster
harryhausen · 14/04/2013 11:44

Thanks all. Much to think about.

I've never thought about grinding my teeth in my sleep. I'll ask the dentist next time I go. It's possible I'm dehydrated although I'm trying to drink more. I recently have up alcohol (past 6 months) and regular coffee. I wondered if this 'withdrawal' was giving me headaches, but I've honestly had it for as long as I can remember so it can't be that.

I'll up the water, get a new pillow (I use two pillows as I like to be propped up. I have done this since having severe asthma as a child) and ask the dentist about teeth grinding. Thanks Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
harryhausen · 14/04/2013 11:45

I have recently given up alcohol.

OP posts:
Footle · 14/04/2013 15:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bran · 14/04/2013 15:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oxcat1 · 14/04/2013 15:53

This is highly unlikely, but you say you had severe asthma as a child - is that now fully resolved?

Very severe breathing problems at night can lead to a build up of carbon dioxide in the blood overnight, leading to headaches. However, this is pretty unlikely even if you're a very frequent hospital attender and your asthma remains hideously out of control. If you are still seen by a hospital respiratory specialist, and all other avenues have failed, could well be worth mentioning it.

Good luck!

ReluctantlyBeingYoniMassaged · 14/04/2013 15:57

Are you overweight?

juneybean · 14/04/2013 16:04

I get this if I sleep/lie horizontal for too long, I've started cheating by putting more pillows under my head if I wake up.

Original poster
harryhausen · 14/04/2013 16:37

Asthma is pretty much under control. I hardly ever need my inhalers unless I have a bad cold or allergic reaction.

I am overweight though. Do you think may cause headaches? Although I've been trying to loose weight for years Hmm.

OP posts:
Original poster
harryhausen · 14/04/2013 16:40

I'm 5ft 5ish. A size 16/18. Biggest problem is my huge boobs (36hh) that feel like I have a fat cat sat on my chest all night if I lie on my backGrin

Blimey. I never thought of all these possible causes to be honest. Maybe I should see my gp? I always thought it was just one of those things. This morning however was quite a bad one that may me post. It goes within an hour of getting up.

OP posts:
tribpot · 14/04/2013 16:45

It doesn't sound right, so don't dismiss it as one of those things. My first thought from your post was dehydration. Maybe have a cup of herbal tea before bed?

Can I ask if you snore?

digerd · 14/04/2013 16:48

Mine was a narrowed vertebrae in the neck -spondylosis-, but I woke with pain in my neck.
DR, said it can give people headaches, but am not a headachy person and didn't get them.
I had to try several types of neck support pillows till, I found one that suited me. I sleep most of the time on my side.

Original poster
harryhausen · 14/04/2013 16:48

Yes I do snore. I have done for most of my adult life that I know of.

OP posts:
poozlepants · 14/04/2013 17:15

It might be sinus related. I get headaches when I wake up when I'm sinusy but they tend to go after I have been upright for a while and the sinuses drain. Usually being propped up at night helps.

Original poster
harryhausen · 14/04/2013 17:18

Gosh. So many possibilitesGrin I'm just going to have to bother the gp aren't I?

OP posts:
maudpringle · 14/04/2013 17:21

I changed to a lovely tempur pillow at christmas and it has stopped this same problem.Money well spentSmile

ReluctantlyBeingYoniMassaged · 14/04/2013 17:21

It could be a result of sleep apnoea.

noddyholder · 14/04/2013 17:23

Is your blood pressure ok?

DeWe · 14/04/2013 17:28

I get the worst headache on waking if the sun is bright through the curtains. Its something that has developped over the last few years, I used to like a light bedroom. But now I have blackout linings, and even then if the sun is very bright I will wake with a headache.

Elibean · 14/04/2013 17:38

I would get your bp checked, just in case its to do with that.