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Original poster

persistent headache ... driving me CRAZY!!!

166 replies

imaginaryfriend · 06/08/2006 21:40

I've had a tendency for headaches over the last couple of years but nothing like this bugger of a headache I've had now for 10 days solid. It's there when I wake up in the morning and apart from the odd hour of respite when the neurofen plus kicks in, it's there all day. It's painful over my forehead like a heavy weight above my eyes and the back of my neck is achy and stiff. I feel a bit dizzy and disorientated and a bit sick. No fever or anything like that.

Has anyone else had a long-lasting headache? Any miracle cures?

OP posts:
Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 13/08/2006 18:53

surfermum, thanks so much for remembering. I have been generally better, i.e. not crippled by the darned headache but it's not totally gone. Today I've gone all day with no painkillers until about half an hour ago. I'm trying to limit to just two neuro plus a day. Not I feel like my head's in a vice again and my neck like I've been training to be a boxer.

And yes, I do get some childish pleasure to hear people on here say 'hello imaginary friend'!!!

OP posts:
giraffeski · 14/08/2006 21:07

Message withdrawn

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 14/08/2006 22:13

no problems giraffeski, I'm grateful for any advice with it as I developed another cracker yesterday although it seems to have mostly shifted today with two doses of neurofen plus.

OP posts:
Joceybean · 14/08/2006 22:40

Is it possible you grind or grit your teeth? Sometimes you can do this without really realising it but can get awful headaches as a result.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 15/08/2006 18:19

I've wondered about that. How can you find out if you do it?

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noonar · 15/08/2006 18:29

my dh had a dreadful headache for 2 weeks, had an mri scan and it was sinus trouble that caused it, even though gp and dh both were sure that wasnt the cause. there are headache clinics you can be referred to. how long has this been going on? poor you!

noonar · 15/08/2006 18:32

is it worse when you bend over/lean forward? if yes, that's a classic sign of sinus trouble. if it is sinuses, firm massage-along cheek bones starting at nose and working outwards, helps me.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 15/08/2006 18:33

noonar I guess I've been having steadily more headaches for a year after having always been a non-headachy person - even with colds and flu I never had headaches. Now I never seem to be totally free of them. I do have an appointment now to go for an MRI scan at the end of the month, I'm pretty nervous. Will it show up absolutely everything do you think? I worry a lot about arterial disease / blood clots / strokes etc.

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noonar · 15/08/2006 18:38

they are pretty detailed scans and dh got the results the same day. he was worried too, so know what you're going through. he went private for his, we're not loaded but wanted some answers fast . best of luck to you. try not to get too drawn into imaging worst case scenarios, it's probably something straightforward

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 15/08/2006 18:54

I doubt the NHS one will give me the results straight away! I am trying not to imagine the worst. It was when I got the neurologist's letter suggesting certain things that started to worry me really.

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noonar · 15/08/2006 19:44

i do sypathize, really i do. i've actually had an mri scan myself, partly to rule out MS, or similar condition -when i had prolonged dizziness and pins and needles. had 3 months off work. turned out to be complicated labyrinthitis (to do with the ear). things are not always as they seem. big hugsxxx

Joceybean · 15/08/2006 21:15

With regards to grinding/gritting your teeth, I only realise I am doing it when my jaw/head begins to ache. I don't grind my teeth but do grit them and have only done it for a couple of years. Sorry I cant suggest anythng else, its a rotten thing you must be going through.

Surfermum · 16/08/2006 11:09

You're bound to worry imaginary friend. I found a breast lump a few weeks back and the waiting for the appointment at the hospital was awful (all OK thank goodness). All sorts of scenarios run through your mind don't they. Try not to worry yourself too much.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/08/2006 18:18

Thanks for the words of support. Basically reading the neurologist's report he suspects MS or possibly some arterial damage and I'm freaking out about it. Quietly. I've also been having quite a lot of problems with my left leg, slight paralysis or weakness and with my hearing. I'll be glad when it's over. I wish I knew when I'd get the results. WE have to go to MIL the weekend following, which is a gruelling experience at the best of times, and I know it'll be on my mind.

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foxinsocks · 16/08/2006 18:23

so you've seen the neurologist already but are waiting for a scan?

good luck for the scan - I had to have one when I was 14 for persistent dizzyness (also turned out to be an ear problem) and I was terrified.

Don't forget, the neurologists will prob have a whole line of worst case scenarios and will cross each one off a list once the tests come in.

hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/08/2006 18:25

Thanks foxinsocks, yes I've been quite rushed through. Apparently some of the basic neurological tests on my left leg were dodgy so everything's happened very quickly. The headache has kind of come along secondarily to the leg problems. It's becoming a long and tedious story ...

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noonar · 16/08/2006 18:36

you poor thing. sounds like you have firm grounds to postpone the trip to MIL. surely dh would support you in that? you don't need any additional pressure, do you?

foxinsocks · 16/08/2006 18:46

well I suppose at least you have been seen by a neurologist (even though for scary reasons!)

one of my cousins is a neurologist and he loves his job because there is so much they don't know about the brain and I think his job keeps him on his toes! Fingers crossed whatever it is it's easily fixable xx

in the meantime, does the neurologist know that you've started suffering from headaches? perhaps he could recommend something for you to take?

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/08/2006 18:47

Well we talked about it but there's pressure to go as it's the 3 year anniversary of dp's dad's death and they won't be telling me any results over the weekend will they? I'm kind of thinking I'll get it over with as soon as possible then not go again for another year .

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Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/08/2006 18:49

fox when I went to see the neurologist the headaches were not the main problem it was the leg and hearing. But I did mention the headaches and how they affect my vision / balance and I think he took them into the equation. It's actually since seeing him that I got the dire one which made me write this thread. I don't know if it's all linked or not and I'm hoping this MRI will let me know once and for all.

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foxinsocks · 16/08/2006 18:52

let us know what happens

fwiw, syndol does that to me aswell. I once took 2 syndol at about 8pm (when I had dreadful sinus pain) and couldn't get out of bed till lunchtime the next day because I was so completely zonked out!

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/08/2006 19:07

The scan is a week tomorrow. I'll definitely report on here as to how it goes. Do you think there's any chance they'd tell me anything there and then?

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noonar · 16/08/2006 19:23

i think it's worth asking your dh to have a quiet word there and then to ask if there's anyone who can look at the scan results, as you are worried. i had to wait a bit but my dh got his on the day. from my recollection, its a bit like looking at pictures from an xray, obviously an expert then has to take the time to analyse them properly, so that accounts for the delay. best of luck.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 18/08/2006 13:58

I doubt dp will be able to come with me for the scan but I'll definitely ask if I can be given any indication of what they've seen and at least if there's someone I can phone before January!!

Do you know if they scan EVERY bit of the head or just specific areas?

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noonar · 18/08/2006 19:48

you have to lie on a stretcher type bed, and get slotted into a cylindrical tunnel shaped scanner...(you see them all the time on holby city!) there is a loud continuous clunking as the scanner operates. it is a bit claustrophobic, but you wont be aware which bits are being scanned at any one time. i think mine looked at the spine as well as the brain. dh had head phones/ear plugs and head supports to keep his head still. oh, and you can't wear metal, so leggings are a good idea.it's not the greatest experience tbh, but hope this info will prepare you xxxxx