Persistent Headache

[BabbittyRabbittyCacklingStump]

I have been suffering with headaches now for about 7-8 weeks. At the moment it is more of a tension pain around my eyes & a feeling of pressure, sometimes in my ears & top of my nose, but is just not going. I've been seen by my GP multiple times & even spent time in hospital 2 weeks ago where I was given an MRI, blood tests, a lumbar puncture & monitoring & all came back clear. I had a week of intense pain following the lumbar puncture & then a week of virtually no headaches but they seem to have returned this week with a pressure feeling. Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing them? The hospital didn't really know, the GP thought it was viral (but shouldn't last this long) & I am stuck! I'm so fed up, I suffer with pretty bad health anxiety anyway so this is really not helping. Before this, I very very rarely ever had headaches, only when very poorly so this has thrown me.

Could it be Sinus? Did you try taking Sudafed and see if that helps?
Does the timing co-incide with you moving house, moving office or lighting a fire in your house, turning on heating or sleeping in a different bedroom etc? Or painting a room that you spend a lot of time in?
Or taking any medication at all?

Have you had your eyes tested?

I'm not sure if it could be sinus related, I don't have any issues with my nose other than a bit of an ache at the top. I took a Sudafed a few weeks ago which didn't seem to help. No changes at home ie heating, house move etc either 😕

Haven't had my eyes tested in about a year & a half & only had a very small prescription then. Do you think it might be worth getting them checked just incase?

Well it wouldn't hurt, they'll give you a good going over.

Are you on hormonal contraception?

I've had the same for 4 weeks. Had bloods and turned out to be folate and b12 deficiency. Did nothing show up in your bloods at all? Are you sleeping enough?

I had the same. I ended up being prescribed very strong glasses. I was also diagnosed with folic acid deficiency as well as a B12 deficiency. It's definitely worth getting checked. X

Can you try an elimination diet? I was getting increased migraines and cut diary and wheat for a month. I gradually introduced one back at a time. Wheat was the culprit. I do get migraines still but only before my period and when I eat wheat.

I'm not on any hormonal contraception at all. Nothing (as far as I'm aware) showed up on my bloods, I've had several tests & was told everything came back clear, but I will ask my GP about a b12 & folic acid deficiency. Will definitely be booking an eye test tomorrow too. I'm a massive worried & keep panicking that this is something serious, despite having lots of tests so I'm desperate to get to the bottom of it.

I hadn't thought of an elimination diet, I have been eating a lot of wheat & dairy recently so maybe it's worth cutting them out too.

Thank you so much for your responses

Yes first check up at the opticians they do a wonderfully thorough job, much more detailed that if you just went to the GP. Always come out of there reassured and if anything is spotted immediate referral to A&E.

Have a look at this site for headache help - www.severe-headache-expert.com/ - he does a free e-course and you don't need to buy the book (unless you want to)

I fully recommend him as he is the neurologist I see myself via the NHS - I have a rare type of migraine as well as other neurological conditions.

The other thing might be coffee/caffeine. However you will have to stay off it for 6 weeks before the headaches might stop. If you do drink tea/coffee withdraw it over the course of a week rather than overnight.

Completely ditch all caffeine. Go cold turkey even if you only have one cup a day. Even decaf still has caffeine.

I'm a bit dull & only ever drink water, no tea or coffee. I've upped my water intake but have still had no improvement. It's like my eyes & the area around my eyes & the top of my forehead are just constantly aching. Will definitely book an opticians appointment tomorrow, hopefully that might shed some light. I looked into b12 deficiencies but I don't seem to have any other symptoms.

Mine are neck related I suffered really badly until I started seeing a physiotherapist

When you had the lumbar puncture, did they record opening and closing pressures? What were they?

I'm not sure, they didn't mention anything at the time. Would I be able to find this out from my GP? Have an eye appointment this morning so hoping for some answers 🤞

Just a bit of an update. I saw my optician two weeks ago who said my prescription had changed & I had a slightly dry eye. I also saw my GP again who said I had a sinus infection. I was prescribed a steroid nasal spray which I've now been using for 2 weeks. It worked & the headache cleared for about 5 days but has now returned & has brought horrible indigestion & constipation (sorry TMI!) with it. Do I go back to the GP & does anyone know if indigestion is a common side effect of the nasal spray?

Could have written your post, headaches and ear pain, went to ENT consultant who said possible tender TMJ joint, I suffer with health anxiety also, worried sick, in the middle of it all went on a 3 day holiday and headaches went, put the whole thing down to stress and anxiety, learning to deal with anxiety now,

I hope like you that it is just my anxiety making it worse. I went back to the GP today who said he didn't think it was sinus related & has now prescribed me Amitriptyline for 6 weeks. I'm a bit scared of taking it as it is an anti depressant but he said he is confident it will help. I'm so desperate for this to shift, I'm so worried all the time about it being something more serious.

Galwaygirl - can I ask if you have any tips for dealing with anxiety? I'm a bit lost as to where to start!

@BabbittyRabbittyCacklingStump try CBT works a treat for anxiety.

My ENT consultant was so confident it was anxiety that he would not send Mr for scans, he also said he would prescribe what you were prescribed if needed, my headaches were radiating top of head down to bone behind my ear and down my neck. Its only when I went on a short holiday for 3 days I realised it was anxiety, I could feel my stress levels starting to rise on flight home and then thought I have to deal with this anxiety, try headspace and try stop over thinking, I thought I had a brain tumor, its terrible, Google anxiety symptoms and treatment, be kind to yourself