Thunderclap headache/migraine

[lavenderbongo]

Hi All. I’m just hoping someone else might have experienced this as it was really scary and very painful. I have been to the doctors already and I’m being sent to have a CT scan - but I just need someone to talk to about it really.
Yesterday I had a bout of ibs and in the middle of it had the most painful sudden head pain from the back of my neck to my forehead on only one side of my head. It is the worst pain I have ever experienced. I sobbed and yelled in pain for 10 minutes- then it went. Until four hours later when it came back again for another 10-15 minutes. It was horrible and scary. Has anyone had anything similar and what was it?

My doctor told me any sudden thunderclap headache needs to be seen by a&e immediately (brain hemorrhage survivor). Sorry if that bit scares you but its always better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks Rosielee93. I should have gone immediately but I was scared and so relieved when it stopped. Plus I had to pick up my daughter later that afternoon and have no one else who could pick her up.

Hi, I've not had it but from my extensive googling (for different headache issues!) I understand you're advised to go to A&E rather than GP for this. Although I appreciate when you have kids and childcare its not always that simple. If it happens again I'd go straight to A&E and I might be tempted to ring NHS direct or 111 or whatever it is to see if they think you should still go now its stopped or wait for the scan your GP has organised. Probably nothing, but I think if it is something then its time critical if you see what I mean.

Yep long epileptic and migraine sufferer here. Had one thunderclap episode a few years ago. Had a 3 day stay in hospital on morphine. I also have malformed blood vessels at the back of my head. Had an enhanced MRI prior to that so think doctors wanted to be on the safe side.

Touch wood won’t have another one,its very painful

I had one once while at an exercise class and an ambulance was called. I suffer with migraines anyway but had never had a thunderclap one before. Bloody hideous.

Thanks All. Glad to hear that sometimes they do not have too serious a cause. I have my CT scan today and I’ve been put on beta blockers due to high blood pressure. (I’m in NZ so only just got up). Really appreciate people sharing their experience’s as it was probably one of the scariest experiences of my life.

Glad you got your scan so quickly. Hope it’s nothing to worry about, but sounds very scary for you regardless.

How did it go?