Anyone else suspect they've recently had/still got a 'headache bug'?

[baroqueandblue]

Just wondering if there's something going around at the moment that causes awful headaches. Mine started last weekend with a headache on the right side and radiating down into my face. I've felt nauseous with it but haven't actually thrown up. Been a bit off my food but not too bad. The headaches have increased in intensity over the week, still on the right mostly but occasionally spreading to over my left eye. Yesterday was particularly painful, the worst, and painkillers wouldn't touch it. Even felt as though it was in my upper right back teeth, excruciating for a while. Sleep makes no difference, headache is still there when I wake up.

Today it has been low level but lurking and making me anxious that it will rear its ugly head again. Have managed without painkillers today though so far. I do have a history of migraines but this somehow feels a bit different, mostly because it just hasn't let up for a whole week. Reminds me of viral illnesses when you get a permanent headache for a while, but nastier than usual.

Have you thought about a Covid-19 test? People are reporting headaches as a symptom

My friend had symptoms like that and it turned out to be viral meningitis. Worth book a GP appt maybe? She was dismissed with migraines several times before diagnosed

Well it’s unlikely to be the same bug ‘going round’ the whole country so not sure anyone can advise (Covid excepted of course!!). I mean I have heard some people get horrible headaches with covid though, but not sure if you can get a test without one of the three main symptoms, unless you fall into another category

It sounds like a migraine.

Headaches can be a symptom of a bug but there would be other symptoms - fever, cough, upset stomach etc.

You can also just get headaches and migraines on their own. Not sure why you think it’s a bug?

Thanks everyone :)

I'm pretty sure I've had Covid and had a long recovery from it. Perhaps this is another symptom in its long tail? Who knows

@TheMurk it's probably wishful thinking more than anything else, because I can't bear the thought of a never-ending headache! At least if it could be explained as viral there's a good chance I'd get over it soon. I live with chronic pain as it is, the last thing I need is a permanent headache that painkillers don't touch. Even Tramadol was no match for this nightmare

Happily I'm definitely feeling better this evening, touch wood.

I thought I had covid. My antibody test was negative. Please have a test.

The weather has been exceptionally muggy though recently. I get migraines but have had a lot of breakthrough headaches despite medication and I just put it down to that.

Could it be stress?

Had a headache for a month now. Had a negative Covid test this week so gp has done bloods and arranging an MRI.

Thanks @EveningNibble I agree the weather can play a part sometimes and perhaps it's not helping at the moment. Sorry to hear you're getting breakthrough headaches, I've been on stuff like amitriptyline in the past for chronic pain and my heart used to sink on the days it didn't work well enough.

@willitbetonight I was on the Covid+ threads for ages and heard a lot of people were getting false negatives on antibody tests. I'd rather wait until the T-cell tests become available. I'm sorry yours was negative and hope there's nothing more serious going on with you and @bandbsmummy

I've got a form from the GP to have a raft of blood tests to rule out lupus, going for those tomorrow. That was arranged a couple of weeks ago but with one thing and another I haven't got down to the hospital before now. Headache is lurking again today and I feel resentful! It gets in the way of me doing much constructive stuff. After my second post yesterday it came out quite painfully but thankfully not as bad as Friday. I can't think of anything in particular that is stressing me at present, and I'm on Sertraline which really dampens my anxiety anyway.

The summer high pressure gives a lot of people headaches similar to yours, me included! Currently at about week 2 of it. I’ve packs help.

I think it is the joy of long haul covid. I have similar

I've had a couple of migraines over the past few months - always on the right side of my head and low level pain, just lasting for a few days. I think mine are partially hormonal or tension related. The doctor said it's pretty normal to get one sided low level pain migraines. The weather/stress/pandemic situation can't help either!

Thanks @baroqueandblue, my bloods have all come back 'normal' whatever that is but going to ask for the numbers as it's been a month now.

I haven't had COVID as far as I know.

I've been getting terrible headaches with the high pollen count and hot weather. Do you have any other symptoms that could be hayfever?

Hope they can suggest some further tests or somehow investigate things a bit more with you, @bandbsmummy 🤞

@Crustacean7 this is spooky - I only saw your post this morning but last night came to pretty much the same conclusion. Took some Phenergan (promethazine) and the headache has been almost non-existent since! 😲 So yes, now working from the assumption that it's pollen-related and will medicate accordingly 😉 Thanks for the tip!

Oooh I might try that then too!