What shall I do about ongoing headache?

[ChocoButterfly]

For a year now I get a bad headache everyday for a few weeks and then a week or two of being OK. When I have it my sinuses behind my cheek bones throb, my eyes are dry, sometimes I have a very faint sore throat. The only thing that relives it is drinking icecold water but that only lasts a few minutes. Also my ears feel a bit swollen. There's no phlegm and my nose is not blocked.

When I've spoke to my GP about it he just said it's a stress headache and didn't do any tests or prescribe anything. I don't think I had a chance to fully explain my symptoms though.

I'm so confused about it...sometimes I think I just keep picking up a virus. Sometimes I think I've got long covid, (even though I've never knowingly had it!). I've had my eyes checked it's not that.

I don't know what to do, it's exhausting to have a headache all the time.

If I do try to tackle it with GP again I think I need to be clearer or maybe have an idea about what I want checking.

Any ideas for what this may be? or tips on how to relieve it? Or what to say to doctor? Thanks

I've also tried taking antihistamine and it made no difference.

I would try a steroid nasal spray. I suffered from sinus problems/infections for years and while it does still happen the spray has been effective. I would also stop the antihistamine if it is sinus related.

Sinus headaches are the worst. And had no other symptoms

Steroid nasal spray -beconase is OTC. And an antihistamine you can now get fexofendinr OTC at 120mg (my prescription is 180mg) .

Also a Sudafed decongestant

The nasal spray takes two weeks to start working.

Keep going back to the GP to ask for allergy tests.

I also bought an air purifier but they are expensive -mine is Aldi.

Also a nasal saline rinse 10 quid on Amazon (waterpulse I think)

I'm not saying you have allergies but the antihistamines and nasal spray have helped sinus symptoms and reduce symptoms.

@alnawire I'm interested in why you recommend stopping antihistamines -as maybe I have been making mine worse unwittingly!

Have you had your eyes tested? As they're dry, you can get gel or drops from the GP

Thanks for your replies.

@alnawire @cherrypiepie Do you think I should use nasal spray even though my nose is not stuffy, blocked or has phlegm?

I've wondered whether over using nasal spray when I have a cold has actually caused the issue I have now.

@TigerRag yes I had my eyes tested a year early and they said I needed new glasses, I was so pleased as thought the headaches may go. And they happened to go for a week after I had my new glasses and but they returned. That was about 6 months ago.

@alnawire @cherrypiepie Do you think I should use nasal spray even though my nose is not stuffy, blocked or has phlegm?

I've wondered whether over using nasal spray when I have a cold has actually caused the issue I have now.

Yes. Use it. The very reason I have sinus problems now is overuse and dependence on a nasal spray. The kind you use for unblocking isn't the same as the steroid spray, which will help.

Re the antihistamines I'm probably wrong but my GP told me they would not help and I read earlier on here that someone else had been told the same, something to do with them stopping but not clearing any mucus. If they work though, great, I only mentioned it because you said they made no difference.

Try the nasal steroid spray. If it doesn’t help, go back to the GP with the following questions.

1. I’d there a chance this is anything other than a tension headache? What tells you this isn’t anything worrying? Might any test or scan be indicated and if not, why not?


2. If this is a tension headache, what are my options for treatment other than paracetamol? I want to try something that might make the headaches less frequent.


3. Is there a secondary care headache clinic locally? If so, what needs to happen before I’d qualify for a referral to it?

Are you dehydrated?
Is it hormonal? Getting towards menopause?

@ChocoButterfly yea use it as it reduce inflammation and swelling that my not necessarily cause the stuffy blocked feeling.

@alnawire& @cherrypiepie OK great, I've just bought some beconase and took my first dose. I've put a note in my calendar for 2 weeks time. If there's no improvement then I'll go to docs and use those questions @TimmyMeatballs thank you for them.

@PortMac I don't think so as I drink a lot of water as it gives me relief for a few mins.

Almonds will help get rid of your headache.

I have suffered from similar in the past.

My tried and tested plan is as follows:

Saline nasal rinse morning and evening, look for Sterimar. Doesn't matter that your nose doesn't feel blocked.

Nasal steroid spray such as Avamys.

Paracetamol and codeine (soluble tablets) eg Solpadeine max to relieve the pain. Be careful not to exceed the stated dose but don't stress about getting addicted, they are perfectly safe for occasional use and are much better for that sort of headache than straight paracetamol.

Try that approach for a week or so (painkillers only when you are in pain, rinse and steroid twice a day) and see how you get on. Avamys can be bought from online pharmacies.

Just another though is keep a headache diary. There are online templates from neurology departments that deal with migraines.

I'm not medical but a sinus sufferer and my mum has Mirgraines and she uses the diary for the neurologist.

I also had a period of tension headaches that are notably different and amytriplyline helped with those prophylactic. I did pay to se the ENT privately (I developed olfactory hallucinations which is another story)

Painkillers can cause a medication over use headache (MOH) so beware

Migraine headaches are often mistaken for sinus headaches. I agree with headache diary.

I'm leaning towards it being sinus headache rather than migraine but yes a headache diary is a good idea. If only to feel equipped if/when I talk to my GP about it next.

I'm wondering if it's allergies what I'm going to have to get rid of....I have a cat and a feather duvet. :(

The nurse practitioner did some allergry rast(?) tests and I came back positive to grass and house dust mite.

Negative to flowers.

Worth a shot?. Still have a feather duvet which you would have to take from my cold dead bones but do have an air purifier in the living room.

To be fair I only had these done as I had really severe symptoms for many years and the olfactory hallucinations were making me unwell.

Thanks @cherrypiepie with that NHS how it is at the mo I'd probs have to go private to get that done. With a quick Google it seems like it might cost £150 so probs worth it! I wouldnt give up my cat even if I was allergic to him.

I've just bought a nasal rinse. Will try it tonight. 🤞🤞🤞
the steroid nasal spray works. The sinuses behind me cheeks absolutely ached today. I've given up taking pain killers for them as it doesn't do anything.

I had to look up olfactory hallucinations, I'd never heard of it before. It sounds really unsetling.