Constant Daily Headache

[nickpick]

Does anyone suffer from constant daily headaches?
I've had one constantly for the past six weeks.
Pain in my forehead over my eyes, and behind eyes, down my nose and under my eyes. Also a stiff neck.
I went to the doctors on Thursday and she is sending me for an MRI scan, as she said it could be a brain tumour, this has made me very worried!

Dr really shouldn’t have said brain tumour as it really could be anything. (Fingers crossed it’s really not that!) Sinuses, caffeine, smoking, dehydration, awkward head tilt when looking at your phone, trapped nerve in your neck or shoulder, bed not level and tilted down at the head, wrong pillows, food reaction etc. It’s an elimination process to get to the root cause. Mine was caffeine.

Yes, me.

After 4 years of it I was finally seen by a neurologist and diagnosed with chronic migraines (which have a ton of effective treatment options)

I did a brain scan just to rule out anything sinister as I do get pulsating tinnitus at night time. An incidental aneurysm was found in my case, incidental because they say that an aneurysm doesn't cause any symptoms and they found it by chance, so I'm lucky really. That is overwhelmingly unlikely to be your outcome (an aneurysm) so don't worry about that - it runs in my family.

What medication are you taking? Noritryptiline worked beautifully for my migraines but I have had to titrate up the dose. I also found baclofen helpful for a period of time. Nerve blocks are an option etc.

P.S it was really irresponsible of your doctor to mention a brain tumour. Not once during any of my investigations was that mentioned. Migraines (which it sounds as though you have) are a million times more common than brain tumours.

Have you got a carbon monoxide monitor? The kind that beeps, not a little dot.

CO leaking into your home can cause headaches (and might kill you)

CO comes from faulty gas or wood burning appliances (cooker/boiler/hob/water heater/woodburner/fire)

Thanks everyone, she was as subtle as a brick.
The hospital have just rang with an appointment for next Saturday, so that's good.
I've been taking a decongestant today and I don't feel as bad, just a little dizzy, but I still have neck pain.
I don't think it's to do with carbon monoxide as everyone else in the house is fine, we went away for a week and a still had headaches then.

@Stunned1 glad you are OK. Im not on any medication, paracetamol/ibuprofen don't touch it. The doctor did say once I've had my scan they would look into prescribing something

Give this a go

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/2054650-Dissolvable-aspirin-and-full-fat-coke-for-migraine

If its migraine it should help.

Alternatively you can buy sumitriptan OTC at most chemists.

Can you elaborate on the caffeine issue, please, cos I'm having exactly the same problem?
Ta.

Amazed that your doctor suggested a brain tumour. Really, seriously, completely, utterly amazed at that!

My friend who did have a brain tumour had difficulty writing and staying balanced as her main symptoms. Not saying all brain tumours are the same of course but there are hundreds of reasons for chronic headaches ahead of a brain tumour.

I'm glad my GP didn't suggest that to me when I consulted her after 6 weeks of head pain.

@Ameanstreakamilewide Withdrawal from caffeine can cause headaches. I when through a spell of only drinking at work on a week day, had headaches at the weekend because my body went into withdrawal.
It’s also a stimulant so imagine too much could cause headaches, especially if it’s being used to make up for a lack of sleep.
Too much makes me feel tense and that gives me headaches /migraines.
Its different things for different people, so bit of trial and error and food diary probably helps.

I had an MRI and everything and it turned out it was coz I was on the pill.

@Ameanstreakamilewide I was drinking a lot of tea, coffee, Coke throughout the day and would always wake up with a banging headache over my eyes or top of the head. I just thought that I was too stressed with work and family etc. Then I started to feel a bit bloated and exhausted so looking into diet changes I came across a phrase ‘cut out the C.R.A.P’ So C=Caffeine, R=Refined Sugars, A=Alcohol, P=Processed Foods. I started with C (caffeine) and spent about 6 months weaning myself off it completely. It was hell! The headaches got way worse in the early months before they got better. I reduced the amount of caffeinated drinks I was having in a day and made a gradual switch to decaf. And towards month 6 I was only drinking decaf and the headaches had gone completely. Total light bulb moment! It was like a breath of fresh air not waking up with a thumping headache and thick head every morning! For about another 6 months I just had decaf, too frightened to reintroduce caffeine but I really craved a good coffee first thing in the morning. So one day I tentatively had one and I was totally fine, no headache at all. That was 10 years ago and now I just have one caffeine coffee and one caffeine tea first thing in the morning and decaf the rest of the day but not the amount I was drinking before. No headaches now whatsoever unless I’m ill with a cold or the flu.

Sounds like is could be sinus related, this could be a general infection but from your description more like some kind of inflammation due to food sensitivity such as carbs or something

Thanks everyone for your replies, I have got an MRI on Saturday and I'm having an eye test today.
Headaches have eased a little, now keep going dizzy and my tinnitus (that started after covid 12 months ago) has ramped up, so really haven't a clue.
I've changed from a flat pillow to two slightly raised ones, and been having daily neck and shoulder massages off my dh, so not sure if that's helping with the headaches.
Keeps coming up at the back of my mind about brain tumour!
In two minds whether to call the doctors with the new symptom of dizziness or just wait until after the MRI.
Interesting re caffeine, I do have two cups of coffee in a morning and a couple of glasses of coke throughout the day.

Are you sure this isn't long covid OP? My main things post covid have been cracking headaches and the neck thing , I've also had pins and needles etc - but the headaches were a biggie- and if you read the forums on post covid or post vaccine issues- headaches and dizziness are very prominent- often starting months after too

@Crikeyalmighty I don't know, I had covid last January 2022, headaches started this February. I've always been a headachy person, but not every day like this.

It’s also possible you’ve had covid again and not realised it

@nickpick how did it go?

@Anon171880 thanks for asking, MRI all clear, was put on amtryptline for tension headaches.
Headaches changed from everyday to every other day! Went back to the doctors last week and she has now prescribed propranolol , also having bloods fine Thursday as I trued blood doning and my iron was to low for it , I also have a really sore tongue!

Do you grind your teeth at night

@nickpick great news, glad to hear things have improved x

@snowbellsxox i used to, i did used to wear a mouth guard, but since being on HRT thats improved.

I get almost daily headaches as you describe and in my neck I get pains. Usually towards the end of the day and dehydration makes it worse.
I went to the dentist and he asked if I grind my teeth. Never knew I did but after this I've woke up a few times in the night to breastfeed and realised I do. I also clench and tense my jaw a lot.
So I also figure this has a lot to do with them.

Hi op, what happened with your headaches?

I'm seeing my GP this week about very similar headaches x

hi! Can you if you have been feeling better? I have been having headaches on top of my right eye- forehead and its really hurting. I'm worried that its something serious.