Frequent headaches & migraines lasting days

[Reluctantadult]

Hello, after any tips or suggestions to manage headaches that go on for several days.

I have always been prone to headaches, since I was a child. When I get a headache, they last days. I have never found paracetamol to be very effective, and now I am finding ibuprofen doesn't do much either. I use a forehead stick that can help stop the banging.

Sometimes I get migraines with an aura. These increasingly seem to be coming on at night, which catches me out as I can't take preventative action as I sleep through the twinkly lights and it's too late. Luckily they aren't totally debilitating like some people get them, they more make me feel almost hungover type of rough and a headache that lasts several days.

I have never worked out a real trigger for the headaches or migraines. Poor sleep can start a headache off. I drink lots naturally so don't think it's dehydration. I have an ok varied diet. I am aware of rebound headaches and will stop taking pills after 2 days even if I still have a headache and I do alternate para/ibu.

Getting really fed up now as seem to be popping pills every other week I would say. Anyone else had this and found anything to help?

What pills are you taking? How many and how often?

You need to see your GP. You need triptans to abort the attack, not paracetamol / ibuprofen / codeine. That can lead to rebound headaches and a vicious cycle of pulls and pain.

How many migraines do you get per month? Track your attacks - are there links like hormonal fluctuations?

Are your numbers chronic or episodic? https://migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/types-of-migraine/chronic-migraine/ It might be time to consider preventative medication.

Sympathies, I'm 25+yrs into migraine and have been chronic for at least 10. I'm under neurology and on specialist injections now.

There's significant evidence that poorly manage episodic migraine is exponentially more likely to become chronic, so please please get a grip on it if you can - this is no way to live.

If its definitely migraine I get an aura first and take asprin first, which a doctor suggested. I've never tried asprin for the plain headaches, which I've always thought are not migraine but I could be wrong.

@Reluctantadult a 900mg dose of aspirin is indeed recommended as an early attempt to stop a migraine, but if it's not working you need to change tactic. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are not the right meds, a GP can prescribe you a triptan. Usually they start you with sumatriptan.

@randomuser2020 I was always told my migraine were caused by shoulder and neck pain. In fact, it was the migraines causing the pain. Botox sorted that part of my attacks out beautifully. Now I'm on CGRP jabs and the attacks are under control, I no longer have the chronic neck pain....

If I have head pain brewing but I can crack my neck, it's just a headache. If I can't crack my neck, it's a migraine!

I second the muscle/physical causes, I also have chronic migraine caused by combo of overuse of meds and neck/disc issues - and I get a LOT of muscle spasm in my shoulders/neck which then spills over into migraine.

Poor work posture (esp working on the laptop on sofa), looking down at phone/screens ad not enough time outside also a big trigger (google tech neck)

I have got prolapsed discs in my lower back that I manage but has good and bad spells, I will try to keep an out for any relationship there.

Thank you. I am sorry you're suffering!
I've not been taking that size dose of asprin, will try that and might also try for what I'm thinking are plain headaches, in case they're migraine related. And not tried triptans so will ask the GP. My brother is in daily prevention meds, wonder what they are. Can speak to him too.

Unfortunately yes, it's often a familial link. Both my parents and my brother get migraine, but I'm far and away the worsted afflicted. Dad gets 30mins of aura and stomach ache and that's about it (the jammy sod). Mum used to be in bed for days at a time - I know how she feels.

900mg is just 3 of the larger aspirins - it can be very effective for some.

Definitely chat to your GP. I'd also have a good read of the NICE guidelines and take a record of the numbers / lengths of attacks to your appointment. Lots of GPs are rather poor at migraine management, so I find it's best to go well prepared!

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/migraine/management/adults/

I reckon my headaches about gone, thank flip. 44hrs that was.