Headaches constant headaches :(

emilylouisex1 · 2023-10-18T18:10:47+00:00

Hi everyone! I posted before about my worries regarding a CSF leak, doctors thought I had sinus and said it would go eventually after finally seeing them, gave me a steroid spray, it did go away for a few days but now it's back with a vengeance, the pain is so bad I feel like I am going to vomit, I'm currently curled up on my sofa, working from home and the pain is AWFUL all at the back of my head, it started with tingling at the back and a weird tingling down my arm, now I just have immense ear pressure and awful awful pain at the back of my head going to the back of my neck, as I mentioned in my previous post I have been under a lot of stress, but I have a really awful feeling about this due to never actually having suffered a headache like this before! Never suffered a headache in general... also I'm extremely sensitive to noise! Everything sounds so much louder than it is honestly it's awful. Neck doesn't feel good either, very clicky. - pls don't scare me about menegitis either, when I went doctors about this they said I wouldn't have been able to walk in the doctors to even see them if it was that, that I would be vomiting, having vision issues, a fever etc. I'm just so worried what this is now😩

Original poster

emilylouisex1 · 19/10/2023 19:27

Anyone? So scared, got a routine appointment next week with the GP about the headaches, atm just taking cocodomal which eases it slightly after about an hour, but always comes back :(

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Isheabastard · 19/10/2023 19:46

So sorry you’ve not had any responses.

I get awful migraines and was told to take effervescent solpadeine because it allows the pain killer to work better. I think dissolvable cocodamol is the same. I also use cold packs on the back of my head and cold wet flannels on my forehead and eyes. I also massage my face and temples gently. I find a cool quiet room helps.

it sounds pretty severe what you have and I think you should try for an urgent Gp appointment or call 111.

Hope you get help very soon.

Original poster

emilylouisex1 · 19/10/2023 19:55

Isheabastard · 19/10/2023 19:46

So sorry you’ve not had any responses.

I get awful migraines and was told to take effervescent solpadeine because it allows the pain killer to work better. I think dissolvable cocodamol is the same. I also use cold packs on the back of my head and cold wet flannels on my forehead and eyes. I also massage my face and temples gently. I find a cool quiet room helps.

it sounds pretty severe what you have and I think you should try for an urgent Gp appointment or call 111.

Hope you get help very soon.

Thank you for responding, the way a&e put it when I went a week ago was, I wasn't having vision disturbances, fever or vomiting so it wasn't an emergency. Even if I wanted to go a&e I can bet they would turn me away again, doctors have no appointments until next week 😭 maybe I should try 111 this weekend again but I doubt they will help

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Original poster

emilylouisex1 · 19/10/2023 20:00

Also want to add I suffer with anxiety and been under stress at work, I am just really hoping this is nothing serious, I hope it goes ☹️

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Isheabastard · 20/10/2023 14:05

The NHS is under a lot of stress with over work and understaffed. But I don’t think you should be in the amount of pain without seeing someone.

Sometimes you need to be very assertive and really stress the level of pain you are in. The least you need is serious issues ruled out and control of pain.

You can ask for an urgent/emergency appointment. I did this after showing a pharmacist my ‘rash’ who told me it was shingles and to see GP ASAP. I got a same day appointments for medication.

In the past I have underplayed my pain levels and symptoms and it hasn’t got me very far.

If the GP says to come back if it doesn’t get better, I make sure I tell the receptionist this. Don’t mention anxiety. Just make sure they know the pain is so severe you are curled on your bed wanting to vomit. That it is stopping you doing anything. That its a continuation of a previous attack, but the first attack was entirely new and you had never suffered before from headaches. Tell all this to A&e, 111 or the Gp, whichever you choose.

My mother always said doctors don’t take you seriously until the 3rd appointment, but she was very cynical. Doctors et all have to follow NICE guidelines, so it’s more likely to be a sinus headache than other things. But yr Gp won’t know that it hasn’t worked for you until you go back., same with a&e etc.

Original poster

emilylouisex1 · 20/10/2023 17:32

Isheabastard · 20/10/2023 14:05

The NHS is under a lot of stress with over work and understaffed. But I don’t think you should be in the amount of pain without seeing someone.

Sometimes you need to be very assertive and really stress the level of pain you are in. The least you need is serious issues ruled out and control of pain.

You can ask for an urgent/emergency appointment. I did this after showing a pharmacist my ‘rash’ who told me it was shingles and to see GP ASAP. I got a same day appointments for medication.

In the past I have underplayed my pain levels and symptoms and it hasn’t got me very far.

If the GP says to come back if it doesn’t get better, I make sure I tell the receptionist this. Don’t mention anxiety. Just make sure they know the pain is so severe you are curled on your bed wanting to vomit. That it is stopping you doing anything. That its a continuation of a previous attack, but the first attack was entirely new and you had never suffered before from headaches. Tell all this to A&e, 111 or the Gp, whichever you choose.

My mother always said doctors don’t take you seriously until the 3rd appointment, but she was very cynical. Doctors et all have to follow NICE guidelines, so it’s more likely to be a sinus headache than other things. But yr Gp won’t know that it hasn’t worked for you until you go back., same with a&e etc.

Thank you, I do have an appointment next week, I just don't want to bother them, I am a very anxious person and the doctors is like my second home. Also today, I had a few hours pain free with no medication, it's back now but I am starting to believe more and more this is likely anxiety or even muscular and anxiety is making it worse

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Butterflysunshine01 · 20/10/2023 17:38

Sounds like it could be tight muscles and trapped nerves in the neck and upper back, especially if it's starting to travel and hurt your arm. I get terrible headaches starting at the back of my head where the neck meets the hairline, they often make me feel like being sick and paracetamol never touches them. I go for regular massages to combat this, always really helps. Can you go to a really good deep tissue therapist (you want someone experienced, not really a beauty salon massage)or even an osteopath?

SapatSea · 20/10/2023 17:45

Either go straight to A&E or phone 111 and they will either tell you to go to A&E, a local walk in or if your GP is still within opening hours they may tell you to ring them and say 111 said it was a priority.

Original poster

emilylouisex1 · 20/10/2023 18:13

Butterflysunshine01 · 20/10/2023 17:38

Sounds like it could be tight muscles and trapped nerves in the neck and upper back, especially if it's starting to travel and hurt your arm. I get terrible headaches starting at the back of my head where the neck meets the hairline, they often make me feel like being sick and paracetamol never touches them. I go for regular massages to combat this, always really helps. Can you go to a really good deep tissue therapist (you want someone experienced, not really a beauty salon massage)or even an osteopath?

You've just described it to a T! Also at the hair line bit at bottom of head to neck, So potentially muscle tension then? Deep heat does help aswell! Way better than painkillers do which makes me think maybe it is a strain, I do work on my laptop regularly (not on a desk as I should do) and have been under stress as I said so maybe it's just that?

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Original poster

emilylouisex1 · 20/10/2023 18:14

SapatSea · 20/10/2023 17:45

Either go straight to A&E or phone 111 and they will either tell you to go to A&E, a local walk in or if your GP is still within opening hours they may tell you to ring them and say 111 said it was a priority.

I've called them before, they sent me a&e and a&e turned me away due to not being an emergency, the headaches have since changed, not so much in my face now just back of head and neck, I do have a doctors appointment which I have next week, trying not to worry myself and call 111 as I am sure if it was serious it would have been picked up before hand

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Butterflysunshine01 · 20/10/2023 21:36

They do sound similar to mine- definitely keep the doctor's appointment as you could be deficient in a something that's leading to the headaches. But id definitely go down the massage route too, if you're sitting at a laptop and holding stress in your upper back, it's worth a try. I also find the deep heat packs work well, I've got one of the ones infused with lavender and that helps!

Original poster

emilylouisex1 · 20/10/2023 21:39

Butterflysunshine01 · 20/10/2023 21:36

They do sound similar to mine- definitely keep the doctor's appointment as you could be deficient in a something that's leading to the headaches. But id definitely go down the massage route too, if you're sitting at a laptop and holding stress in your upper back, it's worth a try. I also find the deep heat packs work well, I've got one of the ones infused with lavender and that helps!

Oooo I will try and invest in heat packs! Been using deep heat at the moment which works wonders until it starts to wear off😢 I will definitely keep my appointment, hoping to start some anti anxiety medication aswell so if not for the headaches at least for that

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