Constant Headache and neck pain for 3 weeks

[Emmasian94]

So approx three weeks ago I woke up with neck pain, the feeling of a burning, pulled muscle. I assumed it was how I slept. It eased off later on. A few days later I woke up to see my 7 month old had a cold sore and I went into complete panic all day (I googled and it put the fear of life into me). I have experienced a constant headache that seems to be mainly in my forehead, pressure at the base of my skull, the top of my neck radiating downwards into upper back and shoulders ever since. Finally went to the doctor a few days ago and he put it down to my posture, felt totally dismissed. No over the counter medication touches the pain. Headache is constantly there and always worse after even basic exercise (walking to pick my son up from school). I just feel dismissed and really poorly. I'm a migraine sufferer too but they usually only stick around for a few hours, once every few month and have warning aura. Please has anyone experienced similar and could shed some light? I'm so miserable and fed up.

Have you taken a migraine tablet? Is it muscular pain localised in your head, or a migraine pain?

I’d try get to a different GP, any walk in clinics in your area?

Sounds like a tension headache. Have you tried ibuprofen?

If that hasn’t worked you may need to see your doctor for naproxen and possibly a muscle relaxant if you’ve pulled a muscle.

White Tiger Balm is great too. Rub it anywhere that hurts. The menthol will help relax the muscles.

Algesal is a great OTC cream from the pharmacist. This will help with the pain in the pulled muscles.

Also, remember to pull your tongue away from the roof of your mouth. This will relax your jaw and the muscles down the side of your face.

Hope you feel better soon.

It's really hard to describe the pain. It felt muscular in my neck but that has eased a bit. So now it's mainly a stiff, heavy, burning feeling in the neck with the constant headache. Head feels like it could snap off my neck with heaviness. I managed to get Sumatriptan from a chemist yesterday? Haven't had it before. Waiting for OH to get home before taking it.

You poor thing OP, I had something similar and it's horrible 😣 have you been stressed lately? When I had it, I went for a shoulder and neck massage and it was instant relief, I'd had it for weeks and the massage totally cured it. Maybe worth considering? I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you so much for the suggestions! Yes I have taken it but doesn't do anything unfortunately. I can definitely feel tension in my jaw so will actively do that too. Thanks x

You poor thing! That stiff, heavy feeling is just life ruining.

I take Sumatriptan for migraine, hopefully that lifts it for you although I’m not sure about it solely being a migraine, it sounds like it might be muscular or trapped nerve.

I’d try switching out hot water bottles and ice packs to see if there’s relief there, sleeping on your back on a good pillow, and a good massage from physio or massage therapist.

I'm at the point where I don't know if my symptoms are worse because of stress or I'm stressed because of my symptoms one big cycle of pain! I have booked to see a physio on Thursday. But a massage sounds really good!

They’re all tried and tested LOL! I get a lot of migraines and other types of headache. This definitely sounds most like a tension headache.

Standing under a warm shower with the water aimed on your neck can help me too.

Hope you feel better soon.

In honesty, if normal self help measures have not worked and you are sure you have not picked up covid give NHS direct a call and get some advice. It might be just a nasty tension headache that’s set in but it has not settled down. TBH most GPs are a bit clueless about headaches and tend to be dismissive if you state you have a headache. A different GP maybe more aware and check for types of headaches and neck problems that can cause headaches.

Sumatriptain can help with some types of migraine and cluster headaches but I doubt it would for tension. Hopefully the pharmacist gave you advice when you got it. I do recommend reading the leaflet carefully as there is not a triptain that suits all. If you take ANY of the counter indicated drugs I would not take it without a neurologists advice. ( I have chronic migraine and cluster headaches: have Sumatriptain by the bucket load as nasal sprays and injectors)

Hope the physio can help and if they suggest a referral back to a GP ask them to make it for you.