Headache for 3 weeks

[slet]

Can anyone help me?

I have had a low level headache for the last three weeks. Paracetamol and ibuprofen don’t really do much. I also feel very tense round my neck and shoulders and one side of my jaw clicks when I open my mouth. My eyes feel tired and strained (I had an eye test last month- fine and no prescription).

I am 42 and I have a lot going on atm. I work ft and this is the busier time of year for me (secondary teacher- exams approaching and coursework deadlines- I teach a lot of sam classes). I am have been referred for counselling as I had a bereavement last year which I am still struggling with. It is actually the anniversaries of this bereavement this weekend. I am supposed to be training for a half marathon for a Charity linked to the bereavement. I have two children who have busy extracurricular schedules. We are busy all day every day, including weekends and weekday evenings we ferry the dc to their activities. My husband is amazing and super supportive but it still feels like a lot. Could this be linked to the headaches? I have always had head aches but not one lasting this long before. My menstrual cycles is awry, and my digestive system is still recovering I think from a trip aboard during the Easter holidays where I got a funny tummy. I know I am probably dehydrated as I know I don’t drink enough water during the day.

does anyone know anything about TMJ as I wonder about this due to the jaw clicking?

would appreciate anyone’s support as it’s really making me feel terrible.

Busiest

exam classes

You need a break. That is too much to deal with. I have a headache just reading this!! Look after yourself, please x

Hormonal changes?
I had headaches & migraines over the last few years it was utter hell somedays...days off miserable then cluster headaches.

Gp visit.
Mine gave me rizamelts..these made me to spaced out and on other occassions i took stronger ibprofen of 200gm & 500gm paracetmol...knocks me out to sleep as well..nuromol.

My friend secondary school teacher had this. Had tests. Nothing untoward. I'd suggest it's a neck shoulder issue try a deep tissue massage. My physio treats clients who drive for a living and get headaches.

Yes could be hormonal as well. I always used to get a headache around my period but now my cycles are a bit haywire.

wear a mouth guard at night as youre probably grinding your teeth and tensing up half the night.

Sounds like bruxism/ teeth clenching to me too

I agree with PPs about stress, which could be causing any neck tension and jaw clenching, which is then compounding the issue.

But also, how much ibuprofen and paracetamol are you taking? Did you take them often before this? I have accidentally tipped myself into a rebound headache cycle before.

@slet have you had a dental check recently? I’m wondering if you are clenching your jaw/grinding your teeth at night which might be causing a tension type headache.

Sorry to hear you're going through this OP, it's clearly painful and I can hear how it's starting to distress and weigh on you. Something I've noticed is the approach of anniversaries of significant bereavements can register as physical symptoms due to unresolved grief that's sort of out of our awareness. Would you consider talking to a counsellor about that, see what might be there to process more fully?

The clicking in your jaw, on the other hand, is a mechanical issue isn't it and there could be some kind of misalignment that's also affecting your neck and shoulders. Or, there's tension being felt in your face/jaw which could be spreading to your neck and shoulders as the body tries to rebalance and compensate. Could you speak to your GP about a possible musculoskeletal referral? 💐

Yes I have also wondered about rebound headaches. I have been trying not to take painkillers everyday but I do take them pretty regularly in the hope that they will take the edge off and at work I can’t focus if the pain is really bad so I need them. I will try and have nothing over the next few days I I can and see what happens.