I KNOW I'm being paranoid so please reassure me.

[NorkyButNice]

I went to the doctors yesterday as I've had a stinking headache that feels like there's something pulsating behind my right eye. He checked me over and found I have slightly high blood pressure (130 over 95) but didn't know if that was the cause or a symptom of the headache.

He asked if I can manage with it for a couple of days, then pulled up his appt book and said I need to come back today at 9.10 to see him again.

I've also suddenly started getting confused about really silly things - not being able to recall a simple word (it was carrot the other day), confusing my left with my right - even when I've stood and thought for 30 seconds before turning the hob on, I've still chosen the wrong one and not realised till I almost set fire to an oven glove

I am now panicking about brain tumours and the like. Tell me I'm being paranoid please...

Do you still have the headache? If you're seeing him today anyway I would mention the confusion. It could purely be the after-effects of a migraine type headache and will subside, or totally unrelated and just stupidity - but definitely worth checking. Tis most likely nothing though! (If it helps I often have get confused about silly things - I blame having children!) Good luck.

Norky - hope it has gone well at the Dr this morning.

Yes I've had the headache for about 6 days now - Nurofen Plus reduces it to a level where I can work/live, but it's a constant pain otherwise.

The doc has asked me to go for an eye test and said it's probably a stress headache. She made me feel a bit stupid so I didn't mention the confusion - have got to go back in a week so if I'm still suffering I'll tell her then.

If it WERE something bad then a week wouldn't make a difference, would it? Panic emoticon needed here...

Norky - it is really importaint that the GP knows about the confussion. Has she checked your motor skills? (for example tilting your chin upward to the ceiling, putting your arms out, closing your eyes and then with your pointing finger trying to touch your nose, repeat for the other hand) Seeing an optitian ASAP is a good idea anyway as if it is anything more sinister going on then it can often be seen/picked up and your optitian can refer you to the hospital too

I know how worrying this can be - I was having serious neurological symptoms last year which looked likely to be MS but turned out to be a virus.

Hoping to gets resolved quickly

I know I should have said something about the confusion. I'm trying to put it down to me getting old but along with the headache it's got me worried.

Have got an optician's appt tomorrow so hopefully they'd see if there was anything really wrong.

She did some tests with my limbs, pushing down on my legs and arms. No co-ordination type tests though.

Thanks for the responses

Norky, I am on day 3 of a tension/migraine headache, I get very tongue tied, feel as though I cant get my words out, and do things like walk into cupboards and wonder why I am there. Most meds dont seem to help either. I am sure all will be well, xx

That confusion about simple words is EXACTLY what i get with a migraine. Every time. It's my most reliable symptom.

I too found it worrying (and still do) cause it seems like i'm having a stroke or something but it is honestly just migraine for me.

Norky - I get this with migraine and cluster headaches.

It could also be a sinus infection? That can leave you giddy and disorientated, in a lot of pain that is not reduced much by painkillers and can cause pulsing behind the eyes, in the ears, It can also make you feel sick/vomit and can last for weeks or more if not cleared with ABs. Sinus infections do not always coincide with a runny nose/cold etc, (although are usually a bi product from a cold of some kind, but could have been weeks before) as they are often deeprooted in the sinus canals.

Thanks again for your replies! I do get migraines occasionally but they feel nothing like this - they come and last for a few hours then go away. This has been constant for nearly a week now

The doc did say it might be sinus related, so I have to do steam baths. Have also bought some Sudofed so will give that a go.

Norky - have had several sinus infections this year, and steam baths and sudafed did little. If steaming helps at all, you need to do it every two hours, for 10 mins, with something like menthol crystals (can get them from supermarket for about £1, but only use literacy 5 crystals or else it will melt your brain too! It will take a good 2 days for it to start working (might be quicker, keep lots of tissue ready and be prepared for a blocked nose for a while, as it works through).

if it continues, and you/doc thinks it is likely sinus, I am afraid the only thing that will clear it is ABs as it means it is an infection, rather than just bunged up sinus'.

from wiki - 'Symptoms include: nasal congestion; facial pain; headache; fever; general malaise; thick green or yellow discharge; vertigo or lightheadedness; blurred vision, feeling of facial 'fullness' or 'tightness' which worsens on bending over; aching teeth, and halitosis.

I really hope that whatever it is, you get it sorted, as I know how horrendous long term headaches can be.