HOw long do you wait with a headache which is not responding to painkillers?

[SlightlyMadScotland]

Started last night.

Feels like my skull is pressing on my brain - especially at the front and sides - less so at the back

When I bend over it feels as though my brain is crashing into my skull.

Top of spine and shoulder blades are also starting to hurt - like a eletric shock type pain shooting through them

No visua disturbances or anything.

I don't typically suffer headaches - never had a migraine so don't know what one feeels like.

Ibuprofen + paracetamol are not touching it (which is the element that conerns me TBH).

Probably worth a visit to the Doctor. I think there are lots of bugs with headaches going around at the moment. I have had a headache for the last 10 days that just won't shift even with painkillers. For the first couple of days it was similar to yours then it eased a little but it is still there.

Have you been ill at all? Cold or virus? Does your face, forehead or ears hurt?

Are you drinking plenty? Try a soluble aspirin, hold the drink in your mouth for a minute before you swallow as- ridiculous as it sounds- it absorbs through your cheeks and gets straight to your headache. It could be a migraine and with dh only aspirin touches it alongside migraine meds.

Not ill - mild cough maybe.

Ears fine. M

I had a headache just like this for about two weeks last month. I went to the GP and they just gave me some stronger painkillers, told me to make sure I stay hydrated etc.

Apparently a headache alone isn't really an issue, do you have any neck pain? Can you rotate your head? Put your chin to neck etc? I was really worried as my Mum had a stroke in her late 30s and also has a brain tumour that can be hereditary but even though I was "high risk" she told me not to come back unless I got other symptoms or it had lasted another week.

Are you stressed? I am fairly sure mine was a tension headache.

The fact that its made worse by leaning forward is slightly worrying, however the fact that you have pain in your shoulders and back suggest that it may just be muscular.
Try Syndol or Boots own tension headache tablets (which IMHO are better) and see if that shifts it.

Does it hurt more when you cough?
Have you any other signs (random things like writing normally, or can you tap your finger and thumb together in a crocodile manner)?
Does your head hurt when you touch it where the pain is?

I suffered horrendous headaches for about 2 years, had MRI's and CT's, also worked in neurosurgery for a while which didnt help with paranoia

Neck pain yes but full mobility (as long as I don't ned over - even then it isn't really acase that I can't more that it bloody hurts).

Don't think it is stress...I am probably less sressted than I was a few weeks ago.

Co-ordination fine. Writing seems fine (typing as bad as ever).

The back of my head at the base hurts when I cough - kind of like my skull is collapsing inwards.

No pain on touching. It is all "inside".

I think I am just panicking because I am not a headachey person IYSWIM.

Dehydration could be an issue as I don't drink much in general - but I have drank no less tah usual.

Right I need to go and cook tea....then I might have a night in the sofa instead of in front of the computor...can't be doing me any good.

Drink lots and try breathing in steam too. Hurting when you lean forward could mean sinuses are hurting.

I often get headaches and do get ones that can last 3 or 4 days and taking paracetemol plus ibuprofen only takes the edge off them.

Nasty things!

Go to to docs and get some stronger painkillers with codeine.

If it's any reassurance, I had a horrid experience this week. My eye sight went funny (blinded by light, zig zag lines blurring vision) I couldn't make sense of a text message and so my FIANCE (sorry got engaged this week) drove me to A&E and he did lots of head rolling, eye checking tests and took my temp and blood pressure and told me it was a bad migraine. I've never had one in my life and I'm (only just!) 27. This was followed by a 3 day headache. It also felt like my brain was going to fall out the top of my head when I bent over.

If you need peace of mind, visit your GP.

A headache which lasts through the night and into the next day is likely to be caused by dehydration. I found this out when pg with DS1.

Congrats Zebra

Will go and drink lots.

I have some srtong prescription co-codamol (prescripbed for something else) and some diclofenac in teh cupboard....I might give that a try later (after ensuring I am not ODing on paracetamol an anti-inflams.

It is pain in the base of my skull when I bend - not the front (was the front this morning though)

Try Mirgraine Relief nurofen or even migrelief (I think that's what they're called. And thanks

I often get headaches which take a day to respond to painkillers. What works for me is to place a hot water bottle at the back of my neck or rest most painful part of head against it. No use of course, unless you can prop yourself up on the sofa but it does help. I have to have the bottle hotter than is really comfortable in order to numb the pain iyswim.
Hope it goes away soon.

Have spent a couple of hours laying still...feels a littel better now...

I have had similar since tuesday (splitting head not responding to painkillers & worse when leaning forward ). Was not coping with pain so went to docs this morning & it is sinusitis. On antibiotics & seems to now be easing slightly. Friend also dropped over some migriane cool & soothe gel sheets which have been fab.
Hope you feel better soon.

Hi I know this might be an old thread but I'm going out of my mind with worry as I've had a headache for ten days!! Convinced myself it's a brain tumour as not going away with pain killers :( it's a dull naggy type pain in my forehead, top of nose, eyes and top of jaw. I thought possibly sinuses but I don't even have a runny or blocked nose! To the lady who had sinusitis, did you have a runny or blocked nose? Was headache your only symptom? I'm losing my mind :( xxx

I know this is old, but I have the same symptoms as you jessyoliver. Did yours turn out to be nothing? I’m reading too much and am starting to freak myself out.

Can anyone remember what happened with theirs? I’ve had this for the last 3 days

Have you seen the doctors? Have you had an eye test at the opticians? This would be a start and would help with your health anxiety as well.

I have also had this had to leave work early as I felt so bad, went home and was sick a few times. Still feel rubbish now 3 days on can't move my neck to the right feel so tired and head pounds whenever I move!

@whattheee what other symptoms do you have? What’s your headache like? I think mine may be sinusitis x

@Perid0t sorry I have just seen this, I have had dizziness, feeling tired all the time abit of a sore throat the pain is just so bad! Are you feeling any better? X

@whattheee me too. Nope! Think it’s sinusitis and will take a while x