Debilitating tension headaches recently.

[eescvc]

Hi,

The past couple of months I've been suffering from tension headaches the severity and frequency of which seem to be increasing.

The pattern seems to be that I'll start to feel slightly dizzy at work around midday, and by 3pm a headache will be starting.

Come the time I'm home around 6ish I'm just about ready for bed with the pain and dizzyness. Problem being that the pain behind my eyes worsens when they're closed so falling asleep is difficult, painful and frustrating.

It's beginning to happen 2-3 times a week at the moment and I'm beginning to get frustrated with losing my evenings to pain and misery. I cannot even enjoy a TV show as the pain behind my eyes worsens.

I used to suffer with migraines. A handful of bad 24+ hrs of having to be in complete dark and silence and vomiting etc each year. But these are mild in comparison to that. But it's like my eyes and neck are in a vise and I just feel disoriented in general. And the frequency of them is really getting to me. I think I'd rather have a handful of migraines a year again than this.

I'm going to see if I can get a GP appointment for next week to discuss this, but wondering if anyone had any experience or suggestions?

Thanks.

[Melbourne-Girl]

Hi eescvc I have used frozen packs to place on my forehead and they reduce the pain by constricting the blood vessels. If you haven’t tried it it could help settle your pain

Severe headaches can be very debilitating.

It would be good to try before your Drs visit. Let me know how you go,

All the best xx

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

Melbourne Girl

[Pickzie]

Have you been tested for anti phospholipid syndrome(APS)? It can occur alongside lupus with symptoms of migraine and headaches are common but often improved with anticoagulants even low dose aspirin

[eescvc in reply to Pickzie]

My blood results came back as positive for anti-cardiolipin which from my own research can mean that you have antiphospholipid syndrome? Is that correct?

[Pickzie in reply to eescvc]

Yes but there are other markers too. Might be useful to have a conversation with your rheumatologist about your headaches , the blood result, APS and whether you might need / benefit from some anticoagulants. Aspirin has worked well for me and I have had far fewer headaches. Wishing you well

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi eescvc ,

How did you get on when you saw your GP?

We have an article on our website about headaches and migraines in lupus which has lots of information and advice. If you haven't seen it yet you may find it helpful - lupusuk.org.uk/headaches-an...