Headache

[DogAgilityObsessed]

I’ve woken up with a headache for the fourth day in a row. Husband suggested I check in with you lovely lot.

The pain is mainly the back of my head but sometimes seems to move to the front. Eyes fine (although looking at phone and computer screens not easy) and no tenderness of scalp. Jaw fine although when clench teeth it hurts (teeth fine as I had a check up last week).

During the day the pain fluctuate and even disappears at times. I’ve been taking paracetamol.

Any thoughts? Just a standard headache or something more worrying?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

“Eyes fine (although looking at phone and computer screens not easy)”....are you sure they’re fine?

Have you had sight test recently? Could be eye strain - if it PC and phone screen -and Pred can affect eyes.

If you’re waking with morning headache - pillows? Need new ones, have new ones? Do you normally sleep with open window, but it has been closed the last few nights?

Does paracetamol clear it...and then it returns?

If you can rule out obvious causes, then you need to get it checked, any new headache need attention....not easy I know at present......but first option would be sight test, because that’s probably what doctor will say.

If all else fails, then obviously A&E.

[Marijo1951]

As you already have PMR I think you should have this checked out urgently as it could be GCA. The fact that it's mainly at the back of the head and that it's bad at night sounds like the main symptoms that I had when I was diagnosed. I never had the jaw claudication.

If this was a non-COVID time I'd advise you to go to A&E at your nearest hospital with a Rheumatology department, explain that you have PMR and think you could have developed GCA, so should be seen by a rheumatologist. Things might be more complicated at present, but you certainly need to deal with this as soon as possible.

[123-go]

I would advise A and E to be on the safe side if you can't have an eye test straight away. It's difficult to see/speak to GPs at this time and four days with headaches returning in spite of paracetamol calls for investigation. May well be nothing to worry about but you'll want to make sure.

[DogAgilityObsessed]

Thanks everyone. I went back to sleep and now feeling quite a bit better. Eyes were tested just a few months ago. But DL’s suggestion of pillows could be good. Our pillows are old and husband just said he didn’t think they were as good now. I’m probably not drinking enough water so will try to increase that.

I worried I had GCA a few months ago (I didn’t obviously) so I’m probably just being a bit hypochondriac! I will closely monitor signs though and get to A&E if there’s no improvement or deterioration.

[YuliK in reply to DogAgilityObsessed]

Good morning DAO

It sounds to me like you have dehydrated..

.

Dehydration can be caused by central heating. Over heating your bed with an electric blanket...

Headaches, are usually our first warning sign that our body is dehydrated.

Keep a record of how much you drink. See if there is an improvement...

You are probably going to the bathroom during the nighttime, which is also contributing to dehydration.

Feel better soon.

YuliK 😷

[Blossom20]

It could be a tension headache from stress and bunching up your shoulders. Try massaging your neck and shoulders and doing neck rolls and stretching. Obviously get it checked out if this doesn't help. Good luck

[DogAgilityObsessed]

Quick update for you lovely people. Headache gone (I don’t get them often and obviously a bit of a hypochondriac/worried about GCA). Trying to drink more (but worry if I’m going out) and new pillows ordered. I’m also doing the neck stretching as @yogabonnie has us doing (great help).