Headaches

[Cookie-]

I’ve always suffered with headaches….For the past 8/9 months they’ve become worse and for the past 5/6 weeks they have become daily. I’ve visited my doctor who said I was overdosing on analgesic over the counter drugs and to stop taking them immediately, write a headache diary and she would call me in 3 weeks. (She offered nothing else)

I’ve been free from over the counter drugs now for over 6 weeks. I feel sick on a daily basis, I have a daily headaches, these can be frontal above my eyes, my cheekbones to ears and my neck to my head.

I can’t go on like this… I’m at the doctor tomorrow any advice?

[Arymretep]

Hi, I think if it was the tablets and you’ve stopped taking them and still having headaches it could be something else, has your Dr given you any tests x rays etc I get a lot of headaches but I had arthritis in my neck especially , ask for a an x ray or scan

[Cat00]

Normally you need longer than 3-6 weeks of no painkillers to get rid of medication over-use headache so it may still be that. A couple of months is normal. If you get referred to a neurologist they won't treat you unless you definitely are not having medication overuse so the GP will not be helping if it is not recorded in your diaries that you've had no painkillers of any kind for quite some time.

Migraines can often change from episodic to chronic and back again and if you have a history of migraine they won't be too worried about the big things. Naturally they will look at your current lifestyle and ask about stressfull things that might have precipitated your migraines changing.

Although if it continues I'd be wanting a referral, having said that GP's have a lot more to offer now than they did in the old days and there are a lot of preventatives they will want you to try before giving you a referral I would think.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

I do think if the tablets are out of your system and your headaches and feeling constantly sick are still as bad push for further tests, if this doctor is not helpful differently see someone else, have they taken any blood tests at all ? I hope you got on better with your latest visit xx

[Loobielu]

Hi Cookie, I'm sorry to hear about your headaches. I also have constant headaches and an aching face. What do they class as over dosing on analgesic drugs? I try and manage on 2 paracetamol in the morning and on the bad days 2 paracetamol before bed thx

[Cat00 in reply to Loobielu]

Too much is more than 8 days a month of any type of painkiller. If you're prone to migraines painkillers are not your friend.

[Loobielu in reply to Cat00]

Eeek only 8 days a month 😬. Im pretty sure I get headaches not migraines, is it the same for headaches? What else can we do with headaches? I wake with them every morning, it's hopeless x

[Cat00 in reply to Loobielu]

I've had chronic migraines for 30 years, when migraines have become chronic you have to keep what are called "headache diaries", they are called headache diaries bc when migraines have become "transformed" headaches are included in your diaries bc they are considered to be a less painful form of migraine but part of the chronic migraine mechanism. So once you are having migraine or headache for more than 15 days a month they are considered chronic.If you are having headaches every morning have you tried eating something, like a bowl of cereal before bed every night? Because waking with headaches every morning can be a result of your blood sugar dropping through the night. Obviously if that is the problem then it would be a non drug solution.

I'm afraid the only thing I know about headaches are their relation to migraines. If you have muscular problems in your neck this also can trigger headaches but personally if I were you I'd look to your pain killer dosing too. Headaches can be the precursor to migraines.

I have 5 chronic pain conditions, for at least 20 years so I do know what it's like to be in pain everyday but I still don't take painkillers more than 8 days a month. This year I broke my foot and my ribs in 3 different incidents and i couldnt take any painkillers then either. Ive just had to learn how to live/function in pain.

I think it would worth talking to your GP about it though. If I were you I'd stop the painkillers and start eating before bed. Even if they are the root cause of your headaches it won't work for some weeks so I wouldn't take it as evidence if nothing changes straight away.

In regards to scans, I've only been given 1 MRI about 4 years ago bc I have a family history of migraine, although not nearly as bad as mine, they won't look for any other cause. Sorry for the long reply!

[Loobielu in reply to Cat00]

Hi Cat00, that's really useful to know. Thank you so much for taking the time to message 🙂. Blood sugar levels could easily be playing a part. I do eat an early evening meal. I also have constant pain in the top of my shoulders and I do wonder if my teeth are clenching in my sleep. I'm seeing dentist next Monday for check up. I also don't sleep well like most of us. Right, I will stop the paracetamol and give it some weeks and patience (which is always in short supply lol). Best Lx

[Cat00 in reply to Loobielu]

When we have a lot of pain our muscles go into a holding pattern, esp the shoulder/neck muscles if we have headaches so it would be hard to know which is the result or the cause.I grind my teeth at night too which is very obvious because my teeth are so flat. I have a tooth guard I have to wear at night to protect my teeth but sadly nothing can be done about the corresponding pain, unless you can afford botox privately.

Good luck with it all, it can be a long road if it is medication overuse and the chances are you won't be headache free but it should stop the cycle of daily headaches, if it is that at least!

[jackiesj]

Hi Cookie, im sorry to hear about headaches which can range from so many things.Did they do an MRI, check nasal and ear ..anything else temporarily you may try ice/heat on the back of your head(ocipital lobe of the brain) that effect the front. sinuses ears, migraines oh goodness they need to check you out. Some may just say that getting off meds may make you feel ill but there is more to it than that. i have found a tough time after comming out opening of covid times that i know my docs arent what they were and i have to ask more.Vision problems new glasses hearing ringing in ears? Sleep is crucial..ive been woke up with pain....let us know...sure would love to hear answers. * caffiene can be horrid and getting off of it. low potassium thyroid etc..so many other things the doc should find out. Im truely sorry.

[KimiJay]

Have you ever had a properly trained Chiropractor check out your first vertabra etc? Might be worth a try at least to mitigate your suffering. Could also give advice on pillow and sleeping position as well.