headache advice (1 Viewer)

[James L White]

I've had headaches off and on for about 5 days now, it seems to be mostly in the back & side of my head, my sinuses are fairly clear,if I lie down they seem to subside.

I'm really scared. (as anyone would be)What should I do I've been to an ear,nose and throat doctor about 2 1/2 months go,, I'm using some nasal spray that hasn't helped much. :frowning:

also the pain isn't unbairable it's just subtle pain

 

[Henry Gale]

Please don't use nasel spray, at least not unless your ENT doc prescribes it. I've known numerous people who got addicted to that stuff.
As a bit of a headache expert, I get Clusters, you don't want to know what that's like, I recommend a neurologist.

Good Luck!

Jim

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Pains in the back of your head tend to be tension headaches. When they started were you involved with anything particularly stressful? After that, your worry about the headaches may have brought upon further anxiety and as a result further tension headaches.

I get frequent, lifestopping migraines, and generally take Ibprofen 800 mg caplets. For a tension headache, that would be total overkill and like anything the 800 mg ones are something you can become dependent on.

I'd try a couple over-the-counter standard strength Ibprofen or Tylenol. If the headaches don't go away, see your physician.

Nine times out of ten I'd bet such things are nothing serious, so I wouldn't worry about it unless the doctor feels that something is wrong.

 

[Seth--L]

I'm a migraines suffer and have to take prescription medication for them. Obviously you can't take what I'm taking, but the out of all the over-the-counter stuff, I've found Excedrin Migraine to work the best (I think it's still the only headache medication to use caffeine). Caffeine is an effective way to combat a headache, and from lots of testing, Coca-Cola has just the right amount for me - too much caffeine can actually give you a headache.

You should also try something as basic as putting a cold pack on your head.

 

[MikeAlletto]

I find advil and sleep are the best things for me. I get headaches a lot, just the normal ones, but occassionally I get something really strange. Its hard to explain but it goes something like this:

I'll see a squirming shape that kind of shimmies around on the left side of my vision. It starts as a small object then usually grows into a cresent shape. I don't have pain yet, just a wierd feeling. That goes away in about 20 minutes or so and then the pain hits. Really bad headache, stomach sickness, and I get really hot.

I get about 1 or 2 of these a year. The way I deal with it now is that when I notice the visual thing happening I take 2 advil immediately. By the time the visual disappears the advil has kicked in and it usually shortens the pain time. I can also tell how bad the pain will be by how long the visual thing lasts. The longer it stays the more pain and discomfort I have. Also as soon as the visual disappears I go to bed and try to sleep. Eventually I'll fall asleep and I tend to sleep for 13-14 hours after that. I think the longest its knocked me out was 16 hours. The next few days I feel really strange. I don't usually have a headache but I'm really out of it and very tired for the next 3-5 days.

Sometimes it'll happen in the middle of the night while I sleep. The only way I know its happened though is when I wake up in the morning I'll have a slight headache and I'll feel something...its hard to explain, I just know its happened.

God I hate headaches. With normal headaches while I'm waiting for the drugs to kick in I mostly just lay on the couch or in my bed curled up holding a pillow or holding my head just trying to work it out.

As far as over the counter drugs goes I've only tried advil and tylenol. Tylenol does not work at all for me, advil does though.

 

[Devin U]

first off, dont be scared. It could be stress. If you start to notice changes in vision (blurriness/spots/loss of vision), nausea, trouble standing or walking, or blackout/loss of contiousness, get help soon. These could be signs of more seroius problems. Best advice is, take a otc med like excedrin/tylenol/advil, and take it easy for a while. If it continues for 10 days or more, you may want to consider seeing a physician.

 

[Eric Samonte]

Go to ur doctor...u ease the pain and ur anxiety. I know its scary but not knowing would also "kill u". It could be nothing ut wouldn't it be better to find out sooner than later?
On a different note, imagine being a doctor and knowing just about everything that could cause pain. Of course, the worst case scenario comes to mind first...always first...And did u guys know doctors are the worst patients ever?

 

[Michael Reuben]

I recommend a neurologist.

I second that. Try to find one who's a headache expert. It's a genuine specialty.

M.

 

[MarkHastings]

Acetaminophen and salicylate combination medicines relieve pain and reduce fever. They may be used to relieve occasional pain caused by mild inflammation or arthritis (rheumatism). The acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine combination also may be used to relieve pain associated with migraine headaches.

 

[Michael Varacin]

Have you changed the amount of soft drinks you've been drinking? The caffine in soda is addictive, and if you stop drinking the stuff cold it will leave you with bad caffine withdraw headaches....much like a drug addict stopping. If so, try drinking a soda and slowly bring down the amount you consume per day.

It could also be plain and simply a lack of water...drink a lot of water over the next two or three days untill you are going to the bathroom every couple of hours. See if that helps.

 

[Glenn Overholt]

Headaches are something that I get after a problem has been solved.

Had to mention that. I would make an appointment - but unless you already have a specialist you'll probably go to your GP first.

Make sure that it isn't environmental - Going cold turkey off of Coke, etc can be a bummber. Write down what you have been eating. Could be an allergic reaction too.

Also, could there be a leak somewhere? Gas - mold in your house? Anyone living with you that isn't getting them?
But - make that appointment. Better safe than sorry!

Glenn

 

[MarkHastings]

I also find that the weather has a lot to with headaches. Considering all of the humidity we've been having this summer, it makes everything swell. I really seem to notice it in my back. And when I get the pain in the back, then my shoulders get real tense, which will then give me headaches.

This is what they mean when they say things like "I can tell a storm is coming - I can feel it in my (insert body part here)" - The rise in humidity and pressure before a storm hits is what will cause the pain.

 

[TylerN]

I'll see a squirming shape that kind of shimmies around on the left side of my vision. It starts as a small object then usually grows into a cresent shape. I don't have pain yet, just a wierd feeling. That goes away in about 20 minutes or so and then the pain hits. Really bad headache, stomach sickness, and I get really hot.

Mike, what you just described has happened EXACTLY word for word to me about 4 times in my life. My doctor told me it was a classic migraine.

The first time it happened i was freaked right out, but after i realized what it was, the next time it happened i knew what to expect.

The 2nd time it happened i had the sense to call someone to drive me home from school because i knew i was about to get some intense pain.

The next couple of times i took a couple of extra strength pain releivers when i saw the vision thing. Helped out alot.

 

[MarkHastings]

Does anyone else experience excessive yawning before getting a migraine? I seem to yawn constantly (even when I'm wide awake) while I am getting a migraine.

The only thing I can think of is the yawning is a way to get oxygen to the brain? Maybe to help rid of the migraine?

 

[Rain]

Low grade headaches in the back of the head that persist for several days would be consistent with what is expected from tension headaches.

It's annoying, but harmless enough and should eventually pass.

I get them too, mostly in the summertime. I spent practically a whole summer a few years back lying down with a cold compress on the back of my head. Not fun.

But it certainly wouldn't hurt to talk to your doctor if you are concerned.

 

[MikeAlletto]

The only thing I can think of is the yawning is a way to get oxygen to the brain?

Thats a myth. They still don't know why we yawn but to increase oxygen supply is a myth.

 

[MarkHastings]

Thats a myth.

Oh.

Either way, it would seem like yawning is a most likely a side effect. Hopefully someone can explain why...

 

[Andrew Pratt]

Given that this sounds like a tension headache book yourself a massage and have them work your shoulders and neck area over. You might also want to get a chiropractor look over your back as well...this works very well when done in conjuntion with a massage at least it does for me.

Interesting re: the yawning. I get quite a few headaches (ok a lot) and yawn frequently at work....esp when I'm in a small office or meeting room (and no I'm not bored:b )

 

[Sam Posten]

As someone whose headaches DID turn out to be a tumor, I recommend a good neurologist if you get frequent headaches.

The couple hundred dollar doctor visit is nothing compared to the peace of mind (no pun!) from showing that it is nothing or learning how to deal with whatever physical problem is causing them.

Not trying to scare you, just giving an example of my experience. When I had my headaches first I saw an optometrist thinking it was eye strain. When he cleared me of that I figured I would go see a chiropractor since I'm a big guy I figured it could be stress/muscle pain etc. My optometrist convinnced me to see a neurologist first. His advice was 'clear the big stuff FIRST', then go try other stuff. His advice saved me a world of hurt. Sure I was scared as heall but at least I was on the right track and not wasting time.

Good luck!
Sam

 

[Cary_H]

Mike A.....Tyler is right. The "shimmering blindspots" as they are referred to are a common signal to the start of a migraine, for some sufferers.
I endured them into my late 20's. My dad did, a brother did, my kid does, her mom does.
Some folks don't see what you describe, many know them only too well.
I haven't had a full-blown migraine in over a decade, but I have seen the signal more frequently in the past year. (no question it's stress related)
I still get a kick out of people I know that claim, "I've got a migraine", yet continue to motor around work or home with little more than a bit of discomfort. Well, they may have a headache, but if you're up and around it sure as &*%$ isn't a migraine. Either that, or they have the pain threshold of a dead animal....and my money isn't riding on the latter.
No conventional pain killer ever made a dent in any of mine. I have friends that get no relief from $12 a pop over the counter remedies. I even have a co-worker who has a vial of Morphine at home that his nurse wife injects to halt his frequent 3-day journeys into hell.
Yup, if you get migraines, you know. The idea of putting an end to your life is perfectly rational thought....and an extremely attractive solution at that.