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Hudson_Hawk

Hudson_Hawk

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Nov 2, 2006
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So feel free to offer suggestions or advice here.

I''ve had a bad headache for the past two days. It started late Monday afternoon and I woke up with it yesterday (lasted until I fell asleep) and I awoke to it again today. The pain is on the left side of my head, kind of behind my eye, but also in my cheek bone and forhead. The right side of my head is fine. It doesn''t improve when I close my eyes or lay down and I''m not seeing auras or having sensitivity to light or sound. Late yesterday afternoon on the way home I was really nauseaus though. I''ve taken advil, motrin, excedrin, tylenol, aleve, and finally I resorted to vicodin last night so I could sleep. I''ve also tried drinking caffine and water to no avail. The vicodin helped, but I didn''t sleep well on it and nothing else that I''ve taken has helped at all. TJ also gave me a neck and shoulder massage last night which felt great, but had no affect on my headache.

I''d say it was a sinus infection but I''ve not had any allergy problems or colds in the last few months, and it''s only on one side of my head. I also don''t have a fever or any other ''sick'' symptoms.

I''m just about at my wits end here as I''m going on the second FULL day of pain. If it doesn''t go away today I''ll make an appt to see my doctor, but I don''t really want to do that because she goes overboard with tests etc., which I don''t have the time or money for right now. Do any of you have experience with bad headaches? What do you do for them?
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HH I am so sorry about this, I suffer from similar and I know how dreadful they are. Rest in a darkened room helps me, are you going into work today? Hey just a thought - the computer screen may be making them worse!!
 
Unfortunately I do have to be at work today
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I wish I could have stayed home...
 
Date: 9/12/2007 7:51:16 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Unfortunately I do have to be at work today
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I wish I could have stayed home...
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That really sux ( strm!) If you feel worse please call your doctor, perhaps she could give you advice over the phone or her nurse could? I do feel for you, I can't do anything when I have a headache like that. Have you ever had a similar headache before?
 
running a temp?
that would be the first thing to check.
 
Nope, I'm cool as a cucumber.

I've had random headaches that are in this area that last a few hours, but never a few days...
 
next thing too check, is run finger pushing down over your upper jaw bone from both sides inside your mouth, any sore spots in the bone or teeth?
(checking for abscesses which can be serious)
 
Negative-that was the first thing I checked too actually.

The closest thing I can compare the pain to is brain freeze.
 
Sounds like a migraine to me - one sided, behind your eye, lasting more than 24 hours etc

Do you have anything like slight numbness down one side of your face, or feel sick?

I have migraines a lot, and sometimes I would quite happily take my eyeball out it hurts so much!

There are some great treatments out there. They may have different names in the US, but try googling them. Migralieve is sold over the counter in chemists - and tends to be good on milder ones. I don't find aspirin, paracetamol or codeine do anything.

I take Zomig which is fantastic. I just take half a 2.5mg tablet and it's gone in 20 minutes - but it took me years to find it. I'm now being treated by Professor Goadsby who is the world expert (and who invented zomig) - it was a 2 year wait to see him, but worth it!

You should go and see your GP asap as there are some consequences if you have migraine - you can't take the contraceptive pill if you have any aura with it, as it raises the risk of strokes, and often in women they are triggered by changes in oestrogen levels during your monthly cycle or when you take the 7 day pill break.
 
I just started a new cycle of BCPs, I think I take monophasic pills? The hormone level is constant throughout the month. If I get hormonal headaches, it''s usually in the off week.

A few years ago I had a very bad headache, worse than this actually, and I went to the ER (I worked in a hospital at the time). They gave me Imitrex thinking it was a migraine and the side effects made me more miserable than I already was. They didn''t officially diagnose me with migraines because of that. I think I''m going to make an apt with my GP if I still have it at lunch time...
 
Hudson..

It sounds like you are having a migraine (or similar) type of attack.

When I started getting migraines, I did just like you.. took whatever I could to ease the pain.. unfortunately, I think you may have done what I did.. and entered into what is called a "rebound headache" Not only can the medicine cause them, but the medicine will also NOT help the pain.

I would definitely call the doc. But if you are suffering from a migraine, the first they are going to do is tell you NOT to take anything else... as it wont help and you need a good 72 hours off of any kind of pain medication to end a "rebound headache". They may also prescribe you a migraine specific medication.. like maxalt, zomig or something similar... but if I remember correctly (I''ve been off migraine meds for two years now) you cannot take or have taken any ibuprofen or tylenol products within 24 hours of taking the migraine meds... I''m not sure if that part has changed.

Make sure you pay attention to your vision.. depth perception is greatly affected by these long headaches. I remember thinking I was standing at the McDonalds counter ordering.. when I was really about 8 feet away.. everyone looked at me like I was insane...

I know you said you dont have sensitivity to light or sound.. but mine started out just like yours.. pain behind one eye... OUCH!!!

I''m sorry your hurting.. I hope that you can get some info soon!!! Feel better.
 
one more test.. any change in the pain level when you blow you nose?

I agree its Doc time.
it does sound like a migraine or a sinus infection.
 
Thanks Jaders. So if this could be a rebound headache, should i go see the doc now or wait 72 hours? Honestly, if I have to wait 72 hours and I can''t take anything I''m going to personally remove my eye with a grapefruit spoon.

No pain when I blow my nose, no obvious pressure changes when I put my head between my knees etc...
 
I think you need to call your doc HH, I can''t imagine the pain you must be in.
 
Date: 9/12/2007 8:37:34 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I just started a new cycle of BCPs, I think I take monophasic pills? The hormone level is constant throughout the month. If I get hormonal headaches, it's usually in the off week.

A few years ago I had a very bad headache, worse than this actually, and I went to the ER (I worked in a hospital at the time). They gave me Imitrex thinking it was a migraine and the side effects made me more miserable than I already was. They didn't officially diagnose me with migraines because of that. I think I'm going to make an apt with my GP if I still have it at lunch time...
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Yup, it's always in the off-week. I used to take six packets in a row with no off weeks to cut the migraines down!

I find I need a VERY small dose of all migraine treatments. I took one of my mothers Imigran once and I felt so awful it was almost worse than the migraine. I always take half of any recommended dose now.

Zomig is available in the US - obviously check with your GP and pharmacist, but from what it says on the packet and the Interactions bit on the internet it shouldn't be a problem to take it even if you have taken other painkillers - of the paracetamol, codeine etc variety. I would get yourself to the doctor fast, but ask to take just half a dose.
 
go see your doctor
 
I would absolutely go see a doc now... He/she can confirm if it is a rebound headache.. at which point I would think they would advise you to kick the meds for 72 hours... and they could also prescribe a migraine med to follow after that 72 hours.

I really think its a migraine.. you just got engaged, and while that HIGH is soooo good.. there is a bit of stress that comes with it.. including the barrage of "when, where, why, how" questions re: the engagement and the "when, where, why, how" questions on your impending marriage.

Migraines are a funny funny creature (i''m trying to stay positive, they are actually HORRIBLe monsters!) But they can be managed. The key is to get it from the second you realize its a migraine. Unfortunately for those who do not suffer them, they cant tell whats a migraine and what isnt.

Call your doc. Try your hardest to kick the meds, and if it gets worse.. go to the ER... they will more than likely give you a migraine med injection.. or a demmoral (sp?) injection if you are really really incapacitated.

Also.. I wont really recommend this.. but as a worst case scenario... puking is a known cure... ughh.. I know gross.. but desperate times...call for desperate measures.

Also.. headaches can come about from being dehydrated... try and drink a liter of water here in the next hour or so.. that may help.

For the next several days.. try and limit your intake of chinese food (or anything with high amounts of msg), and peanut butter... those are known triggers... Also large quantities of dairy can trigger, as well as chocolate...
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OK... I hope this helps.. I totally know where you are with this.. I totally sympathize... I''m so sorry...
 
style="WIDTH: 99%; HEIGHT: 171px">Date: 9/12/2007 8:30:21 AM
Author: Pandora II

There are some great treatments out there. They may have different names in the US, but try googling them. Migralieve is sold over the counter in chemists - and tends to be good on milder ones. I don''t find aspirin, paracetamol or codeine do anything.

I take Zomig which is fantastic. I just take half a 2.5mg tablet and it''s gone in 20 minutes - but it took me years to find it. I''m now being treated by Professor Goadsby who is the world expert (and who invented zomig) - it was a 2 year wait to see him, but worth it!
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YES!!! Migraleve is a wonder drug and OTC... love it. (Cant get it in the US if you are there because it does have codeine in it...) I''m in Turks and Caicos and we get a fair amount of British drugs.. so that is a good one if you arent in the US.. its a two step drug.. and has a nausea medicine in the first step.

I took Migranol, which is a nasal spray, nasty nasty stuff... also a two stepper.. two sprays (one each nostril) followed by two more sprays 20 min. later... that stuff saved me when I was suffering 4-6 migraines a month!
 
Wow, can you not get codeine in the US?

I''m on 240mg a day for my back, plus tramadol.

Will it be a problem my bringing it in with me when I''m over in the US?
 
Codine is a controlled substance in the US, you need an Rx for it. If you bring it with you, make sure it's in a rx bottle or the bottle it came in. I doubt they'll have a problem with it though.

Tramadol is a Rx only med here too. You might want to bring a note from your Dr just in case.

Dr's appt at 11 this morning.
 
Date: 9/12/2007 9:27:03 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Codine is a controlled substance in the US, you need an Rx for it. If you bring it with you, make sure it''s in a rx bottle or the bottle it came in. I doubt they''ll have a problem with it though.

Tramadol is a Rx only med here too. You might want to bring a note from your Dr just in case.

Dr''s appt at 11 this morning.
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Please let us know how you get on HH
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OH good HH.. soooo glad that you could get in so soon!! I hope it all works out ok, and the doc can find you some relief.

Yes, Pandora, you can get codeine in the US, but only by Prescription... so Like HH said, if you bring it in a prescription bottle, you will be fine.. otherwise, I wouldnt bring it..
Its a shame that tylenol with codeine isnt OTC in the US... the stuff in the Turks and Caicos just helps sooo much... regular tylenol cant hold a candle to it!!!
 
hudson, I would get to the doctor. It could be a migraine (which I have suffered from monthly for 30 years) or an ocular migraine, but severe sudden headaches that do not go away can be the sign of something else so please check it out.

I love the paracetamol with codeine that you get in the chemists in England. I need the one that is tylenol based with codeine and it knocks my headaches out when taken with a large regular coke. A lot of migraine stuff (maxalt, zomig, imitrex) all made me very sick at varying times.
 
Headaches suck & I''m sorry you are dealing with one. Might be the BCP''s- Do you have high blood pressure along with the headache?

Do you have any TMJ problems? I''m glad you are going to get checked out.
 
Date: 9/12/2007 8:37:34 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I just started a new cycle of BCPs, I think I take monophasic pills? The hormone level is constant throughout the month. If I get hormonal headaches, it's usually in the off week.

A few years ago I had a very bad headache, worse than this actually, and I went to the ER (I worked in a hospital at the time). They gave me Imitrex thinking it was a migraine and the side effects made me more miserable than I already was. They didn't officially diagnose me with migraines because of that. I think I'm going to make an apt with my GP if I still have it at lunch time...
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There are lots of reasons for these kinds of headaches. I get them myself. My daughter and I get migraines also, and she often ends up in the ER because none of the prescription migraine meds work well enough for her every time, it just depends. It could be hormonal, related to your BCP. I have a friend who would get migraines until she switched to seasonale, but that's a monophasic as well. It could be from the weather--I get low pressure headaches that last for days sometimes.

For purely self-help relief, I'll offer something totally off-the-wall that actually helps me when the meds aren't working. I use my Bose noise-cancelling headphones set at high but not plugged into anything. An hour or less of that often helps quite a bit. It's just an idea. I have also used a white noise generator, but that doesn't block out the ambient noise from outside, whereas the headphones block out everything. Just a wild idea.

ETA: forgot, but definitely get to the doc asap. Hope you feel better soon.
 
It might be a migraine - but it sounds more like a cluster headache to me (they can last days and run in cycles). For now, I would take a 24 hour sudafed - just to see if it provides relief (it will if you have a sinus problem). Make an appointment with your doctor and ask about a prescription for Esgic Plus. It is an anti inflammatory pain medication that doesn''t make you high or non-functional. It does contain a barbiturate.
 
go see your doctor
AS soon as possible have it checked.This should not ever be debated , must be checked.It could be very simple or very complicated...Have it checked..Good luck to you..
 
You poor thing. I wish I could offer some words of wisdom, but as I haven''t been persistant enough with my own doctor, all I can do is wish you well and hope you feel better soon.

I''ve noticed several people mention going to the ER for nastier migraines. Do people really do that? When mine have been really bad, there''s no way I could possibly have driven myself to the hospital (too much vision impairment, plus nearly non-stop vomitting), and I''d feel silly calling an ambulance.
 
Date: 9/12/2007 1:48:25 PM
Author: parrot tulips
You poor thing. I wish I could offer some words of wisdom, but as I haven''t been persistant enough with my own doctor, all I can do is wish you well and hope you feel better soon.

I''ve noticed several people mention going to the ER for nastier migraines. Do people really do that? When mine have been really bad, there''s no way I could possibly have driven myself to the hospital (too much vision impairment, plus nearly non-stop vomitting), and I''d feel silly calling an ambulance.
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yes....
In the US almost any decent pain medication is script only and the way the DEA has been coming down on doctors almost impossible to keep on hand.
So lots of people go to the ER for them.
I usually don''t for sever sinus headaches and go too immediate care instead but there has been a few times iv been real tempted too.
 
HH - I used to get headaches just like yours when i took ortho-tricyclen about 5 years ago. my PCP took my off of them and they went away. i saw black spots and was photosensitive....it was awful. i did recently try loestrin 24 BCPs and didn''t have headaches, but stopped taking them for other reasons.

when it happened to me the doctor made me come in right away for a check up - strokes aren''t entirely uncommon for younger women (in 20''s and 30''s even). so headaches that are severe and do not subside should definitely be investigated further by a doctor.

hope you are well soon!
 
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