Tension Headaches Please posts your experience.

[lewt]

Hi folks, I'm hoping a few people can help reassure a friend of mine who is having what the doctor has said are tension headaches. It's been going on for a good 3 weeks now and she is really worried it could be something more serious.

She has been getting "attacks" of pain and feeling dizzy and light headed. She's been to the hospital as it got so bad on a couple of occasions and also to the doctor more than once. It's a pain she has never had before and as I said is worried as it has been going on for some time and is affecting her home and work life. Also she has tried various things none of which have lasted more than a day or two.

1) Pain killers
2) Lipstick type head rub.
3) Resting at home
4) Osteopath
That all I can remember off the top of my head.

What I’m asking is if you or someone you know has had these headaches or diagnosis from your doctor could you post what it was like, what happen and what it’s like now as to give her some reassurance that it does come to an end?

I'd be ever-so grateful. ;)

Thanks in advance.

[Savvy_Sue]

I do not think anyone can give the reassurance you're looking for, and anything we do say will come perilously close to medical advice.

However, if she regularly take painkillers for these headaches, it could be caused by rebound: you take the painkillers, the effect wears off, you get another headache, you take some more, but as soon as they start to leave your system you get another headache. This happened to a friend because she used to take paracetamol at the first hint of a headache after suffering some really crippling ones.

Plus, the stress and anxiety could be part of the cause. Asking the GP for help with managing the fear of the headaches may be useful, but it is her GP she needs to talk to! Although looking on netdoctor (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk) can also be helpful.

[lewt]

ok thanks sue, if anyone has expereice of these though it would help. or maybe suggestions. it dont have to be advice.......

thanks for the netoctor link:)

[chattycathy1674]

Hiya,

Last week I started with the worst head pain I have ever had...worse than after my back surgery!!
It came on suddenly when I bent over and was straining....It felt like a massive pulse in my head throbbing away. It didn't go either although it did calm down.
I couldn't get in to see my doc but they advised I phone NHS Direct. I did and they advised I went to A & E. If I felt dizzy, mauseous, blurred vision etc I was to get an ambulance. I didn't have that though...just this horrible, constant throbbing pain directly behind my forehead.
Anyway went to A & E where they took bloods and did a CT head scan. They thought I could have had a small bleed but said it's probable that a CT scan wouldn't even show it so might have to do lumbar puncture.
I was then shipped upto the assessment ward to wait for the verdict!

In the end...because apart from the head (no dizzy, blurred stuff) they didn't do the lumbar puncture..pheww! The consultant decided it was a nasty virus and advised I took it easy.
Had a mild version of the headache tonight , again when bending and straining..
You say your friend has seen doc and been to hospital?
If it get's really bad I would def advise her going to A & E.
Better safe than sorry!

Sorry I couldn't help more.

Cathy
XoXoX