Constant Weird Headaches

[buffymad]

My other half has been suffering from headaches nearly every day for about 3 weeks now. The pain usually starts right at the top of his head then shoots down towards the front. It doesn’t stop him doing anything like a migraine would but it’s getting to him obviously.

He’s been to the docs who said nothing to worry about, probably muscular related and instead of taking paracetamol and/or ibuprofen (which didn’t work anyway), to rub ibuprofen gel on his head when the pain was there. Needless to say that does nothing either.

Has anyone experienced anything like this?

He’ll be going back to the docs (different one hopefully!) but just wondered if anyone had any words of wisdom in the meantime?

[Sqad]

No I haven't suffered headaches like that.
A little more information on the nature of the headache please.
Is it throbbing or sharp?
You say it starts on the top of the head....is that the centre of the top OR on one side of the head?
Has your other half been under undue stress recently.

I must say that without your answers to my question, i agree with the diagnosis and treatment given by your first GP.
I may modify my diagnosis when i receive the answers to my questions.

[buffymad]

It’s throbbing. Starts towards back of his head (say in line with the middle of his ear) then spreads towards the front. On his right side only. Sometimes makes his eye flicker.

He called into a walk in centre this morning as he went a bit dizzy with it while driving. They had a good look and said the same - muscular. Advised to take codeine, ibuprofen etc - even though he said that’s what he’s been taking and it doesn’t actually do anything.

Happy to believe it is muscular (better than something nasty), but any ideas how he can get relief when painkillers aren’t touching the sides?

[Sqad]

Ah! Buffy...that description has changed my mind.
Two things come to mind...
1) Migraine
2)Temporal arteritis.

I would go back to the original GP and ask he might have blood tests to exclude Temporal Arteritis.

But if the GP can be convinced that it is migraine or migrainous neuralgia, which it may well be them Imigran will sort him out.

[woofgang]

if it is muscular then maybe see a physiotherapist?

[buffymad]

I get migraines and asked him all the usual questions but he’s fine with light and watching tv etc (whereas I’m in a dark room clutching my head). Apart from today he’s able to get on with life (whereas I’ll be out of action for 2 days). Didn’t dare give him one of my tablets with not being convinced it was a migraine.

[Sqad]

Well, that is my opinion for what it is worth.

[buffymad]

If he takes Imigran (what I take) and it’s not a migraine, would there be any bad side effects?

[Sqad]

None.

[buffymad]

Brilliant, thank you. I’ll force him to have one when I get back

[Sqad]

Remember that for maximum effect to take the Imigran at the BEGINNING of an attack.

[shoota]

Trigeminal Neuralgia?

[Sqad]

shoota.......naaaaah!....wrong place....T N is usually if not always in the face......not the scalp.

[Samuraisan]

A few years ago, when I was still working, and working especially hard, when my assistant was on holiday, I used to get a headache every day at the same time, after I had been at the PC for a few hours. It started at the back of my head behind my ear and right down to behind my shoulder. It did ease with paracetamol and eventually stopped coming ( when she came back ). So does Mr.buffy spend a lot of time on the keyboard ?

[buffymad]

Samuraisan - nope, he’s nowhere near a computer, he’s got a manual job. Hurts sometimes when he rests his head against something or if I touch his scalp.

[Prudie]

This is a genuine out of interest question - what muscles? do we have muscles on the top of our head or is it related to face/neck muscles?

[Sqad]

The muscles of the face are muscles of expression and the muscles of mastication.....many of the, whereas the is only ONE muscle of the scalp, that is the occipito -frontalis a large, flat muscle which goes from the back of the neck to just above the eyebrows and raises your eyebrows when the occasion is required.....;-)

[Bazile]

Or a wink

[pixie374]

Migraines are not always painful, there are so many different types. I have had visual migraines, which affect eyesight only, so while I am not saying it is a migraine, I wouldn't rule it out either x

[Sqad]

pixie....I don't understand your post..........he IS experiencing pain.LOL

[pixie374]

I know, sqad... I just meant comparison isn't always helpful as a diagnosis. Mine compared to my sister's would prove that mine weren't migraines, so different symptoms from the OP does not prove it is not migraine.