Headache Advice?!
Question:
Headache Advice?
Help! About once or twice a week I get a severe headache that is noticeable when I first wake up. The headache is is mostly one sided, located around the eye, and is accompanied with burning eyes and sometimes a sore nose. There is no sore throat, dizziness, nasal congestion, or runny nose involved. The headache does not respond to any medication I take... aspirin, tylenol, advil, benadril, nasal sprays....even hydrocodone! Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated, thanks. JF in GA
Answers:
I must agree that you need to see a doctor to address this situation. A CT, MRI, or other diagnostic work may need to be done or it could be what the other girls here have suggested, migraines. Being a migraine sufferer myself I know that there are many many many different kinds and if you do infact have them, it isn't surprising that these medications are not helping you. In fact, hydrocodone, nasal sprays, advil, etc. may be making your pain worse by causing rebound headaches. Nasal sprays are most effective in ther 12 hour time slot and then they won't do anything more for you. Sudafed or a decongestant would be better for you in that department, however, those are known to cause rebound headaches if you aren't using them carefully. Make an appointment to see a neurologist if possible and if in the meantime you get another headache try this:
1. Select one pain reliever- Tylenol, Advil, Excedrine (whatever you prefer, but just one)
2. Lay down in a dark quiet room with a cool temperature if possible.
3. Ice packs are always helpful, try resting something cold on your forehead and one on your neck.
4. Try sleeping. In this case benadryl would be a good choice. I would not reccomend the hydrocodone for the headache or for sleep because that can actually cause insomnia after a period of time.
Hot showers help me a lot when I am in pain, so if you want to try that, that is another suggestion as well. I wish you the best of luck and hope you find some relief soon.
--Migraine sufferer for 12 years--