Constant Headache.

[divegirl]

Hi,
I hope I don't come a cross as a hypochondriac but I've had a more or less constant head ache for the past couple of weeks and my GP has sort of dismissed it [she believes it to be stress etc]. Its not always there and then I move my head and Bam there it is!
I'm on various medication for chronic back pain and had to go and see my GP yesterday as my ankles have started to swell. She listened to my chest, said it was clear and put me on a low dose of Frusomide. And when I say low I mean low... 20mg a day.
In case the Sqadlet is around .... I'm on 200mg Pregabalin, 10 mcg Bu-trans and Co-codamol .... erm I forget the dose three times a day.
I'm worried it could be my blood pressure and thought she would have checked that but didn't.

Any ideas/input

Lisa x

[Connemmara]

Can't help Lisa - as I suffer from that constant headachey feeling a lot of time particularly when I bend down - I do put it down to my vertigo tho.

[LoftyLottie]

Could well be linked with your chronic back pain if it happens when you move your head, especially if the back pain affects your neck. I certainly get headaches that are associated with my neck ad back pain. Headache with blood pressure is rare unless your BP is really very high. I presume you have had your blood pressure taken in relation to your swollen ankles. Swollen ankles can be down to heat.

[Sqad]

Well that is a fairly comprehensive history, but I am not one for associating high blood pressure with headaches.

You haven't said where you are experiencing the headache, but my money would go down the back of your head and perhaps to one side.

Two things do spring to mind:

1) Tension Headaches due to stress or emotional problems
OR
2) Cervical Spondylosis.... wear and tear.

My bet is that it is the latter.

[LoftyLottie]

Sorry, I see she didn't check your blood pressure.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/headache

This could reassure you about your BP.

[LoftyLottie]

See, I am as clever as Sqad ;o)

[gina32]

is it maybe a mixture of the tablets or one in particular that maybe causing headaches as a side effect?

[divegirl]

As clever as Sqad???? Surely more so Lottie!

Thank you all for your answers.

My Gp didn't take my BP in relationship to my ankles just listened to my chest, I do have a constant thirst that she has said is more than likely due to the Pregabalin so I think she is just going with water retention as the cause.
The headache is the front right hand side mostly and does flare up when I move my head so you're probably right there Sqad.
Thank you both for putting my mind to rest, I guess I'll just have to wait it out.
I'm waiting for a epidural block... so hopefully that will ease some of the pain and then lessen the medication I'm on.

Lisa x

[Eve]

When my muscles are really tight in my upper back and round my shoulders and neck I get headachey. Have managed to irritate my lower back again by falling down the stairs on Monday, not clever!

Hope the meds are helping. Pregabalin has really helped me though I've ballooned on that, mirtazapine (for helping me sleep/cope) and steroids on and off.

Could there be any other triggers? I got constant headaches when I went on dianette (something hormonal maybe) and I find artificial sweetners give me headaches too, I switched to them as healthier than sugar and they stopped then I stopped them.

Have you tried anything like swimming? I can't move much swimming wise but it is lovely to feel so weightless. I have regular massages too. Nothing keeps the pain at bay for long but better to have some relief. I used to go to an osteopath regularly but can't afford it now.

How are you finding the BuTrans patches? My GP suggested a more flexible way for me to help manage pain control, I have separate codeine phosphate and paracetamol so I can "mix and match" and be in more control of the dosage relative to the pain I'm in.

[Connemmara]

Hi Sqad - are there any side-effects from Statins for cholesterol. I take one a day but the sister has taken herself off them daily and just takes one a week. Thanks for info.

[Sqad]

Conne...God yes.....for starters...musculus pains in the legs, cramps, tiredness, lethargy.....just Google "statins side effects."

I am not sure that one a week is much good.......she could try changing her statin.

For what reason is she taking them Conne?

[Connemmara]

Sqad - now you are talking - she never discusses her ill-health with me - but remember she had severe leg cramps a few weeks ago. Maybe she read up on that.

[divegirl]

Oh Eve, really sorry to hear that :0(

I knew there was one I had forgotten! I take amitriptyline [20mg] too, which knocks me out a treat. I don't have much pain at night but a good nights sleep does certainly set you up for the next day.

I'm ok on the Bu Trans, though I was pretty sick when I put the first one on, I'm four weeks in on them now.
The worst thing for me is chucking all this down my throat but if I'm honest it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference. I still can't stand for more than a few minutes and walking anywhere further than a couple of hundred yards leaves me close to tears. Just hoping I get some relief from the epidural, though I haven't found anyone it's worked for yet!

Lisa x

[boxtops]

Divegirl, apologies while I speak to conne - yes as sqad says, muscle pains can be (but only a small risk) a side effect of statins, I suffered badly and that's why I came off them. However, I'm now on a different brand and no problems at all. Your sister taking one a week won't do her any good at all, it has to be every day or not at all, IMO.