Help regarding headaches --Update #20

[KristiKelly]

DH is not one to get headaches. He has had a really bad headache since Sunday. Sunday morning he went to play golf when he came home he was complaining of a headache. Yesterday (Tues) he still had it. Thinking maybe it was caused by his wisdom tooth, he went to the dentist but all was fine. Today, his head is still pounding. It goes from the right back side of his neck, around his ear and up to his right temple. He has taken Excedrin Migraine a few times but has stopped taking that to just taking Motrin. It eases the pain but doesn't get rid of it completely.

Any idea what could be causing this headache? He's wondering if he pulled something in his neck while playing golf and that's causing the headache. I've told him to go to the Dr. but he won't, says it will be a waste of time.

Any advice, anyone get headaches like this that last for days?

 

[mickeyboat]

The only time I have ever had a headache that lasted longer than a day was in law school - I think it was eye strain. If your DH has had a headache for 4 days, he needs to see his doctor.

I hope he is feeling better, soon.

Denae

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

He needs an MRI to rule out anything major like an aneurysm ASAP!

Yes he could have pulled a muscle or he could have an ocular migraine BUT he needs to rule out the bad stuff first.

If he is constantly taking medication for the headache he could be causing a rebound headache. Get him in with a Neurologist.

 

[KristiKelly]

Thanks, I will try to get him to go to the Dr.

 

[jsmith]

i had West Nile virus in the summer of 2003. I am a regular migraine sufferer and the head it caused was worse than the worst migraine i have ever had-and lasted about 10 days-other than the headache and a weird rash i did not have any other symptoms.

 

[JessicaR]

DH is not one to get headaches. He has had a really bad headache since Sunday. Sunday morning he went to play golf when he came home he was complaining of a headache. Yesterday (Tues) he still had it. Thinking maybe it was caused by his wisdom tooth, he went to the dentist but all was fine. Today, his head is still pounding. It goes from the right back side of his neck, around his ear and up to his right temple. He has taken Excedrin Migraine a few times but has stopped taking that to just taking Motrin. It eases the pain but doesn't get rid of it completely.

Any idea what could be causing this headache? He's wondering if he pulled something in his neck while playing golf and that's causing the headache. I've told him to go to the Dr. but he won't, says it will be a waste of time.

Any advice, anyone get headaches like this that last for days?

Since he isn't one to have headaches regularly this would be a good time to see a doctor. Headaches can be brought on by quite a few different things. Sinus, tension, TMJ, muscular, neck problems, tumors and neurological conditions as well as migraines can all activate headache pain.
Hope he starts feeling better!

This may be helpful in getting him to the ER/doctor.

When To See Your Doctor for a Headache or Migraine

See your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if...
you're having your "worst headache ever."
you're having your "worst migraine attack ever."
your headache or migraine is accompanied by:
unresolved loss of vision
loss of consciousness
uncontrollable vomiting
the pain of a migraine attack lasts more than 72 hours with less than a solid four-hour pain-free period, while awake.
you experience a headache or Migraine attack that presents unusual symptoms that are abnormal for you and frightening.

There are times when having a headache or migraine attack means you need to see a doctor.

your headaches are severe or come on suddenly.
your headache is accompanied by any of the following :
confusion
dizziness
fever
numbness
shortness of breath
slurred speech
stiff neck
persistent vomiting
unexpected symptoms affecting your ears, nose, throat, or eyes
unremitting diarrhea
vision loss
weakness
you have a headache that persists keeps getting worse and won't stop.
you have headaches that interfere with your normal activities.
you find yourself taking pain relievers more than two days a week.
you take over-the-counter medications for headache relief, and the recommended dosage isn't adequate.
coughing, sneezing, bending over, exercise, or sexual activity cause headaches.
you have headaches that began after a head injury or other trauma and continue.
the characteristics of your headaches change.

http://headaches.about.com/od/allheadpaintypes/a/when_see_doc.htm

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

DH is not one to get headaches. He has had a really bad headache since Sunday. Sunday morning he went to play golf when he came home he was complaining of a headache. Yesterday (Tues) he still had it. Thinking maybe it was caused by his wisdom tooth, he went to the dentist but all was fine. Today, his head is still pounding. It goes from the right back side of his neck, around his ear and up to his right temple. He has taken Excedrin Migraine a few times but has stopped taking that to just taking Motrin. It eases the pain but doesn't get rid of it completely.

Any idea what could be causing this headache? He's wondering if he pulled something in his neck while playing golf and that's causing the headache. I've told him to go to the Dr. but he won't, says it will be a waste of time.

Any advice, anyone get headaches like this that last for days?

As other posters have mentioned, he really should get checked out just to rule out anything serious. The doctors very well may NOT be a waste of time. Severe headaches/migraines have similar symptoms as some serious ailments like an aneurism/bleediing aneurism, a stroke or even spinal meningitis (I was tested for all of these things and then some when I was admitted to the hospital for my first complex migraine. In addition, I had two different types of MRIs and a CT-SCAN). I'm certainly not trying to scare you, just to give you the honest facts.

I get migraines a few times a year and mine don't usually feel like this; my migraines are usually based "higher" in my head and behind my eye(s) if that makes any sense. However, I do also get tension headaches which feel more like what your husband is experiencing. Usually they start at the base of my neck and move up and around my ear(s). Lastly, earlier this year I was getting a lot of tension-type headaches but wasn't under any undue amounts of stress. I saw a chiropractor and my neck and top of my spine were out of alignment. He fully straightened me out and the pain disappeared. I imagine a strain/pull from a golf swing could cause the same pain.

Hope that was helpful. If you have any other questions or would like any more info, feel free to PM me!

 

[KristiKelly]

Thanks everyone, I have been on him since Monday to see the Dr. I had an aunt that had an anuerysm that was leaking so I am on him several times a day. I will see if he'll go in the morning. He hasn't felt bad in any other way, just a headache.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Thanks everyone, I have been on him since Monday to see the Dr. I had an aunt that had an anuerysm that was leaking so I am on him several times a day. I will see if he'll go in the morning. He hasn't felt bad in any other way, just a headache.

Tell him to go to the DR and prove to you that he is fine. Let him tell you "told you so" as much as he wants AFTER he gets checked out.

There are better medications out there for migraines than the OTC ones - if nothing else he may get some good meds (just stay away from Topamax!).

 

[C.Ann]

He needs an MRI to rule out anything major like an aneurysm ASAP!.

------------------------------

I have a friend here whose DH had an aneurysm the beginning of June.. He had been complaining of headaches off and on and had one the night he collapsed.. He's on a vent - in a vegatative state.. 35 years old..

I will never look at a headache as "just" a headache again.. If it were my DH, I would be taking him to the ER..

 

[KristiKelly]

We are leaving for WDW on 10/24, I told him there is NO WAY I would let him get on Mission Space or anything else until he finds out what's going on. He has his own business so is working really hard to get ahead before we leave. He says he doesn't have time to get off work, I told him I didn't have time to pick out a casket. I have finally talked him into going to the ER tonight - esp. since the side that it's hurting, that eye is also a little more dilated. My Mom is on her way to watch the kids. Let's just hope we won't be in there all night.

I hope this is just from all the stress he's under at work getting ready for vacation.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[C.Ann]

We are leaving for WDW on 10/24, I told him there is NO WAY I would let him get on Mission Space or anything else until he finds out what's going on. He has his own business so is working really hard to get ahead before we leave. He says he doesn't have time to get off work, I told him I didn't have time to pick out a casket. I have finally talked him into going to the ER tonight - esp. since the side that it's hurting, that eye is also a little more dilated. My Mom is on her way to watch the kids. Let's just hope we won't be in there all night.

I hope this is just from all the stress he's under at work getting ready for vacation.

Thanks for the replies.

-------------------------------------------

Thank you for taking this seriously! You have no idea what that poor family is going through here.. It's heartbreaking..

Good luck - and keep us posted!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Absolutely get it check out ASAP. I have to add though - I have those exact symptoms when my neck gets out of alignment. It's due to a pinched nerve in my neck. A trip to the chiropractor fixes me right up.

 

[theles]

Gosh, I get headaches but not this long. Definitely get it checked out

 

[becjlek]

No advice but I have thinking of you.

 

[SunKat]

The worst headache I ever had in my life turned out to be caused by a sinus infection. Hopefully, your dh just has something minor going on that's giving him the headache.

However, as other posters have said, get your dh to the doctor, pronto.

 

[chager]

I wish you much luck in this endeaver! My DS14 has had migraine symptoms since sept 29. He has had every test possible, blood work, Ct's, MRI...everything is normal. He just went to a headache clinic and is starting migraine treatment. It has been a rough couple weeks. One of his classmates has the same issues!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

------------------------------

I have a friend here whose DH had an aneurysm the beginning of June.. He had been complaining of headaches off and on and had one the night he collapsed.. He's on a vent - in a vegatative state.. 35 years old..

I will never look at a headache as "just" a headache again.. If it were my DH, I would be taking him to the ER..

Hugs to your friends. I had a friend that collapsed in the shower from an aneurysm and died. He was 23.

He says he doesn't have time to get off work, I told him I didn't have time to pick out a casket.

I love this line and will use it the next time my own DH is stubborn about seeking medical treatment.

Please keep us updated. Have a great time at WDW.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

I hope he's gone to the DR by now.

Why are men so stupid when it comes to their own health? For years, DH had suffered from very bad headaches from time to time, but he didn't think they were serious.

About 3 years ago now, I came home from work one day to find DH passed out on the floor, sweating. I was REALLY freaked out, to the point that I called one of our neighbors to take him to the ER. I was able to wake DH up and get him out to the car and by the time that he GOT to the ER the headache was gone. They did an MRI on him anyway and it turns out that a head injury from childhood was causing the headaches. There's nothing they can do about it, except give him meds and now he carries Excedrin Migraine with him. If he feels an attack coming on, he goes into the bedroom, shuts off all the lights and tries to sleep it off. If that doesn't work, we've got some stronger meds we can use, but we don't use them unless it's really, REALLY necessary.

 

[KristiKelly]

Well, DH got home from the ER around 11:30. They did a CAT scan on him, all was fine. Basically they told him that he was having a "cluster headache" and sent him home with percocet, which did help.

I read up on cluster headaches yesterday, they tend to come for a short time, go away, come back, etc. His never let up from Sun - Wed. I don't know, I'm not a Dr. and the headache was going away when we went to bed. He leaves for work at 5:30 a.m. so I haven't had a chance to talk to him today.

Thanks for all the advice and good wishes.