Just a headache? or migrane?

Question

For about three days i've had this annoying headache.

The first day there were just sharp shooting pains on the right side of my head around the temporal lobe.
Then it turned into a headache and has been that way for the past three days. When I bend down, or sit or move quickly it becomes more severe, and i'm concerned because i've never had a headache for three days straight.

I've rested and taken medicines but it does only so much and the headache comes back. Is it just a migrane or could it be anything else?

Random Details:

I've been resting alot thinking I could sleep it off.

slightly nauseous, not often.
slightly sensitive to light and loud sounds.
haven't had caffeine recently, not that I know of, as in coffees and other highly caffeinated substances.

Answer 1

Hi,

I have migraine, both frequent, and severe ones.
About 3 weeks ago though, my sinuses started to act up, and I was getting some sinus migraines. Your sinuses can trigger migraines, AND your migraines can trigger sinus symptoms. In your case, it sounds like you may have some sinus issues going on too---this is from the way you are talking about the sharp shooting pains, and it getting worse when you BEND DOWN. Migraines DO tend to get worse when they are bad when you do alot of activity, but, if they are hurting this bad for 3 days straight, and worse when you are moving, and bending your head forward, I would bet your sinuses are involved.

You can try some heat or ice (different people find relief with one or the other, so not sure which will help you), over your sinus area, as well as the BACK of the neck. Also, try to relax, possibly try sudafed if you can take that, but, be forwarned, if you are taking Caffeine containing migraine medicine, it MAY make your heart feel like it is racing (mine did after a few days of this). An anti-inflammatory med may help more than just tylenol alone---like Alleve or ibuprophen WITH the tylenol...this will help get rid of some of the inflammation in the sinus area (migraines again can cause some of this from the whole migraine process, even if you DONT have sinus/allergy problems).

Hope some of this helps.....if not, please, call your doc and have them see you tomorrow....4 days is WAY too long to be in agony.

paramedic and migraine sufferer

Answer 2

It could be a migrane. Do you have any sensitivity to light or sound, or do you feel nausiated at all? Those are common symptoms of migranes, but I know you can get them without the extra symptoms.
If you've had a headache for three days straight you really should go see a doctor asap just in case it might be something more serious. At least he can get you some good meds if it is just a migrane.

Answer 3

Migraines are usually accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light. There are a few possible simple reasons I can think of for your headache- if you have too little caffeine- not hydrated enough- stress and hormones. Some times sinus infections cause a headache and the pressure intensifies when you bend down. There can be more serious reasons- which are unlikely but I would see the doctor if it doesn't subside by tomorrow am. Good luck- feel better.

Answer 4

A migraine usually is intolerable with lights that hurt your eyes, nausea and vomiting, your head pounding and sounds that are louder than usual. A headache has less symptoms but can stick with you for days. Neck/back tension can cause a tension headache that doesn't want to go away. Hopefully, you are taking a large dose of ibuprofen (600 mg to 800 mg) every 6 hours to try and make it go away. If this is unsuccessful, consider going to your doctor and asking for some of the newer migraine medications that might help or, just some stronger pain medication.

Answer 5

hmm..my science teacher has had a headache for a couple days to and i THINK she calls it a migrane i'm not sure and i have had long headaches too, i have them almost everyday. Sometimes if your on the computer too much then you get headaches. If your realllly worried you should call your doctor. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Has she ever had headaches before? If not.. she needs to go to the ER. There are some health issues that cause sudden onset of headaches (e.g I had meningitis.) If she has had headaches before this.... find a headache and pain relief clinic. Some family doctors are very good with headaches. (There is still a bit of a stigma attached to headaches ...."It's all in your head!") So get a specialist - a neurologist or headache/pain specialist. There is alot that can be done to help: medicine (pain relief and preventive meds), therapy (craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, nerve blocks, chiropractic, meditation etc.) holistic (tinctures from a nautropath or high doses of vitamin B2 riboflavin and magnesium) food (she can learn to recognize foods that trigger her headaches. Then stop eating those foods. (eg. bananas, red wine, coffee, white sugar, wheat, cheese are all triggers for me.) Rules of thumb.... reduce stress, avoid trigger foods, eat at regular intervals, have a regular sleep pattern, learn to meditate to reduce stress and pain intensity.

Answer 7

Migrane.

This is probably from

No sleep

Drinking and or eating too much Caffeine

Call a doctor.

Answer 8

Migraines are diagnosed using the IHS (International Headache Society) diagnostic criteria.

Recurrent headaches (technically more than 5) separated by symptom-free intervals and accompanied by any three of the following:

abdominal pain
complete relief after sleep
nausea or vomiting
aura (visual, sensory, motor)
unilateral pain
throbbing, pulsatile quality
positive family history of migraine

Migraines frequently also increase intensity with position changes.

These headache periods should last 4 to 24 hours (sometimes longer).

A diagnosis of migraine is not technically posible based on one headache. However, your symptoms are consistent with the pattern.

You should follow up with your primary care physician, nurse practitioner or PA.

I have had migraines for many years and I also specialize in headache management for that reason.

Headaches are complex problems and there is no easy solution. It is best to find out the source/cause of your recurrent or chronic headaches. The easy things normally work for the bulk of people Paracetamol/ Acetaminophen /Tylenol or aspirin (I prefer Excedrin personally) go to a darkened quiet room and lie down. Avoid bright lights and prolonged computer use. I will tell you that in the Excedrin Migraine there is 250 mg of Aspirin, 250 mg of Tylenol, and 65 mg of caffeine in each tablet. Aspirin has a ceiling effect at 800 mg so taking 1000 mg does not help but does increase the risk of gastric bleeding. Tylenol is generally effective at 650 mg, so if you are going to exceed the bottle directions take no more than 3 tablets at a time, any more just waste your money and risk side effects for no medical benefit.

If you are having recurrent or chronic headaches you need to see a health care provider. They can pick the proper abortive medication for the acute headache and possibly prescribe a preventive medication if your headaches are too frequent. There are numerous medications out there, some have been mentioned by the above responders, but as they are prescription, and as you need to know all about the headaches to select the proper medication, that should be left to the physician, or nurse practitioners.

If you feel you need to see a doctor, I recommend that you go to the following site prior to your visit:

http://www.headaches.org

In the consumer area, see the educational resources tab.

Print and fill out the headache diary as shown.

People say there are several causes for migraines, and this is not thought to be the case. The actual cause is not proven, but there is a current consensus theory. What people often say are causes are actually called triggers, they do not cause the headaches, but they can trigger the effect. There are activities and foods to be avoided, however, each person's triggers are individual. This is the purpose for the diary noted above. It helps you to discover your triggers so they can be avoided or eliminated.

See the How to talk to your headache doctor page. This will help you know what information is important to report so the doctor can properly diagnose and treat your headaches.

I also recommend the pages on analgesic rebound, and diet.

Do not take Imitrex of any one else’s migraine medication without a health care provider’s approval. I have seen patients with severe hypertensive crisis bordering stroke and cardiac problems due to taking a medication which was inappropriate for them. Also there are some types of migraine which are not recommended for the new migraine wonder drugs, ie. Hemiplegic and basilar artery migraines.

There are many non medication methods which are beneficial also, such as biofeedback, and acupuncture. I also feel that chiropractic can be beneficial for some forms of migraine, but in some forms it can cause permanent disability and possibly death. I advise you have a diagnosis of the type of migraine and be clear to try chiropractic before trying any alternative techniques.

Seek the assistance of your primary care clinic and if no improvement a specialist in headaches.

If you are running a fever, or have severe neck pain or stiffness, you should go to an emergency room, for a first time, "worst headache of my life" situation.

As a fellow headache sufferer, I wish you the best.

Answer 9

I think I had the same thing you did...mine was just do to stress and went away a few weeks later. If I were you I would go see a doctor even if it's something minor as a headache...you never know what it could be.

Answer 10

I know I'm having a migraine when bright lights really make my head throb, and i feel nauseous and eventually puke a lot, and the head pain is much more severe, especially on the right side of my head. Every person's migraines arew different, I am not sure if yours is one, I'd call your doctor and see. But usually migraines have to work themsleves out, most medicines dont do too much for me. Good luck, feel better.