Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Sammas on May 16, 2018, 06:13:39 PM
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Hi Huys, I'm still on the natural route and going to an osteopath for tension headaches They seem to have improved in the past few weeks until last Thur, the day before my period I had a really bad tension headache and had to go to bed Had bad period pains all weekend and have had more headaches in the last 2 days I am drinking more water and don't know what else to do re headaches Thanks for reading cx
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Take medication? :-\
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Try some meditation Sammas it's very good for that,there's some very good apps you can download like “CALM†that's a good one to start with.good luck xx
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I have taken Syndol but am trying to take them less often I will look at the meditation apps x
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Hi,
Still trying to solve my headaches Have had 2 massages First worked for about a day, second made things worse. Am trying to drink more water and exercise. Just been for a walk which has made my headache worse Goung back to the osteopath later Any words of wisdom really appreciated xx
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I know it's prbably considered old fashioned now sammas but what about trying some lavender oil rubbed on your temples then follow with some meditation xx
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DaisyDot, Did think about buying an electric diffuser to put natural oils in Took Syndol which helps but makes me drowsy and are not addressing the problem A couple of months ago the doc told me to stop taking them to avoid rebound headaches x
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You can get a wee roll on type thing.like the old perfume roll ons,from Holland and barrat and you just rub it on temples it's suppised to be very good you can just pop in your handbag for when you need it.
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It could be hormonal migraine on some level. I have the silent type (although not had for a few months since being on daily prog cream) with more dizziness and nausea but I suspect the pain type headaches are even more common.
They apparently go after menopause, or reduce a lot, in case that helps!
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Thanks DaisyDot and Danger Mouse Wil look at the roll on The main reason I have not taken HRT is lots of people say it can make headaches worse x
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I get a lot of headaches but don't really like taking medication unless absolutely desperate so I rely on the roll on stick, it's called 4 Head, it definately helps, even if only in the short term x
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Hi Sammas
Sorry to hear about your tension headaches but they definiteley sound hormonal and I wonder if they might be migraines (the classic type ie without aura)? There was another thread on these recently where I described how mine started: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,39735.msg629473.html#msg629473
However it is now 2 weeks since you last posted so where in your cycle are you now and what is you cycle doing generally?
Very recently I got sumatriptan prescribed for them but you would only want to take these if they are definitely migraine and then not too often.
It really is a pain - literally isn't it? I do sympathise...
Hurdity x
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Hi, are you absolutely sure they are tension headaches?
I recommend looking at the National Migraine Centre website, which has descriptions of different types of headache (not only migraines) as well as tips for dealing with them.
I'm not saying you do this (I have no idea what meds you take) but if you take painkillers on more than 10 days a month, that can cause a chronic tension-type headache.
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Morning KAH, Hurdity and Wilkes, Will try forhead, my daughter uses it. The doc said it was tension headaches when I explained my symptoms, where as I always thought migraines She have me Propranolol which made me feel really sleepy. I had a period 18 days a go but for the last week have had all the symptoms of another - achy boobs, irritability, tiredness etc x
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Hi again
Tension headaches feel like a tight band or pressure round your head, with mild to moderate pain that wouldn't normally be severe enough to send you to bed.
The reason I suggest looking at the factsheets on the National Migraine Centre website) even if your doctor diagnosed tension headache) is that the NMC are experts on migraine whereas GPs are often not. Propranolol is a treatment for migraine, not for tension headache.
A headache that stops you from doing normal activities, with one-sided pain, throbbing, possibly with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound is more likely to be a migraine.
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Thanks Wilks,
I also think they are more like migraines generally, however at the moment it feels like my neck and shoulders have been in a vice! Went to the osteopath which helped a bit! It just gets you down when you are trying lots of things but the tension/ headaches remain Thanks for replying xx
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Hi Sammas,
I get tension headaches/migraines and have tried so many types of medications (most of the triptans, propanynol etc) and after a weeks hospital stay for suspected bleed on the brain and I was advised by neurology to try 3 disolvable aspirins in water (migraine association advise this too) and have never looked back since. They work the majority of the time if normal pain killers don't. Hope this helps.
Sarah x
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Hi Sarah,
When do they say to take the aspirin? Daily as a preventative or when pain is bad? Syndol works for me most of the time but it does make you sleepy when you take it and the next day.
I'd be interested in knowing a bit more about your symptoms, longevity, etc .
Thanks x
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Judith, I think my moods, tiredness and tension are worse in the last few years At the mo I could hide away from the world but that is impossible due to having children and a busy job Still so scared to take hrt in case it makes me feel worse x
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Last post was addressed to Hurdity God knows why I wrote Judith! X
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Hi Sammas,
My symptoms have changed so much over the years. When I was younger it used to be excutiating banging pain which got worse the more I panicked and got upset over it. I found I have to try and control the pain through keeping calm but they would go on for hours. I'd have to go to bed and hide away and normally after some sleep it'd be gone.
The one that put me in hospital was a sudden, completely out of the blue, instant blinding headache. My eyesight went blurry, I was sick and was very upset. I got to the chemist and got some migraleve which calmed it a bit but didn't stop it. I had to be taken home to bed. When it did calm down it was still there is the background for a few days before I was admitted. Then 3 days later I had the same again. I spent a week in hospital having tests (including a lumber puncture) and my blood pressure was dangerously high. After that they gave me propanynol which I stayed on for about a year. Once I was off it the headaches/migraines weren't anywhere near as bad as they used to be (or maybe I have learnt to deal with them better over the years).
I was told to take 3 disolvable aspirins on the onset of the migraine but sometimes it's difficult to know when it is going to be one and when it's just a very bad headache. I used to get a strange smell when they were about to start but don't any more. And I used to be quite agitated before one too, probably still are. But I find it much harder to know which it's going to be so after I've tried other meds (paracetamol, ibuprofen, nurofen etc) I try sinus tablets and hayfever tablets (although I'm not a hayfever sufferer I do sometimes have problems with my sinuses). If all else fails I have aspirin which is now prescribed for me. I'm lucky in the fact that I seem to be growing out of the them.
Hope this helps.
Sarah x
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Thanks Sarah,
It's tension in my shoulders that just won't budge I'm on a spa break with friends and just had a full body massage She did loads of work on my shoulders but they still feel the same God knows what else to try as can't keep taking Syndol Any help from anyone would be great as it's affecting my life x
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Hi Sammas
How often are you taking Syndol? Unless you're only taking it very occasionally, it's not an ideal treatment for headache. Firstly because it contains codeine, and opiates are rubbish for headaches as well as addictive. Secondly if you take any painkiller on more than 10 days per month you are likely to develop medication overuse headache. I developed it several years ago through taking paracetamol and ended up with a chronic daily headache. I “detoxed†by cutting out all painkillers and after a few weeks I noticed a big improvement, and the daily headaches are history.
If you're not taking Syndol for more than 3 or 4 days a month, ignore my babbling on, but if you're taking it more frequently, I would stop.
I'm not a medical doctor but I do know a lot about migraine and have been involved in a government report on headache services in the NHS.
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I use a heat pad. I take magnesium and vit D as my last blood test showed d to be low I take Syndol in varying amounts The osteopath was working and I took a lot less but in the last 3 weeks the tension has increased and so have the headaches Thanks for your replies S x
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Hi Sammas, have you tried yoga? Have you considered the tension in your shoulders could be down to posture? I have some tension in my shoulders and have a constant knot that many massage therapists have tried their hand on but it still remains. I've been doing hot yoga for about 3 weeks now and already I am feeling much more relaxed in my body.
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Hi Sadielouise,
Have thought about yogaAlso thought about swimming and using steam room and jacuzzi x
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Hi sammas, I have suffered from headaches since start of perimenopause some years back. I was referred to neurologist beg of year who diagnosed tension headaches BUT I know 100% they are hormonal, he prescribed gabapentin which has helped a bit but it may be that I need dose increased. I have tried everything but I can't have hrt. I thought syndol was off the market? I know otc meds can cause a rebound headache pattern especially ones with caffeine. Hope u find something x
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Thanks Sweet tooth The meds you are taking seem to have a lot of side effects I know Syndol isn't good but nothing else works I get the original ones from abroad So want to feel ok Am drinking more water, eating better and walking + relaxing but tense shoulders or headaches are more often than not Just don't know what else to do as headaches seem to be the side effects of loads of meds x
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Hi everyone, just needed to air how I feel if that's ok? 4 really good days then tension headaches and joint pain on and off since Thur Went into work today and burst into tears Am eating better, swimming and trying to be kind to myself but no better in reality Am really worried things might affect my work as they are already affecting my social life Any thoughts? Thank you xx
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Hi, sorry to hear you're still suffering. I do suspect that the Syndol is causing you to have rebound headaches. Codeine is not recommended for regular use. I can only go back to my earlier suggestion of detoxing from the Syndol.
How much caffeine do you drink? Too much caffeine can cause headaches. If you have a lot of tea or coffee, you could try cutting down but don't give it up altogether or you'll get caffeine withdrawal headache.
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Hello Wilks,
Thanks for your reply I am drinking a lot more water these days I don't know what to take instead of Syndol I only take one if things get really bad, so have one every other day. Need something to help at work as the dopamine succrinate in them relaxes everything x