Headache Question

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:55 pm

Occasionally, I will roll over in the night after sleeping on one side for a time and be accosted with a stunning headache on the other side from which I was lying. This morning, it was really bad. I was so tired last night that I slept about five hours on one side. When I turned over, I wondered for a while if I was having a stroke, though the pain was all over my head. It throbbed with my heartbeat.

I am wondering... could this be an allergic/intolerant reaction? I've noticed in the past that if I consume a great deal of corn products I will have almost a hangover the next morning. But at the same time, I am not sure that this is necessarily tied to corn. I know, I know--I need to go ahead and start a "Winning the Poo" food diary.

But I wanted to ask if anyone else has had headaches like this, and to also mention that I take a beta blocker and a diuretic for high blood pressure. Should I be talking to my doctor about this? Or if it's not related to food intolerance, could it be just another fun aspect of growing old?

Post by **tex** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:30 pm

Marliss,

Are you referring to the sudden pain that sometimes results from twisting one's neck around, apparently resulting in a pinched nerve in the neck, or is this more like a conventional headache?

Nausea can cause a headache for me, and if I try to lie on my right side, if tends to cause acid reflux, and sometimes nausea symptoms. As long as I avoid lying on my right side, I don't have any problems.

I doubt that your beta blocker is the problem, since they are often used to prevent migraine headaches. For that matter, a diuretic should also reduce or prevent a headache, (caffeine is a diuretic).

Back when I was reacting regularly, my neck was usually stiff and sore, and that would often lead to a headache, depending on my position - I couldn't lie in one position very long, due to the pain that would continue to build, unless I would change.

Whenever a doctor can't figure out what might be wrong with us, if we're at or beyond middle age, they like to blame it on the aging process, but that's rarely correct.

Tex

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:32 am

Hmm.... Well, I am reacting, likely to soy in my supplements, which I am in the process of replacing, though I suspect there is another culprit. I never really got better after that unexpected flare a few weeks ago. I am sore and achy all over, including my neck, which is hurting worse than it has hurt in some years.

The headache feels like when you bend over when you have a migraine and your head throbs painfully when you stand back up. It's like the blood vessels on one side of my head drain of blood, then when I turn over they fill with blood again. I sleep quite still, especially when I am very tired, and I wonder if the aches and neck pain are making me stay even more still once I find a comfortable position and fall asleep.

I think I will call my doctor on Monday, since it seems to be an unusual symptom, possibly or even probably unrelated to food intolerance. No one else responded that they have a similar symptom, though they may now that I have described it better.

Post by **tex** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:29 am

I'm kind of surprised too, that no one else responded, because a stiff, sore neck and a headache were almost constant companions while I was reacting, and sometimes the headaches turned into migraines that were severe enough to keep me in bed for a while.

I have no idea if thyroid issues could be a factor, or not. As you say, it might be a good idea to get your doctor's thoughts on this.

Tex

klhale · Post by **klhale** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:51 pm

You should cut out the corn for a week and see if it is causing this headache. I know I can't eat corn right now.

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:14 pm

Ow, Marliss, that sounds very painful! Maybe it is a migraine...? do you still have it when you wake up?

Tex, my dh has been almost incapacitated for that past two weeks with chronic neck and back pain, and constant headache, and mildly so for the last 6 months. He went in for a theraputic massage ( finally!) yesterday and is in even worse condition today, though hopefully will be better tomorrow. Anyhow , I just read your comment to him about a stillf sore neck and headache being constant companions until you went gluten free. It's something for him to consider if he doesn't perk up soon.

Linda

Post by **tex** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 1:18 pm

Linda wrote:It's something for him to consider if he doesn't perk up soon.

I think you're right - it' s certainly worth a try. The leaky gut syndrome is often/usually responsible for those symptoms, (IOW, they're probably diet-related).

I hope you can convince him to try it long enough to give it time to begin working.

Tex

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:52 am

Morning Marliss,

I totally understand the headache you are having. I have also incurred this 3 or 4 times in the same circumstances during the past couple of weeks. I also was really worried about stroke, etc. I know it is not from something I ate but think it could be due to a very bad sinus condition I just can't shake.

Hope you are feeling better.

Love, Maggie