HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Headaches

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/28/2007 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Having had a bad bout of anxiety a little while ago, I seemed to be back to normal. However, recently something else has started making me anxious about my health again. Unpleasant as it is, I hope it's just me worrying unnescarily again, but maybe someone can lend an opinion....

I have had a headache for nearly 5 days now, combined with eye strain, particularly on my right eye. It's not particularly intense, but it never goes away unless I'm in bed - it's not just when I'm staring at close objects or anything, it's pretty much constant. Started off at the back of my head/neck, but now it's moved and is mostly around my eyes (especially the right hand side)

I don't usually get headcahes and they rarely go on for more than a few hours if I do. I know it sounds stupid to get wound up about a headache, but it's worrying me a lot and I can feel the anxiety creeping in a again as a result. There are one or two things that never quite went away from my last (apparent) bout of anxiety and I've always been slightly concerned about the idea of something neurological being wrong, hence the fact I'm concerned now. I had a thurough eye exam around the time of my last brain tumour a few months back eyes

Wondered if anyone had experienced really persistent headaches like this as a result of stress or anxiety?

Posted 5/28/2007 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hia Chris,
Believe it or not, I have the same problem. If you have good health insurance and an understanding Dr., you could request a prescription for Midrin. If it's stress, that's the safest migraine or tension headache med for that. Also, you could request an MRI if the Midrin doesn't do it for you. Chances are the MRI will be clear, but it will rule out your need for anxiousness.
Actually, I take 4 aspirins myself and I need coffee with it. My anxiety problem is nill on a maintenance dose of a benzo Thank God, but I really need coffee for the brain fog I get with the Lyme/CFIDS/Whatever.
Tension headaches are very common, with or without anxiety - so I'm sure your Doc could help you out in short order.
Keep us up to date and will be praying you find rest. I empathize.
Posted 5/28/2007 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had a headache as a result of anxiety (to my knowledge), but I've certainly had my share of persistent headaches and they certainly don't help with anxiety.

Your headaches kind of sound like sinus headaches. That's what most of mine are, and if I relax my eye muscles the headache will alleviate some. I think that has something to do with the location of sinus cavities behind the eyes. When the sinuses are inflamed they cause all kind of trouble. Most of the time I don't get a runny or stuffed up nose or anything. Just a headache and then, at some point, drainage that tries to go down the throat.

When you tap on your forehead does it feel kind of uncomfortable, as if you'd put pressure on a sore muscle? When you pull on your earlobes does it change the nature of the headache any? When you take a very hot shower and let the room schvitz up does it seem to help?

I've had a lot of sinus headaches that persist for days. I try not to take drugs for them, but when I do I go to the pharmacist and describe the problem the best I can. He or she will usually point me in the right direction. I've found that if you take the wrong kind of stuff it can actually make you worse. I've had sinus troubles since I was a little kid, so I know what they are and they don't make me nervous directly. However, they're very uncomfortable and will increase anxiety because everything you try to do will take more energy and it's hard to concentrate.
Posted 5/28/2007 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Chris711.  I never had a persistent headache from stress or anxiety.  It sounds a lot like sinuses.  I  had sinus headaches that last for 2 or 3 days.  Sometimes I can't get out of bed.   I get them just as your describing especially with pain in the eyes.  As debaser said, the sinuses are located behind the eyes. 

 

I would go to the doctor and get it checked out so they can give you medication to relieve the pain.  Good Luck!

Posted 5/29/2007 8:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies  :-)   

Have to say the headache appears to have eased. Although on the subject of headaches (around the eye) someone pointed out that at 24, it could well be wisdom teeth.

However, there is another symptom linked to my eyes - they've been feeling a little dry for a few days, but this morning they are much worse and they also feel heavy on the top eyelids, like I'm permanently tired. That said - I am feeling rather fatigued. I was also feeling a little dizzy this morning.

I feel much happier (much more lucid!) now than when I posted before, but looks like something is definitely up. Do wonder if it's fibromyalgia - I get unexplained aches and pains, tingling, acid reflux and anxiety along with the dry eyes, dizzyness and fatigue mentioned above.

Thanks again for your help.

Posted 5/29/2007 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again Chris,
I'm only responding because your symptoms are so much of what I have.
The only thing I can tell ya from 5 years of this junk is, REST.
If your body pain is alleviated by reclining .... then that's what you need to do.
I have the dry eyes, body pain, pressure behind top eyelids that yes, does add to the feeling of tiredness.
Most of my head pain is from the right side also, along with the right eye.
I don't have sinus problems causing it. There are a few things, like you mentioned, like Fibro, CFS or CFIDS, etc. that cause these things ... But we're back to the only known relief in the Med-Journals --- REST.
Limit your time reading or whatever else triggers the pain.
Believe me, no one likes this RX of "Rest" --- I can't stand it neither and have fought against taking all these stupid rest times myself. Very much so. I was extremely active before '02 and I can't stand that I can't just jump up and do all the volunteer work I used to do besides having a JOB. Now I'm venting .... but to not be able to have an income and take care of myself the way I'm used to can be maddening but I've HAD to learn coping skills.
There are worse fates my friend, indeed. That's all that gets me through. I think of the folks who are in worse shape - homeless folks, people in other countries and what they're going through and on from there. Then having a roof over my head seems like the greatest blessing in the world.
When I read the other forums on here about folks with horrendous diseases, then "rest" seems like nothing compared to the unbelievable pain and bodily malfunctions these other guys are going through. I hate resting but compared to things like 'ostomies' or Parkinsons or Alzheimer or these other very painful ordeals they have .... I'll bite my tongue as best I can and just swallow the dang Rest RX.
Don't know if this helps - but it's helped me and I'm more than twice your age. No wisdom teeth here, but got a bit wiser in the last 5 years of being physically stimied.
I wish you Peace.
Ann
Posted 5/31/2007 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
I agree - it could be a lot worse.

Unfortunately, when I get anxiety it's usually combined with a massive dose of hypochondria. So I'm usually convinced I have a debilitating, life threatening disease. Logically I know there's very little chance of it being anything other thand anxiety/stress, but still for that time it's almost like I have whatever condition it is I'm paranoid about. I feel stupid and rather insensitive towards those who do have conditions like that by saying it, because (I hope) the phase always passes and I go back to normality, but whilst it's happening I can never see that being the case.

Anyway.... went a bit off topic there.

Back to the headaches - seems to be concentrating more and more on the right side, along the top of my jaw, my right cheek and round my eye. Think it might actually be an infection of some description - I've had a squelchy feeling in my right ear for a few months now (like you've just come out the swimming pool!) - the doctor couldn't see anything, but from what I've read it could be an ear, tooth or sinus infection causing pain in those areas. As for the other symptoms, well they could just be a combination of stress and RSI or something.
Posted 5/31/2007 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Chris711
A warm welcome to HealingWell.
Great job by all the members that answered you. They live the life so they are the ones who can answer you best.
I rarely have headaches, but if I did.......I would be worried to so remember to keep posting for the support you need .
Glad your with us.
Posted 6/13/2007 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi - I am been having bad headaches for over 3 weeks now. They are constant. They started in the back of my head and then moved around. I have had them on the top of my head, on the sides, and in my forehead and face area. right now its everywhere. im not sure if this is from anxiety? I started getting them a few days after my panic attacks struck. and also after i went back on zoloft - i had been off it for 3 months and have snice been back on for 3 weeks. the headaches feel like pressure on my head - like bricks on my head or like my head's in a vice. there's also a burning sensation and it feels like my brain jumps a bit - esp when i hear a noise. like its rattling in my skull. i have been so afraid of having something life threatening. i have been to th dr 5 times and to the er once. i also have seen a psych dr who has me in therapy. they all say its stress (tension headaches?), anxiety and hormones (i am also 19 weeks pregnant). anyway they are freaking me out and i cant seem to calm down about them. my neck is real tight too. has anyone felt like this before????
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply