Gransnet forums

Chat

Waking up with headache

(82 Posts)
Tilly8 Thu 10-Nov-22 11:41:54

Anyone suffer from these? They started about 6 months ago - probably twice a week I wake with a quite painful headache. Strangely they often disappear by the time I have had a shower and eaten breakfast. Sometimes I need to take paracetamol. I’ve tried various pillows as I do have a couple of bulging discs in my neck which I thought could be the cause. However this morning the headache was on a different level. I took paracetamol and actually sat with my phone ready to dial 999 if I experienced any further symptoms it was that bad!! I know the time has come to contact my GP but just wondered if anyone suffers the same?

icanhandthemback Sun 13-Nov-22 10:19:12

I second LRavenscroft's post to see a GP. It is probably something minor but it is always best to get these things checked. High Blood Pressure isn't called the silent killer for nothing!

f77ms Sun 13-Nov-22 10:22:36

Yes I do , I have bulging discs in my neck . I also have migraine which I wake up with , its worth seeing the Gp to eliminate more serious issues . I get a lot less since my divorce ! So I guess there is a stress component .

teabagwoman Sun 13-Nov-22 10:24:12

Sometimes woke with a headache but always felt really yuk on waking. Have started having a cup of hot milk at bedtime and am feeling better in the mornings. I also seem to get off to sleep faster especially when I’ve had to get up in the night. It may just be coincidence but time will tell.

grannygranby Sun 13-Nov-22 10:25:23

Usually if I wake with headache, before medicating, I have breakfast that often clears it. Mixture of low blood sugar and dehydration (fresh strong coffee with hot milk a la Francais, whole meal toast + apricot jam) it’s a cure. It if doesn’t go I know I’m in migraine land.. take beta blocker and sumatriptan. Both prescribed for my migraines. I don’t suffer anymore. It used to be fearsome. Good luck with GP.

Quizzer Sun 13-Nov-22 10:36:16

I get this due to a sinus problem. As soon as I get upright and have a hot drink it goes away.

Camelotclub Sun 13-Nov-22 10:40:38

I have these too, in fact have one now! I put it down to tensing up my neck and shoulder muscles. Already on medication for high BP. They take ages to go despite taking painkillers. Paracetamol doesn't touch it either, have to have codeine added.

dizzygran Sun 13-Nov-22 10:42:41

Check your BP. You can buy a machine in the pharmacy quite cheaply and keep an eye on it. See your doc and ask for blood tests to check for diabetes, low iron, platelets. headaches this often should not be ignored.

Dillonsgranma Sun 13-Nov-22 10:45:05

Sounds like dehydration headache to me. Drink more water and I bet it will solve it

Brownowl564 Sun 13-Nov-22 10:48:45

Pillows are the bane of my life, I can very rarely get the. Comfy and often wake up with a headache that does go after a while,
Getting a new mattress helped a bit but mine are also affected by food allergies , in particular mono sodium glutamate, I would see the dr if they persist but maybe keep a food journal as well in case you can see a pattern

hapgran Sun 13-Nov-22 10:52:59

If I wake with a headache, I can usually trace it back to not eating or drinking enough the day before...

Shazzyp Sun 13-Nov-22 10:54:36

I had this problem for a year before contacting my GP. I had to wear a blood pressure cuff for 24hrs. It took my pressure every half hour. Turns out I had high blood pressure. Got tablets .... headaches went away 😊

Bluedaisy Sun 13-Nov-22 11:14:51

My husband and myself both suffer from these awful headaches which often wake me in the night. Mines stress, neck and back problems etc but my husbands had a CT scan recently for his and they diagnosed him with Vascular Dementia saying he’d got blocked arteries in his brain which causes the headaches. I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news but if you’ve tried new pillows etc maybe a Doctors appointment is in order. Maybe try a acupuncture or osteopathic route first? I hope you feel better soon 💐

Madwoman11 Sun 13-Nov-22 11:14:57

Could be your sinuses that get blocked and then clear with a shower and gradually ease throughout the day

hilz Sun 13-Nov-22 11:30:17

Have you had Covid? I have had the same since I had it, waking in the night with a vile headache right behind my eyes and the top of my head and have tried changing pillows keeping well hydrated during the day etc . I do periodically check my Blood pressure and its always ok. It happened a lot for the first couple of months and now thankfully rarely happens. I did get checked by GP though and in my case there were no real issues to follow up but certainly agree with most who suggest seeing your GP . I always think if something concerns you enough to question it then its worth checking it out . Good luck x

Tanyllyn Sun 13-Nov-22 11:34:32

I too have them and I find keeping the window open at night and having a low pillow really helps

NemosMum Sun 13-Nov-22 11:40:16

Sounds like "alarm clock" or hypnic headache. I get these. See Migraine Trust page migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/types-of-migraine/other-headache-disorders/hypnic-headache/ For me, coffee and paracetamol help.

DeeDe Sun 13-Nov-22 11:40:33

Stuffy bedroom, Tension or often dehydration can cause this sort of headache.

Nannan2 Sun 13-Nov-22 11:40:38

Couldnt aspirins be dangerous in some cases?

HazelGreen Sun 13-Nov-22 11:42:46

The way you breathe when you sleep can be problem. There are tips in asthma forums to help.

Grantanow Sun 13-Nov-22 11:53:39

See your GP now.

grandtanteJE65 Sun 13-Nov-22 11:55:17

If you are sure that the mattress and pillow are all right and not made of some fibre you have become allergic to, I would suggest while you wait for an appointment with your doctor, changing to unperfumed allergy tested washing powder or liquid laundry soap and not using fabric softener.

I would also dust the bedroom thoroughly every second day and air it well every day.

House dust is a very frequent cause of this kind of discomfort.

Instead of drinking that extra glass of water near bedtime, drink it, or preferably two much earlier in the day, at a time when you are not going out, so you are within easy reach of the bathroom if the extra water makes itself felt. If it doesn't you certainly needed it.

BlueBelle Sun 13-Nov-22 12:00:34

I have had an almost constant low level head ache (feeling)for the last two/ three months I ve seen the GP all is well BP fine etc it almost definitely is tension and I m easing it now with a) not worrying about it b) using tiger balm on my temples and c) doing some relaxation techniques especially ‘tapping’ ( I have been three months of shitty stress so that makes sense for me
Good luck

tickingbird Sun 13-Nov-22 12:00:56

I often do but never that bad that I think to call 999. You need to get to the dr to get checked out.

Nicolenet Sun 13-Nov-22 12:03:56

No I never do but would check with my GP before it is too late.

Drina01 Sun 13-Nov-22 12:17:21

Definitely have it checked out as constant stress worrying or anticipation can’t be helping. I did read some research a while ago that if people change their habits like lying in longer than usual in the mornings headache could be attributed to actual lack of caffeine when the body had got used to a routine of earlier morning drinks ? Apparently once folks topped up on their drinks a m headache disappeared. Maybe check caffeine levels and how much you actually do intake ? Def def have a conversation though with GP - it costs nothing.