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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?

dumdum Sun 13-Nov-22 12:57:04

Glad to see so much about water. Most of us don’t drink enough. My vocal coach advocated it. Has answered many of my problems.

Ziplok Sun 13-Nov-22 12:55:36

I’m pleased that you are going to try to see your GP because as you can see from all the responses, including my own, many possibilities as to why you’re having these headaches are being offered, but none of us can really know as we are not doctors. It needs investigating by a medical practitioner so that a correct diagnoses can be reached.

Glenco Sun 13-Nov-22 12:47:30

Are you getting dehydrated overnight? That often causes headaches so maybe drink water before retiring and if you wake in the night.

Smg1950 Sun 13-Nov-22 12:41:42

Hi I know from experience can be due to really low sugar levels. I got a blood sugar monitor not very expensive from Amazon

songstress60 Sun 13-Nov-22 12:38:33

Get your blood pressure checked as this was how my mother's high blood pressure was detected. She had very high blood pressure that needed alot of medication.

Nanny2020 Sun 13-Nov-22 12:35:13

I often experience this over many years though so not new to me however , it relates to clenching my jaw and grinding my teeth at night . My dentist could tell from the wear on my teeth as well as the tender points it’s called TMJ , I also have weather triggers for this once I kept track of the mornings it happened !

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

See your GP now.

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.

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

Couldnt aspirins be dangerous in some cases?

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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 💐

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 😊

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...

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

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

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

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.