You may have sleep apnea, which causes morning headaches. See doctor, ask for sleep study. Good luck!
Gransnet forums
Chat
Waking up with headache
(82 Posts)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?
Marjorie energy drinks are full of sugar, I would have your blood sugar checked
Majorie
I thought I woke up with a headache was the fact I have low blood pressure. I drink an energy drink and the headache goes away.
Which probably indicates low blood sugar, rather than anything else.
There are a lot of sensible comments on here. However, have you seen an optician recently. It may be worth mentioning these headaches to your optician because it could be a symptom of glaucoma.
This has been happening to me for the past few months even though I rarely get headaches normally. If you're of a spiritual nature, you will know that the earth is moving from 3rd dimension through to 4th and 5th. The earths Schumann resonance (which some refer to a the earths 'heartbeat') is very active at the moment. One of the things said to help is getting your shoes off and walking on grass/ground in bare feet so you become grounded.
I thought I woke up with a headache was the fact I have low blood pressure. I drink an energy drink and the headache goes away.
I have the same problem, in fact I woke up with one this morning. I tend to get them if I’ve been sewing, crafting etc, anything where I’ve been looking down for a prolonged length of time (could also be eye strain) I think mine are connected to confirmed disc bulges in my neck, the pain can get severe and makes me feel sick. I have a BP monitor and that is usually ok. Headaches are awful & can ruin your whole day. Hope you can get some answers.
Have you had your eye pressure checked at the optician I wake up with a headache when mine are high , I have glaucoma . Might be worth checking
Hope you do contact your gp.
They should do some ‘ruling out’ tests and don’t be fobbed off if nothing is offered first visit.
But hope you are fine and an open window does the trick xxx
I occasionally wake in the night with an horrendous pain at the back of my head. Has made me vomit in the past as so painful. I shake and on occasion my hands have gone like claws. Saw a doctor and a specialist but to no avail. Was told I could taken some sort of tablet every day but this has severe side effects and as this only happens maybe once or twice per year then I declined.
If it's an intense pain on one side of your head and around an eye, it's likely to be migraine. I believe it's possible to develop migraine at any age so not having had it previously doesn't mean you couldn't suffer from it now.
If it is migraine, there are brilliant medications for it nowadays and your doctor will be able to prescribe one for you.
Same as GagaJo mine was blood pressure never get them in the morning now.
Good advice about always having a glass of water by the bedside and drink whenever you wake up.
When is the last time you had your blood sugar checked? For me, those early morning headaches are always about blood sugar.
For sure see your GP and also the optician, maybe dentist too if it's been a while, opticians can often pick up things. It may take time to get an appointment, I'd suggest you get a blood pressure meter yourself, and start doing readings as soon as you can, our docs don't lend out meters any more. Tiwce a day, and sit for 5 mins before you do it, and take at least 3 readings,maybe more if they fluctuate, not within half an hour of eating and drinking or exercise. You'll be able to take the readings along and it will give her some useful info.
I'd also do a bit of a diary, of what happened that day, and how you felt, food and drink you had etc, if it's not as bad some days or much worse others, this might be helpful. You need to rule out things that need medical help first, you can check simple things like bydration yourself. Think back to when it started, too.
Headaches are miserable and waking up with one is a rotten start to anyone's day. Hope you find some answers soon
Dehydration. Drink more fluids, and maybe have a bottle of water by your bed so you can take sips during the night.
Tilly8 This is the shape of knee pillow I was speaking of earlier. It's cheaper and a different brand but I think it is the shape that makes the difference for me. I had tried all sorts of pillows including expensive memory foam and they are now in the attic. As a bonus the shape of this pillow is excellent for when reading in bed. I'm a poor sleeper and (also wear a cpap sleep apnea mask). I read often for 2 - 3 hours.
www.amazon.co.uk/GIAD-Positioner-Posture-Saciatica-Pregnancy/dp/B09NMN9R44/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3NUNYMFK2E4QE&keywords=memory+foam+knee+pillow+jml&sprefix=memory+foam+knee+pillow+jml%2Caps%2C139&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1668352678&sr=8-6
BlueBelle
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
Like you I had a constant low level headache that went on for over a year.
I’ve also had back problems and was seeing a chiropractor for this. After a few months the chiropractor concluded there was nothing wrong with my back now and the current pain in my back/leg (which was getting worse) was being caused by my brain and nervous system ………. (what !??)…… I asked for an MRI scan which showed some bulging discs, degeneration and arthritis of the spine and inflammation……. It’s good news said the chiro there’s nothing on there that you wouldn’t expect from a person who’s reached this stage in your life - great.
To cut a long story short after researching I found a book called The Way Out by Alan Gordon and using the mind/body techniques all my pains disappeared…. I was astounded myself. 😊
Obviously people should always get checked out with the GP in case there is a physical cause but if nothing shows up you might want to try a different approach - after all you’ve got nothing to lose.
Headaches that have gone on regularly for so long should not be ignored. None of the people here are doctors so go to your doctor and get a proper diagnosis. Contact your surgery tomorrow.
I often have these wake up headaches and having been to the GP/hospital a few times to eliminate any of the really "nasty" things.
I have a number of other things I keep an eye on and others have mentioned some of these.
1) B12, C, D and Magnesium - always worth a bit of research and some good information around Vitamins and Minerals for headaches.
2) Checking in with the Chiropractor/Osteopath as I have some back/alignment issues.
3) Snoring/sinus, like others have said affects my headaches.
Some good information and areas to investigate here, hope you find ways to eliminate or reduce the effects of your headaches OP.
See your GP and don't be fobbed off with a phone appointment. Get an early morning appointment; blood pressure is always highest in the morning and then fluctuates throughout the day. Very much agree about drinking water before bedtime and even in the night if you have to get up for the loo - your brain needs to be moisturised. Also if you can eat blood pressure reducing foods before bed (like garlic) that will help. Of course, you must see your GP and it may be very easily diagnosed and treated.
This is caused by not enough fluids or not drinking coffee or tea during the day after breakfast in my case. Perhaps it's the same with you. If it continues you should see your GP
Like others on this thread I suffered for years with overnight dehydration causing morning migraines that could go on all day or even days.
Lots of great ideas here, but the best course of action is to write down exactly what is happening and go and see your doctor and tell him /her.
For a couple of years I was waking up with the same sort of headaches which would go after a few hours in the morning. Sometimes they were so bad it was hard to move.
I saw the GP and they could find nothing wrong.
I had a routine appointment at the optician, they were looking very concerned and called the senior person in.
They diagnosed me with narrow angle glaucoma. They asked if I had been getting headaches and I explained I had. Apparently this sort of glaucoma can cause a fluid buildup in your eyes overnight and the suggestion was until I can get laser surgery, to sleep with three pillows.
This type of glaucoma can be quite serious but I have found by using three pillows, and sometimes I go to 2 during the night, the headaches have completely stopped.
I have seen the optometrist at the hospital and I’m now waiting for an appointment to have laser surgery.
So definitely worth getting your eyes checked.
Also helps blood pressure
Join the conversation
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »
