Tension Type Headaches..any Advice?

[Hooby]

Out of the blue about a month ago, I developed a tight, dull, constant headache. I tried paracetamol, ibuprofen and eventually cocodamol, but none of them helped. I went to the doctor, who examined me and sent me for a blood test. My results were clear and the doctor said it was tension type headache, and there's not a lot I can do. I try relaxation, mindfulness, good diet, exercise, sleep well, etc. It's still there. Does anyone have any advice or know of any remedies that would work? Thanks.

[Sqad]

A bit more info please......
Is your headache there when you wake up in the morning OR does it come on later in the day?
Is it on one side of your head or both sides?
Are you at the "menopausal age?"
I presume that you have no nasal symptoms.....blocked nose etc.

[Hooby]

No blocked nose, yes I'm menopausal. It tends to be there the same all of the time, I don't think it gets better or worse at any time of the day. It's across my forehead like a tight band.

[Sqad]

Well, if you could sweet talk your GP into prescribing Valium last thing as night with Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, i think that may well crack it.

[Hooby]

I was hoping not to resort to those sort of tablets, I'd prefer a more natural way of dealing with it if possible. I appreciate your suggestion though. :-)

[Sqad]

Hooby

\\\\\ I'd prefer a more natural way of dealing with it if possible.\\\

You will have no shortage of those on AB.

[murraymints]

a cool strip thing on the forehead buy them in any chemist

[Hooby]

Ok, thanks sqad.

[Hooby]

Yes, maybe I could try one of those murraymints. I'm off shoping now so will look into it. Thanks.

[Hooby]

Lol...I didn't mean it as trying a murray mint! :-D

[murraymints]

well you could i suppose !! lol

[jakep]

Cranial osteopathy, if it works for you, is very good for this.

[jno]

or indeed ordinary osteopathy; it's often helped me with headaches that were the result of pinched nerves, slightly twisted neck and so on. I can't swear it will help everyone, but it's worth a try if nothing else succeeds.

[Buenchico]

See if anything here helps:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/headaches-tension-type/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[anneasquith]

Chris. My favourite medical site, always expert advice.

[cupid04]

Lie down in a darkened room with COLD flannel on forehead [not hot] because this allegedly makes the blood vessels swell more and makes it worse.

[jamesnan]

I develop those type of headaches if by some chance I do not have caffeine, my husband was making my morning coffee and was using decaf without me knowing, after 2 days of constant headache we realised, and after a cup of strong coffee my headache went. I tried lots of painkillers as well but caffeine was the answer

[Khandro]

Also avoid artificial sweeteners, those little things are getting a bad press of late - indigestion, headaches and more, I've given them up for the better.

Sqad+your doc. is probably the best way to go if these other things fail.

[anthro-nerd]

I've got one of those gel eye masks that I keep in the fridge - works for me :-) hope you find a solution that works for you! They're the worst!

[horselady]

I used to suffer badly with tension headaches until I was diagnosed with high blood pressure a few years ago. Beta blockers prescribed for that completely zapped the headaches.

[Eve]

Artificial sweeteners give me headaches too. Also Dianette contraceptive pill and some other meds (specialist arthritis ones).

Have you added anything recently like sweeteners or new medication?