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203342 tn?1328737207

My eyes and head really hurt!

I started getting a headache yesterday afternoon, shortly after I ate 2 snack wraps with grilled chicken and a diet coke from McDonalds. The headache kept getting worse and worse till I got home and took 3 Tylenol Extra Strength. It helped a little but didn't fully go away. Finally, I just went to bed early. I felt extremely tired. The pain seemed mostly in my eyes and forehead area. I've had sinus headaches before but this was a little different. It wasn't along the cheekbones like a sinus headache would be, I would think.
I woke up with this headache still there. I do feel it kind of all over but mostly in my eyes.
I had some tea this morning but that's all I've had. I can't figure out what caused the headache and why it won't go away. I wondered if I might be a bit dehydrated? Because I get some small cramps in my feet sometimes too. That's why I thought about dehydration possibly. Was it something I ate? But why would it last this long. It's been almost a full 24 hours now. My eyes feel so tired and sore. I noticed this yesterday but I wasn't on the computer a lot. I was out running some errands for awhile there. I just can't figure this out! I've had these type headaches before and I can't focus when I get them. I feel extremely tired, like I just want to crawl into bed and my eyes and head hurt.
Please, can someone tell me what this is and why I tend to get these and how in the world I can treat them or keep them from coming back? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks so much.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Even with the limitations of internet, it is always nice to help in some way. Now that you mentioned it, perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms such as headaches, may also be hormonal in nature. You may also bring this up as another differential. Take care and all the best!
Helpful - 0
203342 tn?1328737207
No nose congestion really and I don't smoke and rarely drink. I eat pretty healthy for the most part. I do get seasonal allergies pretty bad but with it being winter I wouldn't think it would be so bad right now. It does seem like things have gotten worse as I've gotten older so don't know why that is. I guess I'll have to see the doctor again, just hate doing that because they don't seem to do much but we'll see. Thanks for the helpful advice and all. I appreciate it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
If work is ruled out, then it can be environmental in nature. Another differential is cluster headache which also present with pain in vicinity of eye, nose congestion, flushing of face. Avoiding alcoholic beverages and smoke also helps. Treatment for this may include ergotamine, sumatriptan or intranasal application of local anesthetic agent. It is also highly recommended that you have this evaluated furtehr for proper management.Direct clinical examination is essential.
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203342 tn?1328737207
I don't work right now. I was just wondering if it was something in the air since I have a lot of seasonal allergies, etc. Antihistamine works when I have allergy symptoms but this seems different. I may go to the doctor if this keeps up. Just the last time I went they said it sounded like a sinus infection and gave me antibiotics but that did seem more in my face, or sinuses. This type headache and eye pain keeps coming back. I've been having trouble with dry eyes for the last few years too. I take natural tears eye drops when I need to but nothing seems to help much.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
It is good that your eyes were tested and ruled out for any problems. Were you able to take antihistamine medicine? And can you elaborate on your nature of work ? If this is environmental or occupational in nature, we can identify possible causes. And if Tylenol and Advil do not help,you may need to have this checked for stronger prescription medications. Take care and do keep us posted.
Helpful - 0
203342 tn?1328737207
Thanks Dr. Santos. I have had my eyes tested just last Summer. I noticed the headache and eye pain is back today. I'm starting to think this may be environmental, something I'm ingesting or around a lot. I woke up this morning and my eyes were a little bit puffy. I've had this headache and tired eyes all day. The headache is in the front forehead area and my eyes just feel tired, heavy, dry and sore. I went to bed early last night too! I just don't get this. I take Tylenol and Advil and it doesn't seem to help. It just seems like it has to get out of my system. Sure wish I could figure this out so I could avoid this. It's getting pretty tiresome as I feel kind of out of it when I get these.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How are you? Allergy headaches usually present with generalized headache, nasal congestion, or watery eyes. If you have history of allergies, this is one differential we can consider. If it recurs, try taking antihistamine medication. And if it persists, this may be ruled out. Other considerations are errors of refraction since there is involvement of the  eyes and that area. Try to have your eyes checked also for further evaluation. Ice packs and over-the-counter pain medications may help provide relief.  But the best management is identification of the trigger. Take care and best regards.
Helpful - 0
203342 tn?1328737207
Hm, I did notice that my legs were itchy last night too. I get that once in awhile. I know that I have seasonal allergies, etc. and seem to have some sensitivities to things. I know that they can't give me Septra (which is an antibiotic) because of the sulpha in it because I broke out in a rash. I heard sulpha can be in other things as well. I've had diet sodas before but I guess it has been a little while. Now I'm wondering.

I did go look at what the ingredients are in the snack wraps and they say they don't use MSG in any of their products. I don't know what to think about any of this. I've had diet sodas before. Could that really be it? I wish I could narrow this down. I wish I could get rid of this headache, ugh.
Helpful - 0
910419 tn?1289483727
I've had reactions to foods that lasted for weeks. I'm not saying that that's what it is, but food triggers can have a lasting effect on us. I would recommend going to McDonald's website and looking up what is in the snack wraps in terms of spices. If they have MSG (I don't know if they do or not) that might have triggered a migraine.
More on the food option, diet drinks can be really bad for migraines. The aspartame that they use instead of sugar can trigger a lot of us. I know that I can't drink any diet sodas or I'll get a really bad spike in pain.

Hope you feel better soon,

~Dame
Helpful - 0
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