headaches

[kab247]

In the past couple months I have experienced 4 excruciating headaches up the back of my head a few hours after nodding off.  The only relief I get is by standing or sitting in an upright position.  I am going through perimenopause (irregularity. hot flashes, night sweats)  don't know if any correlation.  Have had headaches through out my life but nothing as scary or as painful as these.

Thank you for any information you can give,

Kim

[kab247]

Thank you for the info.  I do have knots in my neck muscles.  I will try the cold/warm compresses this evening.  Again, thank you!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The headache that you are having can be due to cervical spondolysis or due to it muscle spasm of the occipitalis and other muscles of the scalp. The spasm can be so intense that the muscle will feel bruised or sore even after the tension has been released.These muscle spasms then cause primary headache like tension headache.

Apply alternate warm and cold compresses and take some over the counter NSAID analgesic (pain reliever) like ibuprofen(advil/motrin) or acetaminophen after consulting your doctor. Application of muscle relaxant to the part is also helpful.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.