Hi, my husband is currently suffering from something similar. He has had very localised head pressure,

left side temple, for over a month now. He says he feels it constantly. Like literally from the moment he wakes. Says it not always painful but just feels like pressure but can get more painful at times and usually gets progressively worse throughout the day. Sometimes spreading to the other side. Sometimes he describes it as a biro in sensation or a dull ache. Sometimes it gets very painful. He says paracetamol and ibouprofen can help a bit with the severe pain but not the pressure sensations the doctor prescribed migraine tables which have done nothing. He says it has got progressively worse over time. He was also diagnosed with health anxiety last year. I ended up having to call an ambulance because he thought he might be having a heart attack. I suggested if this might be related to that and he got offended. We are both really worried as we have a young daughter who needs her daddy. I'm tempted to say he should go and get a scan privately. I lost a friend to brain tumour and my own father to cancer. Both didn't last a year after diognosis. I can't help but feel so worried.

Hi and thanks for your post

I can imagine it's difficult for you as not knowing whether this is down to health anxiety, migraine, eye strain or anything else, must be hard for you all. There are many explanations for the headaches other than cancer , but sadly, no answers as to what this may be due to, will be found here or on the internet . 

It may be best to try and encourage your husband to go back to the GP to say the migraine tablets aren't helping and to have a further chat about his symptoms. The GP will then decide whether your husband needs any further tests. There are migraine clinics that he can also be referred to, as not everyone presents in the same way or gets relief from any one type of tablet given for migraines - there are different types available.

You have an option of seeing someone privately, though costs can be high. If the scan is clear with the headaches still present, he will still need to be seen though to try and resolve his symptoms.

As your husband was diagnosed with health anxiety last year, hopefully he is also seeing someone for some help and support regarding this, as it can start to take over your life.

I hope he gets to speak with the GP for a review of symptoms.

All the best

Wanda

Hi, thank you for the reply. Yes, he will go back to GP. Unfortunately I think it will be long wait till he can get a scan and find out what is going on.

Hi everyone,

I'd really appreciate it if I could get some advice please. I am only 22 and have had exactly similar symptoms to what are being described here. I have a dull ache in the top right hand side of my head which is made worse by coughing, clearing my throat or bending over. The ache is not there constantly and is not very painful, moderate at most I would say. Always seems to be worse at night but doesn't wake me up or anything.

I have no other symptoms so was very surprised when I googled this to be told, even on the NHS website, that this type of headache is prominent with brain tumours. Well I am now a total wreck. My anxiety has gone through the roof and to top it all off, I've made an online consultation through my local GP where I type out a message describing my symptoms and somebody gets back in touch with me to discuss it. Nobody even rang me back, I got a text later that day that they had booked me in for a face to face appointment on Monday morning! This has made me overthink why they are taking this so seriously, especially given how short supply GP appointments are at the moment. Please can somebody who had these head symptoms with the coughing let me know how you are doing now and how the doctors went for you? I am absolutely petrified

Hi everyone,

I'd really appreciate it if I could get some advice please. I am only 22 and have had exactly similar symptoms to what are being described here. I have a dull ache in the top right hand side of my head which is made worse by coughing, clearing my throat or bending over. The ache is not there constantly and is not very painful, moderate at most I would say. Always seems to be worse at night but doesn't wake me up or anything.

I have no other symptoms so was very surprised when I googled this to be told, even on the NHS website, that this type of headache is prominent with brain tumours. Well I am now a total wreck. My anxiety has gone through the roof and to top it all off, I've made an online consultation through my local GP where I type out a message describing my symptoms and somebody gets back in touch with me to discuss it. Nobody even rang me back, I got a text later that day that they had booked me in for a face to face appointment on Monday morning! This has made me overthink why they are taking this so seriously, especially given how short supply GP appointments are at the moment. Please can somebody who had these head symptoms with the coughing let me know how you are doing now and how the doctors went for you? I am absolutely petrified

Hello Beaver017366 and thanks for posting, 

I am sorry that no one has got back to you and that you are so worried about these headaches. Remember that Google is no substitute for seeing a doctor and that headaches, even ones that might have features associated with brain tumours, can occur for other reasons and may be nothing to worry about. And brain tumours are quite rare so a more common explanation would be more likely.  

I am glad that you will be seeing the GP this morning so you can get properly assessed and sorted out. This is what is meant to happen so I don't think you should read anything into the fact that you have a face to face appointment. It is just good practice. 

Worry and fear can take us over sometimes, most people in the middle of a health scare are at least a bit troubled but hopefully you know more today. We always say to take things one step at a time and not anticipate what might be the matter. Our usual advice is not to spend too much time on line looking for answers either as they are seldom to be found there and doing this tends to increase worry and keep it front of mind. 

Do be frank about what is worrying you when you see the GP and ask questions if you need to.

Best wishes, 

Julia