Persistent Headache upon waking

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I am wondering if anyone has suggestions for me regarding this.

For the last few weeks I have woken up with a headache. Nothing I try seems to shake it except ibuprofen. I am a big believer that analgesics merely take away the symptom but do nothing to alleviate the underlying problem. I am hopeful that you all will be able to help me figure out what to do either before bed or upon waking to stop the headaches.

A little background first, as I know this will help. I have been dealing with stress on both a personal front (my mother is ailing badly and my family is feuding about what the best course of action should be and I am the only one here to deal with it) and on a professional front (my job has moved physically to a new building much further from my home and my schedule is changing for the worse). My nuclear family (husband and kids) are well and healthy and happy and are an excellent support for me. In the evenings I have been doing some meditation and mindfulness work and nothing very physical. In the mornings a few repetitions of sun salutations and then uji breathing.

Clearly I need to change this. Any thoughts?

#2

Hi. I dont know if any of this will help you, Ill share my experiences and things I`v heard.

First thing Iv heard is that if you have a headache for few days, dont worry too much. But if you have a headache for two weeks, see a doctor (have o tommography or something perhaps, but don`t just ignore it).

On the other hand, do you feel it`s roots are rather psychological than physical? Doctors may often prescribe something to, as you said, mask the problem instead of deling with underlying cause.

Now my experience, Iv been dealing with headaches, from few times a month to few times a week, and Iv been taking a lot of panadol, ibuprom etc. After some time, I undwergo a theraphy (for adult children of alcoholics, dealing with, among other things - not fighting, not blocking my feelings anymore) and discovered that my pains become more rare. And olso during thet time I met other people whose experience was similar - that the headache was caused by tension, either stress or blocking feelings.

So in your situation I would sugest you to check on your feelings, and in your body, what is there, whats up and if you arent blocking something? Well, if anything it shouldn`t make it worse…

Also one last thing, I often have headaches if I change something in my life that disturbs my sleep/awake routine, like wake up mych earlier or later than usual. Hope it helps, and if not, having your head checked by a doctor shouldnt make it worse either, and who knows wher the problem lies.
But all the best to you.

#3

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I feel quite strongly it is the stressors in my life that are causing my headaches rather than a physiological issue.

I deal with stress in many ways (as I am a therapist myself I have access to a lot of supports) but I know from experience that stress that manifests as physical pain can be dealt with in a physical manner. That is why I am looking for some ideas on how to help this pain.

#4

Hi Alix,

I have come to notice that my own headaches have usually as underlying cause some fear of someone or a situation and when I deal with the fear, it usually disappear. In your case I would like to ask you to identify that which you fear and deal with the fear first of all.

From a yoga pov I have found that nadi shodhana and bhramari pranayama bring relieve for me. I then like to do a yoga nidra of ?30 minutes or so. I have a cd with a wonderful yoga nidra on. In addition I usually rub a few drops of essential lavendar oil onto my forehead and sides of my head.

Hope this helps. As with all illness, dis-ease, they only manifest a stronger emotion.

#5

[QUOTE=Pandara;24169]I have come to notice that my own headaches have usually as underlying cause some fear of someone or a situation and when I deal with the fear, it usually disappear.[/QUOTE]

I would have to say this has been my experience also. The pain or congestion would actually occur on the upper part of my nose. If I let it go further, I would then become nauseated along with a headache.

#6

Hi, Alix. My go-to physical stress reducers are the treadmill and my free-standing heavy bag. They helps me particularly when my stress gets my mood down and my internal chatter up – especially since my internal chatter really gets to me on the yoga mat.

My husband’s go-to headache buster for his debilitating sinus headaches is spicy food. . . I’ve never noticed a connection between a headache vulnerable to spicy food and stress levels.

#7

Pandara and yuj, thank you. I will meditate and think about what it is that I fear and try to deal with that.

Techne, I think perhaps you are right, my internal “chatter” is very high so I am not finding any calm in my meditations. I think a heavy physical work out followed by meditation might be a better idea.

Thanks all, I’m going to try this tonight and will report back tomorrow.

#8

Alix,
Just a few thoughts:

  • You could be dehydrated (esp if you are not rehydrating after yoga)
  • You could have sleep apnea (has your husband noticed anything?)
  • You could have a sinus problem (especially if it occurs during weather changes)

Just a few things you may want to consider and get checked out.

Peace,

K

#9

Thanks Kiran. Good thoughts, I’m pretty sure it isn’t dehydration. Sleep apnea is a possibility. I snore a lot sometimes:oops:…strangely more when I’m stressed. Hmmm, must check that out, I never thought of that either. Sinuses are OK at the moment. I’m hyperaware of them as I do have issues with them. Thanks for that too.

#10

A regular practice of [I]jala neti[/I] might help as well.

#11

some thoughts
do you eat heavily before sleep, caffeine
also,
in the book, the monk who sold his ferrari it talks about the most important time for thoughts being when going to bed and when waking, 20 minutes before bed, 20 minutes after waking. is there a type of reading that brings you comfort, a book such as “I am That” by gangani perhaps. Many times what I read before bed has manifested in my dreams and also helped me to refresh. also saying prayers or a breathing exercise while drifting off.
on the AYP site yogani talks about meditating too close to sleep may cause more disturbances, however each person is different. Drinking some water close to bedtime as well.
My best to you alix
your brother
Neil

#12

Thanks Neil, no food before bed, nor caffeine. I think hydration has come up a couple of times now so I will be more mindful of that too.

Good advice Neil, I appreciate it.

#13

your are welcome :slight_smile:
my best to you
Brother Neil

#14

Two days - NO HEADACHE. I’ve done extra hydration and worked up a good sweat about an hour or so before bed then let my body settle down.

I hope this continues.

#15

Dear Alix,

You have pointed out that you believe that stress lies at the origin of your headaches and that you want to change things. So I’ll respond in this vein, leaving aside medical issues.

Practicing mindfulness, which you are doing, is a good thing. Why? Because it allows you to make mindful choices when dealing with your stressors. Dealing with an ailing mother, different views in the family and job changes can be a big challenge when they occur simultaneously. Luckily you have a loving family supporting you at home. What choices do you have? What could you do differently? Is it possible to do some work at home to reduce travel time? Is it possible to share some of the responsibilities for your mother with others? It is very difficult to support an ailing family member over a long period of time. Could you ask your family members to communicate more compassionately about your mother, especially since you have taken so much responsibility for her? Some of these choices may help to decrease the external factors (stressors).

And of course you are already doing the right thing by practicing yoga, mindfulness, and exercising. These things will help you to cope more efficiently with the stressors.

All the best to you.

#16

Thank you Willem. I’m working on most of those things. My family is SLOWLY beginning to realize what a difficulty this is and we are pulling together. I am hopeful this will reduce some stress. The work situation requires more time and thought I believe. I am not able to work from home as I am a therapist in a residential facility and I need to be with my patients to do my work. I am pondering what is best to do here. Perhaps it is time to consider a change there as well.

On another note. 3 days of waking without headaches now. I am going to incorporate some more dietary changes as well. I believe I am on the right track. Thank you all for your support, it has been most helpful.

#17

Update, I managed 4 days of waking without a headache and then the next morning woke again with one. It was so bad I had been dreaming about having a headache and woke to the reality. Blech!

I had not done a good meditation and cleared my head before lying down to sleep. I’d just fallen into bed exhausted. I’d also not drunk as much water as normal (and indeed had a glass or two of wine with dinner) and this may have been a contributor. (Darn it!)

My body keeps telling me to live better and my stubborn brain keeps doing the opposite. LOL. I’m going to be more conscious of my choices and definitely not skip either my hydration or my meditation at night.

#18

Alix – horribly enough, it is fortunate that your body holds you to a high standard. Keep up the great work!

#19

grumble grumble Sometimes I could wish for a lower standard though. I think that perhaps my body is getting louder so I can “hear” better. I have a rather thick head at times it appears. :lol:

I am going to keep up with what is now working and thanks to all who were so helpful. All information is gratefully received and I do take the time to process it all.

#20

You need to have your blood pressure checked as well as a fasting blood sugar. Persistent headache can be a symptom of more than stress.