Getting more and more regular headaches- GP or optician?

I used to get a bad headache 1-2 days before the start of my period (i was on rigevidon) and told my dr, said they were likely due to the hormones and I accepted it. Pain was so bad the only way to make it lessen was to sleep and take lots of painkillers, even then they last several hours. Can hardly turn my head it makes it and my eyes hurt so much.

However now they're becoming more like every week and more than once a week. I started a new pill marvelon on Wednesday and Thursday morning I woke up with one of these headaches. Ended up staying in bed most of the morning. First thought it was because I changed pills, however because they were becoming more recent before I changed I'm not sure it's the pills.

Should I go to my GP or my optician? My vision is fine, always been 20/20 however i know that opticians can tell things your GP can't. Any advice?

I used to get a bad headache 1-2 days before the start of my period (i was on rigevidon) and told my dr, said they were likely due to the hormones and I accepted it. Pain was so bad the only way to make it lessen was to sleep and take lots of painkillers, even then they last several hours. Can hardly turn my head it makes it and my eyes hurt so much.

However now they're becoming more like every week and more than once a week. I started a new pill marvelon on Wednesday and Thursday morning I woke up with one of these headaches. Ended up staying in bed most of the morning. First thought it was because I changed pills, however because they were becoming more recent before I changed I'm not sure it's the pills.

Should I go to my GP or my optician? My vision is fine, always been 20/20 however i know that opticians can tell things your GP can't. Any advice?

Go see your GP first. Your issue may be resolved at opthamologist rather than an optician. Your GP is the only one who can refer you if needed.

There'd be no harm in seeing both your gp and optician, then you'll know what's causing the headaches rather than assuming it's not your eyesight that's the problem.

No harm in seeing both. See optician first. GP will probably end up asking whether you've had your eyes tested recently.

That certainly sounds more than just hormones, you shouldn’t have them that bad. Can you see a different GP? But yes I would say see your optician if your eyes are hurting from it too, they might be able to offer a different perspective.

Thanks guys. Yeah last time I spoke to my dr about it was before I moved to uni, so it's been like a year I suppose. I'll make appointments next week for them. Becoming such a pain now, they come so randomly so i can't really link it to my cycle anymore.

Go see your GP first. Your issue may be resolved at opthamologist rather than an optician. Your GP is the only one who can refer you if needed.

Thanks guys. Yeah last time I spoke to my dr about it was before I moved to uni, so it's been like a year I suppose. I'll make appointments next week for them. Becoming such a pain now, they come so randomly so i can't really link it to my cycle anymore.

Are you keeping a diary to see if you can work out your triggers?

Do they trigger/worsen with lighting? When I started working in a hospital I used to get such bad headaches but now more used to it. I know you’ve likely thought of drinking more water, less caffeine (this includes chocolate too) and regular sleep, but it can make such a difference. Do you use computers and screens a lot too? Sometimes you can get special glasses which filter the light.

Not really, I'm making notes of when i get them but nothing like what i'm doing when I get one. I should start doing that though! Like on Thursday I just woke up and my head immediately hurt. No light or anything.

I use screens every day for uni work mainly, especially with deadlines coming up it'll be a daily thing

There are apps (I don't use them; so can't recommend any, sorry!) you can download to keep track of your migraines.

It was once recommended to me (although, it was eye strain and not a full on headache) to take a 10 minute break every hour when using a screen. Even if it's just getting some water or something.

Opticians can refer too.

Opticians can refer to secondary care?

Yes. I've had an optician refer me to the hospital.

I used to get a bad headache 1-2 days before the start of my period (i was on rigevidon) and told my dr, said they were likely due to the hormones and I accepted it. Pain was so bad the only way to make it lessen was to sleep and take lots of painkillers, even then they last several hours. Can hardly turn my head it makes it and my eyes hurt so much.

However now they're becoming more like every week and more than once a week. I started a new pill marvelon on Wednesday and Thursday morning I woke up with one of these headaches. Ended up staying in bed most of the morning. First thought it was because I changed pills, however because they were becoming more recent before I changed I'm not sure it's the pills.

Should I go to my GP or my optician? My vision is fine, always been 20/20 however i know that opticians can tell things your GP can't. Any advice?

I used to get a bad headache 1-2 days before the start of my period (i was on rigevidon) and told my dr, said they were likely due to the hormones and I accepted it. Pain was so bad the only way to make it lessen was to sleep and take lots of painkillers, even then they last several hours. Can hardly turn my head it makes it and my eyes hurt so much.

However now they're becoming more like every week and more than once a week. I started a new pill marvelon on Wednesday and Thursday morning I woke up with one of these headaches. Ended up staying in bed most of the morning. First thought it was because I changed pills, however because they were becoming more recent before I changed I'm not sure it's the pills.

Should I go to my GP or my optician? My vision is fine, always been 20/20 however i know that opticians can tell things your GP can't. Any advice?