No Stress headache

[Byte 2.0]

I was wondering if there is something to this.

I work a very stressfull job, and I can go weeks with out a day off and continue my normal life.

normally working 4 ten hour days and about 3 four hour days.

I will do that maybe 2 weeks straight or maybe even 3 weeks, but when I take a day off, I get bad headaches.

I normally sleep in about an extra hour on those days but I have tried it with out sleeping an extra hour.

I normally get up fine but get the headache stronger the later the day gets.

It is like I get the headache because I am not working at work. I normally try to stay busy around the house or doing other needed things, none of which is any bit stressful like work.

Any ideas?

[Propain]

Theres a reason why it was called "weekEND" . I think you should try and get a day off at least once a week or your gonna burnout.

[Byte 2.0]

yea but if I only work 4-5 days and have 2 days off, i get headaches as well on my days off. It is very strange.

[Propain]

Lack of sleep maybe? or not maybe you think too much when your off. Do like me and dont think.

[wickedstyle]

At your job do you panic alot because my brother had the same situation and he usto panic a lot because to many people breathing over him so he went to a doctor and they told him to take a week off from work and listen to some smoothing music. Just a thought.
Edit:Also do you do alot of like lifting? or heavy work?

[Byte 2.0]

nope, I do tech support.

I normally handle stress well.

[wickedstyle]

Have you thought about a vacation??

[Byte 2.0]

I just had 3 days OFF, thursday, friday and saturday. Bad headache last night.
at work right now.

[wickedstyle]

Ahh well do you enjoy your job?? because a lot of times people come along with these bad headaches for hating there job?

[Propain]

You married? Many times a headache is cause by that.

[wickedstyle]

Very true propaine.

[Byte 2.0]

Married but that is not the factor since I had these before that.

I enjoy my time off.
I dont' like my job
I can't see that I am missing my job when I am away.

the Only think, it seems I am not racking my brain to come up with solutions for DSL problems on my off days.

I wonder if I am working my brain too much on those days and it is used to running that hard and it really doesn't understand how to slow down for a few days.

[Redo40]

Sounds like Tension headaches to me. Where do they start? Mine always start at the base of my skull. I have been having these for the last 4 months bad, every day. After 2 MRI's and an EEG they found that my neck muscles were so tight they have my neck curved the opposite direction. And their treatment? Well, after $240 a visit, the doc told me to learn to relax. Yeah right!

[wickedstyle]

Damn you must have been really stressed out.

[Blakhart]

Do you eat or drink anything different on days off? Do you drink diet drinks? What is different that you do on the days off? Or don't do, other than work?

[M. A. Dockter]

Do you drink a lot of caffeine at work? How about at home?

[TimPoet]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. If you drink a lot of caffeine at work and then not at home, you are having caffeine withdrawal headaches.

[Byte 2.0]

I don't drink diet drinks, I take in about the same amount of sodas a day. I honestly do relax more on my days off. I do some light work around the home, nothing stressful and I even take my time.

I normally eat and drink about the same daily.
In all honestly, it is a lack of stress from work on my off days.

BTW all the questions are helping me to determine a few things and at least are making me think about possibilities.

The more I think about it, the more I am thinking it is a lack of stress on those days I have off.

[glc]

I'm sure your wife could help you get some stress on your days off.

[Panama Red]

How about eye strain? Do you wear glasses at work and not at home, or visa/versa? The caffeine withdrawl was my prob, but cut back to one cup a day during work week and no more prob.

[mattg2k4]

It could be that the stress from your job makes you put out a lot of adrenaline during the time you work. Then when you get time off, you go through a form of withdrawal.

Or maybe you're a workaholic and on time off you go through withdrawal

[Byte 2.0]

It could be that the stress from your job makes you put out a lot of adrenaline during the time you work. Then when you get time off, you go through a form of withdrawal.

that could be it. I bet that is allot of it.

[avx]

Have you tried a messuese byte? It could be any number of things, but a good message sure can cure A LOT!

A sauna? Those are REALLY helpful after a good workout.

A good stretch? May seem simple, but that yoga crap is based on the same thing, when you stretch your muscles extend, warm up, and relax.

Hope you figure it out man...Maybe a trip to the doc, a quick brainscan, make sure nothings REALLY wrong with you.

[glc]

Problem with a brain scan is - what if they find nothing?

[TimPoet]

George is batting a thousand tonight, folks.

[mikeL]

does your wife ever complained about you grinding your teeth, that is my problem it seems that because of stress, I will clench and grind my teeth (sleeping or awake) so hard that I will get a headache, and not even be aware that I'm doing it. The fix was to get a bite splint made at the dentist that fixed (some of) my headaches

good luck

[eshort]

HI--

I (a) have suffered headaches all my life (b) work in the medical (disability) field.

If your headaches have changed in frequency/severity (become worse) its time to see a doctor for neuro testing and perhaps an MRI of your head.

If not: stress headaches characteristically become worse iof U take a day or two off..its a bodily chemically medicated reaction!..This is almost a "classical sign" that the headaches r stress related!

Other triggers can be: caffeine (often hidden in foods and medicines suhc as Excedrin etc), cheese-diary products, tea/coffee, red wines and nuts. U may also have a food allergy/sensitivity (try altering your diet for 10 days and see if headaches change).....can also be induced by weather (pollens, pressure changes). How are your eyes?--often eye (muscular) problems go "undetected" because doctors dont check for them unless U specifically complain of such things as "seeing double"..et al..

Sleep problems (sleep apnea, or grinding your teeth while sleeping) can induce headaches...do U snore or feel pain/numbness in your jaw on awakening in the AM..r u very tired/feel weak on awakening in the AM?...

Also: athritis or muscular stuiffness in the lower neck (cervical) regions press on nerbve endings which in turn cuae "headache"--usualy over the top/front of your head.

AnywaY: suggest a GOOD COMPLETE medical checkup with complete blood studies, EKG and careful checking of your vision (acuity AND ocular balance) and orthopedic status of your neck region.

I find "Excedrin" VERY effective in pain remediation..but it contains aspirin, tyelenol and caffeine so it can cause "rebound" (repeated) headaches if you use it too often.

Sumtines: vitamin/herbs work: ie---Vitamin E/ Ginko Biloba etc--but they have a secondary effect of thinning the blood- so ask doctor first!

Usually- if U "only" expereince headaches withouit anyhting else (ie-dizzyness, visual changes, changes in severity/freqyuency of headaches etc): they are tension/migraine or cluster type and easily treated with meds/relaxation techniques.

Often- "Migraines" get misdiagnosed as "tension" headaches-or "depression"--so I stress the need for a complete exam by a well qualified/respected internist and/or neurologist-preferably on staff of teaching hospital in a larage city.

I have listings of "great" doctoers for the entuire USA if I can be of assistance!

Good luck!!!!!

[Byte 2.0]

If not: stress headaches characteristically become worse iof U take a day or two off..its a bodily chemically medicated reaction!..This is almost a "classical sign" that the headaches r stress related!

yes I feel that is where it is.
I do wear glasses, But and I have recently had my eye checked, I can go with or with out my glasses. It is just that I have worn them since I was 3 I choose to wear them.
My glasses are not required for reading/driving ect.

My headaches are in the my forehead mainly when I get them., and they are normally on my days off.

I do believe I grind my teeth a little in my sleep, but never have numbness in my jaw when I wake up.
The guard mensioned above for my teeth needs to be looked into.

I have just been finding it very odd, i was getting bad headaches on my off days.

[eshort]

sounds classical "stress type" to me..but suggest going to a competent internist/neurologist for a complete examinatrion, to include blood-urine and x ray (and possibly CT scan or MRI) as many problems can cause headaches (anything from allegy/sensitivities to metabolic or systemic physiological issues..)

I find "Excedrin" the best headache remediation for me!--dont like prescriptioon drugs unless absolutely necessary..some herbals work well (Ginko Biloba etc).

My headaches ocurr in clusters--that is--im fine for 2 weeks and then experience a steady frontal headache for 24-48 hours which then vanishes for another 2 weeks or so.

U may also try to adjust your sleeping pillow..if u put pressure on base of your neck, it will comoress the cervical nerves and potentially result in headaches-esp in the morning...ry sleeping without any pillow and see what happens. U may aklso try message/physical therapy (or cold packs) to the neck region which is exquisitly sensitive and can ause headaches if "out of whack".

Acupressure (squeezing ear lobes or between the thumb and first finger area) can sometimes work!!!

[tranman]

something in your home environment. Investigate the possibility of an irritant like new carpet, toxic mold or some other physical reason for your headaches. Have you remodeled lately, or changed out a rug or piece of furniture? What about your HVAC system? Dust? Are you having any other symptoms besides headaches that might lend to a reaction from something in your home?