When do I need to see a neurologist for a prolonged headache?

Thank you for getting in touch to share your headaches.

Headache is extremely common. It will be difficult to diagnose anything without seeing you in person. Headache is one of those conditions where there is no specific "Test" that can 100% diagnose your headache.

Doctors come to a reasonable best guess of your condition based on what you describe your headache to sound like and based on the doctor's experience of the "headache story" of all the other headache patients that the doctor has seen.

Unfortunately for you, it seems that your GP probably feels that there is something out of the ordinary for your headache.

Of course it is not the only way out, although it could be a good start.

You could try stress reduction techniques, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, yoga, Qigong, lifestyle modifications (ie stop coffee, get sleep, get exercise), seeing a psychologist, failing which, then medications as and when needed, and failing which, you would require long term medications.

I pray that some day you will find relief from your headaches. Take care.

The more prolonged a headache, the more likely it is to be benign!

Dangerous headaches will never last for years.

If there is a change in the character of the headache, a neurological consult must be sought. These are symptoms like:

• a progressively worsening headache
• worse pain in the mornings
• fainting/seizures
• weakness and change in mental status