Headache and bloodshot eye
April 14, 2015 2:43 AM Subscribe
Hi AskMe, I know you are not my doctor! What would cause a headache over one eye for a week and then a bloodshot eye this week?
I had a long cold/cough/sore throat virus for 5 weeks, then two weeks ago the symptoms disappeared aside from headaches every other day, often over my right eye. For the last two days that eye has been bloodshot. I do wear glasses and work at a computer as an FYI.
I went to the doctor 6 weeks ago and had confirmation that I didn't have a throat/chest infection, and I will go back this weekend, but would like some more ideas before then.
Thanks, and again YANMD.
I had a long cold/cough/sore throat virus for 5 weeks, then two weeks ago the symptoms disappeared aside from headaches every other day, often over my right eye. For the last two days that eye has been bloodshot. I do wear glasses and work at a computer as an FYI.
I went to the doctor 6 weeks ago and had confirmation that I didn't have a throat/chest infection, and I will go back this weekend, but would like some more ideas before then.
Thanks, and again YANMD.
This post was deleted for the following reason: poster's request -- taz
Please see a doctor urgently or go to the emergency room. If you live in France you have an excellent health system that will not cripple you financially, I see no downside to getting this checked ASAP.
I am not a doctor and have no medical training but the most recent symptoms are worrying and i think it could be a mistake to assume that they are related to the cough / cold virus. Ive had a million cold/coughing type viruses in my life and I have NEVER had the headache over one eye, bloodshot eye symptom you describe and it would freak me out.
IANYD, TINMA but if you were in the same room as me right now we'd be getting this checked out ASAP.
posted by kitten magic at 3:35 AM on April 14, 2015 [5 favorites]
I am not a doctor and have no medical training but the most recent symptoms are worrying and i think it could be a mistake to assume that they are related to the cough / cold virus. Ive had a million cold/coughing type viruses in my life and I have NEVER had the headache over one eye, bloodshot eye symptom you describe and it would freak me out.
IANYD, TINMA but if you were in the same room as me right now we'd be getting this checked out ASAP.
posted by kitten magic at 3:35 AM on April 14, 2015 [5 favorites]
If I were to guess, based on things that have happened to people I've known, I'd say it could be random coincidence of a headache with eye strain, a reaction to blood thinners, glaucoma related to high blood pressure, or a super scary neurological event that needs to be looked at yesterday. I am not a doctor, though, and it's only a doctor who can figure it out, so please do see one right away.
posted by cotton dress sock at 3:50 AM on April 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by cotton dress sock at 3:50 AM on April 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Just to make it unanimous: go to a doctor or an emergency room, NOW. Sure, you'll feel silly if it's something minor, but continuous headaches are all too often a bad sign that needs to be checked out immediately.
posted by easily confused at 4:56 AM on April 14, 2015
posted by easily confused at 4:56 AM on April 14, 2015
Response by poster: I cannot go today unfortunately but I will go tomorrow and update.
posted by ellieBOA at 5:00 AM on April 14, 2015
posted by ellieBOA at 5:00 AM on April 14, 2015
Like kitten magic, if we were in the same place, I'd be trying to get you to get checked out ASAP. Mostly because I would be thinking of my cousin, who had headaches and bloodshot eyes, and turned out to be the "super scary neurological event" part of the long list of possibilities, and died. There are many other much less scary things it could be, but please don't fuck around with this. Get checked out. Get checked out today if at all possible, even if you have to reschedule some stuff or take a day off work or whatever.
posted by Stacey at 5:07 AM on April 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Stacey at 5:07 AM on April 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: It's not a schedule issue, it's an insurance question as I'm not a French national. I have an appointment tomorrow morning at the social security office to hopefully get the documents that will entitle me to free healthcare but I really can't afford to pay out of pocket today.
posted by ellieBOA at 5:27 AM on April 14, 2015
posted by ellieBOA at 5:27 AM on April 14, 2015
If you are British you should have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which you show to the healthcare provider along with your EU passport... Any EU citizen traveling around Europe should not leave home without that card, its free, each country in the EEA/EU participate and shows you are entitled to the same healthcare arrangements as those living in whatever European country you find yourself.
posted by catspajammies at 5:47 AM on April 14, 2015
posted by catspajammies at 5:47 AM on April 14, 2015
Response by poster: I'm resident in France so my British EHIC no longer works.
posted by ellieBOA at 5:54 AM on April 14, 2015
posted by ellieBOA at 5:54 AM on April 14, 2015
If you go to the doctors in France, and are uninsured, you will be asked to pay about EUR23 for the session. Referrals to a hospital specialist cost a little more (maybe EUR 60) - and you will have to pay for any prescription. Once you have a carte vitale you can use this to get a refund on your money - even after several months. -There is nothing that should dissuade you from going to see somebody today. Don't jeopardise your health over paperwork.
posted by rongorongo at 5:58 AM on April 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by rongorongo at 5:58 AM on April 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:17 AM on April 14, 2015 [3 favorites]