Bad headaches and other things. Getting a little concerned.

[MyMiddleNameisHypo]

I will make this as short as possible..

For two days in a row now I have woken up in the morning with pretty bad headaches located at the base of my skull and the side of my head. This headache has been steady since yesterday morning (Monday) upon waking. It was relieved by sexual intercourse Monday night (I know, TMI but it may be relevant) but was back again this morning (Tuesday) upon waking. The pain is followed by fatigue and mild dizziness. No nausea, no aura's. Just pain, dizziness and fatigue. 

The pain is constant but has a throbbing quality when straining.

The pain is a 7 on a scale from 1-10.

I have a 10+ year history of migraines which have lessened as I have gotten older. I had a MRI and EEG back in August 2012. All was normal. I did not hit my head, nor am I having sinus or teeth problems. My blood pressure is normal. 110/70 as of this morning.

The only thing that I have changed in the last couple days is - I increased my Lexapro from 10mg to 12.5mg on Saturday night. I also started my monthly cycle on Friday which is in the process of ending (they are 4 days long).

I have tried Ibuprofen, caffeine, Inderal, sleep, water, eating and sex.

Anyone have any ideas? Should I start to panic? I will admit I am beginning to have some butterflies in my stomach.

[JunoX]

I sometimes wake up with bad throbbing headaches, like today. It seemed like all night, every time I woke up, I had a headache in one side of my head. I would wake up and it would be in the right. Then I would wake up again and it would be in the left. Anyways, once I woke up, finally, this morning, I had a dull, tight, heavy feeling in the left side of my head, towards the base of my skull. It also throbs when I strain. I took my migraine pills for it but it has done little for it. What helped me the most was an ice pack on that side of my neck.

Waking up with a headache is a common thing. It can be do to the position of your neck at night, nightmares or stress. Monthly cycles can contribute to it but most of the time, its just plain bad sleep. It can last several days. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about as its not an unusual symptom.

[Nevercalm]

Could it be the flu? I know there has been a flu going around my area - i had it and that was exactly the symptom achey neck and headache.

[MyMiddleNameisHypo]

Thank you JunoX.

Nevercalm, I do not believe it is the flu. I don't have a fever or any cold symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny nose.) Just a headache, fatigue and mild dizziness. I feel just "off" like I'm in a fog.

[Library girl]

I get terrible headaches when I am on the placebo pills of my birth control pack, and sometimes a few days after.  Apparently they are caused by hormone withdrawal.