I'm not certain what's causing this but the last 4 weeks or so waking up in the morning has NOT been fun. I seem to have an instant headache which goes away about half an hour after I get out of bed. The feeling is similar to that of a hangover... but without all the fun the night before.

I drink plenty of water (10+ cups a day, usually) and really haven't had this happen before.

I'm wondering if it could be sinus related since I do have bad sinuses and those do feel "icky" when I wake up but the headache is in the BACK of my head.

Was wondering if it could be related to something I'm eating and just not aware of it. Anyone out there experience something similar and know what it is so I can go back to being the overly chipper person who bounces out of bed in the morning?

How is your sugar/carb intake the night before?

Jay

Hi there,

I can't be of much help in terms of specifics, but I had the "hangover" feeling for the first couple weeks of calorie counting. Personally, I think it was because I was drinking less caffeine and taking in fewer carbs (not counting carbs, but naturally through eating healthier). It's no longer an issue for me, but it was pretty horrible at first. Hang in there! Maybe someone else has more specific info.


P

My sugar/cab intake varies pretty widely day by day. I don't count them. But I know I had a fairly low-carb dinner a few nights ago and still woke up with a headache the next day.

Are you using artificial sweetner more than normal--in coffee, diet drinks, food preparation, etc.

I was thinking that too thighs, if you aren't used to artificial sweeteners for some people they can cause problems.

They don't effect me but if my DH has things with aspartame in them too much he gets horrible hangover like headaches.

I've been waking up with sinus/allergy issues for the last month or so. The Midwest weather is killing my head this year, so it could just be that if you don't find a food/diet cause.

Carbs in the cereals, breads, pasta, grains, rice, etc category do that to me. Headache and stiff painful neck from tight muscles. I just avoid them now, and get my fiber from veggies, and that solved it for me. Might not be the cause for you, but if you don't find another solution, you might give it a test drive.

How many calories are you averaging per day?

Jay

I'm averaging 1600-1800 calories per day.

I'm not using any more/less artificial sweetener than normal.

And it could be my sinuses but the headache then isn't usually in the back of my head like it is when I wake up. I just don't know. I've been trying to figure it out for a while now. I've not thought about carbs but I certainly had no problem back when I did Atkins and I'd go on a weekend carb bender, but then again... I definitely didn't eat as healthy back then AND... well I was a good 4 years younger haha.

Well, I'm out of ideas! If it persists, you should see your doctor about it!

Jay

Definitely sounds like food probably isnt the culprit and its something you need to see your doctor about, even if just to set your mind at ease.

Haha, I'm stupidly relieved it's likely medical and not food-related. I don't need any food complications. What a mentality!

I also doubt it's food related. Is it possible you're grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw in your sleep? Keep us posted!

Have you been feeling depressed or stressed lately? Sometimes I don't even realize how stressed out I am until I'm out of the situation and it's like all my muscles can finally relax and I feel a huge sense of relief. Sometimes it's even depressing or anxiety-causing to start a new lifestyle and eat better- just because you have to admit that what you've been doing isn't working, or that it feels overwhelming. I've often underestimated the ability of psychosomatic problems to manifest themselves in very real, physical ways.