Pain/Headaches Behind Eye
Users on Reddit have reported a variety of experiences with headaches and pain behind the eye while on GLP-1 medications. Some users experience headaches as a side effect, particularly when starting the medication or with certain dosages, while others report a reduction in pre-existing migraines or headaches.
Experiences with Pain/Headaches Behind Eye:
Another user mentioned, "In the first month or so I experienced severe nausea and headaches in the days leading up to my next dosage. "[2]
A user with fibromyalgia reported that "the terrible headache/migraine for the first day or two after the shot" was one of the worst side effects, making them feel like they had the flu. [4]
Another user with fibromyalgia and on Ozempic stated, "I get a migraine on injection day. "[5]
Some users with PCOS also reported headaches. One mentioned, "I’m 99% certain that my issue with headaches has been linked to my blood sugar... I’ve not had any blood sugar headaches since I started the meds in Jan. "[1]
Conversely, some users find their headaches worsen. One user stated, "Unfortunately mine are more frequent while on it"[7] and another said, "I’ve heard other people say the same thing but I have chronic migraines and any GLP1 I’ve been on has made them worse and more frequent. Mounjaro has been the least bad of all of them but the 24-48 hours after my injection are usually pretty bad. "[14]
A user noted, "I did get a headache at the start of taking the medication in the beginning though until I learned that I needed to load up on electrolytes just like I would during a migraine. "[6]
One user mentioned that GLP-1s are being explored for IIH (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension), but for them, Zepbound "never helped my headaches. In my IIH groups it’s very hit or miss if it helps peoples headaches/migraines and for some people the meds actually worsen headaches. "[10]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
"I did get a headache at the start of taking the medication in the beginning though until I learned that I needed to load up on electrolytes just like I would during a migraine. "[6]
"I personally struggled with headaches early, so water with electrolytes near shot day helped me a lot. Now I have them every day, and I feel much better with much better energy for it. "[11]
A user with fibromyalgia who experienced headaches and other amplified symptoms was advised to "Keep up on electrolytes. "[13]
Another user mentioned, "I’ve definitely noticed that drinking water with electrolytes helps curb nausea and dehydration on Wegovy. "[12] While this comment focuses on nausea and dehydration, electrolytes are often linked to headache prevention.
Hydration: Staying hydrated is frequently recommended.
"I personally struggled with headaches early, so water with electrolytes near shot day helped me a lot. "[11]
One user emphasized the importance of hydration to avoid dehydration headaches, stating, "For the first time in my life I have to remind myself to drink water or I end up with dehydration headaches. "[9]
Managing Blood Sugar: For some, headaches were linked to blood sugar fluctuations prior to GLP-1s, and the medication helped alleviate this. One user stated, "I’ve not had any blood sugar headaches since I started the meds in Jan. "[1]
Medication Adjustment:
One user whose migraines became worse and more frequent on GLP-1s mentioned, "I’m actually going down a dosage because they’ve been so bad on my current dose. "[14]
Existing Migraine Treatments: One user who found relief from migraines and eye pain on Wegovy still had their usual migraine toolkit: "I’ve been taking sumatriptan since I was 20 off and on and have other things in my migraine toolbox like electrolytes and TheraSpecs. "[3]
It's important to note that experiences vary widely, with some users finding relief from headaches and eye pain, while for others, these symptoms are new or worsened side effects. Some users also report vision issues more broadly, such as blurriness or concerns about NAION (Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy), although direct links to pain behind the eye are not always specified in these comments.
Experiences with Pain/Headaches Behind Eye:
- One user on Wegovy described waking up the day after their first shot without "the excruciating stabbing pain in my left eye absent, and no unilateral head pain.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Electrolytes: Several users found electrolytes helpful.
It's important to note that experiences vary widely, with some users finding relief from headaches and eye pain, while for others, these symptoms are new or worsened side effects. Some users also report vision issues more broadly, such as blurriness or concerns about NAION (Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy), although direct links to pain behind the eye are not always specified in these comments.