Should I take Panadol for my headache? And is a tens machine a good investment to get my blood circulating in my leg?

Hi Garry,

Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately we can’t advise on medications and suggest you speak to your GP about your headaches. They have your full medical history and list of medications and can inform you of the best treatment and if any further investigations are needed, particularly if the headaches are new or persistent.

Regarding a TENS machine, these are commonly used to manage pain. Functional electrical stimulation (FES), often referred to as e-stim might be worth exploring if you have weakness or difficulty actively moving particularly muscles in the leg. Getting the muscles pumping and moving regularly will help blood flow in your legs. You can read more about e-stim here. It is best to speak to your physiotherapist about whether this treatment would be an appropriate option for you to explore. If you aren’t seeing a physiotherapist currently, ask your GP to write up a chronic disease management plan and re-refer you to one who specialises in stroke.

Don’t hesitate to call us on StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 if you’d like to speak further about rehabilitation and treatment options. Have a chat to your GP or pharmacist about medication for your headache. If you’re experiencing any signs of stroke, which can include a severe headache or unexplained pattern of headaches call 000.

Please note that StrokeLine will close from 1pm today and reopen on Wednesday 2 January at 9am (AEDST).

Best wishes with your ongoing recovery,

Simone (StrokeLine)