KelMCC

This is my first post to this forum.

I am a 46 year old male.

I have a headache with the following symptoms:

Tenderness to the touch on on the scalp at the top of head and down both sides behind the ears.
Stiffness of neck.
Acute pain at the base of the skull aggravated by swallowing.
(Some temporary relief can be achieved by firmly squeezing the neck directly below the skull between thumb and forefinger).
Slight discomfort in temples. (Some relief with light massage)
No reaction to pressure on any of the sinuses.
Constant thirst.
Slightly sore throat (probably due to becoming exhausted).
Very low grade feeling of nausea.

History:
Day 1: The pain began in the intercostal spaces of the rear lower ribs and felt muscular in origin. This was painful enough to prevent me sleeping as I was unable to find a comfortable position in which to lay.
Day 2: The pain moved upwards to the intercostal spaces between and directly below the shoulder blades and gradually became a stiff neck with some pain (4/10) at the base of the skull. Later the pain in the back disappeared and the pain in the neck intensified (6/10). For some reason I felt as though I suffering some toxic reaction to something although I have not been exposed to anything toxic that I can think of.
Day3: Right now - 2:30 AM and unable to sleep owing to pain in neck.

Medication:
I have been taking Citalopram 20mg for about 4 months to good effect. A recent family event triggered a deeper depression and my doctor upped the dose to 40mg 1 week ago.

What do I think may be going on?
1. I may have unwittingly injured myself. I feel that this is unlikely although I did fetch and carry about 30 gallons of water to top out the tropical fish tank three days ago.
2. I have come into contact with a bacterium, virus, or toxin.
3. (My favoured thought). The increase in Citalopram is probably just kicking in and having a negative physiological effect.

I would very much appreciate any comment (qualified or not).

Thank you.

Regards,

Kel