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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Head pain - need diagnosis
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Head pain - need diagnosis
by bspad, Jun 21, 2004 12:00AM
Suddenly in Sept. 2000, on the left side of my head, I felt a pain that bounced around to different areas. The bouncing lasted one day, but the pain localized to a spot about 2 inches above the back part of the ear. The next day, I had transient, very excruciating jabs of pain shooting from the area above the ear forward to the hairline (never hit the face). These lasted for about 3-5 seconds each and occurred about 5 times total. I never had those jabs again. The left cheek was slightly numb for about 1 week. The pain has been with me constantly, every minute I am awake. I had no head trauma or illness prior to this. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst, the pain is mainly in the range of 4-7.
In October 2000, an MRI with and without dye and a CT without dye were negative; neuro exams were normal. During the 1st 2 yrs., I was given muscle relaxants, Tegretol, Effexor XR (came off both in a week because of reactions), 3 days of Prednisone. Sed rate normal. Recently given Indocin. Nothing helps,including OTC medication.
The pain is a strong ache – like someone punched me and the fist is still there; often feels like something is gripping from inside. The scalp in that area is tender to the touch and, if rubbed, the pain will increase for awhile; slouching while sitting up will increase the pain. Right now, my main concern is that I have no diagnosis. Would it be prudent to have another MRI since it is almost 4 years since the last one? Would Would an aneurysm or temporal arteritis present like this? Thank you for your time & help.
In October 2000, an MRI with and without dye and a CT without dye were negative; neuro exams were normal. During the 1st 2 yrs., I was given muscle relaxants, Tegretol, Effexor XR (came off both in a week because of reactions), 3 days of Prednisone. Sed rate normal. Recently given Indocin. Nothing helps,including OTC medication.
The pain is a strong ache – like someone punched me and the fist is still there; often feels like something is gripping from inside. The scalp in that area is tender to the touch and, if rubbed, the pain will increase for awhile; slouching while sitting up will increase the pain. Right now, my main concern is that I have no diagnosis. Would it be prudent to have another MRI since it is almost 4 years since the last one? Would Would an aneurysm or temporal arteritis present like this? Thank you for your time & help.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jun 27, 2004 12:00AM
This is not a presentation for an aneurysm, and the normal sed rate excludes temporal arteritis. I would recommend having this re-evaluated, but at a center which specializes in headaches. We have a wonderful center at the Cleveland Clinic if you are in the area. A repear MRI may be performed depending on what the physician finds. Good luck.
I have posted elsewhere about this. Since the end of March I and my GP have been searching for answers to similar pain in my head, and I finally went to my Neurologist, ( I also have MS and don't like to bother him with everything I get),and he dx'd me with Occipital Neuralgia by pressing on the two small bumps on the back of my head, which sent me through the roof.
I am not trying to dx you, I am just asking if you have been to a neuro or had that suggestion made to you. Hope that helps.
None of the medications helped me either, or I had reactions to the ones that slightly helped, but when my neuro shout steroids into the Occipital nerves a few weeks ago, I got three days of blissful relief, the first since the end of March! Good luck to you. Bright Feather
Have u ever been checked for tempormandibular joint disorder (TMJ)? TMJ is the joint connecting your jaws to ur skull and can cause head pains.
Pan
bspad