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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Cold and numb sensations in the brain?
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Cold and numb sensations in the brain?
by Ms.April, Feb 12, 2007 12:00AM
For years I have had pain in my temple, on the right side of my brain. I was diagnosed with "migranes", although no formal tests were done. I've since moved and am not under any treatment for the migranes. Whenever I experience the pain I dull it with OTC meds such as advil, tylenol etc. It doesn't go away completely but it helps.
Here's the thing...last night I woke up because the same part of my head felt cold. I've never experienced anything like it. It's not like a brain freeze, but more like the feeling you get when a limb falls asleep. My brain (not my head - it felt like it was in my brain) felt extremely cold. So much so that it woke me up. The rest of me felt pretty warm, as I tend to be hot when I sleep.
This morning the pain was again present. I took some OTC meds, and while the pain is gone the "cold" sensation in that area is again present, along with a numb sensation. It feels as if someone has injected this side of my brain with novocain!
Should I be concerned? I find it strange that it's occuring in the same part of my head that usually suffers tremendous pain from these so-called Migranes.
Can someone give me some insight? Oh and I do plan to see a doctor, but I guess in the meantime I'm curious to find someone who knows what I am going through.
Ms.April in Maryland
Here's the thing...last night I woke up because the same part of my head felt cold. I've never experienced anything like it. It's not like a brain freeze, but more like the feeling you get when a limb falls asleep. My brain (not my head - it felt like it was in my brain) felt extremely cold. So much so that it woke me up. The rest of me felt pretty warm, as I tend to be hot when I sleep.
This morning the pain was again present. I took some OTC meds, and while the pain is gone the "cold" sensation in that area is again present, along with a numb sensation. It feels as if someone has injected this side of my brain with novocain!
Should I be concerned? I find it strange that it's occuring in the same part of my head that usually suffers tremendous pain from these so-called Migranes.
Can someone give me some insight? Oh and I do plan to see a doctor, but I guess in the meantime I'm curious to find someone who knows what I am going through.
Ms.April in Maryland
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Feb 20, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms and story that you provide is consistent with migraine headaches. However, there is no 'test' for migraines, thus much of the workup is to exclude other things that your symptoms may represents (such as tumor, vascular malformation, etc). For this reason I would suggest an MRI of your brain (with and without contrast) to evaluate for any alternative cause. It is not uncommon for patients with migraine to report odd sensory complaints before, during or even after their headaches. It does not sound like the OTC medications are working for you, and I would recommend stopping them. OTC medication if taken more than 2 times (yes only 2 times) a week can cause rebound headaches (which are very hard to treat). I would suggest that you start a migraine preventative medication, such as elavil, topamax, nadolol, etc. (daily) to stop your headaches form occuring (works in 2-3 weeks). I would also suggest that you see your neurologist about possibly starting a triptan, which can abort your headache (should be started after the MRI is done).
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms and story that you provide is consistent with migraine headaches. However, there is no 'test' for migraines, thus much of the workup is to exclude other things that your symptoms may represents (such as tumor, vascular malformation, etc). For this reason I would suggest an MRI of your brain (with and without contrast) to evaluate for any alternative cause. It is not uncommon for patients with migraine to report odd sensory complaints before, during or even after their headaches. It does not sound like the OTC medications are working for you, and I would recommend stopping them. OTC medication if taken more than 2 times (yes only 2 times) a week can cause rebound headaches (which are very hard to treat). I would suggest that you start a migraine preventative medication, such as elavil, topamax, nadolol, etc. (daily) to stop your headaches form occuring (works in 2-3 weeks). I would also suggest that you see your neurologist about possibly starting a triptan, which can abort your headache (should be started after the MRI is done).
I hope this has been helpful.
I've had migraines,... and so has a friend of mine. I had bit my cheek really badly a few days before,... and mentioned it to my friend. My friend said that the back of the cheek area was part of the same nerve signals to do with Migraines,.. that it could trigger a migraine. This was interesting as I had a mild migraine feeling the day after the cheek incident. Maybe your sinus area, cheek, or teeth are involved with this cold sensation.
Anyway, just some ramblings.