Possible tension headache/pulsating in temple

[Dave_222000]

I have what seems to be a two-fold problem that I have a feeling is likely connected. I have a constant pulsating feeling in both sides of my head near my ears and temples. I also have, in the right temple, what seems to be tension headaches every day. I've been to many doctors and many methods with no relief for 3 months. I am not sure if the pulsating feelings are connected to the headache, but it seems odd that they both came on at the same time. Also, to clarify, the pulsating seems to be coming very superficially from the veins. It is not something that I am just imagining or hearing because I can clearly feel it and so can others. It is also is not something that comes and goes, but it rather varies in intensity and is always there at some level. This could mean that i can feel it clearly without even touching it, or I might have to apply a good amount of pressure to feel it. Before I had the headaches I was in the peak of my spring semester academically and was also pushing the intensity athletically with heavy weightlifting (which I have learned is not good to do at my age) and also with running track and preparing for the state meet. I just really cannot find enough information about this and am wondering what could have possibly caused it, and more importantly, what might help relieve it. Also, I've been to an ENT, TMJ specialist, ophthalmologist, neurologist, and even had a MRI of my whole head and it all came up clean in terms of anything that is wrong and could be causing the headaches and/or pulsating. I'm currently trying something in both acupuncture which is more for the nervous system, and dry needling which focuses on hitting the trigger points in the muscle of certain areas in my upper trap, neck, and temple. So far i haven't noticed much results other than feeling better the rest of the day following the dry needling. However, I have only been doing this for one week so it may not be enough time to tell. Any information, experiences, or insight would be so much appreciated as this is a major problem that I hope to clear up before my schooling resumes in the fall.

[Dave_222000]

Thank you. This helped a lot, and now its time to search for these triggers in my life.

[AKC_75]

The electrolytes show up in common blood work so, if those results are normal then that is not what your problem is.

Yes, anxiety can be over the smallest irritation. And it can even be something like you just don't feel well...not really sick but just feel blah, that can be a trigger. Certain foods can be a trigger, lack of sleep can be a trigger. Hunger can be a trigger. There are literally thousands of different triggers and it doesn't have to be the same trigger each time. Unfortunately this is where you just have to do some investigating. Some ppl suggest keeping a journal of what you eat and what you are doing right before an attack hits. It might help you connect the dots.

[Dave_222000]

Thank you very much for the prompt response. I forgot to mention that I did have blood work taken, and it showed up normal. As far as the anxiety attacks, that doesn't seem very probable to me. However, I have checked off almost all the other possible triggers so that makes me think that maybe you are right. Could day-to-day minor stressors such as an argument with someone be contributing to this, or is it more likely that this is the lasting effect of mentally and physically exhausting myself and my adrenaline over such a long period of time? And also, is there a way to identify when an anxiety attack is setting in?

You also mentioned electrolytes. Would an electrolyte imbalance show up in the blood tests, or is this something that I might need to involve my own personal investigation into? As this issue has consistently affected me for a period of 3 months, it makes me feel like there must be some sort of imbalance or deficiency in my body that is causing this.

I asked quite a few questions and I do not expect every one to be answered, but any information that can be provided by you or anyone else on this community is greatly appreciated!

[AKC_75]

Hi and welcome to the Migraines & Headaches Community.

Well, even before I read your second post, I was going to say it sounds like an anxiety attack. Not all anxiety attacks occur because you are upset. In fact, the only time I get an anxiety attack is when I feel good. If I am sick, have a migraine, am upset, mad, etc etc then I am perfectly fine. When nothing hurts and I am happy, I get an anxiety attack.

My Dr. said there are 2 kinds of anxiety attacks. One, where you have an attack during a crisis. And one where you have an anxiety attack after the crisis. I am using the word crisis in the very loose way because again it doesn't have to be an actual emergency crisis. Basically it is your body looking for the adrenaline that it had during the crisis and it is now gone and so, your body doesn't know how to react and it is looking for that adrenaline and can't find it. Adrenaline that say, your body is using during sports maybe. Some sort of physical activity.


My other thought is that your electrolytes are out of whack. You said you have done MRIs and such but you never mentioned doing any blood work. When my mom was doing chemo treatments and her hemoglobin would go to low she would get the same symptoms you are describing. Also, there has been a couple of times that my potassium was to low and I had the same symptoms.

Please keep us posted on what you find out.

[Dave_222000]

Also, let me add that I am only 15 years old, and while I had a rather large amount of stress, mostly physical, when the headaches started, I have had a very much stress free summer. I have no anxiety or any emotional instability. Just a happy kid who's desperate to find some relief from the relentless headaches.