Sharp, intermittent head pain

[maddys]

I've am experiencing sharp pain on the top of my head.  The pain is intermittent and feels like a one or two second sharp strike -- and always in the same spot.  It hurts to touch my hair in that area due to tenderness and I flinch when it "strikes." .  Usually lasts a couple of days.  Then it will recur perhaps 3 to 6 months from now.  Next time it occurs it will be in another location,but seems to always be at or near the top of my head.  Sometimes I also feel the pain radiate from my ear (left ear this time) to the top of my head to the same spot -- as though there is one little nerve that is throbing.   Please advise.

[jcverive]

There is a nerve - the occipital nerve - that may be responsible for your pain. My occipital neuralgia started just like yours, with sharp jabs of pain near the center of the top of my head.  Even puffs of air would trigger these "lightning bolt" headaches, which eventually involved my eyes and ears, though the actual tender spots were along a line that ran from the top of my head to the bottom of my head on the back left side.

Beware that nerve injuries are often difficult to detect and treat successfully, and a large number of occipital neuralgia patients get misdiagnosed with dental problems or migraine headache variants.  If you seem to be getting nowhere with other doctors, consider visiting a reliable pain clinic, preferably one affiliated with a major teaching hospital. Pain physicians get the diagnoses right more frequently, especially for difficult nerve pain.

Best of luck.

[noops01]

Hi,
These headaches can be ice pick headaches which are sharp, shooting pain lasting for a few seconds and characteristically recur. Indomethacin which is an NSAID is very helpful in preventing icepick headache.Also as rightly mentioned this could be occipital neuralgia, these pains usually occur at the back of head and neck as these parts are innervated by greater and lesser occipital nerve but the pain can go upto the top of head even to the eyebrows.Please consult a pain specialist as occipital neuralgia is difficult to diagnose. Good luck!

[Solvaygirl1972]

I have been having an ache at the very top of my head for about 4 hours now. It feels as if someone pulled my hair very hard, or hit me with a mallet. I get migraines, usually radiating down the neck on the left side, but I've had this kind of pain before too. This is not a sharp pain, but more like a bruise. It makes my entire head ache, but the pain radiates from the tip top. Any idea what this might be?

[noops01]

Hi,

Do you have any other symptoms along with the headache, like dizziness, numbness etc?
Most likely the pain could be a tension headache due to excessive stress and anxiety. Please try OTC painkillers and see if they help.
Also get your blood pressure checked to rule out hypertension. Eat your meals on time to prevent hypoglycaemia, which can cause headache too.
I would also suggest you to schedule an appointment with a physician to undergo complete evaluation.

[heart2heart]

It sounds like either ice pick head aches or neuralgia. Ice pick head aches tend to occur more frequently in those with migraines. I've had ice pick headaches and they felt literally like a ice pick jab in the head, only lasts a few seconds but enough to almost knock you off your feet. Mine went away after a few...years.

[davehook_729]

Maddys, I am also having the exact pain you describe. My scalp is tender when i touch my hair, i have intermittent short bursts of pain and it is localized in the top back/side of my head and in my ear as if someone just held an air horn to it. It's a very uncomfortable feeling. I saw a doctor at day 3 and he said it may be a pinched nerve and to come back in a few days if it persisted and to take an anti-inflammatory (Advil) in the meantime. He wasn't sure what to tell me as he checked out my head, neck, eyes ears and throat and thought everything seemed normal.

[cherrys1]

My scalp is very tender as press on the spot where the pain seems to start it really hurts.  It's almost like someone's hit me.  The pain is sharp and fleeting and will at times go down next to my ear into my jaw behind my ear.  All is on my left side.  I have never had this before.  What could it be?  I have been through a very stressful time lately.  I have no other symptoms, even walked this morning with the pain coming about twice while walking for about 30 minutes.

[AmAnDa59]

i have been having some of the same symptoms.....About a month ago i started getting these horrible headaches.......After water skiing accident. I went to the doctors and he said i have cluster headaches. I would get one sided headaches...with shooting pain....numbness...and tingling sensations. I also have this constant burning sensation in the brigde of my nose. It feels like i have to sneeze all the time. Now my headache are at the back of my head. and almost feel like tension headaches....i have been to see 3 doctors...and 2 neuro's and they keep perscibing my Amitripolin. i have no idea what this is???Any suggestion???

[Dr_Smita_S]

Hi
Thanks for writing in.
It is difficult to comment on the cause for headache without actually examining the patient. Since you have a long history of headaches, you should consult a doctor for proper diagnosis. However you may find the following information useful.

There can be several causes for headaches like injury, stress, eye strain, withdrawal from caffeine; migraine, tension headaches and cluster headaches (which are not associated with any other diseases), ice pick headaches, high blood pressure, brain tumors, strokes, meningitis and several other neurological conditions.
From your description it seems it might be ice-pick or cluster headache. Ice pick headaches are sharp, split second pains which typically occur in top and the sides of the head. They are considered to be benign and are common in persons with a history of migraine. They are also difficult to describe as the duration is very short. These types of pain usually do not require any medication because the pain comes & goes very quickly.If pain extends down to your neck and shoulders, then it could be tension headache which is usually of longer duration, beginning gradually and then reaching a peak during the day. It is a dull pain with a dragging feeling at the back and sides of the head.
The exact diagnosis would depend on a detailed history with respect to the exact site, duration, time of the day, intensity, any associated symptoms like nausea, vomiting, visual loss, any neurological symptoms along with your past medical history. Various tests such as blood tests, CT scan, MRI or lumbar puncture are usually necessary to establish a diagnosis.

Take care

[Bonne]

Hi
I was invloved in an accident where I had a spinal fusion of 5+6- in July-  The doctore went through the front and put in a cadavor bone and fused it with a tititaum plate. I also  have to wear a bone stimulator for 9 months. Now I have Mt  Reback Syndrome-   adnormal electrical implues discharging from the spinal cord- had this for about 30 years.
Last week I went to a neuroligist for a nerve conductive study test on my right arm- my shoulder is stuck- bad cramping since the surgery on the right side of my neck. Since I had the nerve test on my right arm I have been experienceing these SHARP pains  ont eh top of my head- only lasting a few seconds but coming sevral times an hour.
Did the nerve test mess up my electrical system?

[Pam112251]

I have found relief from the majority of my migraines through acupuncture.  The most important thing is to find an excellent  acupuncturist - they are not all good.  If you can find a  really good one, I think there's a very good chance he/she could be very helpful in getting rid of your ice-pick headaches.  It is well worth they try.

[justmecvd]

This is the second day that I am having intermittent pain in the left side of my head, around my ear, and above. It has come in the middle of the night and seems to appear every 10 seconds or so. I still have it at 8 am and will take Advil or Tylenol. The first time it happened, Tylenol worked.It is a sharp pain that lasts for a couple seconds. Two nights in a row! Where'd this come from? Stress? I've had no injuries...

[paty152]

I have the same type of pain sharp, on my scalp exactly as described above. Usually the scalp pain leads to pain on my temples which eventually becomes very intense. I can't even wear my glasses at this point because it aggravates the pain due to feeling tight. I really think my "head" expands and that's why my glasses are tight on the side. Unfortunately I haven't been able to obtain a diagnosis since my family doctor does not understand. I have had scans, MRI's, xrays. Usually only antiinflamatories or a deep massage to my scalp and neck.