Sharp Throbbing pain in the back of my head

[MsFitness215]

I may think it's an occipital headaches but I could be wrong. I am 31 years old female who loves to exercise to the extreme. I am very into fitness and as a matter of fact I'm considering joining a fitness competition next year. However, early last week I was under a lot of stress and confusion on my life since my company is moving to another city and I am considering to move to the city instead of commuting to the new place for at least 1 /12 hours drive vs. to a 30minutes ride on the train . I’ve also has some issues with my friends and perhaps its adding stress for my part.

So one day, as I was doing dips for my warm-up when suddenly I felt like someone had punched me on the left lower back of my head...sharp pain exist followed by a throb with a scalp pain. I couldn't concentrate nor focus to my workout. I ignore the headache and thought it will go a way because I wanted to lift weights on a heavy set. A throbbing pain followed right after I lift a 40lbs. dumbbells and made my workout messed up really bad. The throb went a way after I rested for 5-10minutes, so I thought it was just temporary pain I again tempted to lift heavy but the ache came back which causes me to stop my workout. The pain disappears after 20minutes. However, in the evening I couldn't sleep due to the pain. The pain occurred in 3 consecutive days and lasted for about 10minutes again this happens when I try to lift weights.

I do not understand why I feel such pain. I made my research but I'm not sure if my assumption is right on the dot. Base on my research and the pain that targeting my head is on the occipital lobe area- it does consists of jabbing pain in the distribution of the greater of lesser occipital nerve. Today, the pain shoots up to the left upper back of my head. I don't understand and it's not very pleasant feeling knowing that exercising is my passion to do yet the pain preventing me to concentrate and lift heavy than I usually do. Please help! I am going to see my physicians but I am thinking to see my Optometrist first to see how she can determine and give me knowledge if I'm referring is Occipital part of the head.

According to my other research on this study, standing for a long period of time can cause this headache and as well as being on the computer for long period of time. Well my profession is to seat all day in front of the computer, however since I don't like to seat around I stand in front of my computer and type. I'm not sure if this has something to do with it or I'm assuming it too much. Please help and let me know what will be the close study of my matter.

Thank you and have a great day!

[osirisz]

I am experiencing the same thing, I too sit at a computer and just started working out as well. I'm really freaked out by this, has anyone else had any suggestions?
Thanks

[taubebecker]

My husband was recently diagnosed with an AV fistula which is an abnormal connection between ann artery and a vein in his head.     He has stroke in his family so when he got the same type headache you describe, we kept going until we found a doctor who could help us.

You probably don't have this,  but I read alot of posts on this site while we were searching for the answer.  
He had migraines ( 1 or 2  a month) for years, but 4 mos ago he got bad, pounding headaches, felt and heard his pulse over his ear.  
He hears it at night when he tries to sleep.    
This sound is called a BRUIT (pronounced bru-wee)  which is NOT normal.  

He had bloodwork and mri's - all normal.    

He went through at least 5 docs.  1st neurologist diagnosed something called occipital neuralgia, and prescribed PT for his neck.
This may well be what you have.    The PT actually helps ---  when he holds his head a certain way, the pain lessens.    

This doctor never even put a stethoscope to his head. He would have heard the bruit.

The radiologist at the mri center told me said my husband should have an MRA (MRI of arteries) so our family doctor ordered it.  
This is a non-invasive, 15 min test...painless.   Came back normal according to the report.
We went to another neurologist who read the CD and FOUND the fistula.    He is surprised the radiologist did not see it on the films.  
We are now in the process of getting this fixed.  

Good luck to you.  Get it checked out.  I don't want to scare you but my husband is very very fit and healthy looking..  
Even very young, fit people can have vascular problems which can be corrected, so do not put off getting it checked out.   Read Ann's story:
http://www.brain-aneurysm.com/lifebap.html

[snofox]

What kind of doctor diagnosed the AV fistula?  My daughter is 40 and is having the same symptoms your husband and MsFitness215 are having.  She is also on a computer all day every day and has alot of stress rides train to work, four children and family problems.  

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

This could be a tension headache although tension headache is a dull pain and not a throbbing one.
Migraine characteristically causes throbbing headache. In some cases monosodium glutamate which is found in abundance in Chinese food also causes a throbbing headache. Bad posture like sitting for prolonged period like you mentioned in front of the computer also causes headache. What medications are you taking for the headache?
I would suggest you to schedule an appointment with a physician and undergo a complete physical examination.

[deputyrm]

i also have pain to the back right side of my head about 1 inch above and behind my ear.  flashes on and off every 30 seconds or so..could this be serious?

[jlopez426]

I just recently started having a sharp, throbbing pain by my occipital on the lower left side on the back of my head. I have noticed that in that same area it is a more swollen than on the right side. When I lift weights or something I feel more pressure on the spot and it throbs until my heart rate slows.... I shake my head & i feel the sharp pain really quick but then I keep shaking my head & i don't feel it anymore. It also hurts a little bit with certain neck & head movements. What can this be?

[skaterdude13]

I have throbbing pains in the back of my head and neck area.  I was mistook for migraines but these affect the sides of the head not necessarily the back.  The symptoms come from sitting in front of a computer with poor posture.  I work or I am at home in front of a computer or TV all day.  I found the headaches and my vision was affected from time to time because of this.  The combination will only accelerate with stress due to fluctuations in blood pressure.  It is impossible to really quell without limiting bad habits.  Pain pills will work with minimal effect on such a horrible pain.  I have never gone to doctor but have reasonably deduced the cause since I had never had symptoms until taking a job with lots of hours and most in front of a computer screen.

[hurting09]

I just started having this sharp pain a couple of days ago. it feels like i'm being jabbed in the back of the head with a pen. The pain is consistent and is not really going away. It only seems to stop when i eat a meal. I'm not over weight or anything, but thats the only time it seems to stop. I just want to no if it's normal or should I have it looked at. I'm a 19 yr old female.

[blue504]

this happens to me when i mop or scrub the floor. besides that  i never have the problem. when i rest it goes away in minutes.

[Timothyttz]

im a 19/M recently i also felt this kind of pain at the left back of the head. and sometimes difficulty or pain in turning my head. I have been working out for almost 3-4 years now, recently less im not overweight nor too skinny. the stabbing pain could last for the whole day and stop for an hour or so before returning.

pls help

[MrSurfer]

           The exact thing happened to me.  I was doing push ups and I pushed myself too hard and I pulled one of the two muscles in the back of my neck.  I couldn't work out for a week and 1/2 or else the pain would come back whenever it felt tension.  REST for about 2 weeks.  (I know that's a lot because I too am involved in fitness).  But I'm almost positive it'll go away.

[Borzoi]

I am 19 years old and having the same sharp, severe pains in the back of my head as well. Sometimes they are as some of you described, feeling as if someone is jabbing a pen in my head and sometimes it's just severe pressure that throbs and aches. It's mainly at the back of my head, but sometimes behind my ears or on the crown.

I'm not sure, but I think I started getting these pains when I got my laptop. I've always laid down on the bed on my stomach (like now....tsk tsk tsk) when working on my laptop and I think the position of my neck and shoulders is messing up the back of my head. I've been dealing with these pains for about 2 years now....and 2 years ago I got my lap top. I also do digital art on the desktop computer and sit for hours in slouched positions and neck hanging ways when drawing....

My worst fear is tumors....

[Buskieboy]

I too get this wicked headache.  Right in the back of my head near the base.  It ONLY happens in the morning when I walk to the car.  I am diabetic and overweight and have trouble walking. I also have a twitchy lower back and it gets VERY sore and tired.  I've noticed that while walking to the car I tend to hold my breath or at least breathe rather shallowly.  As soon as I sit down and try to catch my breath, the headache comes up my shoulders and POUNDS horribly in the base of my head.  I put my head back and grit my teeth and wait for either it to end or the deadly stroke I'm sure must be coming. :P
After 20-30 seconds the pain subsides and I am quite normal (to me haha) with NO residual effects whatsoever.  It is the ONLY time I experience this.  I think like most of us here, it is tension.  Mine caused by my stiffening my neck and shoulders, combined with my lack of oxygen/breathing.  What do others think?  Does this describe anyone else's symptoms?