Sharp pains on left side of head

Question

For about a month  I have been getting really sharp jabs or pains on the left side of my head and behind the left eye. They last for about 1-2 min. and then go away. I get maybe 10-15 a day and they are excruciating. They feel like someone is jabbing a knife in my head, then the pain goes to burning then it goes away.  On top of the pains I get very dizzy every time I stand up.  When I do stand up my vision slowly turns completely black until I stand there for a moment and then it fades back. It's almost like my vision is fading in and out. I don't completely black out just my vision does and it only lasts for about 5-10 seconds and then I am fine. No matter if I stand up slowly or fast. What could be wrong? I have an appointment with a Neuro Opthamologist but they keep pushing my appointment back and I am getting really nervous about what this could be! The pains are getting worse and are now starting to keep me from playing with my daughter and are keeping me up all night. I'm also extremely tired. More so then usual. As soon as I get a sharp pain I can barely keep my eyes open. It's almost like I am passing out but I don't. What could this be?

VanessaMD · Answer

Hi,

Do keep us posted for anything.It seems that your eye condition may be contributing to your problems.

In your case, glaucoma may be likely as well as optic neuritis or inflammation of the optic nerve. These are still differentials and your consult with an eye specialist may be able to enlighten you more on this.

Melia1112 · Answer

No nasal discharge or eye tearing. Unfortunately the headaches are getting much worse and so is the dizziness. I actually passed out at work the other day and my vision did not come back for at least 10 min. I have an appointment with a Neuro-Ophthalmologist on Tuesday the 8th. I've had eye exams and I have failed my visual field tests twice and I am also G-Suspect. My left optic nerve keeps growing yet I don't have Glaucoma. My eye doctor was so baffled that she recommended that I see a specialist. The headaches start behind the eye, go to my temple, then to the back of my head. There are times I just want to scream the pain is so bad. I now get dizzy during normal activities and the headaches get worse. Brushing my teeth and brushing my hair don't bother me. Only when I have the pains do I have the headaches. I was diagnosed with having migraines when I was 10. These pains are so bad I much rather have a migraine instead. Thank you so much for responding and for your advice. I hope the doctor I meet with on Tuesday agrees with what you said and hopefully it's nothing major.

VanessaMD · Answer

Hi,

Sharp stabbing pains of short duration may be a cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, a trigeminal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia and migraine headaches with aura.

Cluster headaches and paroxysmal hemicrania may present with severe short stabbing pain almost like "ice pick" pains that may involve the eye.Is there any associated eye redness,eye tearing or nasal disharge with your condition?  The pain of trigeminal neuralgia usually involves the temples and the face.Slight touch and certain activities like brushing the teeth or combing the hair may cause extreme pain.Occipital neuralgia refers to pain at the back of the head. All these other conditions need to be ruled out before a migraine headache is given as a diagnosis.

An eye examination as well as assessment of the sinuses will be able to help rule out involvement of these structures.

lynn1973 · Answer

It sounds kind of like what my daughter has been experiencing but she gets nauseated after the pain also, and has only had her vision affected sometimes and not completely black. She also would get really tired, but hers got to be 2-3 times a day usually at the most. do you ever get nausea?