Sharp stabbing pain in the top of my head

Hi all,

On Sunday afternoon I was subjected to very cold weather for about 3-4 hours, my hands were exposed and after a couple of hours sitting still they and my feet felt like they were about to fall off they were so cold! I was soon up and walking again, and eventually warmed up.

However ever since then, I've had a sharp stabbing pain in the top/left side of my head every so often. It felt like it was going away yesterday as I hadn't experienced it for a few hours, but eventually the pain returned. Taking Tylenol or Motrim does nothing.

When the pain hasn't shown up for a couple of minutes, touching the part of my head where it would originate seems to release it and it hurts. Then touching it again a few seconds later I feel nothing.

Can anyone help? I thought it would have disappeared by now but apparently not. No other symptoms that I can think of. Not really had a history of migraine type headaches, bar a couple a year or something rare like that.

Thanks hope someone can help

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you?  Changes in weather may indeed trigger migraine headaches which are one sided-type of headaches. Try to rest, apply ice packs and if your present medications do not work, stronger or prescription medications such as ergotamine, 5-HT agonists; and analgesics or medications which constrict the blood vessels. If it persists, have this checked by your doctor for proper management. Try to avoid exposure to cold to prevent recurrences. Take care and do keep us posted.

[qwerty5]

Hi Rowena, thanks for getting back to me.

After a couple of days, the stabbing pain in my head has more or less disappeared. I felt it a couple of times yesterday, and even then it was fairly mild, as opposed to 100+ times the previous couple of days. My head does still feel a bit sore today though, and I've got a more general slight headache. The left side of my head feels a little clogged up, near my ear, but it's nothing too serious. So hopefully a couple more days and touch wood it'll be clear. I was wondering if you could tell me what sort of headache this sounds like? What the medical term is I mean?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
It is good to know that you are feeling better. Commonly associated with migraine headaches are primary stabbing headaches or ice pick headaches. The International Headache Society describes this as pain is confined to the head, the pain is stabbing or jarring and the headaches recur erratically from once a day to the extreme of more than 50 times per day. When migraines and this headache occur simultaneously, most people experience the stabbing pain on the same side of the head. If it persists, have this checked for proper management. Best regards.