Strange headache

[SparkyIreland]

Hi there



I am not great at explaining myself sometimes but I will try my best, I have had many different problems this last 2 years or so but this is the latest, anyway.

This last while on the left side of my head I have been getting what I can only describe as a pulse type headache that only lasts a split second or so and will come and go at any time of the day, not very painful but worrying which then causes me stress, anxiety etc.
Anyway every time I have got this pulse I have always anticipated it suddenly getting worse, and as an anxiety sufferer the usual fear of aneurysm, stroke etc with every episode. Today though it did get worse and there was a slow like striking pain in the exact area as the pulse lasting 5 seconds or so, the colour in my face drained completely as I really did think I was going to collapse.

The pain was not terrible and completely different than your normal type headache, as I could point to exactly where the pain was and feel it travel, rather than just a pain being spread all over the head.

Any ideas on what this could be?

I do fear aneurysm as I had a family member die of this, although I am only 26, and also had an MRI scan roughly 6 months ago (Normal)

Thanks very much

[SparkyIreland]

Just an update, my left temple is quite painful to touch in a cetain place (Possible vein), and I now wonder if the left sided pulse headache is a result of this. Is it possible I am just confusing the location of pain.

Its just by pure chance that I found this, anytime now I feel the pulse like feeling coming I presss my temple and it seems to go away, this could be pure coincidence though.

Would sinus infection cause temple pain?

[SparkyIreland]

Hi there, thanks for the replies I really appreciate it.

I will go into a little more detail, unfortunately it is long and boring so grab yerself a coffee :) Or a vodka which unfortunately would be my choice.

I have been having constant headaches for roughly 2 years, constantly dull and there almost all the time, when I wake etc.
I will get breaks from this now and again though, maybe a week at a time then back to normal, the pulse like pain is separate and completely different than the dull headache but the two have become good friends it seems as they like to hang around together :)

Lucky enough I have good private health care and decided to use it,I asked my Doctor for a referral to a specialist.

At my first meeting with the neurologist he was convinced that it was a form of migraine that just wasn't coming to a head, at the time though I dont think I mentioned the pulse like headache as I think it came shortly after.

So he put me on half inderal 80mg beta blocker and aspirin, which actually worked in calming me down rather than removing the headache. The combination definitely helped but didn't take away the headache completely.

I returned to him a few months later and told him that im still not feeling well so he put me on Amitriptyline which im afraid done nothing for me, he suggested doubling the dosage of Amitriptyline which if anything made me worse, especially the pulsating headache. This left him a little puzzled, even my own Doctor was surprised that the Amitriptyline made my headache worse.

On my third return he said it was time for an MRI, the results came back normal.

In between times I have had no choice but to stop looking for answers and continue with my life, I work almost everyday and have a 1 year old so I really havent had time to get to the bottom of this.

So anyway recently my mum said to me about this possibly being sinus related as I was bad with this when I was younger and she too has sinusitis. As my nose is constantly blocked, and as the headache worsens while bending down etc this seemed to make sense.

So anyway I went back to my good old original doctor and told him about the possible sinus problems, he too thought it was more than possible and has referred me on to a ENT Doctor, which hopefully If I get a break from work and see in the next week or so.

And now for a full list of my symptoms, some might in no way be related to the headache  but I will list them anyway :


Constant Dull headache all over head, pressure like.

Pulsating type headache that lasts only a few seconds at a time and causes great anxiety. (Always in the same location left side of head on the top)

Striking pain in the exact spot of the pulsating headache lasting only a few seconds (Only once)

Anxiety, and the stress that comes with it. My anxiety is particularly at its worst when I feel  this pulse in my head, I constantly worry that I am moments away from instant death, much more so with the striking pain. I constantly worry about this left side of my head where the pulse comes from, and even dream off dying  because of something to do with that particular location.

Constantly blocked nostrils, always dry and never running but constantly blocked, one is always worse than the other but this changes throughout the day.

Constantly tired

Occasional ear pain, high pitched buzzing on occasions.

And a weird one regarding my hearing, if I lie on my front to watch tv on the bed for example I feel quite a lot of pressure in my head and on occasions I have had gaps or pauses in my hearing, its easier to notice while watching football games listening to crowd noise.

Constant general feeling of unwell, I cant remember the last day I woke up and said yes I feel good. I just dont feel good, on many a day my mother has seen me an commented on me being a bad colour.


Bad heart burn at times and general stomach problems


Known allergies :

Cats, dogs etc, I have two cats at home, although I rarely am in contact with them.

Dust, dust can make me feel ill, if I am rolling around or playing on the carpet with my one year old I can feel ill because of the dust, but not on all occasions.


WAKE UP!! Im not finished lol

Ok sorry for the long post, I have covered most things (I think)

I really look forward to your replies and again thanks, I really appreciate you taking the time to help :)

[LifesAHeadache]

Hi Sparky,
I love your name here.  Anyway, let's break this down just for your own comfort.  Did a neurologist order the MRI you had 6 months ago?  If so, its time to go back and explain your symptoms.  Start a small journal right now.  When you get the pain, what you were doing right before, what you are doing when you get it, all the symptoms when it happens.  Now the color in your face and the collapsing could be from the headache or could be an anxiety attack from your worry.  I have anxiety too so I completly get it.  I worry I'm always dying of something.
THE ODDS OF YOU HAVING AN ANEURYSM AND DYING AT 26 ARE LOW.  But take control now, go to webMD and find a good list of stroke factors and start eliminating them now.  Also, go to your GP and tell him/her you don't want to die the way your relative did.  He/she will give you the go ahead to start an excercise program.  Ask about vitamins you can take.  BTW:  B Complex will help with the stress from the anxiety.  Check your blood pressure when you are at the store. Keep track of that.  Have you had it checked?  Is it high?  By doing all of this, when that headache hits you'll know you are in control of your body.  And BTW:  I have extremely bad migraines and an unexplainable headache that is still not completely diagnosed.  I've fainted, had to dive to the floor because the pain was so bad, I could feel the unconsciousness coming on.  My blood pressure has hit the roof several times.  Pain that has been so bad it radiates to my chest.  I'm still here - no stroke.  The body can take a huge amount of abuse.  You are going to be just fine but take control now.  Get to that neurologist and when the anxiety gets bad after an attack, post here with symptoms.  It can ease your mind for a while.  Take Care and let us know what happens.

[noops01]

Hi,
I think you will have to elaborate your symptoms. Are there any accompanying symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, nausea, light sensitivity, redness and tearing of eye? What other problems do you have? Because it is possible they may have a bearing on your pain. From your symptoms i think probabaly it could be neuralgia or icepick headache. Please consult a neurologist as you may have to undergo a complete neurological examination.Take care!