Stabbing "Ice Pick" Head Pain

[TeaLover79]

Does anyone diagnosed with MS get stabbing pains in one spot on your head that pokes like an ice pick every so often throughout the day for a few seconds at a time? I've had relapsing/remitting MS diagnosed since I was 33.  This was one of the first symptoms I had (before diagnosis) and had it for several days - when it stopped, my right arm went numb, although later cleared up in about 6 months.  I've had this pain very infrequently these past 18 years, but a few days ago it has come on full force so that I'm taking ibuprofen. Anyone found better treatments for this condition?

[TeaLover79]

I got the MRI results - have 2 new lesions on the right side of my brain - appear consistent with MS, dr says.
This probably explains my left knee weakness and the pain in my head! I hope both will get better as the lesions heal up - that's the prayer anyway. Typically for me that's anywhere from 6 weeks to a year. The Prednisone appears to be helping my ice pick head pain - now it's just a dull ache when the Tylenol starts to wear off - ahhh, much better!

[TeaLover79]

I saw the dr and had an MRI recently - don't know the results of the MRI yet, but after two days on one of those 6-day graduated treatments of prednisone, I already don't need as much Tylenol to keep the ice pick pains at bay. Praying this is the necessary treatment in this case & that it will help clear up whatever is irritating that nerve. Found out something -- in most cases, shouldn't take ibuprofen while on prednisone. The dr. said acetaminophen (Tylenol) is okay to take - at least in my situation.

[TeaLover79]

Thanks for your comments, Rena. May you find relief from any break thru pain.

[Rena705]

Hi there!  My name is Rena and I don't believe we have met!  I was diagnosed in 1993 and I have Ice Pick pain in my head!

I have been diagnosed with Secondary Progressive and ice pick pain is a major part of my life and has been since 2007.  I have pain in my temples and it in turn causes my left eye to droop due to the pain.  I have been diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and I take 300mg, three times a day of Tegretol and it is about the only thing that takes the pain away.  I tried it all...Tylenol, Topamax, Gabapentin but the only thing that works is Tegretol and now I have added Gabapentin as the dosage of Tegretol I was on was not covering the pain.  I am now just dealing with some break through pain which I hope will be covered by adjusting my Gabapentin.  

I really think that this pain should be reported to  your Neurologist.  It could be Trigeminal Neuralgia secondary to the MS or it could be "cluster headaches" which I was told I had at first which is a type of Migraine.

There is pretty much some help of some sort for the pain you are describing and I think you will find it helpful to talk to your neuro about it.  I hope this helped a little and please keep in touch and let us know how things turn out ok?

Lots of gentle hugs,
Rena

[Lulu54]

My dry eye pain was not behind the eye, but occured in several places in my skull and also created vision problems that I thought might be ON.  I was very happy it was something much easier to treat.  

[TeaLover79]

I do get dry eye sometimes, but do not have pain behind my eyes. I'm glad you got relief with the drops! Thanks for your reply. :)

[TeaLover79]

My pain is about an inch back from my left ear - at least this currrent bout. I've had it in the back right of my head years ago. If it keeps up or worsens I do plan to contact my neuro. Thanks.

[SarahL2491]

that's interesting about the dry eyes!  My doctor had put me on "Blink" as some of those drops burn my eyes like crazy, but she didn't explain that it was for that!

It does help though!

[maxthecat43]

I have it every so often.   For me, it's a little over an inch back (toward the back of my skull) from my right ear.  Still not sure what's causing it, but mercifully, it's not always there.  

If it's been continuous, I'd definitely call your neuro to let him know what's happening.

Tammy

[Lulu54]

I had those pains initially but they have quieted.  They were especially painful behind my eyes, but that turned out to be a problem with dry eye - using restatsis drops seemed to halt the problem.  As odd as that may sound to explain the pains, the opthamologist talked to me about how dry eyes can cause all sorts of symptoms that come and go.

That ice pick pain, whatever is causing it, is very painful and I'm sorry you are having this problem  Be sure to contact your doctor and be checked, ok?

be well,
Lulu

[Marcus024]

I have had MS since 1980.  I was first diagnosed while serving in the US Army in Germany.  I was sent to the Siemen's factory in Nurnberg where they were still perfecting the MRI machine.  I was told by a German doctor there that I was the first American to get an MRI with their machine. My mother spent the last 30 years of her life either confined to a wheelchair or bed ridden with the disease.  My younger sister has the disease as well and is now confined to a wheel chair.  I had a series of "Ice pick" headaches not too long ago.  It would be on the left side of my skull above the ear and at times I thought my head was going to explode or I was going to have a stroke. v They were quite severe in intensity and pain. They only lasted for a couple of days and I have not had a recurrence of them since.  They can be very scary.