Sharp shooting pain left side of head

[Millerina]

Over the past month I have had sharp shooting pain starting from about half way between the top of my left ear and the crown of my head moving down towards my left ear lobe. My scalp is painful to the touch at both the starting and ending positions. The last two days have been miserable because the pain is coming almost every 15 to 30 seconds and will not allow me to sleep.

As I have MS and had optic neuritis, could this be related? How do I get relief?





This discussion is related to sharp shooting scalp/head pain.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Yes I understand that feeling very well. Anxiety and stress will only make it worse. Please relax and let us know after you discuss with your neurologist.

[Millerina]

Thanks for responding to me. I don't believe I clench my teeth at night and I hate gum so probably TMJ could be ruled out. However, I feel more relaxed thinking the sharp pain I'm getting is only a neuralgia and not something more sinister.

I will call my neurologist and have him check me out.

But thank you for making me feel somewhat better. You know how the mind goes crazy especially in the middle of the night and you always think the worst!

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

How are you?
Headache is not an uncommon symptom in patients with MS. On an average 30-50% patients with MS suffer from headaches. Your headache seems to be neuralgia like headache. Neuralgias are sharp shooting pains which occur in the region of nerve distribution.
The possibility of tension headache is also there although tension headaches are dull headaches. TMJ also cannot be ruled out. Do you clench your teeth at night or chew gum?
Please get yourself clinically evaluated. In the meantime you can take OTC pain killers for pain.