Diagnose symptons: Twitching on/in right side of head just above top of ear

[Suziebr]

My male roommate, who wears glasses told me that he has had a twitching feeling in his head just above the top of his ear for the past month to 2 mths.  He is only 35, about 20 lbs. overweight, and has had different health issues over the past 5-6 yrs.  He passed out while riding a bike 5-6 yrs. ago, dehydration was diagnosed.  Has had headaches off and on over the past 5-6 yrs. - fiorinal was perscribed;  Palpatations in his chest in the past yr. - determined he has an allergic reaction to acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Sudafed, Excedrin, and other over the counter meds); in April 05 a different weird feeling, like gurgling in his chest - acid reflux was diagnosed, and he's been on over the counter Prilosec ever since, which seems to have cured the problem.  
His chlorestrol is about 158, which was recently taken last mth., and was around that same number over the past few yrs.  We walk 2 miles every night, and he golfs once a week or less during the summer.  Now, he's concerned about the twitching.  I've had twitching in my lip, or eye lid in the past, but don't recall the side of my head.  He mentioned his concern of stroke symptoms after NE Patriots Tedy Bruschi suffered a mild stroke, as well as a friend of ours.  My friend woke up with a numb feeling in her arm, and thought she had just slept wrong, but when the numbness didn't go away, she were to the ER and was diagnosed.  
Does anyone have any similar symptoms, or known facts about his symptoms.  Thank you so much.

[JasonD]

I have noticed the very same thing happening to me just the last couple of days. I noticed it began when I started drinking coffee again after a long time (months) of not drinking coffee. Does your room mate drink a lot of coffee?

If that's not the cause I don't know what is. I am in similar physical shape to your room mate and I am 27 years old.

If anyone knows what may cause this twitching feeling, please post! It feels a little like a pulse, only it is irregular, sometimes fast, sometimes one beat every few seconds.

[aidle]

Stroke usually have symptoms like:
• Facial weakness
• Arm or leg weakness
• Speech problems
• Loss of sight in one eye
These signs may only last a few hours (called a Transient Ischaemic Attack – TIA) but must not be ignored!

Stroke risk increase if you suffered from hypertension, diabetes or high cholestrol level. It can even happen to
anyone as young as 5 yrs old.

I even saw an articles about a patient age 32 having massive stroke and bed ridden maybe the rest of his life.
An army physical trainer having a hypertension.
Sometimes its in our genes already.

I guest you are having symptoms of hypertension some more your blood pressure is high. You need an immediate doctor attention with full blood test and ECG. Hypertension is a chronic and can be control by medications.

Hypertension is a silent desease which can cause kidney failure, heart attack and even stroke. There are patient who only know they suffer hypertension after one of the critical organ fail to function.

I'm a type2 diabetes with pills. In 1991 my urine test fail very badlyHyper condition) without feeling giddy or whatsoever! After doing the Glocuse Tolerence Test I was diagnost having it. I've experiance sign of TIA symptoms in 2005. Since than I've never takes things for granted.

If you want more info about stoke: http://www.stroke.org.uk

Early detection can safe life!

Warmest regards aidle
aidlenet.info

[genie76]

I am getting this exact same thing! I have had a MRI and MRA and both were negative. the drs have no idea what it is.. it literally wakes me up at night cause it makes my ear twitch when i lay it on the pillow.. i can feel it during the day when i am awake. i just want an answer to what it is.. i feel a regular pulse then faster and so on.. feels like my nerve is jumping..anyone else know what it could be??

[Leric]

I am have twitching on my right side of my head.  I do not know what this is. I usually feel it when I am tensed up. I wonder is it my nerves acting up.

[angelangie]

I have just started getting the twitching in my head, its just above my right ear, very strange feeling...its kind of like if your eye were to twitch, same feeling, the difference with me is, if I bend down, and get back up, my head has this excruciating pain, I have to hold my head and close my eyes, it only last for just under a minute, I havent seen any doctors for this, but I'm thinking maybe I should.  Is anyone else getting this?

[jabberjazz]

I'd been experiencing the "twitch" at the back of my head. It started some months ago but only occasionally. It would disappear after a while and/or if I slept it off. Lately though, (about two weeks now), it's been bothersome as it occurs more regularly... practically everyday.

I cannot seem to place a finger on what triggers it. I'm not a coffee drinker. Only had 2 cups within the past month: 1 early last week & 1 yesterday. Sometimes, it happens after I read. At times, just after I lay my head down on the pillow. Sometimes, while I'm sitting. Sometimes, while standing. Sometimes even while conversing with someone. Sometimes, like right now, while sitting before the computer - surfing, reading or typing.

No headaches or dizziness or spinning vision accompanies this though. At most, pain at the nape down to the shoulders and the upper back would follow.

[Lylez]

Man, please someone help.  I am having these same symptoms.  My left ear will twitch pretty much all day and night long.  I have no pains anywhere else except my neck is a little sore.  I've noticed at times that it will actually move up to my temple area but only for a short while and then go back to my ear.  One night I fell asleep on the ear and it moved up through my head.  I could feel the top of my head twitching and shaking, it woke me up.  This is driving me crazy!

[dori743]

Don't feel bad, I have the same thing, a muscle twitch just above my right ear, kind of like when your eye twitches. I  kind of think it is related to a pinched nerve in my neck causing the twitch above my ear. I am going to see the chiropractor and I will let you all know what he says

[dianne37]

i was reading your comments about the twitching above your ear. i been having the same thing above my left ear i was wondering if you finally went to the doctor for that discomfort.  the only thing different with me is that i don't have any pain when i bend over. i have a nuerologist appt feb 13th please write back with any information you have recieved

[dianne37]

i been having the same symptons above my left ear it is not painful but very annoying i was wondering if the chiropactor helped you . or if anyone told you what it was.

[ContractorGeorge]

I have had twitching on the right side of my head for a couple years now. I mentioned this to my chiropractor today and He examined my neck and noticed it was not alligned properly and explained this would put pressure on one of the many nerves from the neck to the brain causeing the nerve to spasim (or twitch) with a quick painless adjustment, I seem to be much better  now . I feel silly not mentioning this to him sooner.     time will tell .........Hope this helps someone.    

[Gaby986]

For the last couple of days I have been feeling I lightning sensation on the back of my head on my left side. It lasts for about 2 to 3 seconds but it's scary to think what it could be. I will probably go to the doctor soon but I am scared. Has anybody felt this before?
From Gaby

[FBK]

I got a light twitching on the left side of my head, just above the ear. No pain or discomfort. But a bit concerning, (thinking stroke, aneurism etc).
Went to the doctor. Felt swelling in twitching area, tested vision and blood pressure. Said it could be temporal arteritis, which is a swelling of the artery. It usually effects those over 50, and being 36 it was unusual. He said that because the artery supplies the optic nerve, it can cause blindness and therefore needs to be treated as temporal arteritis. He prescribed a 12-day course of Prednisolone tablets, a steroid that reduces the swelling, and organised some blood tests.
Went back to the doctor and all is clear, not temporal arteritis but more likely a one off event caused by stress. The fact that it could of been a condition that caused blindness and needed to be treated quickly, means you should see your doctor.
Hope this helps.

[Toothnailrocker]

I have the same thing. It happens sporadically, throughout the day, in various areas around my head. Absolutely no pain is involved. This is just a theory, but I think it has something to do with the contraction of cranial blood vessels from increased bloodflow to areas of the brain that are being utilized for various types of cognative activity.  I have begun to notice that the areas of my head that I feel the twitching in coincide with the type of thoughts that I'm having. For example, I feel the twitching and increased bloodflow in the front left side of my head (where the prefrontal cortex is located - responsible for planning, inhibition and sustaining focus) when I'm reading. I feel the twitching in the right side of my head when I'm engaging in a creative activity or brainstorming. When I'm making deductive/inductive conclusions, doing math, or thinking more logically, I feel it in the left side of my head, the side responsible for logical thought. I've heard that twitching can be indicative of a potassium deficiency, so I try to eat a banana once a day, but it still happens. I've heard it can also indicate dehydration, so I drink as much water as possible. I just turned 24, I'm in excellent shape (I run 4 miles twice a week), and I have almost no body fat. If there's a way to fix this, I would like to know, even though it's not a huge deal to me.

By the way, as I was typing this, the twitching was happening in the right side of my head.

[angelsmomma]

im only 23 im pregnant with my third baby and i ahve had twitching on both sides of my head and its kinda eerie at first i was only getting it in my left temple no it didnt hurt but it was very annoying and scary then yesterday night while working at the waffle house i for the first time expierienced it on my right side of my head just above my ear now im scared im going to have ticks or whatever you call em. i have anxiety attacks so i immediately got real hot where i couldnt breath and decided to sit down a minute. I am so worried that it might be a brain tumor if anyone knows anything about this please tell me more!

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
Muscle twitching is the result of minor local muscle contractions or the uncontrollable twitching of a single muscle group served by a single motor nerve fiber or filament.
Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed. Some are common and normal, while others indicate a neurologic disorder.
Some of the causes are as follows:  
Benign twitches (not caused by disease or disorders) o.ften affecting the eyelids, calf, or thumb.They are normal and quite common, often triggered by stress or anxiety.
A diet deficiency
Drug overdose (caffeine)
Drug side effect (such as diuretics, corticosteroids and estrogens)
Exercise
While it is not indicative of a stroke yet because of its persistent presence please consult your doctor for further advice.
ref:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003296.htm.

[lucyluu]

Did anyone ever figure anything out with this?  Ive been having the twitching above my left ear for 24 hours now.  It goes to the top of my head when I lay down.  Its really annoying.

[febes]

so glad to see i am not the only one! mine started sometime last night,went on throuhg the night was hoping i slept it off but it is still there, i feel otherwise normal! Maybe in my case it is stress? not in work at the mo and getting really bored at home all the time, but I don't really feel stressed iykwim. Maybe I should see the doctor! Yes it is scary because of it's location, but i'm hoping it is just a muscle :) if anyone finds anything out please let us all know!

[Braddlesnake]

I'm an architecture student and when it's time to prep our final folios (folio week) we often go without proper sleep for the entire week or two leading up to submission.

I find my body begins to spasm in areas including that mentioned above around about this time.

My suggestion is, make some lifestyle changes and get more exercise and better sleep. And, find some time to relax.

Enjoy :)

[Ness_is_a_mess]

I just got a funny twitch in my head,  around my temples,  actually above my ear.  I was making dinner and messed up the recipe and just felt stressed.  All of a sudden I felt the twitching. Is that the stress building up after a long day of feeling sick and tired?  I am battling a bad sinus infection (again) and am just starting to feel better.  I notice that whenever it is cold outside,  or I am sick,  or I am stressed I will feel these funny twitches.

Sometimes,  they are a bit scary.

[prettycins]

I went to my neurologist just this week and he told me that it is only the temporal arteries beating, causing the twitching and pain. I used to feel really afraid and thought i had something terribly wrong and i also suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. So one can only imagine how afraid i was when this started happening to me. after i came from the doctor i feel so much better. He says it is caused by stress and tension and i know i have been through alot of stress lately. I used to drive my fiancee crazy thinking something bad would happen to me, but through my prayers God has helped me a whole lot. Please do not worry because i used to have the same problem. The more you worry the more you stress out yourself and cause more problems.

God Bless all of your'll

[jchri66]

I also have a twitch from time to time slightly above or slightly behind my left ear.  I have often wondered if it's an artery pulsing but have always talked myself into thinking it's just a muscle twitch.  Mine tend to happen at night and come and go when it's happening.  In the past these would lead to a panic attack because I would sit and think about the possibility of an aneurism.  Tonight it's bothering me again in that way which is why I'm looking this up.  I do get zanax from my doctor that I keep on hand for panic attacks and I usually end up taking it during these times because the twitching tends to keep me up.  I did have a stressful day so I'm sure it mainly has to do with stress.

[feelsbad]

I have had the same problems above my left ear. Its not painful but is very annoying and sumtimes happens above my right ear. I suffer from anxiety real bad i wonder if thats it but i do have high blood pressure and high cholesrtrol, Im only 26 and feeling bad gets real old. Can anyone help

[Briman99]

I suffer from high cholesterol too.. and i havent taken my meds yet, because i am an idiot. but i recently started getting these twitches,and pulse like feeling a little above my left ear. At the moment i could say im a little worried, because i keep thinking its a stroke about to happen or something.. or an artery is about to explode. I feel the vein about to blow out of the side of my head.. and its a little difficult to fall asleep as well. if anyone has any answers.. please let me know.. thanks

[zabette]

I just started getting a slightly painful twitch above my left ear this week. This week was very unusual in that I participated in a week-long dance event during which I danced from 5-8 hours a day and got less sleep than usual, 5-7 hours. I may have been dehydrated at times, drank coffee to stay energized, and ate less regularly than usual. The twitch started halfway through the week. My cholesterol and blood pressure are fine. The cause may be exercise as Dr_Apama mentioned. But it's a little disconcerting.

[muznik]

same goes with me, mine started 3 days ago and thought nothing of it but now at work its pissin me off. im only 18 so i am definantly concerned. i hope to god its nothing bad, i feel like just smashing my head thru a window just to make it stop. lol.

[waynepc]

Just wanted to join in the discussion.  I have been suffering from a headache for the last two months.  At times the twitching comes just above my left ear on near the temple.  I also suffer from Anxiety attacks and have to wonder if that is one thing that we all have in common.  High stress almost definitely plays a factor.  I have been seeing a naturopathic doctor as of late, and she has me on a rule-out-food-allergies diet. Also, as she has made me aware, we don't always consciously recognize all the stresses in our lives.  She suggests making time for relaxation, exercise and spending a little time in nature everyday. It may sound silly to you, but it seems to be helping so far.  Headache has become more bearable and anxiety has been noticeable relieved.It's weird though, in my case I suffer from low-blood pressure.  I still can't help but think that it's something a little serious.  Will keep you all posted when I learn more.  Would really appreciate it if you all could do the same!!!

[ODNation]

thank goodness im not the only one! I have the same twitching above and behind my right ear... I do suffer from stress and anxiety... so maybe thats it... and my job is having me sit in front of a computer and I know my posture is awful

[Common_Tater]

I logged onto this site because I, too, was experiencing a twitch on the right side of my head just above the ear. I wanted to learn why.

I don't mean to be insulting, but it seems that a lot of you don't read previous posts.

Dr_Aparna, Jun 03, 2008 01:25PM explained what causes the twitch and some of those who have posted since then keep rambling on as if she posted no answer at all.

This leads to the conclusion that the reason there is so many diseases killing people in this country is because instead of learning something about what would help your problem, you follow the path of least resistance - the one that blindly supports the FDA & pharmaceutical companies simply because they represent a "voice of authority" and you're too irresponsible for your own well being to question that authority.