Sharp, Stabbing instant headaches on side of head above ear.

[jennybarker9]

I need help asap. My husband weighed 300 lbs, now he is down to 200 VERY HEALTHY he works out EVERY DAY... He drinks protein shakes and kreitein (spelling) water most mornings... Since he has lost all of his weight he gets headaches every day and they are all SUDDEN, VERY SUDDEN headaches... Some are he walks in the house and IMMEDIETLY gets a instant headache because of a smell..... if we are talking and I say something he does not agree with and sort of gets preterbed he instantly gets a headache a throbbing headache... but the most concerning is HE GETS A EXTREMLY PAINFUL PAIN IN THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD... ABOVE HIS EAR.. It comes on VERY SUDDENLY about 3 times a day... Above his ear it huts to push to touch and shoots sharp stabbing pain throughout his head for about 20 seconds then lets up then it comes back again once more for another 20 seconds then it goes away. my husband does NOT have migranes.. he never has. Also he has never had headaches like this EVERY DAY until he lost his weight... we need answers!

[NTC1028]

Hi Jenny,

Sorry you and your husband are going through this. You said he does not have migraines, but what you are describing sure sounds like a form of migraine to me. As a long time sufferer of migraines, I am familiar with the symptoms. They can come on suddenly as you described, and certain odors can trigger them instantly. Stress and tension can also trigger them. With migraines, the blood has difficulty passing normally through the blood vessels because they dilate and constrict abnormally, and this causes a throbbing kind of pain, like you described.The stabbing pain on the side of the head could be from something known as ice pick headaches, which happens sometimes to those who get migraines. The pain is very intense and only lasts for seconds at a time, but can return several times, before stopping as suddenly as it starts. I'm not a doctor, and I suggest he see one, but I'm hoping this information will help you understand that he may be suffering from migraines.

Your knowledge of his symptoms and what brings them on will help his doctor in making a diagnosis. You might want to keep a journal of this information to help identify patterns. If he is taking anything for them on a frequent basis, that could account for why they are occurring daily. The best way to prevent them is to identify triggers and eliminate them. It is also important to try to treat the symptom as soon as they start, before they intensify. Try caffeine, a warm bath, heat or ice to the area, laying down in a dark, quiet room, and having him focus only his breathing. Heartfelt prayers work, too. I hope this information helps you until he can get in to see a doctor. Will keep you both in my prayers. Please keep us updated.

Nancy

[Midijane]

Hi Jenny,

How scary this must be for both of you. Sorry you are dealing with this. Im not sure what could be causing these headaches, but I would call my primary doc for an office visit asap. I say asap only because it must be completely miserable to have to deal with this, not bc I think its an emergency. But I would want to be seen within a day or two. Hopefully his doc will refer him to a neurologist if hes unsure what the root problem may be. Neurologists tend to specialize in headache causes and treatments.

Get an opinion soon and keep us posted.