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Short, painful, piercing "burst" of headache

For the past two years or so I've been getting these very sharp, piercing headaches, but they last only seconds.  They hurt so much, though, that I double over wanting to scream; then it's gone.  They're fairly sporadic.  They can happen up to three times a day, several times a week, but there have also been times when it's been over a month before I get them again.  I haven't noticed any correlation with my cycle in any way.  I don't take any prescribed medication.  It happens out of the blue.  I can be sitting watching TV, cleaning house, reading a book, or on a walk.  I don't know what to make of it, nor do I know if I should be concerned.  I just think it's very strange.

The other thing is that this "burst" of pain is always in the same area.  It's directly above my right ear canal about 1.5 inches and towards the middle about 1 inch.  It's a small area that hurts, but when it happens it's very painful.  I'm wondering if this is a common occurrence?  If this is somthing of concern?  Any helpful hints on what to do/not do for/about this kind of headache?

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Avatar universal
I can not tell you how good it feels just to hear that someone is going thru the same thing. I noticed my short burst of headaches about a little over a year ago "in the same area" . When I made an appt with my Dr. He took some blood and asked me when I noticed them. I said to him " I noticed them around the onset or while on my mensteral cycle".  I thought that it might be hormonal related.  So the Dr.asked for me to write down the times, date and activity. So,  thats what i did and  no matter what I was doing I could have a burst one sec and they were gone the next."so Painful" No results ever came and the headaches were gone just as quick as they came. Then yesterday I felt it again. (alot fast then gone).Today same thing, alot more and now a year later they are in the center of the back of the head. Now, going to try a new Dr.  I will keep u updated no results as of yet!
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910419 tn?1289483727
It sounds to me like an ice pick headache. I get them a lot, although less frequently than a couple months ago.  

You might want to check out the link below for more info:

http://www.*************.com/migraine/types-of-headaches-35919-5.html

Good luck!

~Dame
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