Sharp Shooting Head Pain

[Connie915]

Hi, I suffer with episodes of sharp shooting pains in my head.  I've been having these episodes since 1990 and each episode could go for as long as two weeks.  Also with each episode, the pain radiates in a different spot in my head.  I've gone to a couple different doctors about it; one diagnosed me with Migraines although I had NONE of the other symptoms associated with it; another doctor said it was Cluster Headaches.  All I know is that the pain can be excruciating.  I'm having an episode now and the pain is radiating behind my left ear.  I've had episodes where the pain radiatedat the top center of my head and it actually had my scalp sore.  800 Miligram Ibuprofen sometimes help or 550 Aleve calms it down for a while, but it flairs up again.  The best way I can describe this is it feels like a vein wants to burst inside my head.  HELP!

[Connie915]

I do have some stress in my life, but nothing more than the normal person.  I've often thought perhaps because I grind my teeth A LOT, and, I bite my nails, those could be a contributing factors.  As for the menstruation, I'm going through menopause now and NEVER would have thought that would contribute to it.  The two doctors I have gone to were GPs, and I was once seen by a neurologist.  I also had an MRI of my head done once; it came back normal.  Problem is, by the time I make it to the doctor, the headaches are gone.  Could anything be seen on an MRI if it is an active flairup?

[Dr Vinod]

Your symptoms point out towards Migraines.
There are different types of migraines,  including classic, common and ocular migraines. Knowing the kind of migraine you're suffering will help you make quicker and more effective treatment decisions.
Some of them are caused because of tension and some because of migraine.
If you do not have any stressful life and the neurologist is sure that they are not migraines, please visit a Gynaecologist as some of the headaches are linked to menstruation.
Please have patience and proper diagnosis will help you the treatment.
Take care.