Left side headache sore scalp... Please help

[slg28]

Hello. I'm a 36 year old female.  For the past month I've been having headaches on the left side of my head. Top, side and forehead area.  If I touch my head my scalp is very sore.  I feel like I have a bruise on my head.  I've been to my dr he thinks it could be from my birth control pill. I've taken the same pill for 3+ years.  I've had a cat scan and it was normal.  The pain is not constant but pretty close.   Sometimes it pulsates, sometimes it's dull.   Does anyone have a clue what this might be??  I need some relief.  Advil, and Advil for migraines doesn't do much.   My dr prescribed me neurotonin.  I don't like taking meds without knowing what's wrong.  I appreciate any feedback.

Thank you

[JessieJ21]

I am having the same type of sharp pains in my left side of my head and my scalp also feels like its hurting its becoming more and more constant and disabling. I have been experiencing it for months now. I am waiting on a referral to a neurologist that takes my insurance which is also very important because I've had seizures I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 16 years old I am almost 25 now. I have experienced plenty of headaches/migranes ect. with epilepsy but not like this. I was prescribed topamax on top of another seizure medication a while back for my seizures but the topamax was making no difference and only caused me unpleasant side effects, hairloss, weightloss ect. I know not everyone gets the side effects from pills but I am very sensative to them and once I started losing weight from them because they were decreasing my appetite to the point I almost wasn't eating at all I knew that is not good for me. So I totally understand where you are coming from about not wanting to take certain medication.

[Corinne43]

I understand how she feels about meds, some of them are barbituate  and you cannot drive etc with them.  I have also been given meds for severe headaches but I would rather they take the initiative to find out why they occur rather than mask the pain with meds.  I have a handicapped spouse to care for sith no help so I try to get by with otc meds and am still undergoing testing.  Some of the side effects and risks of the meds are worse than the pain.

[Momof3Gramof2]

If you are still in pain, why have you not taken the Rx your neurologist prescribed? You should follow his/her directions, and having further tests without even trying the easier method is not wise. You might have been comfortable all this time. If you take the Rx, and the pain persists or gets worse after a fair time of trial, then further tests would be warranted.

[slg28]

Thank you both for your responses.  I have seen a neurologist early on when they started to happen.  He prescribed me topamax.  I haven't taken that either because he told me that it would take time to work and it was up to me if i wanted to take it.  I see my Dr this week I am hoping he will order an MRI now since my Cat scan was negative.  

[Momof3Gramof2]

If your own doctor doesn't know, you might consult a neurologist. Or buy a new pillow. Surprisingly, pillows can cause lots of problem if they are not the right one for you, e.g. too hard, too soft, etc.. You also may need to have an MRI, which will tell them more than the CT scan. Good luck. Headaches are not fun and can be very debilitating. You are wise to want answers instead of pills. Don't let them put you off; ask for answers, and a neurologist is a good place to start since your own doctor hasn't pursued it further.

[silverfox67]

   Hello.  I am so sorry you have Neuralgia or Neuritis.  I get it from time to time and Neurontin is what helps me.  (aka Gabapentin).  it is a medication used for seizures, but it works on nerve pain which is what neuralgia is.
     I find that I don't have to take it very often as the meds. work within a couple of days.  Then I don't take it until I get another flare up.  (thankfully it isn't very often).
  
  I hope this information was helpful.  Wishing you the best