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Ouch! The return of the dreaded scalp pain

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Posted 8/10/2014 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Out of the blue today, that nasty scalp pain made a comeback.  It was just before some rain came, so maybe it had to do with that.

I've been looking at old posts on it (even my own) and am trying to get away from using Neurontin (gabapentin) to find relief (though even 100 mg helped a lot today!).

So....any more thoughts on finding more natural relief?  I've done a little research and found some suggestions:  heat, Epsom salt baths, magnesium glycinate, fish oil, vitamin B12, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin D, boswellia, valarian, skullcap, lots of water (probably a biggie!!), gingerroot, GABA, walking, peppermint oil, capsaicin cream on the neck, prayer/meditation, relaxation, relaxing neck/jaw muscles.

I think I'll give a few of them a try.  I don't want to add any more supplements, so will try the heat, relaxation, and related, at least first.

If anyone here has other suggestions as to how to get rid of such pain, I'm all ears! :-)

Posted 8/10/2014 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
If you have tender bumps at the base of your skull where it meets with your neck, these are trigger points. Press on them as hard as you can stand and then massage them. Repeat this several times and them stop for a while. You can massage your scalp too. This could do the trick.

Sherrine
Posted 8/11/2014 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Do you also have diffuse hair loss with your scalp pain/tenderness?

Jan
Posted 8/11/2014 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both. :)

Sherrine: I didn't find any tender bumps at the base of my skull where it meets the neck, but I massaged there, anyway. I also massaged my scalp, as well as my neck, and that did seem to help. Thanks for the tip!

jan1952: No, I don't have any hair loss at all. My hair is very fine, but fairly thick (always had lots of hair, in other words!). Sometimes I wear it in a pony tail, but not when there's any scalp pain. I was wondering if the weight of my hair was a factor but I don't think so, since every Fall I cut it shorter, yet still get the occasional scalp pain/tenderness.

Happy to say it's much better today.

I hope everyone has a great pain-free week! :)
Posted 8/11/2014 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry about your scalp pain--I can relate. If any of your discoveries are helpful, please share! :)

Jan

Post Edited (jan1952) : 8/11/2014 8:37:08 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/11/2014 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Will do, Jan!  Yes, this, to me, is one of the worst things about fibro (is there anything 'good' about fibro??).  It's like a weird kind of headache that sort of attacks your scalp and really does make it feel like your hair hurts. Painful and very annoying.

I'll try to find more ideas for scalp pain and in the meantime, will see if any of these do work. 

Best wishes! :-)

Posted 8/11/2014 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jan:

I am full of pain too today. I was pretty good yesterday but woke up in quite bad shape this morning. I do get pain around the edge of my forehead often. Sometimes I put some pain cream on my forehead and on the base of my skull. Have been using a pain cream with capsacin.

Today I tried soaking in the tub with sea salt. I try to massage my head some in a gentle but firm way. I am sitting typing - has not helped yet. I will get up to move after.

Rain is on the way so it might be part of the problem. I also find my poor head in bad shape when I have very frustrating dreams.

I do hope your scalp pain goes away soon.

Take care.

Loring


Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing.....
Posted 8/11/2014 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
I can commiserate with you! I've wondered if it's part of fibro or who knows what else. Have you ever had a burning sensation going up the back of your head? Does it hurt to brush your hair?

Unfortunately, I have hair loss to add to the scalp situation. I started taking Biotin...we shall see...!

Take care!
Jan
Posted 8/11/2014 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Loring--I think our posts crossed each other's.

Very interesting about the dreams and scalp connection. I'm open to anything! :)

I also have atypical trigeminal neuralgia, but that's "not supposed" to affect the scalp.

I remember reading something about a woman telling her doctor that SHE is her only patient, whereas the doctor has many patients. And, as such, she knows her body best.

(That was VERY paraphrased! And I might have even read it on one of these forums...) :)

Jan
Posted 8/11/2014 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Oh yeah, massage IS good. Wish I could afford to see my hairdresser every day--she gives SUCH a wonderful scalp massage!

Jan
Posted 8/11/2014 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Jan: I seem to have that burning sensation (when this hits) all over my head. It's just weird. And yes, it hurts if I do anything to my head at all, including brushing. I had my hair in a ponytail and removed the rubber band, which helped a tiny bit. I can't believe how sensitive my head can feel when this descends on me!

Loring: I think that pain cream is a good idea. It also seemed to help if I walked around, but it sure wasn't easy to do with that type of pain!
I sometimes have goofy dreams and when I wake up, I have some type of headache. Must be a connection there somewhere.
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