sharp pains...scared!

im not sure, but my pain is somewhat similar to this description. it is short and sharp (although not AS painful as what is described by most people, it is not crippling, just annoying). it happens in quick attacks, maybe 5, and it sort of pulses/jabs. then it goes away. this usually goes off and on for a week (a few times throughout the day). then goes away for months...


could it be weather related? due to my bad eyesight? sinus related? etc.?

could it be ice pick headaches or migraines? anyone ever experience what im speaking of? im glad it is not as painful as most people describe trigeminal neuralgia to be, but can you guys give me some insight. its a bit worrysome, i told my mom about it. she thinks it may be due to me straining my eyes and maybe i should get glasses. i know seeing a doc is the best advice, but until i decide to make an appointment, lets hear what YOU think!


also, i have had staples in my head on the side it occurs predominantly on and i believe i have an impacted molar on that side as well.

that really wouldnt explain why i got a bloodshot eye on that side after the attack though?



ugh, im scared

Post Edited (rightcoastsurf) : 12/16/2006 4:23:11 PM (GMT-7)

i did not notice the stuffy nose or congestion although it might have been there....it is in one SPECIFIC location, right above my left ear. it isnt so much painful as it is a pulsing, jabbing pain. almost feels like it pulses with my heartbeat although this might be an inaccurate perception. anyway, thank you very much for your reply, i hope maybe you can help me out.

Hi rightcoastsurf,

I am sorry that you are suffering with this, but you do need to see a Doctor to establish exactly what it is! We can speculate but could well be totally wrong as we are not medical professionals here, just sufferers who want to support other sufferers in any way we can.

I would be interested in what your Doctor has to say, so please let us know how you get on.

take care

Ann

Does it happen consistantly over a long period of time? Is it close to where the staples were, b/c it could be a nerve spasing. Do you get any other symptoms? Have you had your eyes rechecked?
These are just a few questions to ask yourself. Does it feel like its close to the skin?
There is an artery, the tempral(sp?) that goes from your temple area to your neck, that could be what the pulsated pain is. Sometimes, the dialation, or even restriction of the veins/arteries can cause this and is it basically normal. I have had the pain your describing, but never consistantly or bothersome.
Do you feel nervous or anxious before you get these pains? Anxiety can cause the nerves to spasm and even the blood to flow differently.
BUt if it is in anyway bothersome, and in your case cause for any consern, please seek a doctors opinion. It can't hurt to ask. There are simple test to rule out things, and maybe a simple way to fix it.
i wish you peace despite the frustration

Not a doctor or a major headache sufferer here, but I came across your post and went through what appears to be the exact same thing.  It was a shooting pain right behind my left ear it would come in pulses and then would go away for a couple of days.  It got to the point where it was almost debilitating.  What it ended up being was my wisdom teeth were impacted and pinching a nerve as they started coming in.  Got the wisdom teeth taken out and haven't had the pain since (that was about 4 years ago).  Hope this helps 'cause I see you mentioned that you had an impacted molar, if it is on the same side this may be the case.  But, please see a doctor to make sure and get this taken care of the right way.

Well, I have had my wisdom teeth removed but still have the sharp pains just like you described. That may be your problem though, just speaking from my experience with the doc. I spoke with my neurologist about them and she said they were nothing to worry about. She said they were "mini-migraines" and didn't need any treatment, just can be uncomfortable. I still get them... only thing is, they've been more often than when I asked. I also can't think of anything that triggers them, thats also what bothers me. But I too worry about what they could "really" be... However, as long as she told me that they are so-called "mini" migraines, it gave me reassurance about it and I can go on with my day.

Hope that helps

Mandy

Hey Rightcoastsurf,

I've had those jabbing pains since I was a teenager (I'm 41 now).  It feels like someone is stabbing me with an ice pick.  For a very long time the pains would be on the right side of my head, behind my ear.  The muscles connect to the skull at that point.  I would get several sharp pains, then I knew a migraine was on the way.  For a long time, those muscle were knotted up behind my ears, filling like big bumps.  I took a muscle relaxer frequently, but the bumps didn't go away for a long time.  Eventually, I started to get the jabbing pains all over my head.  The pain is so sharp, I automatically grab my head and freeze until the pain passes, usually a minute or less.  I've had an MRI and a CAT scan, but neither one showed any noticible problem.

There is a post from a few days back that you might want to read.

Good Luck!!!

Leigh Ann

The post I was referring to was:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=31&m=557282

See if this doesn't give you some more information.

Good luck!
Leigh Ann

Well I get mine almost everyday. Its very quick and can last from one second to 10. But the funny thing is, they aren't followed by migraines. Its just the sharp pains. Like my neurologist said, I just don't worry. But since being on here, I've felt like I need an MRI. But like Leigh Ann said, she has had them forever, plus had an MRI, and no big problems. I'm starting to wonder myself what the significance with our "ice pick" pains are to the migraines... For now, I'm not too worried. I will be having an MRI in the near future. Just depends on how much it costs, if not covered enough by my insurance.

Hi rightcoastsurf and Mandalynn,

I have two seperate headache conditions that have nothing to do with eachother and usually do not occur together or I would lose my mind---I have the migraine issue, but then I have cluster headaches, so it is possible to have two things, or just one...

I'm just not sure, usually the headaches that I know of are pretty painful, but I don't know that for sure since I have never personally experienced any of them--that is why it is important to see a doctor. I know when my clusters started that weren't as painful or at least I don't remember them as being this painful years ago--so I don't know if the pain changes as the condition changes--not to scare you---I'm just not sure....The red eye happening during a headache could be very telling of a headache condition...I would continue to keep an eye out for that, see if that continues, if you get a watery discharge from it. You can also watch for nasal congestion during your headaches, etc.--these can all becoming telling signs of certain conditions along with the time span that you talked about.

Another thing to do which is very helpful is to keep a headache journal--it helps a doctor make an accurate diagnosis, especially if you keep track of the symptoms that you have with these headaches!!

Take Care!

I really think you need to follow through with your neurologist to have the appropriate examination and testing done, there is no way to get an appropriate diagnosis without seeing a doctor.

Try not to worry, I know it is a very scary thing to be experiencing unknown pain and worrying what is the cause of it. Following up with your doctor will help you find the cause of the symptoms that you are having and help ease the concerns that you are having...I know I had myself diagnosed with just about everything under the sun at one point out of fear and that is why it is sooo important to go to the doctor...

Take Care!!

anyone else?

yup i got an appt. for jan 4th