Sudden, Sharp Pain on Upper Left Side of Head? Seeking Advice

Posted by abba @abba, Aug 11, 2024

71-year-old male . Looking for insight into a sudden and puzzling issue I've been having.
About two weeks ago, I started experiencing sharp shooting, electric-shock feeling pain on the upper left side of my head, roughly 5 inches above the ear. The pain is isolated to this exact spot and doesn’t start at the base of the head. Along with the pain, the scalp in this area becomes sore to the touch and feels warm. The sensation extends to the body, but temperature returns to normal after the pain subsides.
This is the first time I've had pain like this, and it started suddenly on July 31, 2024. Now it occurs multiple times a day. During these episodes, the pain is excruciating (10/10), and I’ve had head jerking and body jolts due to the shock-like sensation.
I went to the ER almost daily from July 31 until August 5, when they admitted me due to the frequent visits. They treated me with various medications, including:
- Gabapentin 300 mg
- Tramadol (37.5 mg) + Paracetamol (325 mg)
- Codeine Phosphate 10 mg + Paracetamol 500 mg
- Ibuprofen (400 mg) + Paracetamol (325 mg)
- Indomethacin
A Neurologist did a physical exam and ordered MRI and MRV scans of my head, which came back clear. The neurologist suggested it might be a migraine and prescribed Gabapentin 300 mg (twice a day) and Indomethacin 25 mg (three times a day) for the next 7 days. The pain is intermittent, occurring every 8 to 24 hours or so, and continues until the painkillers take effect.
I’m baffled by how this issue appeared suddenly and continues for the past two weeks. Has anyone experienced something similar, or do you have any suggestions on what might be causing this and what I should do next?

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My husband started
With spike headaches after a dental implant. Apparently a nerve was damaged and nothing helps. Has tried gabapentn, tramadol and several others. Botox injections helped with jaw pain but not with headaches. Anyone else with this problem

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I have the exact same symptoms. Exactly the same. Just started though 3 days ago. Started with ear pain. So I am not able to be of any help here. Will report anything useful
as I receive care.

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I’m waiting for nerve blocks for my back neck and head electric shocks that go to the front of my face randomly.
I have heard cervical massage therapy can help but haven’t tried it yet. Sorry to hear about his pain. Will be praying for him.

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Profile picture for nberos @nberos

I have the exact same symptoms. Exactly the same. Just started though 3 days ago. Started with ear pain. So I am not able to be of any help here. Will report anything useful
as I receive care.

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hondurangirl
This sounds like trigeminal neuralgia. You'll need to see a neurologist for a definitive diagnosis. There are many ways to treat this. Hang in there, Mayo can probably help you.

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I suffer from Burning Mouth Syndrome. Which is NOT NERVE DAMAGE, BUT RATHER MISFIRING NERVES. Ask about a Hi Resolution MRI of trigeminal roots, NOT BRAIN. That's why MRI of head was normal. Good Luck.

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Profile picture for honduranexpat @honduranexpat

hondurangirl
This sounds like trigeminal neuralgia. You'll need to see a neurologist for a definitive diagnosis. There are many ways to treat this. Hang in there, Mayo can probably help you.

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@honduranexpat turns out I have shingles

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Yes, I get this with Migraines and the doctor has suggested it could be from a nerve that begins in the occipital area. They tried nerve blocks but they didn’t help. I generally get botox for migraine pain every four months.

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Profile picture for Zebra @californiazebra

And the location of my lightning bolt shooting pains were the same location as you describe. A lightning bolt of pain across the top left side of my head. If I part my hair in the middle, it would be a couple inches left of the part.

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@californiazebra same for me

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Profile picture for nberos @nberos

I have the exact same symptoms. Exactly the same. Just started though 3 days ago. Started with ear pain. So I am not able to be of any help here. Will report anything useful
as I receive care.

Jump to this post

addendum: @nberos my symptoms were from shingles.

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When I get those they are in my head, not my face-usually left sided. I call them my ice pick headache. It's very brief. Not sure what they are, but get some every year it seems.

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