1. < Chronic Pain

"Electric Shock" type pain in my scalp!

Posted by Deby @deby, Aug 17, 2011

It feels like someone is touching my scalp with an electric wire or prod. Like a "zap" and then it takes a few seconds to get over it. It happens 2 or more times per MINUTE! It lastes for a couple of days usually and when it goes away it takes a few more days for my scalp not to be sore. I don't know how many times a year it occurs but when it does, like today, it drives me crazy. I walk around making weird faces and people stare at me. They think I have a headache or migrain but I don't, the pain is only on my scalp not IN my head. Sometimes the shocks occur over and over for a minute, then go back to 2 or more times per minute. It's the weirdest thing and I can't wait for it to be over. I never know when it's going to occur or what brings it on. Anyone ever heard of something like this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

trishd | @trishd | Mar 8, 2017

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting pain like an electric shock it lasts for only a second or two then stops but it happens every two or three minutes. I usually know when it's going to start as I get a tingling on my skin beforehand sort of like the tiny hairs on my face are charging then the pain starts. I can have it for up to a fee days then it stops and I may not have it again for a few months. I have heard of Trigeminal Neuralgia and what I get sounds exactly like that but the difference with mine is it's not only on my face I get it on my scalp too and when I get really bad episodes it can affect my neck, throat, inside my nose,eyes and gums too. It's so painful it makes me wince and shout out it's very embarrassing. I've had a doctor tell me it's from nerve damage because I was never vaccinated as a child and I've had chickenpox four times three times as an adult. Could this be true? Has anyone else got something similar?

REPLY
5 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 8, 2017
In reply to @trishd "Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting..." + (show)
@trishd

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting pain like an electric shock it lasts for only a second or two then stops but it happens every two or three minutes. I usually know when it's going to start as I get a tingling on my skin beforehand sort of like the tiny hairs on my face are charging then the pain starts. I can have it for up to a fee days then it stops and I may not have it again for a few months. I have heard of Trigeminal Neuralgia and what I get sounds exactly like that but the difference with mine is it's not only on my face I get it on my scalp too and when I get really bad episodes it can affect my neck, throat, inside my nose,eyes and gums too. It's so painful it makes me wince and shout out it's very embarrassing. I've had a doctor tell me it's from nerve damage because I was never vaccinated as a child and I've had chickenpox four times three times as an adult. Could this be true? Has anyone else got something similar?

Jump to this post

@trishd Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sorry to hear of the shock-type pain you are having, this sounds very uncomfortable. Have you had any other symptoms like balance, gait or walking problems? You mentioned that your doctor said it is from nerve damage. Was this your primary care doctor making this diagnosis? What type of tests did he/she do to come to this conclusion I would suggest a second opinion with a neurologist. Keep in touch with Mayo Connect, we look forward to following your progress as you seek treatment for this uncomfortable symptom. Teresa

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 8, 2017
In reply to @trishd "Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting..." + (show)
@trishd

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting pain like an electric shock it lasts for only a second or two then stops but it happens every two or three minutes. I usually know when it's going to start as I get a tingling on my skin beforehand sort of like the tiny hairs on my face are charging then the pain starts. I can have it for up to a fee days then it stops and I may not have it again for a few months. I have heard of Trigeminal Neuralgia and what I get sounds exactly like that but the difference with mine is it's not only on my face I get it on my scalp too and when I get really bad episodes it can affect my neck, throat, inside my nose,eyes and gums too. It's so painful it makes me wince and shout out it's very embarrassing. I've had a doctor tell me it's from nerve damage because I was never vaccinated as a child and I've had chickenpox four times three times as an adult. Could this be true? Has anyone else got something similar?

Jump to this post

Hi @trishd,
I add my welcome. You'll notice that I moved your message to a discussion in the Chronic Pain group. If you click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification, you'll be able scroll back through the discussion to see suggestions from other members about this type of electric shock pain. You'll also meet members like @lorimar89 @david33 @luladavis @audrapopp @genzel @megamom and @sandytoes14.

Trish, I'm not a medical professional, but I wonder if you might be onto something with your suspicions of the chicken pox virus. @lorimar89 discovered that her pain was due to shingles. The varicella zoster virus is the same virus for shingles and for chicken pox. Have you told your doctor about your vaccination and chicken pox history?

REPLY
trishd | @trishd | Mar 19, 2017
In reply to @trishd "Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting..." + (show)
@trishd

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting pain like an electric shock it lasts for only a second or two then stops but it happens every two or three minutes. I usually know when it's going to start as I get a tingling on my skin beforehand sort of like the tiny hairs on my face are charging then the pain starts. I can have it for up to a fee days then it stops and I may not have it again for a few months. I have heard of Trigeminal Neuralgia and what I get sounds exactly like that but the difference with mine is it's not only on my face I get it on my scalp too and when I get really bad episodes it can affect my neck, throat, inside my nose,eyes and gums too. It's so painful it makes me wince and shout out it's very embarrassing. I've had a doctor tell me it's from nerve damage because I was never vaccinated as a child and I've had chickenpox four times three times as an adult. Could this be true? Has anyone else got something similar?

Jump to this post

Hi @colleenyoung No I haven't me mentioned it to my doctor, I really must do it. Thank you for the directions on how to navigate the discussions, I've only joined and it's very confusing.. I'll go check out the other members comments now.

REPLY
trishd | @trishd | Mar 19, 2017
In reply to @trishd "Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting..." + (show)
@trishd

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting pain like an electric shock it lasts for only a second or two then stops but it happens every two or three minutes. I usually know when it's going to start as I get a tingling on my skin beforehand sort of like the tiny hairs on my face are charging then the pain starts. I can have it for up to a fee days then it stops and I may not have it again for a few months. I have heard of Trigeminal Neuralgia and what I get sounds exactly like that but the difference with mine is it's not only on my face I get it on my scalp too and when I get really bad episodes it can affect my neck, throat, inside my nose,eyes and gums too. It's so painful it makes me wince and shout out it's very embarrassing. I've had a doctor tell me it's from nerve damage because I was never vaccinated as a child and I've had chickenpox four times three times as an adult. Could this be true? Has anyone else got something similar?

Jump to this post

Hi @hopeful33250 Now that you mention it I have noticed that my balance is bad. I have always been a clumsy person and my balance was always off but I've noticed in the last year or two it seems to be worse.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 19, 2017
In reply to @trishd "Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting..." + (show)
@trishd

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me. I get shooting pain like an electric shock it lasts for only a second or two then stops but it happens every two or three minutes. I usually know when it's going to start as I get a tingling on my skin beforehand sort of like the tiny hairs on my face are charging then the pain starts. I can have it for up to a fee days then it stops and I may not have it again for a few months. I have heard of Trigeminal Neuralgia and what I get sounds exactly like that but the difference with mine is it's not only on my face I get it on my scalp too and when I get really bad episodes it can affect my neck, throat, inside my nose,eyes and gums too. It's so painful it makes me wince and shout out it's very embarrassing. I've had a doctor tell me it's from nerve damage because I was never vaccinated as a child and I've had chickenpox four times three times as an adult. Could this be true? Has anyone else got something similar?

Jump to this post

@trishd This probably should be mentioned to your doctor as well. Keep a list of questions for your next visit. Teresa

REPLY
tori | @tori | Apr 4, 2017

I went for therapy on my tmj which is bad. During the treatment they pulled my neck turned it to the side....when that happened I ended up with a pain that went from my neck up to the top of my head. I haven't been able to lay on the back of my head or either side of my face which they think I have pinched nerves in my neck. The pain is horrible. I now am getting coldness in my face a burning along with this tinittins of my left ear. My nerves are now bad because of the pain....when the pain lets up some I go into a panic attack..... I have gone from one doc to another....as they keep sending me for more and more testing. Which has shown my neck is bad but no surgery now sending to pain management....it is hard to pay attention and feels as though I am in another world because of the pain. Any thoughts on what mess are best ....I don't do well on them

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 4, 2017

Hello @trishd. It's been a few weeks since we have heard from you. How are you doing with your pain? I hope that you have been able to speak with your doctor and find some help. Please keep in touch with us as you are able. Teresa

REPLY
elainesharon | @elainesharon | Apr 18, 2017

please help me 3 weeks ago i had these electric type pains in my head my docter said that it could be connected to shingles she put me on some tablets which helped but since today again im having these pains any advice

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 18, 2017
In reply to @elainesharon "please help me 3 weeks ago i had these electric type pains in my head my..." + (show)
@elainesharon

please help me 3 weeks ago i had these electric type pains in my head my docter said that it could be connected to shingles she put me on some tablets which helped but since today again im having these pains any advice

Jump to this post

Welcome, @elainesharon.
You'll notice that I moved your message to a discussion called "Electric Shock" type pain in my scalp!" in the Chronic Pain group. If you click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification, you'll be able scroll back through the discussion to see suggestions from other members about this type of electric shock pain. You'll also meet members like @lorimar89 @david33 @luladavis @audrapopp @genzel @megamom and @sandytoes14.

I especially encourage you to read the posts starting here with @lorimar89's http://mayocl.in/2okSyjR

Elaine, what medication did your doctor give you for shingles? Did the electric shock sensation go away?

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