I know this thread is old but what you describe here is exactly what I'm going through. I'm 37, generally healthy with some history of migraines. I've had bouts of this in the past but today's is by far the worst I've ever had. I woke up almost thinking it was the onset of an ear infection but then the zaps began. They come in clusters of 3 or 4 every 45 seconds or so. The "zaps" for lack of a better word, feel very electric and hit like a shock just like touching an electric fence for a second. They originate right under the scalp (kind of the top of my head off to the right side) where the scalp is hyper sensitive. I was almost in tears brushing this side of my hair this morning. The feeling on the scalp is similar to that of taking a tight ponytail down after having it in for a long time though much more intense.

I took ibuprofen and Tylenol today to no avail. I even tried a glass of white wine but worried it made it worse. Does anyone have any experience with the right medicine to find relief? I believe the last time I had this it last 2 1/2 days and I'm hoping that's not the case this time. I did find a measure of relief laying still on my back. The zaps still came but more regularly. When I'm up walking, talking, working, etc., just turning your head or bending over brings additional zaps. I also find sitting alone allows me to channel the pain into a muscle reaction like a leg kick or foot stomp (silly I know) but it helps somehow.

Any or all advice would be appreciated. Especially on what works to get the pain to stop! And the, of course, I'm curious what in the world is causing this. I've read about TN but as many people mentioned, that pain is described as facial pain and this is on one side of my scalp. I also read about Occipital neuralgia. Any thoughts there?