"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?

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@sooz50

Hello! I have no idea if you are still on this Mayo Clinic group but I too get those top of head "zingers" and they are SO painful! Wish I could talk to you more about it. I have some theories. I HATE to test it out because it's painful! But I have a quess that (for me) it MAY be linked to horrible preservatives and additives in some foods and diet sodas. SO I stopped drinking diet coke etc and TRY not to eat process foods but additives and preservatives are in a bunch of foods in restaurants and at the store .. NOT sure i that's the cause but its a guess. Again I hate to eat and drink those things and test it out.. bc if that's it it will be a day and night of those scalp "zaps"! If you have any ideas to share, let me know!

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Thanks for your reply! For me? This seems to be nutrition -connected. I got a handle on my junk food eating when I was about 58...I stopped eating a lot of carbs, espec those foods with nitrates /nitrites... processed foods full of high amounts of preservatives and additives ( things like Costo's processed items, when you see those hard to pronounced things listed high up on list of ingredients! ) When i used to eat those things I 'd get a lot of those scalp zingers, But for the past 11 yrs ive made a conscious effort to stay away from taking in those big amount of bad foods ,and diet sodas with fake ingredients. I lost 60 lbs Im 69 and down to my best weight. I stay with good eating 95% of the time and daily exercise 100%, . My "scalp zingers" basically stopped during these past 11 yrs. Once in a blue moon they'd happen and it sure seemed to be linked to eating any high sugar/carb times when out with friends or at parties with a lot of processed foods i dont normally eat, or if i drank diet coke, The next day or two I got zingers! So try not to eat that way ... (.and if I do any Diet Sodas they are brands like Zevia that only use plant based sweeteners like Stevia) I went on vacation 4 weeks ago and fell off my "good nutrition" wagon big time! I mean we were eating party foods and drinking sugary cocktails. massive donuts, Burgers and fries etc. I also got a few Diet Cokes when thirsty at the airport . they didnt have my Zevia sodas I got home felt awful. Immune system weakened so i got a cold (and all those pollens while in beautiful "green forest" Portland didnt help) and sure enuf I had scalp zingers for 3 days and nights in row. It's gone now but for me? I swear it's related to intake of additives and preservatives and high sugars in processed foods and drinks. SO im' back on the wagon now! Here's hoping those zingers stay AWAY. NO fun! While i did have them if i took two Tylenol at night I could sleep, thankfully!

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@sooz50

Thanks for your reply! For me? This seems to be nutrition -connected. I got a handle on my junk food eating when I was about 58...I stopped eating a lot of carbs, espec those foods with nitrates /nitrites... processed foods full of high amounts of preservatives and additives ( things like Costo's processed items, when you see those hard to pronounced things listed high up on list of ingredients! ) When i used to eat those things I 'd get a lot of those scalp zingers, But for the past 11 yrs ive made a conscious effort to stay away from taking in those big amount of bad foods ,and diet sodas with fake ingredients. I lost 60 lbs Im 69 and down to my best weight. I stay with good eating 95% of the time and daily exercise 100%, . My "scalp zingers" basically stopped during these past 11 yrs. Once in a blue moon they'd happen and it sure seemed to be linked to eating any high sugar/carb times when out with friends or at parties with a lot of processed foods i dont normally eat, or if i drank diet coke, The next day or two I got zingers! So try not to eat that way ... (.and if I do any Diet Sodas they are brands like Zevia that only use plant based sweeteners like Stevia) I went on vacation 4 weeks ago and fell off my "good nutrition" wagon big time! I mean we were eating party foods and drinking sugary cocktails. massive donuts, Burgers and fries etc. I also got a few Diet Cokes when thirsty at the airport . they didnt have my Zevia sodas I got home felt awful. Immune system weakened so i got a cold (and all those pollens while in beautiful "green forest" Portland didnt help) and sure enuf I had scalp zingers for 3 days and nights in row. It's gone now but for me? I swear it's related to intake of additives and preservatives and high sugars in processed foods and drinks. SO im' back on the wagon now! Here's hoping those zingers stay AWAY. NO fun! While i did have them if i took two Tylenol at night I could sleep, thankfully!

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@sooz50 it sounds like you are doing all the right things and setting a great example for the rest of us! I used to have very sharp stabbing pains in my hands until I took everything out of my diet that was causing pain. The good thing for you now is to stay in that great health as you get older. A lot of what we think of as aging is really the effect of inflammation on our bodies, and we can make a lot of choices to change that. Tylenol is toxic and causes liver damage if it's overdosed. A lot of my headaches are allergy related, so I control the allergies as best I can. Vitamin C and a big glass of water can get rid of a headache, and I'll do that if need be, but it's very rare. I know I can't even take a sip of a diet soda. I always bring my own food with me to gatherings so I know it is safe. Zevia is good, but expensive.

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@jenniferhunter

@sooz50 it sounds like you are doing all the right things and setting a great example for the rest of us! I used to have very sharp stabbing pains in my hands until I took everything out of my diet that was causing pain. The good thing for you now is to stay in that great health as you get older. A lot of what we think of as aging is really the effect of inflammation on our bodies, and we can make a lot of choices to change that. Tylenol is toxic and causes liver damage if it's overdosed. A lot of my headaches are allergy related, so I control the allergies as best I can. Vitamin C and a big glass of water can get rid of a headache, and I'll do that if need be, but it's very rare. I know I can't even take a sip of a diet soda. I always bring my own food with me to gatherings so I know it is safe. Zevia is good, but expensive.

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Thanks Jennifer! Yes here's to good health to all! It's a road we each have to walk ourselves when ready. NOT easy to stay on for many of us (speaking for myself) but I realized i was giving the "gift" to myself to start over with my life and im glad I stepped up to the plate. It would have been so easy to just give up that day in 2001 when i was 51 and 60lbs overweight , I was ready to give up and just be "matronly". BUT something kicked in and i caught myself from falling into that. SO many ills (especially in the USA) are the direct result of horrible FAST FOODS we created for the busy family! Kids and adults eating McDonalds and Kentucky Fried chicken and sugary sodas and desserts every day. ...enormous amounts of processed sugars and additives/preservatves. . Add in NO exercise as well and it's recipe for obesity and inflammation that will cause disease.

Kids don't play outside any longer on skates and bikes and walking and running all over their n'hods! Due to the "dangers" out there of kidnapping etc (what a world! right?) kids stay indoors. You RARELY see kids in n'hoods alll playing outside anymore. Adults created computers so now .. they are in their rooms watching TV or on their computers or phones for hours.. Obesity in adults and kids is rampant. My two grown sons were looking at my 1964-68 HighSchool annuals ) and they were both blown away how there were NO overweight teens in any of the class photos and other photos! A few may have some extra lbs here and there but it was NOTHING like looking around schools today starting in Elementary levels as well! OR just looking at the general public in most American cities. FAST LIVING = FAST FOOD add in No exercise due to stting at desks or at home on computers and choice of 500 channels on TVS and it all adds up to a nation of very sick citizens. Add in the fact we have so many living at or under the poverty levels and their ONLY food choices to feed the family are those $2 meals at Fast Food places.or processed food they buy in bulk. That then all adds to both Mental and physical illnesses. whew..

Anyway I was on that a yo-yo treadmil for years and finally got off it. I feel so much better now at almost age 70 then I did at age 51. I ve been doing a (daily ) walk since 2001. First just a 20 min flat walk then few mos later a 20 min hills walk found n'hoods that had some steep sidewalks ) and now since 2008 have been doing a daily 25 stairs walk (I moved to tiny condo that is right by the "secret stairs of La Mesa"! 300 stairs day and sometimes i do the other 109 set too) It's my "gift" to myself and to my family! to try to keep myself as mobile and healthy as I can. I also do some floorwork (20 mins combo yoga/pilates) But this ALL started that day before the mirror at age 51 so overweight and unhappy and unhealthy.
AND i still have to fight those old food addictions time to time! But not a day goes by I don't exercise Keeps my MIND strong so when i do fall off a wagon its only for few days and then i MAKE myself get back to eating right. As a gift to myself and my family.
Ive been a singer and guitar player for 52 yrs now in clubs..... but I go to Rest Homes to sing for folks too time to time over last 40 yrs .Its pretty eye opening now as I myself am getting closer in age to some of them in those Rest Homes (and often due to illnesses like diabetes etc. . , Those in wheelchairs remind me to continue to appreciate the fact I can walk because One day i may not have that privilege. SO true! BEST LUCK to us all! to be proactive and at least try to stay healthy and figure out those things that work for us and those things we have to stay on top of! I put a few THEN and NOW shots too! They too help keep me on track!

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@sooz50

Thanks Jennifer! Yes here's to good health to all! It's a road we each have to walk ourselves when ready. NOT easy to stay on for many of us (speaking for myself) but I realized i was giving the "gift" to myself to start over with my life and im glad I stepped up to the plate. It would have been so easy to just give up that day in 2001 when i was 51 and 60lbs overweight , I was ready to give up and just be "matronly". BUT something kicked in and i caught myself from falling into that. SO many ills (especially in the USA) are the direct result of horrible FAST FOODS we created for the busy family! Kids and adults eating McDonalds and Kentucky Fried chicken and sugary sodas and desserts every day. ...enormous amounts of processed sugars and additives/preservatves. . Add in NO exercise as well and it's recipe for obesity and inflammation that will cause disease.

Kids don't play outside any longer on skates and bikes and walking and running all over their n'hods! Due to the "dangers" out there of kidnapping etc (what a world! right?) kids stay indoors. You RARELY see kids in n'hoods alll playing outside anymore. Adults created computers so now .. they are in their rooms watching TV or on their computers or phones for hours.. Obesity in adults and kids is rampant. My two grown sons were looking at my 1964-68 HighSchool annuals ) and they were both blown away how there were NO overweight teens in any of the class photos and other photos! A few may have some extra lbs here and there but it was NOTHING like looking around schools today starting in Elementary levels as well! OR just looking at the general public in most American cities. FAST LIVING = FAST FOOD add in No exercise due to stting at desks or at home on computers and choice of 500 channels on TVS and it all adds up to a nation of very sick citizens. Add in the fact we have so many living at or under the poverty levels and their ONLY food choices to feed the family are those $2 meals at Fast Food places.or processed food they buy in bulk. That then all adds to both Mental and physical illnesses. whew..

Anyway I was on that a yo-yo treadmil for years and finally got off it. I feel so much better now at almost age 70 then I did at age 51. I ve been doing a (daily ) walk since 2001. First just a 20 min flat walk then few mos later a 20 min hills walk found n'hoods that had some steep sidewalks ) and now since 2008 have been doing a daily 25 stairs walk (I moved to tiny condo that is right by the "secret stairs of La Mesa"! 300 stairs day and sometimes i do the other 109 set too) It's my "gift" to myself and to my family! to try to keep myself as mobile and healthy as I can. I also do some floorwork (20 mins combo yoga/pilates) But this ALL started that day before the mirror at age 51 so overweight and unhappy and unhealthy.
AND i still have to fight those old food addictions time to time! But not a day goes by I don't exercise Keeps my MIND strong so when i do fall off a wagon its only for few days and then i MAKE myself get back to eating right. As a gift to myself and my family.
Ive been a singer and guitar player for 52 yrs now in clubs..... but I go to Rest Homes to sing for folks too time to time over last 40 yrs .Its pretty eye opening now as I myself am getting closer in age to some of them in those Rest Homes (and often due to illnesses like diabetes etc. . , Those in wheelchairs remind me to continue to appreciate the fact I can walk because One day i may not have that privilege. SO true! BEST LUCK to us all! to be proactive and at least try to stay healthy and figure out those things that work for us and those things we have to stay on top of! I put a few THEN and NOW shots too! They too help keep me on track!

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@sooz50 Well said ,scary isn't it

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@lioness

@sooz50 Well said ,scary isn't it

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Each just have to do the best we can do and really make a concerted effort.. . Put one foot front o the other and HOPE for the best by keeping HOPE alive. And we do that by learning to live "in the moment" We are not promised anything else really! So we try and stay healthy and celebrate all we have. Make time helping others in need who are worse off than we are. We are grateful when we find out this "secret". That being this.. "rich" is actually those who have health, a roof overhead no matter how small, , and access to a bathroom and shower. MANY people would give their right arm for such riches. So each day i wake up and remind myself how lucky i am to be so " rich" . I live below what Calif defines as the financial poverty level for Calif , but each day I wake up and get ready for my stairs walk and say to myself how amazingly rich i am! t OK ONWARD we go!

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@sooz50

Each just have to do the best we can do and really make a concerted effort.. . Put one foot front o the other and HOPE for the best by keeping HOPE alive. And we do that by learning to live "in the moment" We are not promised anything else really! So we try and stay healthy and celebrate all we have. Make time helping others in need who are worse off than we are. We are grateful when we find out this "secret". That being this.. "rich" is actually those who have health, a roof overhead no matter how small, , and access to a bathroom and shower. MANY people would give their right arm for such riches. So each day i wake up and remind myself how lucky i am to be so " rich" . I live below what Calif defines as the financial poverty level for Calif , but each day I wake up and get ready for my stairs walk and say to myself how amazingly rich i am! t OK ONWARD we go!

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@sooz50 Your right foot in front of other What gave you the idea I'm rich no way I live from paycheck to paycheck like so many do I've been very fortunate blessed by God but it's still a daily chore Keep your spirits up

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@lioness

@sooz50 Your right foot in front of other What gave you the idea I'm rich no way I live from paycheck to paycheck like so many do I've been very fortunate blessed by God but it's still a daily chore Keep your spirits up

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Hi! You misunderstood what i was sayin! " ) .. I was saying that eve though i am very financially poor ($15,800 year) and i can barely pay my bills, i STILL feel Im "rich" because I have my health ,and small roof over my head and a bathroom.. so i feel SO lucky and "rich" to have those things. I truly apologize if you thought i was saying you were rich! Sounds like You're in same boat I am . I was just saying we are strong and we all must put one foot front o the other. 🙂 I wish you well , and hope you too can keep good health! all the best!

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@sooz50 I understand when you think of California that's what you think rich because of the celebrities here but regular Californian,s aren't My son and his wife like most couples work when they had my grandson I told him I would move out and help He asked me long before about moving out .So that's why I'm here .I so enjoyed watching him we did a lot of things till he got in 1st grade Between her parents and me he never had a babysitter till now he is 11 They have both been good to me I'm so fortunate. But it's still one foot in front of another for me.

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@lioness

@sooz50 I understand when you think of California that's what you think rich because of the celebrities here but regular Californian,s aren't My son and his wife like most couples work when they had my grandson I told him I would move out and help He asked me long before about moving out .So that's why I'm here .I so enjoyed watching him we did a lot of things till he got in 1st grade Between her parents and me he never had a babysitter till now he is 11 They have both been good to me I'm so fortunate. But it's still one foot in front of another for me.

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Sounds like its' wonderful for you to have had that time with grandchild! Awesome! And many folks in my age group (Ill be 70 next yr) are in the same financial sitch i am. We're not sure how many years we can afford to live! My genetics (on my mother's side ) live to their 100s! But we have to have the money to live that long for those of us living on our own. Soon many of us Baby Boomers wil prob just all move in together in housing that allows that and we'll all have to pool our Social Sec checks together to keep a roof over head. We'll figure out the food and Gas and Lights as we go! BUT i'm not afraid to keep working either I still work to try to supplement my income So i'd do that as long as they keep hiring me ! I like to work (Im a professional singer and guitar player .Don't make much $$ but every bit helps) RE: California. I'm a native Californian! Born and Raised in beautiful San Diego, CA , so i know all about Calif! 🙂

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@sooz50

Sounds like its' wonderful for you to have had that time with grandchild! Awesome! And many folks in my age group (Ill be 70 next yr) are in the same financial sitch i am. We're not sure how many years we can afford to live! My genetics (on my mother's side ) live to their 100s! But we have to have the money to live that long for those of us living on our own. Soon many of us Baby Boomers wil prob just all move in together in housing that allows that and we'll all have to pool our Social Sec checks together to keep a roof over head. We'll figure out the food and Gas and Lights as we go! BUT i'm not afraid to keep working either I still work to try to supplement my income So i'd do that as long as they keep hiring me ! I like to work (Im a professional singer and guitar player .Don't make much $$ but every bit helps) RE: California. I'm a native Californian! Born and Raised in beautiful San Diego, CA , so i know all about Calif! 🙂

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@Yes you do then My grandson was in a talent show and played a drum solo I'm so proud of him and so glad I moved from Pa. I didn't want to miss his growing up my Mom was 90 when she died so if I can live till then I'll get to see Aabid in college . Our family was all musical my son place guitar sings in his office . I don't worry about the future My faith and trust in God has taken care of me

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