Connect
On and off Headaches left side of my head for two weeks!
Since the 9th of September I've had on and off headaches in the left side of my head. It started out as a zapping pain in my temple then days later move to the top of my head and then later to the back of my head too. All left sided. The pain is almost never constant and it comes on fast a very sudden spike of pain then goes away for a few mins, these attacks have lasted anywhere from half an hour to an hour so far and have really only happened twice a day since then. The pain I get with these zaps honestly is barable and all pain goes away when I take paracetamol but I was worried about overuse of it. I saw a doctor on the 13th and in the notes she said I had a normal cranial nerve examination which was reassuring and after another extremely anxiety ridden week I saw her again on the 21st and was prescribed sumatriptan. She still isn't worried that this is something sinister but I honestly am only getting more and more worked up and scared about this. I have extreme health anxiety and the overwhelming thoughts of cancer or a tumour have been exhausting and nothing seems to settle this anxiety. One thing I am scared about is the fact that sitting a certain way or leaning a certain way has been helping relieve some of the discomfort (sometimes not all the time) when its not just the zaps of pain that I'm calling it. Just honestly scared and worried that that my gp isn't taking this as seriously as I am (but I am very painfully aware they are a doctor and I am not) I am in a constant state of fear worrying about if I will need an MRI or CT Scan (my doctor has already told me its not likley at all that I will need one)
Any support or anyone who has gone through this before just any messages at all would help.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Headache & Migraine Support Group.
Connect
My situation was similar to this, although my headaches did not ever go completely away. It was always there and I had severe “spikes” throughout the day. Nothing helped. I tried every OTC medicine available and nothing worked. Doctor thought it might be migraines and gave me meds for that. It didn’t work. Had an MRI and it was normal. Went to eye doctor and dentist, thinking it might be something in those areas. They found nothing. Doc referred me to a neurologist, but it was going to be 7 months before I could get an appointment. I did some digging using AI and it suggested that my symptoms fit perfectly a condition called Hemicrania Continua. The only treatment for this is a drug called Indomethacin. In fact, the condition is often diagnosed by prescribing this drug and if it works, that verifies the condition. I asked my doc if she would be willing to prescribe this drug to see if it works. It did. While waiting on my neurologist appointment, I am continuing to take this medicine. I have not had a headache since and I have been taking it for about 5-6 months. This condition is rare, it is not fatal, and it is not caused by any underlying condition. No reason for it, it just happens to some people. No cure, just treatment. The medicine is not covered by insurance (at least not mine) but only costs about $20 per month. Maybe something to think about?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@annmiller1949
Your story and reaction is almost exactly the same my wife's. She had seen three headache doctors and tried almost all the migraine medications, and still had headaches. A new doctor suggested trying indomethacin, not knowing if it would help or not, and it has been almost a
perfect solution to her headaches. The major problem with the drug, it can be tough on your stomach, always take with food. So far, she has had no stomach problems. She has been on it for about six months.
Doctors are said to “practice” medical care for a reason. I’ve had several doctors who have misdiagnosed health conditions, and have had to fire a couple who refused to readdress the symptoms. My point is that you have to be your own advocate. Listen to your own instincts, and if you don’t feel comfortable with what they are saying or if they are dismissive of your concerns, you need to them. If they get condescending (as I’ve had happen), you need to get a second opinion. Doctors are not infallible and some have egos that make it difficult for them to admit that they might have gotten it wrong.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@nedwards It doesn’t bother my stomach at all, but it tends to make me tired, so my doctor has me on a very low dose. The low dose works but I can feel the headache waiting in the shadows, if that makes sense. I am aware of the headache but don’t really feel it. I can’t think of any other way to explain it.
Can you get a referral to a neurologist? Let them decide if you need MRI (ct scan won't show aneurysm but will rule out tumor) .