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Sudden, Sharp Pain on Upper Left Side of Head? Seeking Advice
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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I have trigeminal since 2006.
Using a deep heat salve on area helps.
Zosterist a cream made from chilli peppers will trick the pain.
Do not start with heavy meds.
Generally they do not help but affect other organs with long term use.
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1 ReactionCapsaicin is also hot pepper. I use Capsaicin pathces. Bio Freeze and Ben Gay also help. But to be honest I have not found a solution that really addresses the pain and not sure I expect to. It helps if there is something good on Netflix.
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1 ReactionI agree.
It is something that is so intense and sporadic hard to get in front of it.
I like Netflix ,too.
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1 ReactionHey Abba, Wanted to know If you ever figured out what it was. I have the same symptoms that come and go randomly. I've taken the same medications (gabapentin, some pain medications that do absolutely nothing) had the scans and everything comes back normal. One thing I have noticed is the spot the pain is coming from feels tender compared to other side.
Have you ever tried imitrex (migraine med). I had very strange symptoms, and turned out to be migraine. A clever neurologist suggested that I try imitrex, and it worked like a miracle for me (also for my sister). For years my sister was told her headaches were not migraine, but alas, they were migraine and disappeared with imitrex, also.