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I Am Having A Recurring Sharp Pain In My Head
Question: I am having a recurring sharp pain in my head (4th day). it happens in the same spot everytime. It does not last long. it may happen many times in a short period of time or hours might pass in between pains. the actual spot on my head hurts (tender to touch). When the stabbing pain happens it is severe but shortlived. it is located at about the 2 o%E2%80%99 clock position on the left side. I tried taking meds.... advil, excedrine, tramadol. nothing is working. should i be worried?
Brief Answer:
Possible causes and further steps explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
Spasms of the muscles that run under the scalp are very common causes of headaches, even severe ones.
On the other hand, the pain you describe, intense stabbing pain, that is not affected by pain killers is very likely due to occipital neuralgia, especially if it is at the area closer to the back of the ear and head.
This is a pain due to the occipital nerve (the nerve that innervates the back and side of the head) being pinched or pressed on its way from the vertebra to the scalp.
This may happen due to neck problems or trauma at the back of the head.
Generally, occipital neuralgia is considered if the pain lasts or recurs so it tends to be a chronic kind of pain.
In your case because you have the pain for 4 days and you are not better with the pain killers, tramadol included, it is recommended to see your doctor and have a thorough physical examination, including a neck, scalp and neurological examination.
If the doctor suspects occipital neuralgia as the likely cause of your pain, he may do a local injection with lignocaine and a steroid to help quiet down the nerve.
To conclude:
- The pain you are explaining can be due to the muscles and tendons of the scalp being in spasm. In this case, regular use of painkillers (ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours after food and Paracetamol 500 mg every 8 hours) is recommended. Also, local warm compresses and gentle massage of the scalp and at the neck area may help (should be gentle massage).
- If the pain is not better in the next hours with this treatment or if you notice any worsening you will need to see a doctor.
- Occipital neuralgia may be the cause in this case. It is not dangerous but can be very distressing to the patient. Proper pain management, in this case, may entail local injection to quiet the nerve
- If by 2 o'clock you meant the area close to the eye, then this is very important information and other serious diagnoses (such as temporal arteritis) should be ruled out as soon as possible.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Possible causes and further steps explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
Spasms of the muscles that run under the scalp are very common causes of headaches, even severe ones.
On the other hand, the pain you describe, intense stabbing pain, that is not affected by pain killers is very likely due to occipital neuralgia, especially if it is at the area closer to the back of the ear and head.
This is a pain due to the occipital nerve (the nerve that innervates the back and side of the head) being pinched or pressed on its way from the vertebra to the scalp.
This may happen due to neck problems or trauma at the back of the head.
Generally, occipital neuralgia is considered if the pain lasts or recurs so it tends to be a chronic kind of pain.
In your case because you have the pain for 4 days and you are not better with the pain killers, tramadol included, it is recommended to see your doctor and have a thorough physical examination, including a neck, scalp and neurological examination.
If the doctor suspects occipital neuralgia as the likely cause of your pain, he may do a local injection with lignocaine and a steroid to help quiet down the nerve.
To conclude:
- The pain you are explaining can be due to the muscles and tendons of the scalp being in spasm. In this case, regular use of painkillers (ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours after food and Paracetamol 500 mg every 8 hours) is recommended. Also, local warm compresses and gentle massage of the scalp and at the neck area may help (should be gentle massage).
- If the pain is not better in the next hours with this treatment or if you notice any worsening you will need to see a doctor.
- Occipital neuralgia may be the cause in this case. It is not dangerous but can be very distressing to the patient. Proper pain management, in this case, may entail local injection to quiet the nerve
- If by 2 o'clock you meant the area close to the eye, then this is very important information and other serious diagnoses (such as temporal arteritis) should be ruled out as soon as possible.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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