My Wife Experiences A Sudden Stabbing Pain In Her Head

Posted on Sun, 7 Apr 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 7 Apr 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : My wife experiences a sudden stabbing pain in her head at times which goes away after some minutes.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get done MRI brain.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, she should get done MRI brain to rule out any brain pathology.
If MRI brain is normal then no need to worry for brain pathology.
Please let me know
1. Is she having any giddiness?
2. Is she having any vomiting?
3. Is she having uncontrolled hypertension?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your wife. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 hours later)

Thanks for your reply Doctor. To questions 1 and 2, no giddiness or vomiting. The event was very sudden and severe but lasted only a few minutes. Afterwords she had a mild headache and laydown for a while. To question 3, she has a history of blood pressure variation, sometimes high but also very low at times. She is aware of when these occur. I gave her 1 tablet of losartan which I use daily. Since she can also have low pressure I do not want to give her more. This morning her BP reading on a wrist cuff was 130/80 and she feels fine.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get done MRI.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
By your answers, I don't think there is major brain pathology.
But it is always better to rule out brain pathology especially when patient is having fluctuating blood pressure.
If MRI brain is normal then no need to worry at all.
Please let me know if she is having stressful life or anxiety.
I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your wife. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj