Suggest Treatment For Right Sided Pain On Head And Tenderness

Posted on Fri, 8 Jul 2016

Question: Yes. I have sharp (like a spasm) pain on the right side of my head. My scalp is very tender to the touch. The pain is knife-life sharp. I went to the doctor today and was given Cambia for a migraine, and the pain returned. Then I was given an injection. But the pain has returned - woke me up at 3 AM. I've taken ibuprofen.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Ice pick headaches.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your query and understand your concerns.

Seems like you are suffering from ice pick headaches, especially if the headaches are lasting for seconds (please clarify that part, so that I can understand what is going on).

Indomethacin ( 25 mg two to three times a day ) is the drug used mainly to treat this type of headache if you are not allergic to it.

Discuss with your primary care Doctor about these issues.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 hours later)

Thank you Doctor. To clarify, the stabbing pain lasts only a few seconds each time but then comes back again and again in 30 seconds or so (sometimes the time between the sharp pains is longer up to a couple of minute) but there is a constant tenderness and ache on that side of my head. The medications seem to dull the pain for a while but it comes back. The stabbing pain hurts so much that it takes my breath away. I found some Butalbitol/APAP/Caffeine pills in my medicine cabinet from several years ago - it seems to have helped more than anything else so far and I was able to get some sleep.

I will research ice pick headaches. Could this be some sort of muscle spasm issue?

Kind regards.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is possible.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

It could be also muscles spasms, but in my opinion, thunderclap ( or ice pick ) headaches should be considered/treated first.

If muscles spasms suspected, you can put something warm on that area, the heat should improve your symptoms if they are really related to muscles spasms.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T