Suggest Treatment For Spasms Like Pain On The Side Of My Head

Brief Answer:
Possible PRIMARY STABBING HEADACHE vs. TEMPORAL NEURALGIA

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Your description of this pain on the side of your head gives the impression that it is sudden in onset, there are no other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, it is not very long in duration (seconds or less), and comes and goes (possibly several times a day or maybe it's erratic). You did not mention anything about visual changes, blurring, or reduction in acuity or in your peripheral vision.

This description therefore, is most consistent with a NEURALGIFORM type of pain over the temporal area of the head. You may actually have a local irritation of a small nerve located in the temporal area of the head so we would call that a temporal neuralgia.

Some people may wish, however, to refer to this as a TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA because of its sharp and sudden onset but would typically distinguishes a temporal neuralgia from a trigeminal neuralgia is location and ability to trigger a trigeminal neuralgia (TN) by things such as a touch, a breeze against the face, chewing movements, or other tactile stimuli against the face. Location of TN is also most commonly about the FACE PROPER, not the sides of the head as is the typical location of a temporal neuralgia.

This could be a temporal vasculitic type of pain as well, however, the most distinguishing feature of that process is the CONSTANCY OF PAIN over the temporal region or even regions of the head as opposed to the intermittent flavor that you are describing. The pain is burning and not usually described as this seems to be which is sharp, sudden, and stabbing.

What I would say for your best protection is that you be very vigilant of visual acuity changes and if you feel you have had any blurring of vision or loss of visual perception in a particular eye in the past week or so since this developed to seek the attention of either an OPHTHALMOLOGIST or NEUROLOGIST without delay. The condition known as TEMPORAL ARTERITIS could be at play in that case, though I think it unlikely here for the way things are described in your introductory statement.

One final possibility which I believe ranks high in the differential is something referred to as PRIMARY STABBING HEADACHES which are part of a broader category of primary headaches we call TRIGEMINAL AUTONOMIC CEPHALGIA (TAC), however, the reason this diagnosis is possibly less convincing than TEMPORAL NEURALGIA is location.

Primary Stabbing Headaches typically attack the orbit, the ridge of the brow, behind the eyes, they are usually described as much more painful and jolting which can literally stop people in mid-activity and even drop to the ground in pain which can last several seconds to many seconds with a recovery period that can last up to 1-2 minutes due to its severe jolting effect. This doesn't seem to fit the severity description of how you present the pain.

I believe the most likely and parsimonious diagnosis of your symptoms is therefore, TEMPORAL NEURALGIA.

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Brief Answer:
Temporal Pain

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

My best recommendation is that you first OBTAIN A DIAGNOSIS which will require a physical examination by someone well versed in these sorts of problems (neurologist / headache specialist or ophthalmologist). That person will then, be able to tell you with certainty whether ibuprofen is the drug of choice for the pain you've described.

I'll just bet somebody out at Medical Center, or even you of I would be able to properly assess you and offer an appropriate care plan. The trick is you need to call them. But at Parma Neurology. We're always ready to welcome wonderful patients such as yourself from the West. I recently had an 80+ year old Hospital Administrator visit me from Alberta, CA through an online interaction as this one. So it wouldn't be unheard of for us to be treating out of state folks. Just sayin'!

Of the differential list I gave to you in my first message...ibuprofen COULD be a reasonable choice of medication but also, and depending on what the actual diagnosis is and what your medical condition is, what other drugs you may be taking, etc as well as the results of blood tests and if necessary imaging studies of the head/neck, other medications could be considered better suited to this problem.

Also, we must always remember that sometimes things go away on their own and may only seem to be alleviated by things we are taking or what we're doing. Only to come back on us at a later date. I can't tell you how many times that happens in these sorts of headaches or head pains as you're describing.

In your case, the most SIGNIFICANT and important differential that I would like to see you RULE OUT would be that of a GIANT CELL or TEMPORAL ARTERITIS since of all the possibilities listed above- that is the one that can cause the most harm if not diagnosed in a timely fashion or at least ruled out. My index of suspicion for that diagnosis is low but I cannot take the risk on saying that you cannot have that problem without having examined you thoroughly. Make sense?

The concern with ibuprofen is its side effect profile when it comes to GI disturbances and bleeding risks and so again, I would exercise caution in using this medication when simply gauging its utility on pain relief since it may result in your taking an amount that would be considered excessive or may even interfere with other conditions.

Conclusion: Good Diagnosis after thorough and PERSONAL examination will lead to Good Treatment which will lead to Good peace of mind and GREAT Health Results.

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