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What Causes Discomfort Inside Skull?
Question: I have been searching for answers; for the last year I have had this feeling of bruising inside my skull. Day, night, comes, goes but it is daily. I take xanix which helps temporarily and used to take Zolft which made it worse after considtantly taking my required dosage for over 6 months and had stopped taking that.
They also said it was chronic migraine which I am not prone to headaches. Thousands spent on medical bills thus far..
Last year I had a cat scan which showed nothing. I am completely perplexed and tired of no answers.
I keep remembering other tests done; I also had requested an EKG as I was panicking thinking it had to be cancer.. I take Valtrex from time to time for shingles; however, that has been going on for over 15 years.. the other med I take is for my cholesterol. I have metabolic syndrome
They also said it was chronic migraine which I am not prone to headaches. Thousands spent on medical bills thus far..
Last year I had a cat scan which showed nothing. I am completely perplexed and tired of no answers.
I keep remembering other tests done; I also had requested an EKG as I was panicking thinking it had to be cancer.. I take Valtrex from time to time for shingles; however, that has been going on for over 15 years.. the other med I take is for my cholesterol. I have metabolic syndrome
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
This is an online forum and I cannot examine you or perform any lab tests. However, I can hypothesize about what this may be.
This could be prolonged withdrawal from Zoloft, as an electrical zapping sensation in the brain is commonly reported when withdrawing from Zoloft.
This could be related to too high a dose or withdrawing from pain medications you took after your shoulder surgery, depending on the pain medications used.
This could also indeed be chronic atypical migraine. You do not need headaches to have migraines...migraines can take all kinds of forms, including the discomfort your describe.
I suggest getting an MRI of the brain if you have not already. CT scans can miss a lot which MRIs will pick up.
I hope this was helpful.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
This is an online forum and I cannot examine you or perform any lab tests. However, I can hypothesize about what this may be.
This could be prolonged withdrawal from Zoloft, as an electrical zapping sensation in the brain is commonly reported when withdrawing from Zoloft.
This could be related to too high a dose or withdrawing from pain medications you took after your shoulder surgery, depending on the pain medications used.
This could also indeed be chronic atypical migraine. You do not need headaches to have migraines...migraines can take all kinds of forms, including the discomfort your describe.
I suggest getting an MRI of the brain if you have not already. CT scans can miss a lot which MRIs will pick up.
I hope this was helpful.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Thank you for the response; I know it is not the Zoloft as that was given to me weeks after the 1st zap occurred.
You said "This could be related to too high a dose or withdrawing from pain medications you took after your shoulder surgery, depending on the pain medications used.".
How long can a withdrawal last from taking too many pain meds for too many months? Also, is there anything I can do to make this pain go away if indeed it's a long term withdrawal?
I asked my MD over & over if it could have been a withdrawal and he kept saying "not a chance". .. crazy!
Very frustrating that I cannot find one MD to pin point the symptom and that the cost of an MRI is sooo expensive.:(
Thanks again for the feedback!
XXXXXXX
You said "This could be related to too high a dose or withdrawing from pain medications you took after your shoulder surgery, depending on the pain medications used.".
How long can a withdrawal last from taking too many pain meds for too many months? Also, is there anything I can do to make this pain go away if indeed it's a long term withdrawal?
I asked my MD over & over if it could have been a withdrawal and he kept saying "not a chance". .. crazy!
Very frustrating that I cannot find one MD to pin point the symptom and that the cost of an MRI is sooo expensive.:(
Thanks again for the feedback!
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Withdrawal from pain medication can last for several weeks and even months depending on the dosages used and the length of time the meds were used, which for you was a long time (months).
It will be nearly impossible for any MD to pinpoint what is going on without an MRI, this is a crucial tool to understanding what is going on in your brain. I strongly recommend one.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Withdrawal from pain medication can last for several weeks and even months depending on the dosages used and the length of time the meds were used, which for you was a long time (months).
It will be nearly impossible for any MD to pinpoint what is going on without an MRI, this is a crucial tool to understanding what is going on in your brain. I strongly recommend one.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
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