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What Causes Recurring Sharp Pain In Head Along With Sensitive Scalp?
Question: I have been experiencing pain that comes and goes, leaving for days or even weeks the reappearing. It's a sharp pain that arrives in approximately 15-30 minute intervals and lasts for a split second when it comes. It's on my head about an inch above my right ear. Sometimes the pain also comes a bit higher than that about two-three inches directly above my ear . My scalp is also slightly sensitive to touch in that same area. It's always on the right side. From 1-10 I'd say the pain is about an 8. I'm becoming concerned since it seems to be reoccurring not a one time thing.
I'm currently under the care of a Neurologist for intermittent sharp pain that goes up and down my legs (what i think an electric shock would feel like), they found a small cyst on a nerve on my lower spine and they are saying that is the cause of that leg pain. Do you think these things are related? What types of things should I look out for with this just above the ear and scalp type pain? Should I make an appointment with the Neurologist or is this just some type of migraine? I don't have any other symptoms other than this. Thanks!
I'm currently under the care of a Neurologist for intermittent sharp pain that goes up and down my legs (what i think an electric shock would feel like), they found a small cyst on a nerve on my lower spine and they are saying that is the cause of that leg pain. Do you think these things are related? What types of things should I look out for with this just above the ear and scalp type pain? Should I make an appointment with the Neurologist or is this just some type of migraine? I don't have any other symptoms other than this. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
it's a stretch from the lowr back to top of head
Detailed Answer:
If there were imaging studies, they would tell a lot about either pain. Knowing the pathway of the pain nerves in each place is quite helpful. In the back the pain nerves go from the spine outward through the sciatica nerve. The area around the ear... depends quite a bit if it is in FRONT of the ear (most likely the cause, ... a nerve frmo the base of the brain ... the trigeminal nerve, so often irritated it has it's own syndrome naeme...trigeminal neuralgia) or behind the ear.. which owuld be from the top of the spine BUT doesn't hit just one spot.. hits a broad area all over the back of the head!).
Trigeminal neuralgia can be from a herpes virus or other infection, tumor, trauma, but mostly.. .it just gets irritated. any nerve damper workks quite well on it. This includes anti-epilepsy medicines (lyrica, gabapentin, likely many others), lidocaine like meds (amitryptiline, possibly lidocaine patch) even surgery onto th nerve to damage its pain function.
An imaging study such as a CT or MRI is often done. Tests for lyme, syphillis, autoimmune disease, diabetes are often done.
it's a stretch from the lowr back to top of head
Detailed Answer:
If there were imaging studies, they would tell a lot about either pain. Knowing the pathway of the pain nerves in each place is quite helpful. In the back the pain nerves go from the spine outward through the sciatica nerve. The area around the ear... depends quite a bit if it is in FRONT of the ear (most likely the cause, ... a nerve frmo the base of the brain ... the trigeminal nerve, so often irritated it has it's own syndrome naeme...trigeminal neuralgia) or behind the ear.. which owuld be from the top of the spine BUT doesn't hit just one spot.. hits a broad area all over the back of the head!).
Trigeminal neuralgia can be from a herpes virus or other infection, tumor, trauma, but mostly.. .it just gets irritated. any nerve damper workks quite well on it. This includes anti-epilepsy medicines (lyrica, gabapentin, likely many others), lidocaine like meds (amitryptiline, possibly lidocaine patch) even surgery onto th nerve to damage its pain function.
An imaging study such as a CT or MRI is often done. Tests for lyme, syphillis, autoimmune disease, diabetes are often done.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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