Pain/Pressure In One Spot of Head - going nuts!
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi all! I’m so thankful these forums exist.
A bit of background. I would describe myself as a hypochondriac who also happens to be considered chronically ill. Always a sick kid, heart murmur, and chronic Lyme disease for the last 5 years. Lots of symptoms and complications from that - and also, a lifelong headache sufferer.
Because of the way I am, I usually give myself a month of a symptom before I address it, to ensure I’m not biting the bullet. But this headache feel different...
For a week, and out of nowhere, I have had what I can describe as a head pain on the top of my head - left side. It feels like a mix of sporadic ice-pick with tension/pressure the rest of the time. Unlike my most regular headaches, this is very centralized to that spot, at times ranging to my left temple and behind eye. Usually ibuprofen does the trick first time for me, but so far the only help is Aleve, and it wears off and returns after about 4 hours. I do suffer from stiff neck due to Lyme, so I often feel like my headaches could be tension related, spread from neck. But my neck had been fine when this started. It feels as if it runs up the back straight to the top of my head where it culminates and back down to my eye, and with one good crack of the neck, I’d feel relief! And yet, my normal neck relief strategies do not help.
Naturally, I’ve consulted Dr Google and he thinks it’s a brain tumor. No other neurologist symptoms at this time.
Any insight? Advice? THANK YOU!
0 likes, 1 reply
Elizabeth2828 Momotree
Posted
Hello -
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. Your post caught my eye because I am also dealing with very similar symptoms. Also a lifelong headache sufferer, but this headache feels different to me. The best way I can describe it is a classic tension headache at times (like now) where I feel like it's a vice around my head and across the top of my head. The part that is worrying me is the very localized spot where I feel pressure/pain... also on the top, but slightly to the left of my head. If I touch the area, it feels almost bruised but the pain/pressure is inside my head if that makes sense. It sounds like yours is going to your temple, where I also feel this pressure down into my gums at times (but not sinus issues as the doc ruled that out). As mentioned, I suffer from headaches a lot, I take an Imitrix and that usually does the trick - it does still provide slight relief but comes back.
I hate that you're going through this as well - how long has it been going on? Mine is going on 4 weeks but started with slightly different symptoms. I went to the doctor this week and she told me it was tension/anxiety, and prescribed me Lexapro which I have not taken yet. I, too, consulted Dr. Google, which at the time I feel is the best thing to do and always turns out to be the worst. So, it's hard but I stick to sites like this now. Not that I'm glad others are dealing with it but there's safety in numbers, I suppose.
I do have very tense neck muscles, so I've been going for chiro adjustments. My neck is stiff (left side, where the head pain is). I also watched a video last night on YouTube that may help if you're dealing with a tight neck. Apparently there's referred pain that can cause pain in your head and in the same location we're experiencing pain.
Other things to note - I got a brain MRI in Dec 2018 , Thoracic and Cervical Back MRI - all good. Also did an ultrasound on the neck (due to thyroid nodules) but that was clear for anything sinister.
I'm sorry to write such a long response. I just know how scared I've been through this, looking for answers - I know my anxiety is not helping this at all. Please keep us posted if you'd like, I hope we find some relief soon!
Take Care - Elizabeth
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