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Random throbbing head pain and pressure in right side

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x42a1
x42a1

For over a month now, I've had an infrequent throbbing pain & pressure on the right side of head. It appears randomly, and occurs much more frequently when I'm stressed. Although, when I feel fine it will still appear, just not as frequently.  It's always on the right side of my head, near the top but will occasionally be at the back of my head too. I will feel it every single time when I wake up, without fail. That's the only time I can guarantee it'll be felt.

I've had a CT scan done a few weeks ago which came out completely clear. I was thinking that it was my sinuses acting up, so I went to an ENT (Ear Nose & Throat) specialist, but they couldn't find anything wrong.

I don't know what else it could possibly be. I'm starting to think that it may be my neck, but I'm not entirely sure ...

Anyway, here's a summary:

* Throbbing in head on the right side

* Infrequent (appears at random)

* Appears every day

* Brings my mood down completely whenever it occurs

* Had a CT scan; was completely clear

* Sinuses are completely fine, and are clear

Please help.

17 likes, 157 replies

157 Replies

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  • jessica25827
    jessica25827 x42a1

    Posted

    I've had this before, as has my mum. I would suggest it may be a 'cluster headache' - which is one sided throbbing, often above the eye, on the forehead or temple. So I would look into that!
  • susan84872
    susan84872 x42a1

    Posted

    I have had the weirdest painless throbbing in the back, sides and sometimes the top of my head, but I get it only when I have been lying down for a period of time.  It has occurred almost every single morning for the past 8 months.  Mostly it happens some time after 3am and every morning I wake with it.  It goes away after I sit up for a few minutes and sometimes when I rub the back of my neck.  I've had a neurologist checkup, a stress test, my blood pressure is low/normal, and had both an MRI and a MRA.  All normal.  The doctors are stumped.  So many things have been ruled out.  I don't sleep well and am wondering if it has something to do with my neck. (I'm 65)
  • sam_51433
    sam_51433 x42a1

    Posted

    I read most of the thread but became real anxious to tell you what it is and skipped some. I'm sorry if somebody pointed this out already. Ok x42a1, salma00391 hit it on the head. What you are experiencing is called Occipital Neuralgia. The Occipital nerve goes over the top of your head. Sometimes the nerves around vertebrae’s in your neck can get pinched or just a little squeezed and cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and all the other things everyone listed on this page. Mine was caused by a herniated disk. Sometimes it can be more minor than that but you should get your GP to schedule you for an MRI. I dealt with the pain for too long because of the cost of an MRI. Don't put it off just go do it.
    • susan84872
      susan84872 sam_51433

      Posted

      Thanks Sam.  It makes sense.  I've certainly explored all other options!  Do you mean an MRI of my neck?  I had MRI's and MRA's of my head which showed nothing.  Funny thing, I very seldom have a headache, and it never happens with the throbbing, but I do have a stiff neck a lot, and neckaches.  I also have vertigo, so maybe not all the vertigo and "giddy" feelings are caused by my inner ear. 

      I read about occipital neuralgia and one of the treatments is massage.  I think I'll try one next week and see if that will relieve the morning throbbing.  Its awful.  Every morning I wake up feeling like my head will explode.  I dread going to bed knowing how I will feel before I open my eyes.  Thank God it doesn't last more than five minutes or so.  Once I sit up the throbbing goes away, but the neck stiffness is present a good part of the day. 

    • sam_51433
      sam_51433 susan84872

      Posted

      In my case i had an MRI that was broken into two parts. One was of my upper back and the other my neck. I had a herniated disc in my neck that was pinching a nerve causing terrible headaches. I had two pages of other disk issues too including bulges, bone spurs, and degeneration.

      If they did an MRI of your neck and didn't find any herniated discs then your headache is from something else. Try googling "headache at base of skull" or "sinus neck pain".

  • Himanshuwalia
    Himanshuwalia x42a1

    Posted

    M suffering from same problem plz tell me the solution plz plz plz plz . Its very pain full
    • CraigyM2k
      CraigyM2k Himanshuwalia

      Posted

      The solution to this will be decided by medical professionals. If it is like the above comment I would see you get yourself a GP appointment as soon as possible so they can hopefully rule out anything serious.

      The same time as booking a GP appointment I would also book an eye test. My intense headaches and nausea where caused by a simple need for glasses while working long hours on a computer. Hopefully you get this sorted soon. But never take the suggestions on a forum as gospel medical professional or not. Always seek medical guidance when you know something is not right.

    • susan84872
      susan84872 CraigyM2k

      Posted

      Very true, always check with a doctor, especially if there is pain.  Pain worries me because if it isn't migrane, it could be something worse.  

      My symptoms are different.  I have throbbing whenever I lay down for a while and as soon as I wake up in the morning, but it goes away after five minutes.  And I have no pain at all, except for stiff neck sometimes.

      I went to a massage therapist and I think the throbbing was less for the next two days, but now its back.  I have to try a few more times to see if it takes a while for those muscles to relax (if that is what it is)  I have an appointment for a physical in May.  My next step will be to request an MRI of my neck and also maybe antidepressants in case its nerves. 

      In my research I haven't found anything that might indicate a chemical imbalance, but I'm still looking.

    • CraigyM2k
      CraigyM2k susan84872

      Posted

      It's incredible what a good osteopath can treat with muscle and joint manipulation. As I constantly preach I would always seek the advice of a GP before going down this route just to make sure nothing is a real medical emergency. Can never be to careful with a headache.

      In terms of the anti depressants though I would high recommend against them. In the long term they do more harm than good. I am guessing you may be American by the way you describe your treatments. But if it turns out they cannot pinpoint your headache and it is not a medical issue, I would recommend seeking a homeopathic route over the anti depressant one. It will be a lot better for your body in the long run. Especially if you are stressed, but only you will know if you are stressed.

    • susan84872
      susan84872 CraigyM2k

      Posted

      You make some good points.  I know, we Americans use a lot more drugs than the UK or Canada!  I've been going through a rough patch personally, brother-in-law dying, sister with cancer, and 101 year old mother I have had to oversee for many years.  She has been very difficult and now in NHome with fractured pelvis.  Visiting there is pretty difficult and tiring.  I haven't been the most cheerful person for a while so I'm wondering if that might be part of it.

      I have heard good things about an osteopath.  I'll have to look into it and see if there are any in the area with good evaluations.  At this point I will try anything just to find out what is causing the throbbing.  All the doctors can't figure it out and I hope they don't secretly think I'm nuts because I'm very normal - just really disgusted!

    • CraigyM2k
      CraigyM2k susan84872

      Posted

      All that to deal with would stress anyone out. I know it's not the same situation but kind of relates to stress (purely objective). When I was going through all my university finals. My days where so hectic that when I came to "power down" of a night I got headaches purely In my opinion due to me having such a hectic day then going to a dead stop.

      It may be a case of trying some relaxation techniques before you go to bed, gets your body In a routine for shutting down. But I would emplore you to attempt with everything you have to avoid the anti depressant route unless truly necessary.

      A quick question, do you consume caffeine quite frequently. Through either coffee, fizzy drinks, medication or supplements?

  • debbie47340
    debbie47340 x42a1

    Posted

    My headache also has right sides pain and sever throbbing gets worse when I sit or lay down..help
  • hari34646
    hari34646 x42a1

    Posted

    I too have the same problem which you were mentioning exactly. I too couldn't find a solution. If you come across any solution, kindly let me know.
  • susan84872
    susan84872 x42a1

    Posted

    Going back to the doctor today.  I'm wondering if it is stress/depression related.  Will ask to try antidepressants and see if that stops them.
    • susan84872
      susan84872

      Posted

      The doctor didn't do any good.  I was told since the MRI MRA and tests are all negative I'm not at risk of anything major.  I was given Lexapro (on the premise that having been under a lot of stress, losing a parent, etc) maybe that would help.  It made me so sick I couldn't eat for 4 days.  So much for that. 

      The neck massages (been to two sessions) have not helped either.

      I'm having some really bad vertigo this week, feel spacy.

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