Hi all, my name's Carl and I've suffered from serious headaches since the age of around 14yr old, I'm not 33.

The doctors diagnosed me as having CH, and I'd like to tell you all the symptoms to see if you think it is correct.
Basically I get very sharp stabbing pains in my head, they can be anywhere and everywhere. They happen very very fast, and the best way for me to describe it is to say it feels like I'm being jabbed in the head with a knitting needle! The pain is incredible, possibly the worst I've experienced in my life..and I've had a good few injuries growing up! It's almost like a small electric shock in my head.
When the pains happen, they can be gone in seconds, and then happen in another part of my head straight after. They never really last for more than say 10 seconds each, but when they do it almost stops me from being able to talk etc as they are so severe. If they persist for more than say 2 seconds I can make them seem to go away by punching or hitting that part of my head.
They usually happen at the rear top, or sides of my skull..occasionally in the front part but mainly to the back half. The pains tend to be on the outer side of my head/ skull area as opposed to being buried deep in the middle of my brain
There are no symptoms to suggest I'm going to have them, they just come and go very rapidly.
Imagine someone jabbing the knitting needle in several places of my head over an area the size of my palm, quite rapidly but occasionally keeping it in there for a few seconds/ moments.

I tried a few different types of drugs from the doctors but the one they have me on now is Propranolol, and that's been the case for a few years now.

I'd say I can get the headaches as little as once per week for a few seconds only, to every day several times per day.

Your help really is appreciated. I don't know what else to say but if anyone has any questions fire away.

Thanks again,  Carl.

I'm no doctor, but to me they don't sound like cluster headache.  They sound like this:

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Icepick headache.

Best,

George

Sorry, meant to type I'm NOW 33

I'm no Doctor but I'd suggest your instincts are right on.  You keep looking for an answer.  There is one out there for you. 

Unfortunately you just have to keep looking for the right Headache Specialist to give you a good diagnosis.

Good luck...

-Dennis-

I've had a look at the icepick headache link and it seems bang on the money. Any idea what drugs can stop them happening (as they seem to be gone so fast I'd not have time to swallow a pill when they happen) or is it a case of just living with them?

Thanks again for your replies, at last I think I'm getting somewhere.  Carl.

Hi Carl,

A few others here have gotten them.  I've heard it said that they may respond to indomethacin as a preventive, but don't depend on my information--like I said, I'm not a doctor.   ;)

Hope you can get a handle on these things.

Best wishes,

George

What George said.  I think he hit it on the head.

Hope you get some help soon.

Jerry

And good for you, for taking measures on your own to discover what ails you. In the end, we are our own best advocate. Good luck and God bless! lance

There are so many dozens of types of headache that you need skill/experience to work out a valid diagnosis and treatment plan.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

6. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.