For just over a year I have been experiencing sharp stabbing pains in the left-rear of my head.  The pain is always in exactly the same spot.  Head-Ache pills tend to help but not fully. Some days the pain is mild and occurs throughout the day at different times.  Some days I can barely feel the pain. On other days it is continual (morning noon and night).  It seems to come and go and can occur with neck movement or a sudden sharp intake of breath. The pain lasts for 1 second and then I can’t feel it for a minute or so.  I am 51 and have never suffered from anything similar before. Anyone have any history of these symptoms?  Kind Regards Mullie

Hi Mullie

We are not medical doctors, so we can not give you a diagnosis. For this you need to see a doctor, with a headache specialist being advised.

Many of your symptoms do not match the common symptoms seen for CHs but you must see a doctor to get the correct diagnosis.

Mike's right. The good news is your symptoms do not tend to match CHs. The bad news is you are in pain. See a good neuro and they can help you sort this out. Don't stay in pain, though. Seek help. Blessings. lance

My wife starting get those last year, often called "Ice Pick Headaches.":

Under the International Headache Society's (IHS) criteria, the official name for them is "primary stabbing headache. Other terms that have been used are idiopathic stabbing headache jabs and jolts, ophthalmodynia, and periodica. Ice pick headaches is probably the most commonly used term because it's the most descriptive. The IHS description reads:

"Transient and localised stabs of pain in the head that occur spontaneously in the absence of organic disease of underlying structures or of the cranial nerves."

She had good results using Indomethacin. As mentioned above, if there is any way you can get to a headache specialist neurologist, you'll get the best chance at an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment regimen. GP's get about 4 hours of headache training in med school, garden variety neuros don't get much more then that. The head is a complicated place, you just can't beat a specialist.  ;)

Wishing you speed on your diagnostic journey and some pain free time soon.

Joe

I get my attacks on the left side but they always start out around my eye and then work there way to the back of my head and neck.  Yours sound different with the pain being in the back of the head.  Im not a pro so I dont know.  Hopefully you dont have CH's and its something you can get fixed or takin care of easily and no more pain.  Hope you feel better

At your age (and older) it's increasingly uncommon see newly developing Cluster headache. This makes it the more important to see a specialist for a comprehensive diagnostic work-up.


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.