Spasm on both temples for the past year, spreading through body, doctors ignore me, any ideas please?

Question

I'm a 23 year old male. I've gone to my primary physician over 5 times in the past 6 months about this problem, but I am ignored and told it's "stress" every time...it's not. The problem:

I get random, pulsating spasms on my temples...it's always one side or the other, NEVER both. It's right above my ear, where I can feel the temporal artery. The spasms do not keep time with my pulse...the timing is random, but once it starts, it usually lasts a few hours...pulsating at least once a minute, sometimes 20 times in a minute, sometimes once. If you put your hand over my temple, it feels like if my temple was pregnant...it's an outward kicking sensation on your hand.

When I'm sleeping and it starts, you can actually hear it hitting the pillow, which pretty much means I can't sleep on that side.

It rarely comes with any pain, and a CT scan said I have nothing, but I know something is wrong, it can't be normal to have this on a daily basis for a whole year.

Wanted to add: I also began feeling spasms in my right elbow (pretty severe ones, felt like a fish was swimming around in my elbow) and in both of my legs a few months ago...but that didn't last long. The only one that remains consistently is the temple spasm.

I am 100% positive it is not stress. I am pretty much the least stressful person I know, I rarely get stressed, and these spasms started at a time in my life when I was probably under the least amount of stress that I have ever been...it doesn't add up. Stress just seems like a quick answer when they can't think of an actual reason. Also, if I think of the times in the past year when I have been stressed, and try to correlate that with the spasms, there is absolutely no connection in timing.

Answer 1

Actually, your doctor could be right. Sometimes instead of having other medical issues, we have one weaker part of the body that takes the brunt of things. Better a temple spas then your heart. However, if you're working out or under stress during a workout, then you could be lacking water, as well. Those tight muscles in the temporal lobe can be very painful. It's like getting a charlie horse in your calf, but you're is in a more tender spot.

Something that won't hurt you to try is a product called BioFreeze. It's wonderful, BUT keep it away from your eyes. It main ingredients are spearment and eucalipticus ( think I spelled that wrong) Anyway, it's great for all muscle spasms and it only takes a dab on your finger. It's a gell and you can get it in a tube or a bottle. Most Chiropractors offices carry it, but give them a call before running down to get it. My C'practor does.

Anyway, I did a chat cut and paste from another website and the link is below. It may give you some more answers. I know it hurts, but it is a spasm.

The spasm can feel like tightness or a knot in a muscle. It often hurts to use the muscle. Usually, when you have a muscle spasm or cramp, you know it.

Many people frequently have "tight muscles" in their neck, back, temples, traps (tapezius muscles---those are the muscles you want rubbed when you say, "can you rub my shoulders?") or legs. From the “weekend warrior” to the professional athlete, muscle spasms or cramps can occur in the muscles during strenuous activity.

The common name for a muscle cramp or spasm is “charley horse” a term that is most often used for cramps in the leg muscles. These cramps can be particlularly painful.

A spasm or cramp usually occurs from overusing the muscles in a repetitive fashion or from injuring the muscle during sporting activities or work. Muscle spasms are also common in the neck during long periods of stress.

Dehydration during strenuous activity is a risk factor in producing a cramp. So, it is important to drink plenty of water during strenuous activities.







Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum
Topic: Headache
Subject: severe shooting pains in temples


dear doctor
About 6 weeks ago I suffered sudden pain in my temples lasting only seconds
but it took my breath away and I felt dizzy and sick with fear. The pains
reoccured several times throughout the night and I had to leave where I was and
come home. Although the pains has occured in both temples mainly my left one is
affected and when it starts it seems to come in runs short and stabbing
minutes or seconds apart. It got better for a while but seems to be returning but
not constantly ie. 2 or 3 episodes yesterday. I tend to grit my teeth when anxious
and have no prior history of headaches apart from hangovers!! Please could you advise
me if you think this is serious what could be causing it and what should I
do.
Thanks
===============================================================================
I am not completely sure as to the exact anatomy of the problem you are
describing but certain aspects of itsound very like trigeminal neuralgia, this
is a severe stabbing pain, which usually affects the lower or middle part
of the face, it is sudden and severe and is described as feeling like a bolt
of lightening.
The spasms of pain are typically provoked by touching the face, chewing,
or even a cold breeze on the face.
I am not sure if the area you describe falls into the territory of the upper
branch of the nerve of the nerve.
Either way this sounds like a neuralgic type pain linked to irritation of
a sensory nerve suppling the face and head, this could come from a wide
variety of causes, frequently no specific cause is found.
There are a number of drugs which are potentially used to treat this type
of pain.
Tegretol and Neurontin are two typical examples.
If this continues I would suggest you have this checked out by a
neurologist as soon as possible,since this very distressing pain needs
treatment and an underlying cause need to be looked for.

Answer 2

I think you should find a headache clinic in your area and go to a good specialist. Headache doctors know about all sorts of head symptoms that don't have to include pain. For instance, I have migraine disease and it can present like you describe or be screaming agony with or without visual symptoms and/or nausea.

This site has lots of information including headache specialists by state: http://headaches.about.com/

This one sided-ness suggests a migraine type of problem. Migraine is also called a vascular headache. It doesn't sound like a stroke so don't get scared, just make sure you find a doctor who is interested and will help you.

I have had a headache with pulsations such that my head clicked. It was also extremely painful.

Does it come after drinking coffee or having some other form of caffeine? Have you tried
magnesium? It can help with spasms some-times. It's recommended for migraine, too.

If all else fails try to find a good acupuncturist. I am seeing one and have more benefit than from any other practitioner I've tried, and I've tried a lot of things.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Spasm on both temples for the past year, spreading through body, doctors ignore me, any ideas please?
I'm a 23 year old male. I've gone to my primary physician over 5 times in the past 6 months about this problem, but I am ignored and told it's "stress" every time...it's not. The problem:

I get random, pulsating spasms on my temples...it's always one side or the...

Answer 4

Do you clinch your teeth? I had a similar pain except mine was just a tightness at my temples. The doctor thought it might be TMJ.

You could try this:
Apply warm compresses on the area of pain. Home therapy includes mandible (lower jaw) movements, such as opening and closing the jaw from side to side. Try this after a warm compress is applied for 20 minutes. The lower jaw movements should be repeated 3-5 times a day, 5 minutes continuously each time, for about 2-4 weeks.

Answer 5

I would get to a specialist. When you KNOW something is wrong or different, your current Doctor should continue to investigate further until you get some answers. If he won't, you will have to take the bull by the horns and go see someone else. Call and make an appt. with a Neurologist, Cardio-Vascular Specialist or an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Specialist. See if they can help or have them steer you in the right direction. Don't give up!!

Answer 6

my man went through it at age 21 for colon cancer he did very well but because he was so young. With him he only puke once or twice but he always felt sick! He didnt loose any hair but that was the type of chemo he was on! His body aked after each chemo but not during and he was good at first then tourge the end was when most systoms state happening. He was giving the strongest chemo for colon cancer because he was so young and he did pretty good! His biggest thing was he could not touch or drink anything cold because of the type he was on! Also he had alot bad back pain too! So he had more bad days the longer he was on chemo!But he had lynch sysderm and has not had his cancer return in 3 years so far ! I wish you best of luck your do just fine!

Answer 7

I believe that it could be stress. If you think your doctor is wrong, go to another doctor. I'm sorry you're worried about this and I hope you figure it out soon.