What kind of headache is this?!?

Question

I get sudden extremely painful jolts on one area of my head. The pain lasts for less than a second, but they are severe. They come and go frequently throughout the day for several days at a time... I've experienced them on different sides of my head, but when they occur, they usually happen in one area at a time. Can anyone tell me what kind of headache this is, and how to get rid of them?! THEY HURT!!

PS
I have no other symptoms, no runny nose or congestion or blurry vision. Actually, I do get blurry vision; from squinting my eyes when that sudden jolt hits me!

Thank you in advance for your help!

Answer 1

I had these in the temples, lasting for a fraction of a second and very severe, and was checked for them at age 12 with no findings. When they began to last longer and were less severe, they left me a little shaky and messed up my thinking for a minute or two (couldn't recall the conversation). I believe it's spasm of blood vessels, which reduced blood flow (oxygen delivery) to brain tissues. The ones that did the most damage lasted about 20 seconds, even though some lasted up to 40 seconds.
No doctor could tell me about them, but I accidentally learned that antihistamines will prevent them, two 4 mg Chlortrimeton (generic is fine) which is over the counter. Actifed prevented them also, and also gave me back a brain when I needed it. I do have food allergies but have no idea what causes these "temple pains". (This covers a period of 40 + years.)
P.S. It's called a histamine headache when it becomes a headache.

Answer 2

I'm concerned because you say that you also have blurry vision. You really need to see a doctor. I don't have a medical degree or anything, but I've experienced the same things and I had a brain tumor when I was twelve. I've put off getting another CAT scan because I'm afraid that I have another one, because those are some of the symptoms. Don't freak out though. I'm sure you don't have a brain tumor, but I do think it's important enough to see the doctor and what that guy said about antihistamines sounds like it could also be a possibility. Good luck. I hope everything turns out okay. Get checked out and let me know, k.

Answer 3

it could be a migraine, but that's really just a guess, headaches are kind of hard to diagnose by just one (your sensitivity is what's making me say migraine, in case you wondered.) If you don't have any pain medication with you, the best thing you can do is take a hot shower (really for the purposes of letting the water hit your head, it sometimes provides some temporary relief), and then lay down in a dark, quiet room. Sometimes, the headache goes away with sleep. Good luck!

Answer 4

I sometimes get pains like this. I take Excedrin and most of the times it clears up the pain, I have consulted with my doctor about this and he just put me on topamax to help prevent the migraines,and I am getting a cat scan of my brain next week to make sure all is well. anything that lasts a few weeks or more you should consult your doctor just to make sure its nothing serious.

Answer 5

Are you taking any medication? Like Paxil? If you are, talk to your doc. Also depends on your age and any other conditions you may have. You should probably talk to the doc anyway. It could be a migraine known as an ice pick migraine. They're generally harmless but should be evaluated.

Answer 6

i had the same ype of pain for years and was diagnosed by a migraine specialist as having a type of arthritis of the skull..he prescribed indocin 59mg that has helped greatly in the 2 attacks i`ve had since aug.`06 when i saw this dr.,,he gave me couple of refills too..very good dr...ask your doctor about this or ask to see a neurology dr. that deals with migraines..
take care,
rob