Ice pick headaches related?

[cindysip]

I'm wondering if anyone experienced ice pick headaches prior to treatment. These headaches come on very suddenly; I experience a sharp, stabbing pain just above my left ear (the side of my AN). This is among the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. They don't last for very long but are very disturbing and exhausting. I have been suffering with these for the last few months. I won't be seeing my doctor for another two weeks so I figured I'd post here to see if anyone could shed any light on this. My neurologist (not an AN doctor) told me that they are unrelated and there is no explanation why people get them. She wanted to prescribe a prescription anti-inflammatory, but I am unable to take NSAID's. Has anyone else ever experienced this type of headache? Do you think I should be concerned it is related?

[Sefra22]

I experienced them both before and after treatment. Although I must say, it's been a long time since I had one. I assume they are related as many people who have AN have had them, and I personally don't know anyone who doesn't have an AN who does have that type of headache.

Probably not the most scientific answer

Lisa

[sharonov]

Sounds like Trigeminal Neuralgia pain.  I have it in my jaw.  It occurs when a blood vessel presses on some area of the 5th cranial nerve, which can b cause by your AN impinging on either the blook vessel or the nerve.

Not being a doctor, I of course dont know.  But you sure described TN pain correctly.  For me it's like Dr. Demento is filling a very deep cavity without novocaine and then brings out a live wire.  The pain lasts usually around 15-30 seconds then subsides.  Supposedly the way you find out if it's indeed Trigeminal Neuralgia is to pop a Tegretol tablet (generic: carbamazapine) and if you get relieve it's probably TN.  I again repeat that I am far from a doctor.

Also, my husband had the same pain, in his head, after prostate surgery, but only for a few days. 

[m4guzman]

I had them a couple of months before my surgery.  I to asked the doctor and he said the were not related.
However, I have not had one since the surgery ( 9 weeks ago).  Just thought you would like to know

Marybeth

[CHD63]

Cindysip .....

What you are describing does sound like nerve pain.  However, having had trigeminal neuralgia, the location you describe does not fit with TN, which is more in the face.  Your AN could be pressing on a nerve or it could be caused from swelling or a blood vessel.  I, also, am not a doctor.  Therefore, I would discuss it with your AN doctor when you see him.  Hopefully this awful pain will subside after treatment.

Keep us updated.  Clarice

[Jim Scott]

Cindy ~

I'm part of the population that has to offer the caveat: "I'm not a doctor".  It must be clearly understood that I'm not offering a legitimate medical opinion here, but I can tell you that I experienced what I termed 'stabbing' pains on my 'AN side' (my left) for a few months prior to my MRI diagnosis.  They were very short - about a minute in duration - but quite intense, although not unbearable because they came rather infrequently.  I never asked my neurosurgeon to supply the medical details behind this pain but I assumed it was AN-related because it ceased - and has not returned - following my surgery.  Do with that as you will.  I simply offer my unprofessional opinion that this kind of intermittent pain located in one specific area is definitely AN- related.  Of course, I could be wrong. 

Jim

[sharonov]

I still haven't been awarded my medical degree (going to medical school might help) but will tell an interesting headache story.  My sister, a retired very smart lady with her MS in nursing and many years experience, once had the worst headache of her life.  It wasn't the stabbing, intermittent kind that several of you have described, but a growing, horrible pain.  Her husband said, "take an aspirin and lie down."  Luckily she knew better and had him drive her to the ER.  She insisted on a CAT scan, which revealed a cerebral aneurism!  It was touch and go, and she had a new method called "coiling" (sp) which, after removing the leaked blood, repaired the aneurism, and she is alive and well today.

I have had two friends die of cerebral aneurisms.  Each thought her horrible headache was normal and took an anti-inflammatory which just made the bleeding worse.
Sharon

[pooch]

Cindy:  I can definitely relate to the "ice pick" headaches...I had surgery 1/2006 and approx. 1 mo. post surgery I had the most debilitating headaches you can ever imagine...paralyzing...on/off all day...they would last 15-20 mins and then gone...I had them for about 2 years if you can believe that...my neurosurgeon tried every medicine out there...Cymbalta and just "time" help...I am headache free today, no meds...I'm not a dr either but pre surgery I had maybe 2-3 headaches over my lifetime,(and I'm not young) so I know mine were definitely AN related...the dr. that did my surgery said the approach he used does facilitate headaches but he used that approach to try and preserve my hearing which didn't help...I do not have any hearing on the left side...I'm alive, I'm well, headahes are gone, it wasn't cancer, so I am blessed...time, I believe is the key factor in getting better...Carol

[ppearl214]

Hi Cindy,

I started a thread back in  2007 on this very issue...

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=5460.0


I have met with a headache specialist and she noted to me that I suffer from 4 different kinds of migraines, including the hemicrania continua "ice pick" (as noted by Janet in the thread link I shared here). .and recommended (for me) Indomethicin.  I am not able to take the Indomethicin due to GI issues and still seek out relief.

Hope you find relief soon.
Phyl

[Janet]

Cindysip,

Sounds like something may be irritating your lessor occipital nerve as that is the nerve pathway. (Muscle, blood vessel, scar neuroma?)

Janet

[ppearl214]

Hey cindy,

I forgot I had this bookmarked in my online "favorites".. may be worth a read:

http://www.helpforheadaches.com/articles/ice-picks.htm


Phyl