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General health

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Original poster

Headache, what can it be?

20 replies

darcymum · 13/07/2010 16:54

Ever so often I get a shooting pain in the side of my head near my ear, its really painful each time it 'shoots' which is about every minute or two but just for a second. They usually last a day or two. What is it and what can I do? Any advice welcome?

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Original poster

darcymum · 13/07/2010 17:06

Doctors & nurses any ideas?

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Original poster

darcymum · 13/07/2010 17:24

The side of my head is sore from all the shooting pains, looks like nobody cares

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nellie12 · 13/07/2010 17:27

Gp visit?

zandy · 13/07/2010 17:27

awwww, no idea what it could be, but sympathy for your poor old head.

Original poster

darcymum · 13/07/2010 17:29

Thank you, at least somebody is listening. They usually go away after a day or two and I've had them for a few years now, maybe 10? Sometimes its many months between then as well.

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CarmenSanDiego · 13/07/2010 17:34

I've had this this week. Pretty certain it's viral - my children have all got stinking colds and now the headache has mostly gone but I've got a sore throat and ears.

Are your lymph nodes feeling lumpy? I think glands can trigger this feeling a bit... have heard of it being linked to glandular fever and those sorts of things.

Am not a doctor.. just been pondering the same thing myself this week and googling a bit.

Winetimeisfinetime · 13/07/2010 17:38

I have very similar shooting pains that happen from time to time.

I did go and see my gp about them and he told me that it was muscular, possible due to tension and that he got them too.

I don't worry about them now as I have had them for a few years now and they have never progressed into anything, but it does always make me gasp when I get the pains as they are so intense { but luckily fleeting }. I have them for a couple of days and then they go away again.

Original poster

darcymum · 13/07/2010 17:39

I had heard it might be a trapped nerve. Other than the headache I feel fine though. Hope you feel better than I do Carmen.

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belledechocolatefluffybunny · 13/07/2010 17:41

It sounds like a trapped nerve. You can either go and see a chiropractor who will push the very, very painful spot at the base where the shooting pain is coming from and charge you £30 for this or you can do it yourself.

Tap your fingers around your head and find the place where it hurts the most, then apply pressure with your fingers to that area. It will hurt but it will release the nerve.

Original poster

darcymum · 13/07/2010 17:41

Thanks Wine, did your doctor say if you could do anything about them?

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Original poster

darcymum · 13/07/2010 17:42

Thanks Bella, dh will be home soon I will get him to do it.

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belledechocolatefluffybunny · 13/07/2010 17:44

I've had this before more then a few times, it's really painful. This is exactly what the chiropractor does, he taught me how to do it so I don't have to keep paying him £30 a pop.

I hope you get it sorted.

CarmenSanDiego · 13/07/2010 17:45

Ah, sounds like I'm off-base then. I did find a heating pad worked really well at soothing it though if that's any help.

belledechocolatefluffybunny · 13/07/2010 17:46

It might be worth your while going to see a chiropractor if this happens alot, there could be a bone/muscle imbalance so it would help.

Winetimeisfinetime · 13/07/2010 17:51

No he didn't say if there was anything I could do to help it unfortunately. When it happens I just try and be more aware of not hunching up so much in front of the computer when I am working to try and alleviate any muscular tension in my neck and shoulders.

I will definitely try what belle suggested though. I have wondered about a trapped nerve as I have neck problems so that might be the cause for me.

Perhaps a head and neck massage might help darcy ?

Original poster

darcymum · 13/07/2010 17:54

Good suggestion Wine, as I said dh is home soon.

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belledechocolatefluffybunny · 13/07/2010 17:56

It calls for drastic measures Wine. Get your knuckle and stick it right into the most painful spot and hold it there for about a minute. Think about your posture aswell

Winetimeisfinetime · 13/07/2010 18:04

I will try that belle, thanks for the tip. Have never really explored if there is a sore spot that the pain eminates from but will next time it happens.

The pain is so intense when it happens that it stops me in my tracks and I am just so pleased when it stops I have never really investigated the source of it.

I do think with me it could well be neck related, so I wonder if it is the same for you darcy.

belledechocolatefluffybunny · 13/07/2010 21:17

That's how mine started, I fell asleep on the sofa so must have pulled something. I left it for almost a week incase it went away, I just knuckled it in the end, it went in a few hours.

Canadiangirl · 29/07/2010 19:51

Wow, I've been getting these too, for years, but have had them more frequently lately and it's been really worrying me (had another thread on here about this). I've also been feeling a lot of pressure in my head, which my gp says is due to new-mum exhaustion, but I've been sleeping on a couch (not long enough for me to stretch out on) as I've been sleeping in the lounge with my 9wk old son in his moses basket beside me so we don't keep my partner awake. I've literally been crying with anxiety over this (sleep deprivation is key to my mood, I think!) so it helps to read that other people have this.

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