Horrible one sided head pains.. migraine? Anyone get the same

[Mummyof2dc]

First i will admit that anxiety has crept up on me again although this is mostly under control now with propranolol. Probably been more stressed too.

For 6 weeks now on and off iv been a experiencing these weird one sided head pains particularly on the scalp not the forehead. It will start from the middle/top back of my head then slowly making its way over to the top sits there for a while (staying to the left) and then moves to the side a bit then will calm down and go away. The pain is a stabbing kind of sensation and scalp feels really tender at the time. Some days it will be a dull pressure. When the pain finally goes I feel completely wiped out tired. The next day normally still tired and bit of achy neck and shoulders.

Now I’m used to the typical throbbing migraine normally staying by the temple but this is further up and moves in places Over my head. The pain ranges in severity For example it was the worst I had it the other day that I had to leave work early crying my eyes out.

I would say iv been having them about 2-3 times a week. I sleep fine, I don’t wake up with it either. If I’m going get one that day it will be when I’m up and moving about. Iv spoke to 5 different GPS who all think migraine so Iv recently started taking amytripline 20mg (been on them before) and still taking the propranolol. Also had my eyes tested last week everything looks ok.

Sorry for the long post I just wanted see if anyone else gets similar x

I’d see the doctor, it may be a propranolol side effect.

When I have migraines they are always behind my left eye, not sure if that’s normal?

Sympathies, that sounds miserable.
I get similar sounding headaches, though not as frequent. They seem to have multiple causes for me.
I would recommend seeing a dentist to check if you’re grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw. I was doing this unaware and as well as wrecking my back teeth it was contributing to headaches. I got a mouth guard which helped a lot.
I’ve also found gentle yoga helps- Adriene on YouTube has one for neck, shoulders and upper back which is good to start the day- only 10 minutes.
Hope they clear up soon

@AteAllTheAfterEights I have been on propranolol before which helped with 2 years ago for anxiety so I don’t think will be that and yes occasionally il get eye ache same side of the head pain so maybe it’s a pre warning sign for me that it’s going come on.
Most the time it’s just a dull tight pressure but when I get the stabby pain I can’t handle it as well. Especially when it gets to the top of the head it hurts the most. Luckily no sign of one today unless it comes later🙈

@FaintlyMacabre yes I have been diagnosed with TMD over a year ago as that’s the reason why I was on amytripline before. i never used to get these weird symptoms I just suffered with the jaw pain. Although things can change. I don’t think I’m a grinder as there is no sign teeth wise So if anything I must clench. I do wear my mouth guard every night regardless

I have just come across this thread and since yesterday morning I have had similar. My pain is also left sided, but it’s not ‘pain’ and it’s not always there it comes and goes. I also feel it slightly behind my eyes. I’m wondering migraine and calling my GP tomorrow? I’ve been on amitriptyline for 2 years but small dose.
I also feel slightly light headed 🥴 my anxiety is also through the roof right now.

My headaches sound exactly the same, although mine come on the right side of my scalp, the pain comes in waves everyday. Its never really constant but when it comes on its a throbbing pain that then goes away after a while.

Im currently under investigation for them. My anxiety is through the roof at the minute too xx

It’s strange ain’t it and hard to describe I get different sensations all to the left side of my skull but never at the same sensation at the same time. For example one time it will appear as burning pins and needles type or another day be tight tension and something little prickly feeling that will just stay in a small patch.

I have to say though I went away for a week and I didn’t have nothing just a bit of tiredness and I hate to say this but as if “it’s all in my head” and because I was distracted it didn’t happen.

Since coming home not had as much of it but still a few times. I’m still not convinced it’s migraines but today i saw flashes at the corner of my eye As if a lightbulb was going go, only lasted like 5 seconds then not long after started having the started having the prickly sensation top of my head😞

@Mrslovexx @Evielucy2019 bit of a late reply sorry how are you both doing now xx

I’ve still got mine, it comes and goes. Also have the lights flashing and dots like you have said sometimes. I’ve had a mri scan which has come back clear but symptoms still persisting. Been very anxious xx

@Evielucy2019 yes mine comes and goes also not been as frequent lately though I hope it stays that way. Well Iv only experienced the flashes yesterday and today. Happened once between 5-10 seconds then nothing. Don’t know if it a coincidence but it’s only since iv been getting up extra early since kids have started back school and the flashes are just because of tiredness :/
Only had an eye test last month which looked fine apart from a bit of dryness in one eye.

That’s good that you have had a clear mri they have not offered me any testing yet Iv only had a full set of blood tests which came back normal. I think because Of my age they are just trying to put it off and think it’s down to stress/anxiety which there probs right but it’s nice to get peace of mind.

Evie did your pain come at a time you were experiencing anxiety as mine has because I was getting early physical symptoms it was dizziness at first for a while and now I’m left with these weird head pains that won’t completely go away yet...

Yes that’s the same as my eye flashes, they don’t last long! I also had an eye test about a month ago which was normal.

My doctor has also said they think its down to stress/anxiety and that it’s making the physical symptoms worse which is then making me more anxious and so I’m stuck in a vicious cycle!

Yes the symptoms come on when I’m anxious I think, Initially I went to the doctors with dizziness and pain In my head/ behind my Right eye. The headache comes and goes, I will have a few days/a week where I get no pain and then it will come back for. Awhile then go again!

Have your doctors said anything else about it to you? Xx

Do you still get your neck pain? My neck has been hurting as well Recently xx

I had eye flashes years ago, it was my wisdom teeth pushing on a nerve.

@Evielucy2019 no they just think migraine or maybe as it’s only ever on one side but it can be different places but staying to the left. It’s 5 different doctors who have said migraine now even though Iv told them I still get my usual migraine especially after strong smells or certain alcohol. Or I think they maybe thought it was referee pain for my neck... yes I do still get neck pain. Most days it won’t ache but 2 days ago it was the worst it had been I had to take pain killers. Only sleeping on one pillow has helped though.

I don’t feel particularly anxious it always effects me more physically as iv been through anxiety before but that was mainly heat palpitations But up to the coming weeks before I went dizzy I had bad acid reflux which I had before in anxiety and had my usual hot flushes so it’s kind of crept up on me I think because iv not experienced what anxiety/stress can do to your head physically that I’m worried. So I’m not surprised if it’s the cause!

Have you been back for an eye test since the flashes or don’t the doctors think its nessercary? Don’t know how spell that😂

I think it’s rather me tensing up unknowingly than a migraine. But who knows😒

Yeah that’s what I’ve been told, that it’s migraine and stress / anxiety related. I’ve never suffered with migraines before but my mum does get them so the doctors say it’s likely that

My neck hurts when I wake up some mornings but then it dies down, sometimes I won’t get any neck pain and sometimes it will only hurt when I make a sudden movement.

I’m the same, I keep getting hot flushes recently too. I’ve always suffered from anxiety but never had these types of physical symptoms.

I haven’t been back for an eye test but I did speak to the opticians and they said they can be normal and sometimes we notice them more when we are anxious so it could possibly be that

How have you been today? Xx

@Evielucy2019 no one close to me has had them but I think It’s only happened since having TMD (jaw pain) but then again certain strong smells and types of alcohol can set it off but like I said this isn’t what I’m having it’s completely different and just on the scalp so I don’t know if it’s possible have 2 types or not but yeah that’s what they seem to think. I don’t think they can see it being anything else tbh so I will take their word.

Yeah same with me too some mornings my neck will feel achy other days it’s fine. I’m just glad it’s not everyday.

Not been too bad today no head pain/sensations , no neck ache. Little bit of tiredness though. If it’s not one thing it’s the other... can’t win.

That’s exactly what I’m thinking iv had physical anxiety symptoms before and some iv had that iv had before but not these ones which makes us more anxious I suppose. The propranolol Im on has sorted most out for me other than the head pains.

How have you been today? Xx

Glad you’ve felt a bit better, ive also been tired recently but I haven’t been sleeping great, think that might be due to the anxiety too

I’ve not had the best day today, I’ve not really had the head or neck pain, but just felt really on edge and anxious. I have really bad health anxiety because of all this, been feeling quite dizzy today

Has your dizziness subsided? Xx

It is totally possible to have different types of migraine. Migraines also are know to change over time this is normal to. Although when ever you get any changes you should always talk to your GP about it.

One sided head pain is almost always migraine, do you take triptains at all? If you do and they help with the pain then it is also migraine as they won't help with normal headache pain only migraine.

Mine have changed a number of times over the years and switched sides. Just keep an eye on everything and report anything new.

@Evielucy2019 sorry to hear that. Hopefully you have a better day today. But that’s the same with me I find it’s all health anxiety I always think the worst of everything. I have thought I have had a few things in the past but turned out be nothing. Since having them flashes I’m now scared that I’m going to go blind (that’s anxiety thinking) although not had Them since but can’t help but worry.

No iv not been dizzy since but it all started I was at work all of a sudden went dizzy then stayed light headed and dizzy for 2 weeks straight I had 2 days of feelings of depression which was horrible! Also extremely tired. Had full lot blood test nothing came back wrong I was hoping it was low iron so it could be easily fixed but no😒

@MigGril yes I suppose the doctors are right it’s just so different to my other one and has been more frequent but The trigger of it must be anxiety/stress.

Yes they gave me sumatriptans (don’t know if I spelt that right) I took 2 and it took it off quickly but left me with an aching throat for a while which was really uncomfortable so I felt they were too strong. I had a bad one then got me set home from work one time it felt as if the whole half side of my scalp was burning so I only took the one tablet it got rid of it but still gave me the side effect of a burning achy throat . I dont think il take them again😂

Good thing is though that iv not had one near as bad for ages only been mild recently

Sumatriptain isn't a painkiller, if it worked it's definitely migraine. Consultants often use then as a diagnostic tool. It is however not the only triptain available, it's the oldest and cheapest and GP's will always prescribe it first.

If you can't tolerate the side effects then go back and ask for a different one. There are about 7 different triptains and they come in different forms. For example sumatriptain comes in tablets, nasle spray and injection. Zomig (another triptain) comes in tables and nasles spray plus melt in the mouth wafer. Meaning they are many different ways to take them. Some are better for those who suffer with vomiting.

The migraine Trust website is a really good source for information on medication and other really useful information on migraine.

Can you tell I've been around the block a bit. Don't let the doctors fob you off if it's not working for you get them to give you something else. These drugs are available and do help.

www.migrainetrust.org/living-with-migraine/treatments/acute-medicines/

@MigGril oh I didn’t know that so yeah got be migraine then.. As it did take it off twice but left me with another problem that was worse than the migraine!

Thank you so much for the advice I will see how i go on as I haven’t been having them as much or as strong lately so ibuprofen has been ok to take if I needed it. Hopefully it’s dieing down now as I’m trying to stay more calm and stress free but I won’t speak to soon😐

Sounds similar to the pain I get with TMJ, with your anxiety too it could mean you're grinding your teeth in the night.
The pain doesn't always start as soon as you wake but comes on through the day. Neck and ear pain are symptoms too.

It's not a Gp's area of expertise tbh, you need to see your dentist about having a mouth splint fitted.

@Laundrywoman yes I said above I was diagnosed with tmj/tmd by A surgeon last year but only ever suffered with the jaw pain until now. But It could be a mixture of both migraine and tension from the jaw. I already have a mouth guard that I wear every night.

Exactly how mine Will start it will be through the day if I’m going get it have no problems sleeping etc x