"ice Pick" Headaches

[Unregistered70]

Hi -
Has anyone out there heard of these "ice pick" headaches? Idiopathic stabbing headaches is what my Neurologist called them. Went to the Neuro yesterday for strange sudden stabbing pains to the head that accmpanies the other symptoms I posted under shooting head pains-fainting. Only thing he could come up with without any tests is that they sound like "Ice pick" headaches, which I'm assuming I can't take anything for, because the pain comes & goes so suddenly/quickly that there's no time for any headache meds. He told me that normally they are not accompanied the other symptoms I'm having though (dizzy, weakness, fainting). Have an EEG scheduled tomorrow (I was told that monitors brain activity). MRA & MRV with and without scheduled for Monday.

Any information/input anyone has on any of the above would be appreciated.

Thank you!

[Unregistered]

I went to the ER yesterday, where the doctor told me I was having an "ice pick variant migrane."

He treated it with a shot of Toradol, and Decadron (which is a steroid.) The medicine worked almost instantly with me. It's only been a day since I received treatment, but the headache is gone.

I also got a shot of Reglan for the nausea that I was getting as well.

I've also been diagnosed with Cluster Headaches, and take Zomig 5mg tablets for THAT pain; which incidentally wasn't working for the "ice pick" headache.

Good luck with your neurologist.

-Dan

[Unregistered]

I am 55 years old. It was not until two days ago that I found a name to the pain I have suffered since I was 18. I was shooting pool in college when it hit me and I fell into a wall and was grabbing my head. My father had recently passed away with a stroke when this initial attack took place. I had fears of this happening to me at a very young age. I was checked by the specialist and was given medication which was nothing more than a bunch of tranquilizers. I did not take them but for about a week and went ahead with my education. Over the years the attack would come and go but not lasting more that 5-6 seconds in duration. In the 70's I had a four artery artirigram test and I promised myself I would never endure that procedure again. In the past few years the attacks have increased more frequently and during the past several days I panicked and have been trying to get to a nueoroligist. In speaking with a doctor I described the jabbing pain behind my right ear (same place the entire time) and likened the sensation to an "ice pick" stabbing me about 4-6 times in the time period.He said there was an "ice pick" headache and I did some research and viola - at last I have a name to a sensation that I have experienced for many years. I am still going to be checked but I am extremely happy to share the relief I have at the present.

[Unregistered]

It's good that you found out what it is because I too have just learned what 'ice pick headaches" are. I too have had them for as long as I can remember. Since childhood but they are gone so quick I thought that it was something everyone had from time to time.

But lately I have been having full headaches more often, at least once a week, so I started reading about headache symptoms and saw 'ice pick' headaches which is what I have had for years. Mine can happen anywhere but mainly along my temple region or on the back sides of my head.

And like you, I get nervous when I have one waiting on stroke-like symptoms that never come. I had an aunt die of a stroke and I have high blood pressure but I'm only 35. Well, anyway, good luck.

[Unregistered]

Look into Trigeminal Neuralgia. From what I've read, it's not very common but it may be a possible cause.

[Unregistered]

I have a ten year old son who complains of sharp pains in the back of his head that only lasts seconds, at least once or twice a day. His doctor sent him for a ct scan which came back normal. This has been going on for months now. does anyone know if a ct scan shows everything ? If anyone has any information that might help, please respond. I took him to a neurologist over it and he thought it was just a type of headache that people sometimes get and theres nothing you can really do for it. I just want to know for sure it couldn't be anything serious.
Thanks

[Unregistered]

i think i have these ice pick headaches. i'm only 26 but i've been having them for years now every once in a while, however i get regular headaches frequently. lately the ice pick headaches have gotten so strong and intense i can't focus on anything for the seconds that they last. it feels like i'm getting stabbed in the temple or around my right eye sometimes as many as five or six times, and sometimes it happens a couple times a day then not again for a week or whatever. them being so quick is the only reason i can manage them. if i had a family doctor i'd probably talk to him about it. i was getting worried that maybe i'm developing a tumor.

[Unregistered]

Hmm. I'm in my forties, and recently started getting these headaches. I started with a google for flash headaches, as they are so quick; and found this name for them seems more common. Most of the info I've found, there isn't much really, seems to say they're pretty benign, which is reassuring.

I do find mine seem to come when I'm particularly stressed or tired though.

[Unregistered]

Hello Everyone,

I have to laugh as I read these bulletins because I too have felt a lot like each and every one of you and here is my story.

I am almost 35 years old, and a female; so right off the bat most Doctors I have seen say that I am too young.... And because I'm a woman...blah blah, and they just send me away.

Since I was 18 years old I have had intense chest pains, stabbing electrical shocks, heavy pressure, numbness and tingling, radiating pain that literally feels like something living inside my body moving from one place to another like a wiggling super fast snake, up and down my left side of my neck and arm, and sometimes constant pressure like a fist in my back under my shoulder blade.

Well, it took several years of continuous complaints to my regular Primary Physician and well I had to threaten his job (meaning that I had hired him to be my Dr so I am told him I wanted many tests taken and I know something inside of me in not right, I know my body and how it feels better than he does, I would hate to end up that rare statistic that dies from some disease that could have been prevented if he only listened to me) and well, right after that statement he written me a referral to get a Ultrasound, EKG, and a Heart Monitor, and guess what, we finally found a name for what I have been complaining about for years. Mitral Valve Prolapse which deals the heart valve to stop blood flow from going back into my heart, and my valve doesn’t work properly to simplify.

Now, I always thought that the "headaches" which I always called sharp shooting electrical pains in my brain…was just some random pain that I got on occasion. At first I thought it was common and that most people get it.

After years of this of this pain and tolerance, I associated the MVP with the shooting pain in my head. About a month ago I was having sever chest pains all the symptoms of my MVP and then some new symptoms, like heaviness in my legs, blurry vision, a vertigo sensation (everything else seems to be spinning/moving, and my body is still), and many other random symptoms.

I went to the Dr and I had taken several tests, from X-Rays, EEG, CT scan, blood tests, and after all of that the Dr tells me I have all the symptoms of the possibility of having MS (Multiple Sclerosis), but I wouldn't know for sure without more testing, and guess what it may only show up in an MRI, CT, etc, in the moment of an episode. So for weeks I was ill just knowing of the possibility of what I could have, not ruling out any other neurological disease, or virus.

So I have seen another Dr since then, and then another Dr since the 2nd one this time being a specialist (Neurologist) and he ruled out all the other possibilities such as MS, Epilepsy, and tells me that I have Ice Pick Headaches, which is in the family of Migraines. And that the other symptoms I was having with my muscle weakness could have been a virus that only effected the major muscles, such as the traps, quads, and back. Ice Pick Headaches are severe excruciating pain that can only have preventative care. And he believes that I am experiencing that type of Migraine.

Now I feel a little better knowing the name of what I used to call the stabbing electrical shooting pain in my brain, and feel a little more rest assured, however, when there hasn't been any other tests to "prove" so, besides a few questions, and a physical neurological exam, I am not completely comfortable that this is the answer. Sometimes, we must take extra precautions, that Doctors are practicing medicine and that sometimes we as patients have to be persistent if the answers they give us do not seem to ring true within us. Again, it took a few years before they diagnosed me with MVP.

I hope my story has helped I know that reading all of your has helped to know that there are many other people that are experiencing similar symptoms, and have similar questions, and through forums and bulletins we are able to support one another.


Many blessings,
J

[Unregistered]

I have these as well, and never knew it had a name. I had mri and cat scans done and was looked at like a freak when those came back fine. I have dropped many things to grab my head in pain, broke a glass once. And, its the most intense pain I've ever felt even next to childbirth and cancer. So, I am happy as well to know that it isn't just me. Wishing you all the best and fewer painful experiences. Take care.

Allison