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What Causes Sudden Headache, Pain In Upper Shoulders And Neck?
Question: I was at work today when i developed a headache. It started as just a small headache on one side but now my upper shoulders and neck are achey and my head hurts. Of course i am worried that it is an anerysm. As you can see by my history I have had headaches in the past, but this one is not responding to pain meds. I took 2 ecedrine migraine pills about 3 hours ago. Should i go to the ER?
Brief Answer:
Possibility of aneurysm less likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Migraine headache are usually unilateral, throbbing, pulsating with associated nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound. The headache increases in few hours and may involve occipital region of head with associated neck pain sometimes.
If the onset and character of headache is similar to previous episodes then nothing to worry.
Is there any visual loss, seizure, double vision?
For migraine pain killers may be repeated.
Rest will also help.
Possibility of aneurysm is unlikely and can not be diagnosed on clinical grounds.
Avoid stress, fasting, excessive tea and coffee.
Visit and consult ER if not improving and consider brain imaging.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Possibility of aneurysm less likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Migraine headache are usually unilateral, throbbing, pulsating with associated nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound. The headache increases in few hours and may involve occipital region of head with associated neck pain sometimes.
If the onset and character of headache is similar to previous episodes then nothing to worry.
Is there any visual loss, seizure, double vision?
For migraine pain killers may be repeated.
Rest will also help.
Possibility of aneurysm is unlikely and can not be diagnosed on clinical grounds.
Avoid stress, fasting, excessive tea and coffee.
Visit and consult ER if not improving and consider brain imaging.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
I have a few more questions since yesterday.
I have also noticed that I have an area on the left side of my head about 1 inch above my ear that hurts when I open my mouth widely. When I touch that area, it is very tender and almost feels like I feel something underneath it (a vein or something). Is this typical of a headache and what kind?
Also, I was sitting down working on something on my computer yesterday evening and out of the blue I broke into a cold sweat. I felt very hot and started sweating profusely. Is this something I should be concerned about? My headache lasted most of the days and is still lingering and is at about a 3 on a scale from 1-10.
I have also noticed that I have an area on the left side of my head about 1 inch above my ear that hurts when I open my mouth widely. When I touch that area, it is very tender and almost feels like I feel something underneath it (a vein or something). Is this typical of a headache and what kind?
Also, I was sitting down working on something on my computer yesterday evening and out of the blue I broke into a cold sweat. I felt very hot and started sweating profusely. Is this something I should be concerned about? My headache lasted most of the days and is still lingering and is at about a 3 on a scale from 1-10.
Brief Answer:
Possibility of migraine
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome back..
The tenderness described by you may be present in migraine also.
Is there any redness of raised temperature over the involved area?
Pain killers like Paracetamol will be helpful for 3-4 days.
Is this sweating episode associated with chest pain or palpitations?
If such episode repeats then you must visit a doctor for examination.
Hope you recover soon.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Possibility of migraine
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome back..
The tenderness described by you may be present in migraine also.
Is there any redness of raised temperature over the involved area?
Pain killers like Paracetamol will be helpful for 3-4 days.
Is this sweating episode associated with chest pain or palpitations?
If such episode repeats then you must visit a doctor for examination.
Hope you recover soon.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi,
I cannot see the area because it is on my scalp. There is no raised temperature.
The sweating was the only symptom. I recently had a coronary CT angiogram and it was negative so i hope my heart was not causing the symptoms .
I cannot see the area because it is on my scalp. There is no raised temperature.
The sweating was the only symptom. I recently had a coronary CT angiogram and it was negative so i hope my heart was not causing the symptoms .
Brief Answer:
Nothing serious, take treatment as advised
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If there is no swelling or redness then possibility of migraine is more likely.
It's good that no cardiac problem exists.
Take treatment as advised.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Nothing serious, take treatment as advised
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If there is no swelling or redness then possibility of migraine is more likely.
It's good that no cardiac problem exists.
Take treatment as advised.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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