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What Causes Stabbing Pain In The Head?

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Posted on Thu, 21 Sep 2017
Question: hi, im 19, sometimes I would get a sharp stabbing pain in the lower or upper back of my head and it would only last 1-2 minutes but sometimes when it happens i will either curl up into a ball and put my head to the ground till its done or I will lean my head in the direction of the pain to make it subside but I'm fully aware and conscious through the whole time and its been happening for a few yrs now and it would sometimes happen if I was thinking to hard or focussing to hard or it would be just random.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Ice pick headaches to consider.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Primary stabbing headaches or ice pick headaches should be considered in your case since you don't experience any other symptoms and these headaches subside after one minute or two.

These types of the headaches are generally difficult to be treated because of their short and unpredictable nature and are not related to any mental or physical activity.

In the other hand, these headaches are considered harmless besides the discomfort that they cause.

If you notice any other symptoms in the future, then you should get evaluated by a Neurologist.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (48 minutes later)
does it help if u also knew that i cracked my head 3 times, was hit in the head with a bat, my head pushed into walls, doors, and floors, and was punched in the head between the age of 8 was when the first time i cracked it on the corner of a XXXXXXX shed to the time where i was 18 where my twin pushed my head into a XXXXXXX wall at school. they started somewhere around the age 12-13. what other symptoms might help determine what it is? I normally don't speak when it accures it stops me in what ever I'm doing but I do notice sometimes when it happens and I mean my head in the direction of the pain my eyes roll up and twitch a bit. it happened last night around 1am was the most recent one. but this one time when i was in the car with my cousins on the way to drop their other cousin off at the airport it happened in the car ride but that one lasted between 5-10minutes.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Primary headaches.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Head trauma in such distance of time may cause anxiety disorder and headaches are one of the features of such disorder.

Again, regarding your headaches characteristics, primary headaches ( it means with no other underlying cause) are the most likely condition.

Simple painkillers such paracetamol, ibuprofen may help in such cases.

However, getting examined medically by your primary care Doctor may help you in understanding better your condition.

Hope I helped you so far.

Kind regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (17 minutes later)
i don't have anxiety, I am a pretty relaxed person through most of my days, i have tried taking ibuprofen but it doesn't help it still comes even if I took it. sometimes its pines and needles and not a stabbing pain it always happens in the same area in the back of the head. if its been happening for yrs already will it ever stop?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
An antineuralgic drug may be necessary since ibuprofen doesn't work.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Okay then, if you feel pins and needles besides headaches, there may be additional nerves dysfunction ( nerves that supply the skin of the skull ).

These nerves may have been damaged at the trauma time, but also may be compressed at their exit from cervikal spinal cord ( occipital neuralgia ).

In such case, I think it is necessary a trial use of an antineuralgic drug ( gabapentin for example ).

Discuss with your Doctor about prescription of an appropriate antineuralgic drug in your case.

Hope this helps.

Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (21 minutes later)
will a (antibeuralgic drug?) help stop these from happening or is there a chance it could last the rest of my life. since im only 19 that would be a long life time. could this cause further damage if left alone?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Symptoms will improve with time.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

I think your symptoms should subside gradually with time.

The only problem if you don't get treated is the discomfort that these symptoms cause.

I think also that an antineuralgic drug should result in very good control of symptoms in short time.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (21 minutes later)
the more yrs that pass by the more frequently they are getting. it happened twice Yesturday and once today. its been happening for 6yrs now. im not sure leaving it alone is improving it. the one today lasted around 4-5 minutes. im not sure leaving it up to time is an option anymore. i am joining the army but im afraid this might occur during the 4 yrs of active duty and cause a problem
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Start a treatment then.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

It could happen in periods of pressure that symptoms may be more frequent.

In such case, you should not let this pain and sensory disturbances untreated.

Discuss with your Doctor about starting a treatment as we discussed before.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4493 Questions

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What Causes Stabbing Pain In The Head?

Brief Answer: Ice pick headaches to consider. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns. Primary stabbing headaches or ice pick headaches should be considered in your case since you don't experience any other symptoms and these headaches subside after one minute or two. These types of the headaches are generally difficult to be treated because of their short and unpredictable nature and are not related to any mental or physical activity. In the other hand, these headaches are considered harmless besides the discomfort that they cause. If you notice any other symptoms in the future, then you should get evaluated by a Neurologist. Hope you found the answer helpful. Take care.