Odd head pains every day for over 1 year

Brain and nerves
1

Hi, just over a year ago out of nowhere I started getting quick stabbing head pains all over the top of my head. These were happening multiple times an hour all day, every single day with no relief. Otc medicines did nothing. I soon after started having pains in my face, teeth, ears as well.

Mri is normal. I also had my jaw joints scanned for possible TMJ, and they appeared normal.

Neuro diagnosed ice pick headaches and the facial pain as unrelated. I am willing to chalk up some of the facial pains to stress overload from dealing with this head pains.

So a year in, the head pains have changed from sharp stabbing quality to more of an aching pain (almost like a bruised feeling comes and goes different spots on my head .) The frequency is still multiple times a day but nowhere near as often as when this all started.

I've tried two rounds of oral steroids and 2 weeks of indomethacin with no noticeable change.

Another odd thing I noticed is when I'm doing specific things like washing dishes or cooking, I will get often get a burning and aching pain behind my ear (mastoid area) and even onto my ear cartilage (weird, I know!)

Neuro never discussed occipital neuralgia, but dismissed trigeminal because this pain being in too many locations. I do wonder if maybe it could be occipital neuralgia or some type of neuralgia and the facial pains/ear pains (often achy, but also stabbing, esp the ears!) were a reaction and not part of the original problem.

I am a migraine sufferer, also.

Any ideas? I've just given up on doctors for the monent. Things have improved, thankfully, but every day for over a year I've been dealing with these odd head pains. Hoping they go away for good one day!

Thanks.

2

I have lots of those symptoms but I was leaning toward tmj. Do you get imbalance issues or pressure ear fullness?

3

Hello Tc1988

i just watched a seminar on Holistic Oral Health and learned that many of our ailments come from issues with our teeth / mouth bacteria and infections that we are not aware of that can cause many health issues.  When we have had root canals, crowns, etc there could be infections....even if we don't feel tooth pain.....but some of us do.  After I read your blog I just had to share.  I too get Migraines and have an auto immune issue. In November I had my first root canal and after it I still feel like I have a nerve pain and wonder if the root canal still has infection as that is the cause of root canals.  I plan to go back to the endodontist ( I think that's what root canal Dr. Is ). This is just a thought for you but you might want to make sure all is well with your teeth mouth and gums.  My regular dentist did not see infection/ inflammation.  Check out oil pulling as well....that is new to me...again holistic medicine.  I plan to try that.  Please keep us posted.

Wendy

4

Sad.....all my information to you is being moderated......I hope they will post my blog.  Do not know why it was not posted. 🙁

5

Hi, I have no imbalance issues at all. Ear fullness is minimal. The pains inside my ears have mostly subsided but they were quick and stabbing pains, generally. The dentist who did my TMJ assessment recommended seeing a specialist in TMJ/craniofacial specialist since the cone beam scan of my joints was normal and she wasn't sure where to go from there.

I'm not ruling out stress being a factor and maybe causing some muscular TMJ type problems. I have no clue though, really. It's been confusing to try and sort through the symptoms!

6

Thanks, I hope they put it through! I'm stumped, and doctors haven't been the most helpful thus far.

7

I am so sorry for you having to suffer with these issues...I have a lot of medical exp. personally & knowledge/education (but I am not a doctor)I have Migraines &TMJ issues(my scans are normal too) you can have tooth issues(uneven bite, missing teeth etc..) & a lot of jaw issues w/pain & etc even w/o changes on scans from nerves&muscles...for sure ear pains, migraines can have a huge variation of symptoms...it certainly sounds neurological but maybe more than one cause(making it hard to diagnose) journaling might help you find TRIGGERS for Migraines, has a doctor suggested a nerve stabilizer like Lyrica? There are some auto-immune disorders but they take a while to diagnose as symptoms start vaguely. I would keep a log of symptoms, for yourself to look for causes & to better document & explain your situation/episodes/track specifics for a doctor...be VERY specific about time,sensation,duration,where,changes,dietary,environmental,activity...it sounds terrible but it could really help...have you tried using heat or cold, massage...considered hair or scalp issues?(I get migraines from wearing a ponytail too tight, chemical sensitivity to hair products & etc..) I would try at home stuff and journal...has the doctor looked in your ears & have you had your eyes checked? I would also get another opinion(if you can wait to record some symptoms) ....if the symptoms progress, esp. quickly or if you have facial drooping, dizziness, acute pain or weakness ANYWHERE....pls go in right away...wish I could be more helpful but message me anytime for more info/specifics...Best Wishes to you, may you find comfort & peace of mind