Fluther: What is this stabbing pain I sometimes get, out of the ...

What is this stabbing pain I sometimes get, out of the blue, in my right temple?

Asked by Dutchess_III (46848

) October 11th, 2014
20 responses
“Great Question” (2

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The first time it happened I was 17. I was a waitress and I almost dropped the tray. Thankfully they just hit and go. If they stayed, I’d be rendered helpless, it hurts THAT much. One lasted about 5 seconds. It’s the longest one I’ve had. I was in the middle of the store, sinking to my knees, holding my head in my hands.
It’s like somebody stuck a knife in my temple.
It’s happened maybe 10 times in my life, just out of the blue.

Well, today I’ve had three attacks.

What the hell is it?

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Topics: pain, Temple, stabbing, blinding, excruciating

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Answers

My guess is that you have a migraine. You really need to see a doctor.

talljasperman (21916

)“Great Answer” (1

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Sounds like a migraine. Complex migraines can do strange things to you. They can even mess with your speech.

ARE_you_kidding_me (20021

)“Great Answer” (1

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I’m with @talljasperman. See a doctor. I may take certain things for granted, health wise but I never take my brains health for granted. It could be nothing and it could be something mild to serious. Going to a doctor can at least ease your mind.

Pandora (32219

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I agree with the others. A headache that makes you fall to your knees needs to be checked out by a doctor.

My mother experienced the worst headache of her life when she had a ruptured brain aneurysm over a year ago. I’m not saying I think you have a brain aneurysm, but it’s important to know the facts, especially if you are a female smoker over the age of 50. an estimated 6 million people in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm, or 1 in 50 people. The annual rate of rupture is approximately 8 – 10 per 100,000 people or about 30,000 people in the United States suffer a brain aneurysm rupture. There is a brain aneurysm rupturing every 18 minutes. Ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in about 40% of cases. Of those who survive, about 66% suffer some permanent neurological deficit. source

Warning signs and symptoms

My mother survived for 9 painful months after her rupture.

jonsblond (43767

)“Great Answer” (2

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When I read this I thought of ‘cluster headache’, but like everyone else said rather be safe and check it out. Let us know how it goes.

LornaLove (10037

)“Great Answer” (0

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I think it is something doctors would never figure out.

It probably is worth getting a CT scan to rule out anything obviously scary, they probably would do two CT scans, one with contrast, one without, and then you don’t have to think about it again once they tell you they see nothing. You could also get an MRI, not sure what that would show. The doctors would order them to rule stuff out, not because they think they would find something. But, you never know, sometimes wierd things show up that were never expected.

You don’t want to screw around with your brain. Has your blood pressure been higher than usual? Have you been drinking more caffeine? Are you under more stress than usual?

Aneurysm is the first thing I worry about for severe headache, or sudden severe pain anywhere, but usually that would be constant pain, so I am doubtful that is the problem, but again, it is probably worth ruling it out.

JLeslie (65452

)“Great Answer” (1

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Maybe A Thirsty Sister missed your neck?

Here2_4 (7152

)“Great Answer” (0

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Actually, I would check into the possibility that it could be a sign of impending stroke.
Once in a while is likely no big deal, but a repeated occurrence close together would suggest you should look into it.

Here2_4 (7152

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I’ll ask my Dr. next time I see him.

But, like I said, it’s been happening since I was 17, but only very, very rarely. Only one time did it stay around long enough to take me down, and that was about 5 seconds.

I’ve been on BP meds for 8 years, so that’s under control. No more caffeine than usual. Stress level is about normal.

Dutchess_III (46848

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http://strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/About-Stroke_UCM_308529_SubHomePage.jsp

Here2_4 (7152

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Well, I guess I’ve been having strokes since I was 17.

I’ll call the Dr. tomorrow.

Dutchess_III (46848

)“Great Answer” (2

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That isn’t a stroke. It is pain in your temple, which is where your pulse is. Did you read the link about strokes? (Any age can have a stroke by the way, including a newborn one hour old.)
The pain can be an artery problem for a long time before a stroke occurs, but as I said above, repeat occurrences in one day is something to look at, ask about, and could be a warning sign. I never said every little twinge was a stroke, though, yes, you could have one when you are 17. Not all strokes paralyze body parts, and some go undetected because they are light, and people don’t see a doctor over something they thought was minor.

Here2_4 (7152

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I’ll call the Dr. tomorrow.

Dutchess_III (46848

)“Great Answer” (1

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