Reoccurring Headache Same Spot

by Alexis G.
(Clinton, Missouri)

I am 22 years old and was diagnosed with a panic disorder about a year ago, ever since i have been experienceing a recurring headache in the left upper side of my head. It is always in the same spot and hurts off and on all day some days are worse than others.

I had an mri done of my head and the only thing it showed was a deviated nasal septum. I have taken different over the counter medications but nothing seems to work.I have also seen several different doctors with no luck so please help if you have any ideas.

Thanks,

Alexis

Answer:

Hi Alexis,

Many times when patients have a fluctuating, recurring headache, doctors may tend to not address it fully if the headache is not disabling. In other words, you are functioning, doing your daily activities, but this sounds annoying more than anything else.

You do not mention whether or not anyone has examined your neck. Many times headache patients will have spasming in the neck. The largest muscle there is the trapezius muscle which ends just in the middle of the back of the head.

You can see an illustration of this effect with cervicogenic headache. When this muscle spasms, it pulls on the scalp muscles creating spasms there that come and go. This is actually a form of tension headache.

Keep in mind that causes of anxiety attacks include worrying about things that are not necessarily severe or disabling problems. This too can make your headache worsen.

Speak to your provider, your primary care doctor could handle this. A short course of a different type of medication (3-4 weeks) that is an anti-spasmotic, and perhaps physical therapy might be very beneficial.

Good luck!
Mary Kay Betz MS RPA-C