Headache on One Side Only

[floatingspirit]

Hi,

I've suffered from headaches all my life and have had my share of migraines which I've kept under control. I know I don't have a migraine right now, but I'd like to see what others may have experienced.

I've seen an ENT for my "right side" headache - they don't see an infection but the headache is just like the headache I get before an infection (but I wake up with it most days). I use Breathe Right strips and Simply Saline. I don't like to take any meds or other sprays, just Advil when needed. The doctor keeps recommending things like Flonase and Patanese. He also said it could be either a sleep disorder or migraines. The sleep disorder test is quite expensive. I've looked into this a couple of times.

In the past, I've actually seen a chiropractor for this pain - I had one visit and something changed. I no longer had the constant headaches for a few years, but they're back again. Not sure if it was the fix from the Chiropractor or something else that changed it at the time.

It's really difficult dealing/working with daily pain as I'm sure people on here already know. :(

Has anyone had a similar experience or can anyone recommend any natural solutions?  

[Janjan5555]

Hi thanks for your input. So this has been going on over a year. I did ask a doctor about it and she put me on blood pressure pills right off the bat insisting that is the problem. My number was 139/90 that day and she told me the bottom number was bad. But actually I’ve had low blood pressure all of my life and I think it was just my high anxiety that day, it was my first time meeting this doctor and a long waiting time. I didn’t keep taking these pills because of the coughing from them. Every  reading since is fine, with bottom number 81-84. The last pe I saw told me he doubts it’s blood pressure and he wants me to have a cat scan. Though he commented that the fact that it’s been happening over a year is a good sign it’s not too serious however must be something going on and needs addressing. This headache can disappear for weeks and then it’s back. I can’t associate anything I do or don’t on the on days. OTC nsaids do not take it away

[Emily_MHManager]

So when are you having the scan?

My migraines are the same way. I can go for weeks without one, and then I suddenly get them again. Sometimes I can pinpoint a cause - an exposure to a food, a chemical, changes in the weather (barometric pressure is a big trigger for migraines), etc., but sometimes it just happens and I never know why.

I'm on meds for them now, because I was getting them almost daily for a long time, but the meds don't prevent all of them. They can't prevent the weather ones, for sure. Maybe pay attention to that?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/expert-answers/migraine-headache/faq-20058505

[Janjan5555]

It feels like a pin point sharp pain that only happens on the left top-ish side of my head. It stabs me about five brisk sharp times and it stops a few moments and starts stabbing again, same brisk fast shots of pain. This goes on for different amount of time till finally it’s gone. I find myself muddering  ow ow ow ow ow with each stab. There is no pattern rhyme or reason to associate with the bouts. Could be gone for weeks to the point I forget completely until eventually I start getting stabbed in my head again. Pains are sharp and pinch but mostly Annoying and interfering because while happening I can’t seem to do much because of my attention goes mostly to the stabs. Help

[Emily_MHManager]

Have you seen your doctor about this?

There is something called occipital neuralgia, that kind of fits what you describe, but check it out for yourself, and see what you think - https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Occipital-Neuralgia-Information-Page

This one describes it differently - https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Occipital-Neuralgia

In any case, you should talk to your doctor about it. You don't mention how long this has been happening, but if it's been longer than a couple of weeks, you should absolutely see your doctor.

[floatingspirit]

Thank you...glad to be here...

I'm not extremely stuffed up, but at times the stuffiness is there. I can generally breathe well.
I'll have to try the Mentholatum, never heard of it. Yes, I was considering taking a visit to the Chiropractor soon.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[floatingspirit]

Thanks for responding...

Mine is near the right temple/sinus too...it feels like I'm carrying a small ball or mass on that side if that makes any sense. It's at its worse when I first wake up. It actually comes and goes through my work day and can turn into a migraine very quickly.

[AKC_75]

Hi and welcome to the Migraines & Headaches Community.

What you are experiencing can very well be a migraine. Most migraines are only on one side. I am not sure why they suggest saline unless your nose is stuffy?
Some things you can try for migraines are:
Excedrin for one....it is a combo of Tylenol, Aspirin and Caffeine, but is OTC so, it is nothing major but probably work better than just plain Advil.
You can try either a hot or cold pack...whichever is more comfy to you.
You can put some Mentholatum on the temple that is the side it is hurting. (You can put it all over forehead and both temples if need be but, you said it is only on one side.)

I would try the above suggestions and you don't see anything getting better then I would go back to the Chiropractor since that was the last treatment that you know for sure helped you.

Please keep us posted on how you're doing!!

[LeonKG]

Hey, I Recently Startes Having a Headache On One Side Too. Mine Is near Tge Temple Area And It is A Tight/tingeling Feeling. What Does Yours Feel Like? Does It Also Get Worse During The day And almost Unnoticeable When lying In Bed?