left side head pain

[fritzie56]

I cannot lay on the left side of my head or it wakes me up throbbing.  I have had this for 9 YEARS.  I have had 4 MRIs,xrays, been to headache clinic been to pain clinics.  I have had 4 nerve blocks and numerous medicines. Seen 2 neurologists.  I have arthiritis in my neck and can't lay on my shoulders I have to have shoulders below my pillow.  I go to a rheumatologist but that doesn't help.  I'm all out of ideals and tied of pain every night.

[Caryopteris]

One possibility is that you clench and grind your teeth more in this position due to discomfort.  Your dentist can look at your teeth and tell if you grind them.  

[jemma116]

Have you tried only sleeping on 1 pillow?
My doctor advised me many years ago to only use one pillow.  I found the neck pillows that you can purchase these days were very uncomfortable and didn't suit me.  I have to sleep with my shoulders off the pillow too because of neck problems.

The other option is to try and sleep in a more propped up position so that you do not put pressure on your shoulder.

It appears that your head pains could be from the arthritis in your neck.  
Not sure what the rheumatologist can do if you have degeneration of the bones in your neck.  

Do keep out of draughts and keep your neck warm by wearing a scarf.

[kristy12]

Visit a few radiologists. Look at the base of the skull, fluid reserve at the medulla, posterior fossa cysts. Also you may upload the images of your MRI, maybe experienced people could suggest what could be wrong.