Headache, Scalp Pain

anastasio · 10-27-2009, 09:58 PM

I've always been somewhat prone to headaches and especially after stopping paxil I've gone through periods where I may have headaches 3 days a week for a few weeks and then I'm fine again. Aleve has always worked very quickly and been long lasting for me in the past.

Last Tuesday I had a pretty severe headache on the back of my head but it got better towards the night and after taking an Aleve it felt OK, although not gone 100%. Every day since then I've had headaches to varying degrees at different locations in my head that seem to come and go but a near constant but mild pain on the back of my head. Sometimes it feels like a pulling or tightening and sometimes there are short quick electric burst feelings but this is very different from zaps if anyone is thinking that. It feels close to the scalp but when I touch my scalp it doesn't hurt. I took Aleve a few more days but it didn't seem to help.

I have had some increased stress lately with the death of a family member a few weeks ago but I haven't had any noticeable increase in anxiety or other pains. In fact my other symptoms have continued to get better.

Does this sound "normal" to anyone or possibly stress/anxiety related? I literally just finished paying off years of medical bills a couple weeks ago and really don't want to see a doctor right now, especially with such vague symptoms but I will if this continues. Any thoughts, advice?

LCrawford67 · 10-28-2009, 06:19 AM

It certainly could be stress related, but you could also suffer from migraines, albeit not as severe as what most people suffer when they get a migraine.

There's really no way of saying what it's from, one way or the other. If it continues, then see a doctor.

anastasio · 10-30-2009, 09:47 PM

I know you all will think I'm crazy but today I decided that because I always wear a baseball hat that I wouldn't wear it all day to see what happens and guess what? Practically no scalp pain or headaches for the first day in nearly 2 weeks. I won't say that I've been 100% pain free but honestly I've felt something like a quick pinch or burn maybe 12 times throughout the day whereas before it was nearly constant at times. Also I started wearing a new hat recently and it's developed some weird discoloration that is actually spreading. I wonder if something is growing on it and irritating my head..weird...tonight it's going it's getting a go round in the washing machine and then I'll wear it tomorrow and see what happens. Not sure this is going to work but I hope it is something simple.

scotty · 10-30-2009, 10:09 PM

Put the hat away! Let that head breath!

Good for you for figuring it out.

anastasio · 10-30-2009, 10:54 PM

Of course shortly after I post this it starts burning, lol. Still think it might be hat related, if only because whatever may be on my head attached itself to the cap. I think I will try to see a dermatologist while my insurance deductible has been met for the year and figure out if this thing is skin related or neurological or just me being crazy.

pboy · 11-01-2009, 03:23 AM

Ive found that submerging my head in hot water or washing my hair really seems to ease my head pains. And then using the hairdryer afterwards. Must be the heat from it or something?

A head massage would be great too Im sure.

pax80 · 11-01-2009, 07:19 AM

I discovered this week , after a 5 year usage, my shampoo Fructis -garnier was causing me head burning symptoms, scalp itching and other symptoms. I've changed to organics and my head is feeling better but not 100% yet!

Lucy · 11-01-2009, 07:32 AM

Anastasio, I don't have an explanation for it, but I have those electical zaps like the ones you describe -- they seem to be on the scalp, rather than inside the head like the ones I had when I first quit lexapro. Fortunately mine are not accompanied by headaches. I had headaches early in withdrawal but now they are rare.

nicole55 · 11-04-2009, 01:10 PM

regarding your hat...

It's not so odd. In the past wore headbands to keep my hair back, and certain ones would give me a severe headache. I would have some relief right away after taking it off and usually it would go away completely within a half hour.

I also had this with some glasses/sunglasses.

Something about pressure on the side of the head near the ears, it is a very sensitive area for me. It would sneak up on me after hours with the item on.

pboy · 11-05-2009, 04:10 AM

I think heat really helps head pains.

I get pains just above my eyes, the forehead especially. Rubbing hot water over my head REALLY eased this, it felt so good.

I'm going to buy some of those migraine heat patches and see if they do anything.

10-27-2009, 09:58 PM	#1
anastasio Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 408	Headache, Scalp Pain I've always been somewhat prone to headaches and especially after stopping paxil I've gone through periods where I may have headaches 3 days a week for a few weeks and then I'm fine again. Aleve has always worked very quickly and been long lasting for me in the past. Last Tuesday I had a pretty severe headache on the back of my head but it got better towards the night and after taking an Aleve it felt OK, although not gone 100%. Every day since then I've had headaches to varying degrees at different locations in my head that seem to come and go but a near constant but mild pain on the back of my head. Sometimes it feels like a pulling or tightening and sometimes there are short quick electric burst feelings but this is very different from zaps if anyone is thinking that. It feels close to the scalp but when I touch my scalp it doesn't hurt. I took Aleve a few more days but it didn't seem to help. I have had some increased stress lately with the death of a family member a few weeks ago but I haven't had any noticeable increase in anxiety or other pains. In fact my other symptoms have continued to get better. Does this sound "normal" to anyone or possibly stress/anxiety related? I literally just finished paying off years of medical bills a couple weeks ago and really don't want to see a doctor right now, especially with such vague symptoms but I will if this continues. Any thoughts, advice? __________________ 6/2004 - 6/2007: Paxil 20mg 6/2007: c/t'd 6/2007 - Present:

10-28-2009, 06:19 AM	#2
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,493	Re: Headache, Scalp Pain It certainly could be stress related, but you could also suffer from migraines, albeit not as severe as what most people suffer when they get a migraine. There's really no way of saying what it's from, one way or the other. If it continues, then see a doctor. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

10-30-2009, 09:47 PM	#3
anastasio Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 408	Re: Headache, Scalp Pain I know you all will think I'm crazy but today I decided that because I always wear a baseball hat that I wouldn't wear it all day to see what happens and guess what? Practically no scalp pain or headaches for the first day in nearly 2 weeks. I won't say that I've been 100% pain free but honestly I've felt something like a quick pinch or burn maybe 12 times throughout the day whereas before it was nearly constant at times. Also I started wearing a new hat recently and it's developed some weird discoloration that is actually spreading. I wonder if something is growing on it and irritating my head..weird...tonight it's going it's getting a go round in the washing machine and then I'll wear it tomorrow and see what happens. Not sure this is going to work but I hope it is something simple. __________________ 6/2004 - 6/2007: Paxil 20mg 6/2007: c/t'd 6/2007 - Present:

10-30-2009, 10:09 PM	#4
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Headache, Scalp Pain Put the hat away! Let that head breath! Good for you for figuring it out. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

10-30-2009, 10:54 PM	#5
anastasio Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 408	Re: Headache, Scalp Pain Of course shortly after I post this it starts burning, lol. Still think it might be hat related, if only because whatever may be on my head attached itself to the cap. I think I will try to see a dermatologist while my insurance deductible has been met for the year and figure out if this thing is skin related or neurological or just me being crazy. __________________ 6/2004 - 6/2007: Paxil 20mg 6/2007: c/t'd 6/2007 - Present:

11-01-2009, 03:23 AM	#6
pboy Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Posts: 304	Re: Headache, Scalp Pain Ive found that submerging my head in hot water or washing my hair really seems to ease my head pains. And then using the hairdryer afterwards. Must be the heat from it or something? A head massage would be great too Im sure. __________________ On Lexapro for about 2 months & cold-turkeyed. Had withdrawal so re-instated. Started chopping tablets. Then crushing into juice. 5mg (3 weeks until stabilized) then chopping so unsure how much (2.5 weeks) 4.4mg (4 weeks) 4.2mg (3.5 weeks) Now at 3.8mg. I am going to get past this and appreciate life!!

11-01-2009, 07:19 AM	#7
pax80 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portugal Posts: 3,696	Re: Headache, Scalp Pain I discovered this week , after a 5 year usage, my shampoo Fructis -garnier was causing me head burning symptoms, scalp itching and other symptoms. I've changed to organics and my head is feeling better but not 100% yet!

11-01-2009, 07:32 AM	#8
Lucy Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 329	Re: Headache, Scalp Pain Anastasio, I don't have an explanation for it, but I have those electical zaps like the ones you describe -- they seem to be on the scalp, rather than inside the head like the ones I had when I first quit lexapro. Fortunately mine are not accompanied by headaches. I had headaches early in withdrawal but now they are rare. __________________ Took paxil for a few years in the 1990's Had some exposure to celexa or lexapro late 1990's Took lexapro in 2008, cold-turkeyed, reinstated, tapered too fast

11-04-2009, 01:10 PM	#9
nicole55 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 540	Re: Headache, Scalp Pain regarding your hat... It's not so odd. In the past wore headbands to keep my hair back, and certain ones would give me a severe headache. I would have some relief right away after taking it off and usually it would go away completely within a half hour. I also had this with some glasses/sunglasses. Something about pressure on the side of the head near the ears, it is a very sensitive area for me. It would sneak up on me after hours with the item on. __________________ status: PAXIL FREE date of Freedom: June 26, 2005 method: 2.5 mg drops reason for taking: anxiety how long taking: 5yrs attempts to stop: 4th attempt worked!! briefly went back to ssri's- 12/07 tried Zoloft in desperation//awful side effects starting up, tapered quickly after only 4 weeks on 11/09 feeling ok

11-05-2009, 04:10 AM	#10
pboy Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Posts: 304	Re: Headache, Scalp Pain I think heat really helps head pains. I get pains just above my eyes, the forehead especially. Rubbing hot water over my head REALLY eased this, it felt so good. I'm going to buy some of those migraine heat patches and see if they do anything. __________________ On Lexapro for about 2 months & cold-turkeyed. Had withdrawal so re-instated. Started chopping tablets. Then crushing into juice. 5mg (3 weeks until stabilized) then chopping so unsure how much (2.5 weeks) 4.4mg (4 weeks) 4.2mg (3.5 weeks) Now at 3.8mg. I am going to get past this and appreciate life!!

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