weird headache - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

mommajessibelle · 11-16-2003, 12:09 AM

I have had recurring "headaches" since the age of six. The characteristics are always the same:

First, a "popping" sound on the right side of my head, at the base of my skull about 3 inches or so straight back from my ear toward the center of my neck.

Then the feeling of millions of hot needles (like a limb falling asleep x 1000)

Next, the entire right half of my head from back to hairline becomes hot to the touch outside, and feels like it's on fire inside, excrutiatingly painful; the rest has only been relayed to me by those who have witnessed one of these episodes, as I have not even a vague recollection after the heat begins.

At this point, my eyes begin to flutter, usually I fall to the floor and start to writhe and convulse my right hand extended and shaking. My mother, father, a couple of friends and significant others have witnessed this phase lasting anywhere from 3 minutes to 12 minutes ( the most recent ). Believe it or not, I'm not done...

The "wind down" as my boyfriend called it is arching my back, and speaking "another language" - his comparison, as he had a hard time finding the words to describe it. My father has confirmed that it does and always has sounded as though I'm either jumbling my own English in a bout of confusion or I took Latin and never told him. His own comfort statement.

I sweat alot, to where my hair is soaked on the right, and I get fetal, sobbing and muttering my mystery language then exhale in a fashion resembling a person's death rattle, or last breath, not inhaling again for 3-7 second period, then gasping loudly for air only to exhale in super slow motion, repeating this finale 4 or 5 times before sleeping for no less than 20 minutes up to 6-7 hours following.

As I said, I do not remember, even with prompting, anything after the hot prickly feeling starts. I have seen several doctors, had CatScans, MRI's, and numerous tests since the first one at the age of six. I am now 32 years old and have gone as long as 2 years without an episode, once. On average in those 26 years, 2-3 months seems to be the length of time between episodes, but sometimes (3 or 4 periods of one year or so) they are as frequent as every week and a half to three weeks.

Anyone who has a clue or the old 2 out of 3 matches aint bad, I'd love any insight you may be able to give.

Thank You --