I have a scalp neuralgia that has come and gone over the years. These past few days it has been very painful. It s a rippling pain every few seconds. I ve taken extra strength acetaminophen which helps a bit. It typically lasts a few days with periods of relief with drugs but as soon as the meds wear off it s there. What could be the cause and what else can I do.? Can it be stress related? It seems to come out of the blue.
Hello! I read your question and understand your concern. I would like to know the location of the pain. If it is in the back of your head it may be an occipital neuralgia. It may be caused by degenerative changes of the cervical column or by lesions of the posterior part of the brain. The fact that it has been recurring for years is an argument in favor of benign causes like cervical column changes. A full blood work for inflammation and a cervical column X-ray would be necessary. I would recommend indomethacine twice daily for 2 weeks if you don't have any stomach problems. It is very good in occipital neuralgia. Another treatment would be carbamazepine which is helpful in trigeminal and occipital neuralgia. Hope to have been of help. Greetings!