wow, I guess i'm not the only one with this condition. This condition is called tension headache. The cause may be from overactivity of muscles of the scalp, forehead and neck. Other factors that may trigger these headaches include:

-increased tension or stress (both mental and physical), for example:
-excessive worry
-all work-no play
-long periods of study, typing or other concentration
-perfectionism
-increased tension in the neck muscles, for example:
-poor posture
-injuries to the spine
-repressed hostility, anger or frustration
-a poor, scrappy diet, for example eating on the run (combined with
stress)

but I believe the major cause is from stress.

Feeling sharp pains, like piercing inside the head, feeling like theres a ball in your head, head feels like it's weighs tons.

the best treatment is to try to reduce or eliminate the trigger factors, or you can try these:

-learn to relax your mind and body.
-during an attack, relax by lying down in a hot bath or spa with a warm dry cloth (or even a cold wet cloth) over the aching area.
-you could attend special relaxation courses such as yoga or meditation classes.
-if your neck is aching, massage it followed by special exercises should help.

I'm in my early 40's and have been a migraine sufferer for about 6rys. Now. I've seen a neurologist x2 now. The first time to be dx, and the second to reasses my meds. She (the specialist)(she specializes in pain control and does our local ms clinic) believes that (with new data coming out all the time) migraines are a from of mini seizures. I've been put on valporic acid (which is an antiseizure medication) and was migraine free for about 4-5yrs.. I still would get the odd headache with tension, stress, if I drank to much coffee (which I don't drink at all now), to much chocolate, etc. It is also believed to be hereditary, thanky-you mother. There is now a new medication i've been given for the odd migraine I get, (can also be related to weather changes, allergies--which lately has caused me to be having a few attacks here and there)this med. Is call axert. It's only been out a short time. You take one tab. At onset, then may repeat in 2hrs. If first tab didn't completely work. And of course --ice, dark room and quiet. But I know how painful these attacks can be. And boy am I glad that I don't get them like I use to. Good luck

I been getting sharp headaches on top of my right head that last only a few seconds 3-4 and I'll get few or several at a time. I been getting them for 3 yrs. now. I've had cat-scans and an mri with contrast last year, but the nuero dr. says everythings normal. I'm 28 years old and this has been affecting my life to a great extent. I freak out every time I get time cause I think I'm going to die. I'm fraustrated and I don't know what to do or what tell the doctors anymore. I would greatly appreciate any advise that you can give me or treatment opptions.

My boyfriend started getting these the other day and they totally freaked him out. He also gets migraines, and in the past, we've been able to stop them with decongestant allergy meds (we use Claritin-D - not regular Claritin... talk to the pharmacist). Once I read that these were linked with migraines, we tried the allergy meds and they worked! One 24-hr Claritin-D and his ice pick headaches stopped completely.

They are a little expensive and at least in California, you have to show ID to get them from the pharmacist. But check Target - they have a cheaper generic version. Just make sure it has the decongestant on top of the allergy medicine.

The MRI with contrast is to see if their is any bleeding on the brain.Since this is not the cause of the pain,you wont see anything.I started having these pains at the top of my right ear 3-4 years ago.Two or three times a year and would last from 4-8 hours.Thought i was sleeping wrong.Maybe on my hand or something.Then 3 months ago it lasted for 3 days.Had the MRI with contrast just in case.I was glad to know other people had this condition.Not that I want others to suffer,just relieved it was treatable.I never really had headaches,I have never had a migrain,and from what Ive read only about 1% of the population and thats almost all males over the age of forty suffer with (ICEPICK) headaches.Theres to much to list as to what medical professionals think what triggers them.Notice I said,what triggers them, not what cuases them.Most will agree their in the migrain family related more to cluster headaches.Same thing happens, blood vessels swell and put pressure on nerves.With people who truly have icepick headaches,unlike clusters their timing is not reliable.True clusters can almost be predictable by the patient.Icepicks can come and go at will.Im really glad I dont have this condition as much as others do.I feel sorry for anyone who suffers from this on a chronic level.There are meds that you can take,your Doctor can prescribe.Very similar stuff for treating migrains.And yes,the pain is severe enough to wake you from deep sleep.It happens to me,and I dont know why Im awake, until about 5-10 seconds later when the next jolt hits.You will never be able to explain it to anyone that hasnt eperianced it.I know pain,I have broken my collar bone,both hands,my right ankle,also ruptured my left eardrum and had at least 50 stiches.I hope you who read this got something from it.It scared the &%#^ outta me! Just glad Im not going to die from it.Its also known as (alarmclock headach) and my favorite,the (suicide headache).