Running water/cold sensation over the brain

[Alicedenham]

I was thinking the other day of the strange physical feelings I had running over the top of my brain and down the back of the skull. They started after my craniotomy operation to clip the Aneursyms in the brain 18mths ago. They stayed with me for 6 mths coming and going. It was like a cold sensation passing over the brain inside the skull in waves. Didn't hurt as such but a bit unsettling. My consultant said some people describe it as running water over the brain. Apparently there is no current understanding of why this happens. Maybe it is just the brain starting to heal itself. Has anyone else had the same feelings?

[brighton88]

no what I had was feeling on the skin itching but when I touched the skin on my head it felt like I was touching wood and could not feel my touch

[Alicedenham in reply to brighton88]

Has it got better over time? I was told by my consultant that is was unlikely that I would get full feeling back on the outside of the head where the scar is. 18 mths later that part of my head is still numb.

[ncmurphy1951]

i did when i first woke up but it didnt last long had a word with the consultant who assurd me that it will stop an it did neil

[Jigsaw]

Alice, I had exactly the same thing, but when I touched my head I head no feeling!

Much of the feeling came back after about 6 months but over a year on from op that side of my head is still a bit numb and if I touch where the plates are its still tender!

Linda x

[Alicedenham in reply to Jigsaw]

My head on the left side where I had op is still numb, although I get shooting pains that last for a few seconds around the scar. I guess it where the nerves are growing back. It used to be on a daily basis but over time it has got less and less. I know what you mean about the area around the plates - me too! xx

[zainey-lainey]

i was not opperated on but i had the feeling of shivers under my skull or like little creepy crawlies.. wiered. but it make s us all unique, yey x

[Jigsaw in reply to zainey-lainey]

Actually Yes... I remember the creepy crawlies! x

[brighton88]

yes to everything thatt's been said only mine lasted about 18 months all over, now 5 years on only a bit, but where the plate is it is very tender and if touched with any pressure is painful, The plate is also sensitive to sun and cold, so I've invested in some rather stylish hats; panamar, 3 pork pie hats, a cap and a wolly hat for windy days.

[Jigsaw in reply to brighton88]

Good for you! Hats really don't agree with me but I have to wear them now or ear muffs as my ear is more sensitive and I have tinnitus, deafness etc! I like to keep my kiddies entertained with my headwear x

[Alicedenham in reply to brighton88]

Stylish solution! Mine plate is on the face just above the eyebrow!! I suppose I could wear a scarf....

[zainey-lainey]

did you say tinnitus and deafness??? ditto! ...I love this group for making you feel normal. lol

[Alicedenham in reply to zainey-lainey]

How very true!!

[brighton88]

Phew lucky me dont have that

[donington]

i sometimes get a similar type of feeling

but more like fingers drumming on the top of my skull

had a partial hydrocephalus 59 years ago

when 6 months old-no shunt

[elsie1016]

Yes I have a cold feeling on my left side of my head. just like running water . It's only now and again but very worrying

[TruReview in reply to elsie1016]

I can relate to that feeling of running water on your head! I get that a lot more lately than I ever used to and now following that my head does even more odd painful things that I really hate! Before it wasn't something that was painful only something I dreaded because I couldn't explain it and no one not even doctors would try to make any sense of it for me!

[Bailar in reply to TruReview]

Hi, I described my feeling to my ENT as when you bump your head hard with the corner of a counter or door and it feels like you cracked your head and blood is running down but you touch and there’s no blood. It’s scary, especially when in bed ready to sleep and it happens. Wondered if I would wake up the next day. This happened a few times, but it has been about a year since the last time I felt this. My ENT said nothing about it and I didn’t pursue it, I’m a chicken. I hope it does not come back. I wondered if is a tiny vain rupture inside the brain, could be due to my high blood pressure which has been hard to control. I wish you all the best.

[Alicedenham]

Hiyah,

It has been 4 years now and the feeling did go! I believe for me it was the body getting rid of the air as I had two clippings. Normally the brain would not be exposed to the outside, so that is my explanation! It is a very strange feeling though. Hope everything else is going well. Take care x

[Thuli123]

Hi, im so glad it goes away, recently decompression surgery of head, I was going crazy with this feeling, how long would u say it took? Thanks

[HungryHufflepuff]

I see the original message is several years old but I'm glad it's been revived. I have had this sensation of running water in my skull or brain. It's really unnerving. My doctor sent me for a scan (CT I think) I thought I was going to die because something was running in my head! It's reassuring to know it's something that happens.

[Alicedenham in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Hi, it is now 9 years since the op and it definitely no feeling of running water or air over the brain. I agreed it is unnerving and a very odd feeling, in my case hard to explain as I had acute aphasia afterwards. Wish they would tell you things like this so you or the family are aware it is a 'normal' sensation. Take care, keep strong and stay well xx

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Alicedenham]

So true! If someone would forewarn us that this and other things will happen, it would be a lot less scary when it happens and also avoid a visit to the hospital. I hope you're doing as well as can be.

[Rah063]

Hi! I have this too. I’m sorry I have no answers for you, but mine showed up after a nasty bout of Covid.

[GiaFaith in reply to Rah063]

I have this feeling too after a terrible bout of covid. It feels like constant running water down brain and intense ear pressure. Does it ever go away? I have had it for a few days now.

[Murphy68 in reply to Rah063]

I have had my first case of this symptom today. Had COVID last year but now have Long Covid. Do you still get this or was it a one off?

[cashcraft39]

My husband gets the cold sensation other places in his body as well.

[Marieana]

This was encouraging to hear! And that it seems your symptoms went away! I’ve had this sensation for 6 months as well. Did anyone have insights into what it might be, or did you find anything that was helpful for treating it?

[Jumpingjack15]

mine was like pins n needles across the top of my head which l had for 4months,my surgeon advised skin nerve repair also l had a ticking noise which was caused by the skull repair

[Qu33nTrill]

I have that sensation in my head rn I have had this a few times before it does scare me cause I have hypochondria and health anxiety so it doesn’t help feels like cold water trickling inside my head over my brain in the top middle to back of head and worries me never had it checked just looked up this morning why would this be happening and this popped up hope it’s nothing but maybe nerve issues cause that would be scary if it was more I see quiet alot of people deal with this then I thought but I will get this checked it doesn’t happen all the time but once every soo many months but still don’t like when it happens worries me too death :/