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Brain fog, dizziness, vision problems, head pressure, headache PLEASE HELP

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Elise93
Elise93

Hi everyone!

I don't know where else to go, and was hoping someone could please help me. I'll start off by saying I'm a 23 year old Caucasian female. Going on 5 months now, I have had absolutely debilitating symptoms which have hindered my daily life. I feel these symptoms every moment of every day.

It started with dizziness and a persistent brain fog. I just thought I had a bug, and tried to go on about my life. However, my symptoms have never gone away. This "brain fog" I am talking about is a feeling of complete mental confusion, I have no memory, I cannot concentrate on anything, it feels like there's a dark blanket on my brain clouding all my thoughts. I have extreme disorientation and haziness. I feel like I'm always in a dream like state.

I am constantly dizzy and feel a pulling sensation, as if I'm ready to fall over at any moment. It feels like there's air inside my head, and I'm always very lightheaded. Whenever I try to drive I feel this pulling sensation pulling me down.

Another problem I have is with my vision. I am having very blurred vision and have double vision. Everytime I look at something up close it is extremely blurry and I cannot see at all. My perception on things has completely changed. I feel like everything looks very odd and strange and I don't have the right depth perception. It's like I'm in a horrible dream like state all the time.

I have been having headaches and head pressure as well, and having horrible pains behind my eyes. The pin starts from the back of my head close to my neck and continues up my head and the sides of my temples. My eyes hurt so bad, and it feels like knives are jabbing my eyes. My head also feels extremely heavy all the time.

All these symptoms have been causing me severe anxiety, and I have been having panic attacks from them and feel like I'm dying. It is causing a strange disrespity sensation, where I feel like I'm not even here anymore and there's a detachment from myself and my body. I have had to drop all my classes at college and quit my job because these symptoms make me lay in bed all day long. I have been unable to drive for months and can barely get up to walk around. If anyone could please help me or know anything as a suggestion to try.

I have been to my general doctor, 2 ENTs, 1 neurologist, have had 2 MRIs, a hearing test, VNG, multiple blood tests, and no one knows what is wrong. I can't live like this anymore. Any help is greatly appreciated.

-Elise

14 likes, 1771 replies

1771 Replies

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  • AllenGA18
    AllenGA18 Elise93

    Posted

    I posted previously with my experience as I had most of the same symptoms.  At first I had trouble even describing it and I thought my physician thought I was crazy.   First stop was the eye doc to see if my eyes were out of whack.   They were not. Next was to a neurologist who sent me for an MRI.  What the MRI showed was that I had no curvature in my neck causing disc compression, bone spurs,  arthritis which all led to what they called cervicogenic headaches (chronic headaches caused by neck pain).  I started PT and chiropractic care in June of last year, pretty hardcore, but saw no result.  My PT recommended that I see a spine orthopedist so I did.  He compared my MRI with X-rays he did and saw a lot of the same but he seemed I have more ideas on a solution.  He referred me to a pain management doc who performed a steroid epidural in my neck last week.  That eased up the inflammation in my neck and the pain/numbness in my left arm and leg.  To help with my dizziness I need to have a nerve blocker shot that will focus on the occipital nerves that cause the tension headaches/dizziness/head fog.  She thinks that will ultimately give me some relief so I guess I will see.  Hope this gives some suggestions.  
    • nicole17274
      nicole17274 AllenGA18

      Posted

      Hi Allen, thankyou for your feedback. Sometimes things are such a mystery and its great to no we are not alone. I will talk to my doctor and see if i too can go through these procedures as i get annoyed when u get told nothing wrong. But as i said we no our own bodies and we no somethings not right its just finding the answers.
    • CTh
      CTh AllenGA18

      Posted

      Hi there, I had all the symptoms, too and the only thing I get it under control with is eating right and drinking enough water... Especially the drinking water helps my headaches immensely... plus check on Vitamin B12 & Magnesium deficiency because your left leg and arm gets numb... As soon as I get the feeling that my leg or arm gets tingly or numb I take both and the feeling goes away..(and drink enough water with the supplements...)

      Hope that helps. 

  • jonnny72
    jonnny72 Elise93

    Posted

    Maybe an adjustment from a chiropractor may help, could be an impingement somewhere in your neck or spine.
  • Lnodes
    Lnodes Elise93

    Posted

    Anybody else getting spasms/twitching around the eye? I used to get this once in a while when I was stressed or tired but now I have it constantly and it will not go away. trying multivitamins and magesium but no improvement. Add another symptom to the list... 
    • CTh
      CTh Lnodes

      Posted

      Sounds like your body is really tired and stressed without you noticing it.. Try to go to bed earlier and give your body a rest at least 20 min / day. Plus check if Vitamin B12 might help..
  • jessica_46966
    jessica_46966 Elise93

    Posted

    Hi there.

    I'm from the UK, I found your thread because Im suffering from exactly the same thing. Two years ago I had an explorative operation which came back negative meaning, I was fine, a week later and a course of antibiotics everything changed, for me it started with extreme fear constantly, 24/7. I couldn't sleep, eat, nothing, over a long time I started to recover slowly, but always had anxiety constantly and felt very disassociated. I was starting to get better kind of, and now I'm getting every symptom you talk about. I have ears which I cannot pop for a year, pressure in my head, specifically behind my eyes and in my temples, I have complete disassociation, nothing seems real, blurred vision all the time so that I don't like to look up, I get random shaking that I cannot control, I suffer from terrible anxiety and depression, I cannot think straight, I have shallow breathing. I feel generally awful. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I've been to the doctors who told me I suffer from anxiety and depression and prescribed me antidepressants which I'm loathed to start incase I mess up my brain more then it is already. I have an appointment for my ears in a few weeks time but currently life is unbearable. I get slight relief when I wake up but it gets worse throughout the day. It seems from reading this thread that there are so many things that can make you feel like this. One thing that I am warey of for my recent decline is that 3 months ago I was given antibiotics for a sinus infection, and that's when I started feeling worse again, but I hadn't realised, and then I was given two lots of extra strong antibiotics for 5 days for a wisdom tooth infection but I had to stop taking them out was feeling so bad, the wisdom tooth seems better but my symptoms are so so much worse. Worried I'll feel like this forever. So sick of people telling me it's just anxiety because my therapist is making no difference..... Any one had any luck?

    • Lanvyn
      Lanvyn jessica_46966

      Posted

      Hi Jessica, i just read ur reply, as i read each single one whoever posts in here. Hoping that someone has an answer besides ( meditation, drinking water, and antidepressants)  I can still relate to all ur symptoms. As i dont have an answer for u, and i been in it for 2,5 years. I just can say i feel your pain, and hang in there! Hoping that our body heals it self ! And after i had a sinus infection and had 10 days of antibiotics i got worse too. I read somewhere that a strong antibiotic can damage ur inner ear! Also i noticed that allergy plays a role for me in my symtoms! Healthy Very healthy diet with less salt and sugar helps me to go through the day, loads of vitamins, and lots of fresh air. Dont give up. 
  • matt85331
    matt85331 Elise93

    Posted

    Hey everyone.. I had posted previously about these debilitating symptoms and have since found something that has improved my condition to about 80-90% on most days.

    I have been taking venlafaxine ER 75mg in the morning, Florajen 3 once daily, and glutamine 1000mg at bedtime. I feel that the Florajen 3 has been the biggest contributer. Good luck everyone.

    • brigitte_61972
      brigitte_61972 matt85331

      Posted

      Hi! How long did you have all these symptoms before you started theses 3 things that have helped you? How long have you been on them? Youthink the probiotic has helped the most? 
    • nik66790
      nik66790 matt85331

      Posted

      Try omega 3 , adrenal supplements and vitamin d , b12 . I have greatly reduced my symptoms by following a proper diet too . 
  • jessica_46966
    jessica_46966 Elise93

    Posted

    I know this might not help at all, but I'm curious to give it a go after doing so much research about diet and mental health and I'm going to try the ketone diet. Apparently it can help drastically with epilepsy in people and with inflammation and mental health issues. I'm going to give it a go and report back with what I've found.

  • jacqueline06286
    jacqueline06286 Elise93

    Posted

    You could be going through perimenapause my girlfriend started in her early 20s 
  • sab65033
    sab65033 Elise93

    Posted

    Hi Elise, I know you post is a year ogo. I just want to know how are you now and if you still have this problem.

    I suffers from the same thing, I know how you feel. But staying I bed for all the time is not a solution.

    You need to go out and do little things.

    Other ways you will going back to square one.

    Please le me know.

    My Regards,

  • curtis24186
    curtis24186 Elise93

    Posted

    Hi there. I too suffered from the same symptoms .I found it was my scm muscle causing all the issues. Visit an osteopath and tell them to focus on your scm muscle . I actually cried on the massage table. Finally there was some relief.
    • ddc142
      ddc142 curtis24186

      Posted

      Can you describe the extent of your symptoms and the overall improvement? It can be expensive to see an osteopath, though I have heard of this SCM issue before. I have seen some relief from an upper cervical chiropractor, but seem to have only gotten a 50% relief of symptoms. I function on a daily basis, but have some really bad days and am unable to return to my full workout routine, despite working up slowly. 
    • curtis24186
      curtis24186 ddc142

      Posted

      my balance was severely off. vision. brain fog. I was unable to drive due to the dream state. I was prescribed prednisone and histamine. I had these symptons for 6 months. I started going to a chiropractor and after one adjustment i felt great .However that would last for 1 day. I had numerous blood work done and nothing showed up. I honestly thought i was dying. My friend told me about osteopath and when the dr started on my scm i was in so much pain. But after one treatment i felt great which lasted for 2 weeks. He showed me self scm massage and to do a towel roll at night. This past mo th i have been sleeping on the floor with a towel under my neck. The first few nights were tough but now its great to wake up not sore. im still not 100% but i can feel and see improvement. Also a hot bath with epsom salts before bed helps relax the scm muscle .
    • brigitte_61972
      brigitte_61972 ddc142

      Posted

      Hi Curtis. I have had all these same symptoms for 3 1/2 years. I’ve been everywhere trying to get relief. I’ve probably seen anywhere from 30-40 doctors. 

      Anyway, I read about NUCCA, upper cervical chiropractic and went in for my first adjustment yesterday. 

      I didn’t get immediate relief and felt pretty crappy my whole ride home (I have to drive 2 hours to see him) then, at about 7:00 last night, 6 hours after adjustment, I felt completely calm. (I’ve had SEVERE insomnia for 3 1/2 years) By 9:00 I was dozing off on the couch. With all the anxiety and neuro/psych stuff going on, I’m never tired. Always amped up mind racing a million miles an hour. Anyways, I was genuinely tired. I started crying as I hadn’t felt this in a long time. I forgot what it felt to be tired. 

      Anyways, I went to bed and slept well for about 4-5 hours which is a big deal for me. 

      BUT, today I feel manic (I’m not bipolar) and just feel so weird. Pretty much the same symptoms I always have but jacked up. 

      I go back for NUCCA tomorrow. 

      How long have you been doing it? What symptoms have gotten better? 

    • brigitte_61972
      brigitte_61972 curtis24186

      Posted

      Hi Curtis, what is an scm massage? Can you tell me more about how it’s helped your symptoms? 

      Oh, it is cranial sacrum massage? I should try this. Would love to hear more! 

    • brigitte_61972
      brigitte_61972 ddc142

      Posted

      How long have you been doing upper cervical chiropractic? What symptoms has it helped you with? Are you still doing it? I just had my first adjustment yesterday. Fingers crossed. 
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 brigitte_61972

      Posted

      The sternocleidomastoid muscle, SCM, is a paired muscle in the superficial layers of the side of the neck. It is one of the largest and most superficial cervical muscles. The primary actions of the muscle are rotation of the head to the opposite side and flexion of the neck.

      Tightness in this muscle can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, etc.

    • brigitte_61972
      brigitte_61972 Terry6872737

      Posted

      Hi Terry, how do I find someone to work on my smc muscle? I’m looking up osteopathic docs in my city and we don’t have any! No surprise there. Ugh. 

      Have you had you smc muscle “worked on” (I’m assuming like a massage..??) for the symptoms listed in this thread? 

      I just had my 2nd adjustment with the NUCCA chiropractic doctor today. Praying it helps. 

    • sab65033
      sab65033 brigitte_61972

      Posted

      Hi Brigitte,

      My osteopath did helped me in away that, I come back to my self the dizziness gets better as she worked on my neck mostly and my mastoid and sinus with technique massage and she told me that my neck muscles were very tight and tight and my sinusitis causing more problem.

      So when I come out from her office first time it got worst for few hours as dozy, brain fog ... etc but next day felt relief and no pressurés in my head.

      So I have stoped going to osteopath but now my neck started again, pressures in my head stuffy ears. 

      I saw my ENY Dr which he ordered a C scan for my sinusitis, my GP sent me for neck MRI and I will see neurologist on 26 march hopefully is good news,

      Truste i am. It myself again, it must be something in our body this sometime and cannot just come like that without anything.

      Hot showers and use steamer it help the pain.

      Take care of your self 

    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 brigitte_61972

      Posted

      A massage therapist or physical therapist can perform the massage.  Look for someone that does myofascial deep tissue massage.  A regular massage therapist did mine.  Are you in the United States?
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 brigitte_61972

      Posted

      A massage therapist or physical therapist can perform the massage.  Look for someone that does myofascial deep tissue massage.  A regular massage therapist did mine.  Are you in the United States?
    • ddc142
      ddc142 brigitte_61972

      Posted

      I have been doing it for a few months. I have very mixed feelings about it. I have gotten much better in all my symptoms, and I even have had a few days completely symptom free, but there is not a good correlation between the adjustments and any issues. I have this gut feeling that they are just ripping me off. It could be that the practitioner I am seeing just isn't all that good as well. If you look up our symptoms, they are described under many of the "debatable conditions" circulating these days, like adrenal fatigue, atlas misalignment, SCM syndrome, gluten intolerance. Not to drone on, but some of the people on this forum that seem to get relief from depriving themselves of all that is good in life (staying up late, eating good food, being active at all, etc) make me feel even more that anxiety is the root cause. Not to mention that of all the cures people tout on the forum, the only person to be completely relieved from all these symptoms claims he did so through therapy (particularly CBT therapy which is very effective against anxiety). I believe that there is something to the SCM and upper cervical theories, but it's root cause is anxiety. We tense up and then this muscle causes cranial nerve issues which in turn cause the symptoms. NUCCA probably has some effect because we become aware of that part of our body and instinctively make minor adjustments that help the root cause. Now that you've had the adjustment, don't you think everyone's C1 vertebrae would be rattling around in the back of our heads if the adjustment were real?? The biggest issue I have is that they claim this adjustment is the ONLY way to realign your neck. The human body is way more resourceful than that! That said, I am still going ( I always tell myself this will be the last week, which may be true soon as I will run out of disposable income), and I do function a million times better than I did 1 year ago. I could barely talk or cross the street sometimes and now I am back to excelling at work and home, with still lots of catching up to do on my physical fitness.

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