Brain fog, dizziness, vision problems, head pressure, headache PLEASE HELP
Posted , 353 users are following.
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
YourWillPower Elise93
Posted
I am experiencing these symptoms as well. I think what you are experiencing is derealization (DR/DP). This usually puts yourself into a dream like perception of things and these are the symptoms I am experiencing too. I don't know if it can be something worse but I like to believe its just that. Maybe try and do some research on it?
sarah12546 Elise93
Posted
Hi everyone,
So glad I have found this thread! I have all of these symptoms - they began 2 months ago, the day after I restarted the combined contraceptive pill Rigevidon, following a year long break from it.
I woke up the following day with severe brain fog, inability to concentrate, dizziness and a feeling of pressure at the back of my head, behind my eyes and in one ear. Sensitivity to noise and light. I have had these symptoms for 2 months now, with small relief following starting Betahistine. At first I was concerned it was MS, as my mum is diagnosed with this so I had an urgent MRI brain and inner ear, which was negative and inconclusive for any reason for my symptoms. I have since had my eyes tested (no problems) and seen an ENT consultant, who has referred me for a hearing test.
These symptoms are debilitating and making every aspect of life so difficult, mostly my job as a medical secretary in a cancer department. Each time I move my head/eyes, it strains and feels like it takes ages for my brain to compute what my eyes are seeing. It's affecting my memory and my ability to remember words and has taken away my wit (i used to be quite quick witted and now...nothing!)
I feel like a hypochondriac and am so upset that i haven't got any answers - I was pinning my hopes on the ENT yesterday but now feel deflated and defeated.
I already take Amitriptyline (for insomnia) and this isn't helping my symptoms. The Betahistine worked for a couple of weeks, kept the brain fog/eye strain symptoms at bay but the effects of this ve now worn off.
I read a couple of comments on here recommending craniosacral therapy so I have an appointment for this next week - will update everyone on how I get on.
Also worth noting is I work with a lot of consultants and have described my symptoms to them and they are all stumped - one thought it sounded like intracranial hypertension, but this would've shown up on my MRI, as would an inner ear infection.
Good luck everyone! If anyone wants to talk, please feel free to add me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sjalink
jaycee60137 sarah12546
Posted
Hi Sarah feel free to join our fb page called Brainfog, Dizziness, ETC.
dvdm08 sarah12546
Posted
I think these symptoms are definitly hormone related. I am so glad I read your post. I have had years with sever symptoms since premature menopause. I cannot functioning anymore and dr. are not helping and only prescribing hormones. Symptoms are so worse now and I don't know what to do anymore. I keep telling them I feel awfull but they don't listen. I need hormones because I am too youg to live without but I think it has caused more and more problems. I am 41 now and have had six years with severe hormonal problems. The neurological problems are getting worser. Dizziness, head pressure, tingling neck, migraines, visual disturbances, flashing lights, memory problems, tinnitus attacks, muscle stiffness, cramps, tiredness, mood problems.....it is a long list with also a lot of menopausal symptoms.
Guest sarah12546
Posted
I have many of the same symptoms as you and have had for nearly 2 years now. I have looked everywhere for answers including dentists, optometrists, ophthalmologist, neurologists, ENT, GPs, integrative doctors, naturopaths and have had SO many tests with nothing really show. I have had brain and full spine MRI's a couple of times, brain CT, sinus CT, dental xrays, chest xray, neurological testing, full vision/eye testing, hormone testing, so many blood tests and many more that I can't remember right now but have cost me a fortune. I dvdm08 I believe mine is probably hormones as my mum went through an early menopause and I am 43 now, she was done by my age. I have the dizziness, lightheaded, eye pain/strain, hazy vision, difficulty focusing my eyes, pressure around my jaws and head and I have been diagnosed with chronic migraine as this has been daily for 2 years. At times I will feel slightly better but the symptoms dont go away and are often a lot worse during my menstrual cycle. I also have many hormonal symptoms after being on the pill for 3 years (Diane 35ED) like heart palpitaions, brain fog, tingling in feet and legs, headaches, fatigue, weak jelly legs, dry nose, mouth and eyes, blepharitis, terrible anxiety (especially health anxiety), vision worsening rapidly, burning tongue, stressed, overheat and sweat more and so on... I have too many to list and would be here all day! Can I ask how old you are? I am on nortriptyline and it was helping the head pressure/pain but doesn't seem to at the moment. It does help me sleep thankfully and lessens my worries when I am on about 45 or 50mg each day. What is your dosage of amitriptyline? I have been tested for MS twice now as about 7 years ago when I was 36 I was having tingling in my right hand and foot. I feel that was hormonal too and my hormones seem to be strongly linked to my nervous system and cause them to react in strange ways. Both times I have been cleared of it. I was also tested for intracranial hypertension and chari malformation, but like you my MRI brain was clean and my vision tests have been fine with no eye pressure. I really hope you find answers to yours soon as I know how debilitating this can be. Most days I struggle to get out of bed but I have to as I have two kids and I have to work to support them.
Guest Guest
Posted
Hi jenjen, I could have written your post! I post a lot on the menopause forum...great deal of support from them ladies! I am 41, in perimenopause. I practically all the same symptoms. Tested clear for all the bad stuff. My mess started right after I stopped long term birth control in June of 2017. Then, the symptoms started. Migraines and now terrible dizzy, off balanced all the time. Saw an otoneuro, he thinks I have vestibular migraine...triggered by hormonal changes and said he sees it a lot in peri or menopausal women.
I just started nortriptyline 10mg last week...upping to 20mg in a few days. Also, magnesium and B2. Originally was on amitiptyline for 2 months, but my primary dr prescribed it just to get me by until I saw the otoneuro and he switched me. I have kids too, it is awful feeling this way. I am self employed and I had to stop working last year, my job is very physically and mentally demanding and I am a safety hazard when my brain is not working..also got a terrible bout of vertigo while working...the room spun and went upside down. I am scheduled for balance testing soon, then have to go from there. The fatigue is so awful some days...much worse at my cycle...whether or not it comes. Anyways...just wanted to poke in and let you know you are not alone.
Guest Guest
Posted
Hi lou42662, so nice to hear that I am not alone in this battle, thank you for letting me know of your experiences. They are definitely very similar to mine. I have read that there are many women who develop MAV or vestibular migraines during peri. However, many have had migraines throughout their life before this and they just become chronic. Did you have a history of migraines? I had never had them before, however my sisters both have episodic migraine, so I guess it's in the genes. I hope the nort helps you. I am currently on 35mg but I seem to have to sit at about 45mg before it helps. I hope you have success with it. Have you tried anything else? I tried botox a few months ago and have been worse ever since 😦 I also had occipital nerve blocks but they did nothing. I take B vitamins and magnesium as well. It is so frustrating and debilitating. I certainly know how you feel.
Guest Guest
Posted
Hi jenjen, I have been prone to headaches throughout my life. I remember years ago working in an office and I would get set off by stinky perfumes...just figured I was sensitive. If I ate chinese food...same thing. In 2015...at 38...tension type headaches on a regular basis and hot flashes, light headed, very light cycles, falling asleep early, waking through the night (was on birth control, so did not think anything of it). I was starting peri and did not know it.
After stopping the pill in June 2017...the headaches were constant and got very painful, sensitive to everything. Tingles, heart palps, fatigue, crazy anxiety out of nowhere, jelly, weak legs, etc...screened for MS...cleared by neurologist. In Dec 2017, I got a headache out of the blue and started vomiting. went to the ER...CT head scan, mono test, lumbar puncture checking for neuro lyme, meningitis...they said sinus infection.
Went to an ENT in Jan...complaining of tinnitus and off balanced. perfect hearing test (my ears were screaming the whole time). He was useless...sent me back off to my primary.
I tried lexapro for 3 months because my dr thought anxiety. horrible start up effects then Made my head feel full of pressure and my dizzies worse. came off that. Then, he told me I had BPPV. So I started researching...people do not generally get the migraines as bad as me with BPPV. Then, I got a referral to the otoneuro. Since then, I have learned that I have chronic migraines...and the "tension headaches" were migraines all along.
You are correct...heard if you have a personal or family history, you are prone too. At the very least, it seems as I am tolerating the nortrip well, also just watching my diet...it is pretty bland anyways because I also have GERD another fun peri symptom. Def our brains and gut are connected...when I get a migraine attack...my stomach is always a mess.
Guest Guest
Posted
My gosh, what a roller coaster ride the last few years have been for you too. How are your headaches now? Mine all got worse after I stopped taking the pill in March 2017 and it has been daily migraine issues every day since then. I wonder if we went back on the pill whether we would feel any better. Have you tried this? The doctors won't prescribe the combined oral pill for me now due to the migraine aura (vision issues) and increased risk of stroke. I don't know what to do, it is so frustrating. My anxiety is so crazy at the moment and I am sure it is making my headaches worse. I'm guessing that peri and our out of control hormones are to blame for the chronic condition that we both now face. Now to find something that will help to control the symptoms so that we can get through the days and enjoy our kids. Can you tell me what forum you are on for peri or what search I could do to find it? Thank you 😃
Guest Guest
Posted
Hi! I officially have made it a whole week with no migraine.I tried getting back on BCP just last month. A low dose combo extended. The 3rd week in...I got 5 migraines for a total of 10 last month plus the recovery days 😦 obgyn told me to stop them. I was on amitrip at the time too...but def the pill made me worse. You could try the mini pill...fake progesterone only...that carries the least amount of risk...I tried it earlier this year...made me very weepy and emotional. Like I need more of that!
Yes! Please go to the womens health category and join the menopause group. We talk about everything...and we are very responsive and supportive! Tons of discussions recently about migraine, dizzy, visual aura, and all the other loveliness...you are not alone!
Guest Guest
Posted
That is great news, a whole week of reprieve is amazing! Let's hope that lasts for you (crossing fingers and toes). Thanks for the info on the menopause forums, I have just checked them out and already found some fellow suffers, particularly with the vision issues. This is something that people look at me very oddly when I say I suffer from and I have never spoken to anyone going through meno or peri with these issues. But it seems that there are others out there like me who have had extensive testing and found nothing, so it almost has to be down to hormones. I really appreciate you reaching out to me, it is so good to know we are not suffering alone, especially at times when the anxiety just takes over.
ana85762 Elise93
Posted
I experience the same symptoms while I was on antibiotics (tetracycline ) lansoprazole and metronidazole. do you remember if you were taking these around the same time you started experiencing primary symptoms ??
ana85762 Elise93
Posted
my msgs keep getting erased from the forum. this happened to me after being on antibiotics and ppis (stomach acid pills )
dvdm08 Elise93
Posted
Do you have hormonal problems, thyroid problems? I have the exact same symptoms and I think they are all caused by an hormonal imbalance due to premature menopause.
dvdm08 Elise93
Posted
This is different from migraines. I also have migraines and visual snow but these symptoms have another cause and I think hormones are the blame although a lot of symptoms can be a result from migraine attacks.