Constant head pressure

Yeah I had an ECG. I'm 25 and pretty fit so highly doubt it's a heart blockage and it's been going on about 18 months. Maybe it's just posture related but it seems extreme for that to be the case

Hey thanks for the detailed reply. Appreciate it.

I'm going to see an ENT in a few weeks. Waiting on an appointment. My eyes have been checked and seemingly are prefect even though I feel my vision isn't 100%. I see everything clearly but some patterns cause disturbance and I sometimes feel like there's a slight static feel to my vision. It's hard to explain.

I've been seeing an osteopath for 6 months now who is very good and naturally I find slight relief with that but it's not fixing the underlying problem I don't think.. I don't have any scoliosis as I had a full MRI of the spine etc.

It does get worse as the day goes on but I do feel the dullness when I wake up. It's not a headache it's just a feeling of head and base skull upper neck pressure. I also notice it sometimes gets worse after walking 2/3km and settles then after but never fully disappears.

My blood pressure is perfect as is my heart rate and whatnot. I consume maybe one coffee a day and I have noticed it can make symptoms worse but I've also gone weeks without coffee and still felt the symptoms. I also tried staying off dairy as a last resort.

My doc has me booked in to an ENT and Neuro again but no idea how long I'll be waiting. I would do anything to get to the bottom of this.

Thanks very much for your input!

do you have any relief when doing any stretching exercises?

Does the room ever spin when you lie down?

Worsening as the day progresses is expected with structural disturbances. Until the issue is diffused it is also normal to wake up with a milder dull feeling/fullness sensation in the affected area too. Something in the way you hold your body throughout the day is likely causing a blockage at the top of your spine. Things you can check yourself:

- Check for any painful pressure points right in the creases/edges of your shoulder blades on top, sides and if you can reach bottom side of each shoulder blade. If there are any sore points you need medical massage to diffuse this.

- Getting  a medical massage or a deep tissue massage is a good idea anyway - 3 heavy (painful sessions should be enough to see if any improvement. If it is working, by 2nd session you should feel worse, nauseous, dizzy etc (some people even get a mild fever) and after the 3rd session or so you should start feeling much better. If the problem is structural as it sounds.

- Lie down on the floor/mat straight for a minute or two, then bent knees with feet on the floor knees hip width apart for a minute or two and finally with bent knees raised to chest for a minute or two, then back to straight. See if dizziness develops after a few minutes or any sensation of warmth down your spine or tingling at base of skull or head.

- Get on hands and kness keeping arms parallel to thighs and your back straight not sinking. Hang your head, keep it loose and move it to around gently to loosen all the supporting tissue. Do this for a minute or two.

- Stretch whatever parts of you you can stretch - yoga stretches will be helpful and safe - nothing fancy - just slow and steady. Pay attention to any symptoms that come up especially when doing back and neck stretches. No sudden or jerky movements.

- Make sure you are properly hydrated throughout the day.

Let us know if ENT finds anything. Though I think this is less likely given your description.

All the best.

 

oh...and did the onset of symptoms coincide with any viral illness 18 months ago? Influenza for example or chicken pox or anything notable that you remember?

Also have you ever had any notable spine or head injury?

 

The room never spins when lying down. The unbalanced feel only happens sometimes when walking but I wouldn't call it severe but it is noticeable. I've been seeing an osteopath for a few months now with a little relief but never get rid of the head pressure stemming from my neck. All around my upper neck and shoulders are sore to touch.

Another thing I forgot to mention is that sometimes I feel an internal type tremor feeling it's hard to explain but I feel like I'm shaking inside that's one of the strange symptoms. My body feels very "wired" and super sensitive.

I use a foam roller daily and do as much stretching as possible to help. I'd be a very happy man if I could get rid of these symptoms. It's 24/7 basically which is the worst part.

the internal type tremor feels like it starts along the spine or unspecific location?

Also check that your mattress is hard enough and that your pillow is not too high.

 

The internal type tremor feels like its all over but I dont always feel it. I make sure to sleep as best as I can so I dont think this is a problem. The last few weeks the left side of my neck is slightly sore with a tiny lump (MRI Confirmed its a small cyst) but this only appeared well after all the symptoms so i dont think theres any relation with symptoms. Ill be seeing an ENT in a few weeks so hopefullt i'll get this resolved ASAP

I looked into that alright. It could well be it. What muscle disease do you have? Have you ever had full relief from your symptoms?

Are you stressed out about anything in your life ?  Sometimes these symptoms can be because we are tensing up to an extreme level because there is some event in our lives we cant get to grips with. Maybe work or relationship problems? Just a thought.

Would talking to someone help? sometimes we block out the obvious answer but it comes out in a physical response which often baffles the medics. 

Prior to all these symptoms starting i wasnt stressed at all. However as they have developed it has made work / studying for exams harder. I work full time and do some exams to further my career and I guess there is stress there but that seems to be a product of these symptoms. I would be more anxious now and uptight than I ever was but that followed post symptoms rather than prior to them...

unsure as of yet what specfic disease i have, my muscle biopsy showed that i have a rare form of core myopathy and genetic testing showed a rare mutation in tnn gene. Alot of things make that muscle flare up, sitting at computer, driving, anything that keeps your head turned etc, sleeping position.

Working full time and working for exams sounds fairly stressful.   Are you getting enough sleep?  Do you hyperventilate? That can cause tremor type feelings.  You spend long hours looking at a screen?  Are they too long so you arent getting any exercise or time away from work and screens doing something else. Do you make sure you have plenty of drinks during the day? Keep off alcohol and things like Coke which is full of caffeine and can give you tremors. Also lots of coffee or tea will do the same.  Water or pure fruit juice is best. All work and no play can be disastrous if you are pushing your body and brain too much. Have you had your eyes tested? Could it be that your eyesight is being strained because you need glasses?  that will cause headaches,especially in the back of your head. 

I prob get about 6 - 7 hours sleep per night. Closer to 6 and a half I guess, but i sleep plenty at weekends. I spend from about 8.30 am to 5pm at a desk with maybe a 45 minute break. I never hyperventilate although sometimes I would feel anxious and im 100% sure its a function of the strange symptoms. I drink plenty throughout the day. I havent went near alcohol in 3/4 months. My exam is June 3rd so maybe having that done with will help. I just cant bring myself to believe that its due to stress etc.. 

i still say its the muscle in your neck likely due to sitting at a desk for long periods of time causeing it to become tense, or keeping the head tilted down when reading and yes Maybe a little bit of stress is making it tense but i doubt it.