Head pressure, Brain fog, odd head sensation, feeling detached
Posted , 724 users are following.
Hi all,
I decided to become a member and make a post here after reading the forums for quite a while, great site by the way.
I am currently suffering with various symptoms and am in a bad way and just don't know where to turn any more so thought I would post here and see if anyone has any similar experiences or advice.
So first of I am male and 26 years old. I have been suffering with the symptoms in the title pretty consistently for about 2 and a half years now. I used to have some relief from the symptoms for a day or 2 here and there or maybe a bit of relief for a few hours in the day but recently the symptoms are pretty much constant and I cannot shake them.
I have an overall mild pressure feeling in the head, its not painful but is just very aggravating and feels really strange. I also have extreme brain fog with this and like a fuzzy head, there is a constant cloud over my brain and I never have any mental clarity or a clear head. My cognitive function is extremely poor now, my short term memory is non existent, its scarily bad. I often feel, detached from reality when the symptoms are bad and suffer from de-realisation, although I think this may be down to some anxiety and depression I experience when the symptoms run me down. I also get random sharp cramping pains in the head, they are quite painful but do not bother me so much as they only usually last a second or 2, it varies on how many I get of these each day but its usually less than 5. It often feels as though my brain is malfunctioning somehow and my cognitive function and senses are all out of whack, its hard to explain. There can sometimes be a build up of these symptoms throughout the day and by the night I can feel like I somehow how the flu without a fever? Like I have the head pressure, completely foggy headed, I feel super unwell, weak, sometimes even start feeling cold. Also have night sweats usually for about 4 or 5 days each month, there doesnt seem to be any sort of pattern to them that I can notice, so not sure if they are relevant. Another thing I have is ringing in ears which is mild but seems to have gotten worse recently if that sounds relevant at all. The main thing that gets me is the odd head pressure/sensation and the utterly life hindering brain fog, my brain feels like it is coated in a dark blanket constantly.
I do suffer from anxiety, I know many of these symptoms can be caused or made worse by these symptoms. I dont doubt that anxiety is a contributing factor and the way I think about they symptoms probably makes them worse but I have come a long long way with my anxiety, I have good control over it, I haven't had a panic attack in a couple of years, I manage to control most of my concious anxiety and stay in a positive mindset. No doubt I still have some subconscious anxiety underlying and I am working on that but I am not convinced this is the route cause of my symptoms. I am in therapy for my anxiety. I do not feel I will ever fully recover while I have these symptoms hanging over me though.
I have been to the doctor about these symptoms, although I do think I struggle to explain them or put them across very well in the doctors office. I have have blood tests which are all normal. I saw a neurologist couple of years back when this started, had a CT scan which was normal, they put the stabbing pains down to icepick headaches and thought the other symptoms were probably made worse by my anx/depression. Since then I went away and have been on anti depressants etc with no improvement of symptoms. I have also had a few ECGs and a 24hr ECG as I have slow heart rate and low bp so thought maybe the symptoms could be down to low bp and lack of blood to the brain, doctors do not think think this is the case and all my results came back normal. I have recently been back to the neurologist who is referring me for an MRI although he said he is sure there is nothing sinister and thinks the symptoms are probably tension type headaches and made worse by and previous drug use, he only put it down to the drug use when i told him about it though so it seemed like a convenient diagnosis. I forgot to mention I used to take drugs on the weekends socially, cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy on different occasions for a couple of years, I have had periods where I have felt ok since taking these drugs and do not really think they are the cause, I was not an addict this was just one or 2 nights a month at the weekends. So I have an MRI coming up but the neuro thinks it will be clear and obviously I hope it is and I am looking for other answers.
What could be causing these symptoms? Other than anxiety which i no can be a factor, but I have periods where my anxiety is pretty much non existent but these symptoms still build up out of nowhere and persist. I was thinking maybe some sort of allergy could be a possibility, I have tried cutting out gluten and lactose, this didn't seem to make much difference although I didn't stick to this for very long. I actually did a juice fast for 2 weeks with eating nothing other than fruit and veg juice put through a juicer to see if that would help but it didn't really give me any relief. Are there any other stomach issues that could cause this? I never have diarrhoea or constipation, my stools always float recently though, to the point of not being able to flush them, also whenever I have seen chance medicine doctors they check me out and say they think i have issues with digestion, i don't feel i have these issues but do wonder if there might be something in it.
Could there be something going on with the blood vessels in my head? Could it be a spine/posture issue? Some sort of epilepsy or electrical activity in my brain? I just have no idea now and am desperate for some relief. If anyone has any ideas or advice I would really appreciate it.
Oh just to add I am reasonably fit, I try go to the gym a few times a week and I do some weight lifting. I am a normal weight. I have been losing some weight recently which is a concern but I am still in a normal weight range for height and age.
Thanks for reading
56 likes, 1496 replies
tommy34279 Recoverandheal
Posted
Hello,I too have the same symptoms some days are worse though.After reading a bunch of comments.I see me and a bunch of other people have something in common,Anxiety.I really don't know what's the link is there but I have been to multiple doctors and I have been told many times.there was nothing wrong with me.
pkgec Recoverandheal
Posted
Aidsyl Recoverandheal
Posted
Heyy,
I'm 20yrs Male and have simlilar symtoms for about 1 year now.
I feel discomfort/throbbing/slight pain on the left side of my head but sometimes it only occurs minor.
I'm 5'2 and weigh only about 88 pounds, yes i come from a small family so i think it's normal, although i'm still a little under weight as my doctor said.
I'm wondering if it's got to do with not exercising enough, under weight, lack of fluids? because sometimes I spend most of the day on the computer or watching TV. It's quite hard trying to do stuff since i'm out of college and trying to find a job.
Please reply to this asap if any of you know how to treat this condition!
Thanks
theresa60774 Recoverandheal
Posted
Goodluck,
Theresa
megandmollysmom Recoverandheal
Posted
Hello,
I know your original post was over a year ago but my symptoms lasted for 15 years. It started with discomfort in my neck, headaches, major fatigue, joint stiffness, diarrhea, sleepiness, anxiety, dizziness, and debilitating brain fog. All my tests came back normal. I was started on antidepressants. They took the edge off but no real improvement.
Finally this year I decided to go for a sleep study. Over the years not one doctor of the 12 I saw ever suggested it. I had been talking in my sleep and my daughter said my snoring was getting unreal. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. At night my oxygen saturation dipped to the low 70's. I was started on a cpap machine in April and never looked back. Each day I notice improvements and I haven't missed a night using it.
As of a couple weeks ago or so I was still struggling with minor brain fog. I decided to take choline. I did some research and started on the alpha gpc and have noticed a huge improvement. My muscle aches and brain fog have lessened greatly and it's only been a week at 600mg a day.
If I can help one person not go through what I did, it would make it worth it. If someone tells you that you snore get a sleep study.
sthompson32 megandmollysmom
Posted
FairyBluebird Recoverandheal
Posted
Hi there, thank you for such a detailed explanation. I too am suffering with similar symptoms.
I was diagnosed with hemiplegic migraines, as well as ice pick headaches, but I've started suffering weekly with a massive pressure in my head, followed by feeling totally detatched and emotionless. It's so hard to explain to my partner, but I hate it. It's not until I sleep that it goes away.
It's all quite scary.
x
Suedepip Recoverandheal
Posted
I have had / have:
head fog
face pressure
fatigue
ringing tones in ear
dehydration/ dark urine
speaking on behalf of myself after also going through many tests. It is my sinuses.
It is in combination with my impacted wisdom teeth.
Lionman2727 Recoverandheal
Posted
I have suffered anxiety for a while now. I used to be an average 16 year old. I thought I was invinsible at the time. I played video games, sports, had friends, and no real concern for my health. But I ended with a stomach condition called H-Pylori which is a type of bacteria that causes some digestive complications. But this is how it all started. I had a caffeine rush from an energy drink and thought I was dying. My veins were burning and i was really jittery. I also had a funny feeling in my chest which is what scared me. The next day after an eventful night with the paramedics, I was feeling ill. Not in a flu like way, but I had no energy. I also didnt have an appetite. When I was getting chest pains I started to panic. I went to the doctor and he done some bloodwork and an ekg. After a couple of days my results came back from the lab and he said I didnt have a heart condition but I had H-Pylori and the chest pains were caused by gas. BUt every since I was hit with all of that I have been in anxiety mode. Anxiety runs in my family, but I never experienced it until then. Getting weird feelings and intense feeling of fear. Disoriented and spaciness. Feeling shaky or uncomfortable around large crowds. I also was a quite person. I didnt argue much with people and tried to stay away from trouble but it didnt really work out that way. Im 22 now with a full time job, wife, and 3 kids. But I am now dealing with adult life, my existing anxiety, and aggravation from people I cant avoid in my life like family members and co workers. I have been losing so much sleep lately over all of this stress that I cant enjoy my days anymore. I work as a sales representative for AT&T and it is really hard to do my job when I am depressed and fatigued. I dont feel like spending my day talking to people and commuting to the different retailers. I refuse nerve medication because everyone in my family that has anxiety smoke cigarettes and take nerve pills. I dont want to go down that path. I want to deal with this on my own but its so hard. I also get the brain fog and the lack of function. I also get these jolts at night that keep me awake. almost like i am being shocked. hopefully i get through this without medication. But there are a lot of people out there like us. A lot of people that put on a smile in public just to go home to worry and anxiety. You wouldnt think I suffer from this if you saw me in person. I hope to see some more replies and see how other people deal with this. I have looked into programs for anxiety but most are scams, so hopefully someone will have a legit answer to this. Thank you for the article. it actually feels good knowing your not alone in this world and keeps you from feeling like a lunatic.
ana85762 Lionman2727
Posted
Zays.Mommy7 Recoverandheal
Posted
glad to see I'm not alone because I've suffered with this for 8 months! I can't even take of my son anymore it's so bad
vatakat03142 Recoverandheal
Posted
I felt like the OP for about two weeks and thought I have serious issues with brain or heart and triied different stuff.
Finally it's over and I'm back to my life (I can't imagine having these symptoms for 2 years, it's awfull). I was shocked, but the reason was in my back. Muscular spasm was the reason that some nerves were affected; the brain got not enough oxygen and all this feelings started. One minute with the doctor who knows the point where to press literally returned me back to life.
So my suggestion is that if anyone has something like this, try strong massage for your back and check if your spine muscules are OK.
luker155 Recoverandheal
Posted
mel_23816 luker155
Posted
Hi luker 155
I have been going through the same thing now for over 2 and a half years . You are not going crazy . I am totally in sane mind and experience the exact same thing . The only reason we feel like we are going crazy is because no doctor is diagnosing us unfortunately . Hope your ok
we will get there 💪
Laurenbeach Recoverandheal
Posted
I just saw your post..I know it's been over a year since you posted it but I was wondering if you've looked into Occipital Neuralgia. I have it and share many of the same symptoms. Seems like many neurologists and other Doctors aren't familiar with it. There's a great Occipital Neuralgia forum on Facebook too, where you can find lots of info. Did you ever get a diagnosis?
Lauren