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
thomas90944 Recoverandheal
Posted
I suffered the same symptoms for years...GI doc did the correct testing and I was diagnosed with non-celiac Wheat Sensitivity...I would say from what you are describing that cutting gluten out of your diet should impact your health rather quickly as it did for me...I hope so anyway...After I consulted with the dietician and cut gluten out all together my symptoms were gone in a couple weeks, nothing since...check out this link: https://celiac.org/celiac-disease/understanding-celiac-disease-2/non-celiac-gluten-sensitivity-2/
Stein Recoverandheal
Posted
Wow I am glad I joined thia discussion. I honestly thought I was losing my mind.
Ok the last month or so has been a real rollercoaster. I quit drinking being a horrible alcholic for 8 years. That was 4 months ago. I went to medical cannabis and it helped me quit.
Another factor is I have a bad neck problem that has escalated over 15 years. Never got it checked and for the most I never felt it.
I one day a month or so ago while driving had a crazy head rush and got super dizzy. I thought i was going to Die! This passed in about 45 minutes. I just thought it was a fluke. Happened again while driving a few days later. Then I had a crazy panic attack. I left my job and went to the ER.
I am on Linsopril for my blood pressure mind you. They chalked it up as anxiety disorder.
Went home and smoked more weed. This unfortunatly led to another panic attack a week later.
I saw my Dr he said it was anxiety again. Gave me prozac. I have been on it almost a week.
I quit smoking weed and just been keeping to prozac and linsopril.
I have a good friend who is a theraputic message therapist. He felt and worked on my back. He said he could feel the insane strain on my neck. I am going to see a chiropractor soon for back realignment.
I wake up after only 6 hours of sleep or so now. I go to bed about 2 and im up by 8. I always slept on my side with a flat pillow. Im getting a cervical pillow today to see if it helps.
Once i take my meds and get up and moving I feel so much better. In my case I believe it is a problem with a few factors.
-Alchoholism
-Cannabis use "I am all for the curing abilities of the god plant"
-neck problems
-chemical imbalance "hereditary my brother has a serious problem"
First thing is first get your neck and back checked. And try to fix how you sleep. I really think my neck is a huge factor. Blood flow is changed And because of this it changes the chemical imbalence in your head. Imo
Im so tired of not feeling right. But i honeslty feel im on my left path to recovery.
Get support and go find Answers. That is why we are all here.
I hope this helps someone <3
Since I have been on
Jane7576 Recoverandheal
Posted
I have all the symptoms plus numbness is my left hand and sometimes just pins and needles. I can't get rid of the foggy brain, unbalanced, constant feeling. Can anyone suggest help?
Ryanabbymom Jane7576
Posted
I would recommend you consider a b-12 deficiency which has symptoms that you say you have. I was diagnosed with it myself. I take a sublingual b-12 tablet daily. You can't simply take the kind you swallow because, for whatever reason, your body can't absorb it. But taking it sublingually (a pill that dissolves under your tongue) allows it to go straight into your bloodstream. Google b-12 deficieny or pernicious anemia. It won't hurt you to start taking the vitamin and see if it helps. Good luck.
jessie12345 Recoverandheal
Posted
My partner has been suffering from
shane47284 Recoverandheal
Posted
First off thanks for the post. I am a 37 year old male that is is in great shape for my age and havent had many health problems in my life. I have read your post about the Head pressure, Brain fog, odd head sensation, feeling detached. I have the same exact symptoms as you minus the anxiety. This has been going on for over 3 -4 years now. I also have had all the tests doe as an MRI, Corradid dopler scan which checks your blood flow to your brain, CT Scan, and even a lumbar puncterto check the pressure of the spinal fluid in my spine and brain(thinkjig it was related to the pressure of my CSI fluid. It was all normal. I also have done all the blood tests and the neurologist at t mayo clinic told me i wish i was as healthy as you. Ive taken the migrane medicine and that is a joke as it makes me feel even more weird then i already do. I would say we are our best advocates of trying to get better because the doctors want it to be easy for them. I am on the same journey to find the solution to the problem we are experiencing. I saw that you posted this over a year ago and i wanted to follow up with you to see if you have had any headway on a solution or any more testing done...
Thank You
Hope to hear back from you
jasaku88 Recoverandheal
Posted
Recoverandheal,
I'm sorry you are going through this. I went through these exact some symptoms almost, like down to every last one you experienced. I felt detached from reality, pressure inside of my head, felt like I was living in a fog, feeling like my head was full of air. After multiple trips to the emergency room, doctors saying there was nothing wrong with me, I finally found a great nuerologist, who let me know that he did not think my symptoms were head related...but rather neck. My neck muscles, which connected to my cranial muscles, causing my to feel pressure in the middle of my forhead and head in general, were extremely tight. This was the scariest and most tramatic experience I'd gone through, and I was wondering if it would ever go away. I searched and searched for answers.
Long story short, I was perscribed to a physical therapist, who worked with me to stretch my neck muscles with simple neck stretching excersices, and also deep tissue massages on my back, and they went away. My heart goes out to you. I know how scary this is. Please have your neck muscles investigated, and make sure they are as limber as they should be. Because it's all connected, your back, neck, and cranial muscles.
glowingnight jasaku88
Posted
Jasaku88,
Thank you so much for posting this. What you're saying rings true to my situation. Neck tension might just be what I have.
How long have you had your symptoms? And how well did the neck stretching help? Are you completely improved now?
valentin87961 glowingnight
Posted
Hey there, I was just wondering if he ever got back to you. This sounds familiar to what I'm experiencing?
Thank you.
rob10979 Recoverandheal
Posted
Alexxx rob10979
Posted
Hi! So you see, in my case it was adderall (first time trying half of it, few weeks prior I used molly for the first time as well). I believe it has something to do with serotonin or dopamine in our bodies.
brandon68612 Alexxx
Posted
hi Alex I believe you are right when this started for me almost 2 years ago about a month or two before that I had tried a new chemical called spice and there's many different kinds this happened to be a kind that you ate and it lasted about 6 to 8 hours but it lingered around for a couple days and for some reason I really think it has something to do with that
Alexxx brandon68612
Posted
brandon68612 Alexxx
Posted
hey Alex! thanks for the reply. that's what it was that I tried, synthetic weed. and I used to be able top smoke weed but now it's straight panic. I have good and bad days or I should say hours not days. I'm 33 now but in my teen years I smoked alot and I've gotten this weird feeling as a kid and it never lasted more then a few days. now it's head pressure etc. basically its much worse. I know im jumping all over the place but I'm trying to answer all of your questions. anyways keep me posted. and how old are you? Male or female?
c52622 Recoverandheal
Posted
I'm suffering from many of the same symptoms. My symptoms are as follows:
Brain Fog
Concentration Issues
Periodic numbness and tingling in feet and hands
Vision changes
Tightness in head and neck
Dizziness after looking down
Eye twitching
Tired Feeling
Periodic balance issues
Spasms in back of head and neck
My sleep pattern is poor
I wake up feeling fine sometimes but when I turnover in the bed the symptoms start and I something feel nauseous from it.
I've had an MRI of Brain, MRI of Cervical Spine, CT Scan, Sonagram of my neck, and Blood Tests. The only thing that was found in my blood work was that I had Epstein Barr Virus in the past but it wasn't active. I also have TMJ and mild degenerative athritis. I've been to an endocrinologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, ears, nose, and throat doctor, and an infectious disease doctor. They can't find anything wrong based on the blood work.
I think their default diagnosis will be early onset dementia and/or anxiety but I believe there is something wrong with me that isn't that. I know I'm under a lot of stress but I believe there is something wrong with me that goes beyond stress. These symptoms started about 5 months ago. I'm going to press for a spinal tap to see if there's something else. Any other suggestions for diagnoses, diagnostic tests, symptom relievers, etc?
sonia08058 c52622
Posted
Hi, any update? I hope you are well. I have the same symptoms. It's been almost 3 years. I'm miserable. No one understand what I'm going through. I dislike feeling this way. Please if anyone got some answers, would you please share. Thank you.