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
diane73605 Recoverandheal
Posted
hi recoverandheal plz could u contact me!
diane73605 Recoverandheal
Posted
did u get any closer to finding out anything love to kno as been going thru same issues ?
cesar75132 Recoverandheal
Edited
turns out all my symptoms were caused by Covid-19. Although my PCR test always came negative , my serology shows that i still have covid antibodies. All my symptoms appeared 3 months after i recovered from a mild covid . I still have loss of smell and taste every once in a while. Check your serum for covid , it causes symptoms that are not currently well documented
debicakes Recoverandheal
Posted
Hello, I have some similiar things going on but mine have only been for a month now. I just had MRI and the Neurolgist told me it could be an infection behind the eye or even a tumor. So waiting on results from MRI, Do not take what your neurologist has told you as gospel, you know you body and He/she is not God , so if you dont get answers once you have your MRI keep fighting and pushing ahead for an answer! Prayers, good thoughts what ever it is you believe in, hope you get answers.
YorksUK Recoverandheal
Edited
Hi,
I have very similar systems to what you describe. Head pains - pressure across head and neck. Brain Fog - unable to focus, concentrate, poor short term memory, confusion, lack of spacial awareness. It's coupled with fatigue, poor sleep. When I do wake the symptoms are at there worst. Feel as tired as when I went to bed. The symptoms ease slightly after an hour or so, but are still present in some degree all of the time. I also get pressure to back of eyes. Tinatus to ears and it affects sense of smell. There is also joint pains and weakness to limbs. The symptoms are at there worst in what seems to be Flare-ups that last a few months. I am just coming out of a current one. The last one was 5 years ago. As with the last time, I have lots of tests done. I am referred to a Neurologist. The test include, MRI scan, EMG, lots of blood tests. Nearly all comeback normal. Other than last time I came back with borderline typed 2 diabetes, even though I have had no previous issues, I'm normal weight and eat healthy. I then began to have regular blood tests to check this and it went back to normal levels within 6 months This time it has throw up slight abnormal hormone levels so I have being referred to the Endocrinology department.
The flare-ups seem to come after a minor infection when my immune system might be low. As yet I have not had any diagnosis for it. So have not been prescribed any medication. I just take pain killers for the headaches when it's at its worse. To me, it is like a neurological inflammation condition. so I try to eat foods the aid in the reduction of inflammation as well as some supplements, B Vitamins, fish oil, turmeric. They seem to ease the symptoms slightly.
These symptoms seem to mimic the symptoms of neuro sarcoidosis. Which I know is a very rare condition and you have to have the presence of gramulomas for it to be diagnosed as such. But has anyone on here had their doctor suggest this as a possible cause?
.
epster19171 YorksUK
Posted
Don't know about the sarcoidosis but neurological inflammation sounds like something I have been thinking as well. In my case it could be due to extreme stress and sleep deprivation. Also I do know that brain is very closely tied to the gut and as I have inflammatory bowel disease I have noticed that my symptoms get worse when I have a flare up with IBD. So it is true that if your gut is inflamed then it can affect your brain as well. I have heard some doctors say that when you have inflammation in your body due to stress it can kind of reach your brain so your brain is inflamed as well. Obesity can do that too. And I have gained weight recently. Now as with every flare up with IBD I just rest, take vitamin supplements, try to exercise calmly and practice mindfullness. But it all starts with trying to reduce the inflammation in your body. Sleep helps a lot with that. Anxiety can make everything worse but thats why it is even more important to relax and rest.
travis10003 Recoverandheal
Edited
I am also dealing with the exact same thing, I have gone to lost lands all 3 years and have done the same drugs as you plus some. I don't know where to turn. I feel broken and useless.
MissMononoke travis10003
Posted
Me too dude.
Movingshadow Recoverandheal
Edited
wow. a lot of what you write, is exactly what I am experiencing. endless head fog, ringing sounds in ears, I also get hot and cold flashes but frequently, that's my social anxiety's first symptom usually when it begins to peak. It's hard to keep focus, I'm highly irritable, my patience is nil, a lot of this is dissociation, but it is all from my social anxiety which has been a constant for the last two years now, mostly due to two parents dying in less than two years and other extremely stressful life problems.
I believe drugs are useless at this point for my social anxiety, I ended up having some very serious side effects from the Effexor and the Zoloft when the dose was bumped up, and the Seroquel was terrible, there was no way i was taking that stuff, it was like poison.
The thing is, using pharmaceuticals still did not have any consistency controlling or reducing my up and down mood swings and effects from my social anxiety. Drugs that once worked, now do not.
My opinion on my own personal struggle is that i probably have an undiagnosed personality disorder, I read a lot recently about Avoidant Personality Disorder, and I can relate personally to so much of it's symptoms and behavior, I just read it and felt like it was describing myself...
I believe the only real way to fix my depression, social anxiety, and possible other deeper issues is to seek out psychotherapy or even hypnotherapy. I believe due to a very abusive childhood, I developed a poor coping mechanism to stress and social interactions, perhaps even developed a personality disorder, hence my extreme social anxiety which I've also had since childhood, since I can remember.
from what I read, it seems talk therapy really is the only way to really learn what trauma we suffered, and how to emotionally deal with it in a healthy way, not like how I typically deal with stress and problems in life in general. Talk therapy seems to pinpoint the exact problem, teaches us how to think differently and manage emotional struggles better, and once the trauma of the past is properly dealt with through therapy social anxiety is easier to manage.
I probably didn't help you much, but I had to create a profile here to comment, because feeling this way is terrible, and hopefully we find a way to manage our social anxiety/depression so we can live productive happy lives again.
For me, it's to the point I've just accepted feeling weird, crazy, dissociated, sad, unhappy, miserable. I'm stuck waiting for an appointment to see a psychotherapist, earliest I could get was a month out. I find the system extremely frustrating navigating through.
Some mental health organizations have such complicated sign-ins i just stopped and said f**k it. I can't call most days due to social anxiety! They need to make mental health professionals easier for patients to access, it's just been a nightmare that seems to never end.
daniel38388 Recoverandheal
Edited
Hi I know this is and old thread but it seems it's still active ... I have a history of MDMA use I've been clean for two years now I'm 28 started when I was 15 did it every other weekend off and on for 10 years then couple time a year for concerts. I quit cold Turkey when my dumb *** did ten in one night. The next day I went to work felt normal. That night I swear I could see little cartoons playing with my eyes closed. Right when I went into rim sleep boom !!! It felt like an explosion I seen a bolt of lightning go from the top of my sight to the bottom. I was on the ground crying it was so scary. For two weeks straight I couldnt sleep every time I would reach rim a explosion would wake me . I had extreme brain fog , cant sleep anxiety, heart palpitations. Two weeks it would go away and I would feel great happy to be alive. Then the brain fog would come back, wake up every hour of the night. Extream pressure in my head
Very tired in the morning/ all day. I stuck in there 6 months later off and on with brain fog it went away. a year and a half go by without anything going wrong. Then this week I wanted to start working out to lose my beer belly. I walked/ran 2 miles a day plus 7 min work out video for a week. It's been a year and a half since anything than boom I think I had a seizure while I was waking up. My head was like one of those electric laps where you put your hand on them and the pink static touches your fingers. I tried to roll out of bed and it pulled me back in, it lasted for about 30 secs but man I was terrified. After I had the same brain fog as b4/ tiredness since of dred and dispare. I've been waking up every hour of the night with brain fog. It's been 4 days since the seizure. I feel like I'm losing hope, I usually can pull through anything life throws at me but this. This brain fog, no sleep is pushing my body to its limits my heart is working harder than it should. I find myself just sitting in the sun for hours to to feel some hope. Any advice would help plz. I know for a fact this is from my drug use from my past and this time mabe dehydration not sure. Beware of MDMA at the time it was fun, now it's all catching up to me. I'm happy to see I'm not alone. We will get through this 😃
andrew36678 Recoverandheal
Edited
I'm so glad i found this forum! I am a 17 year old male from the USA and I've had this pressure in my head for the passed month or so . My first thought was that I had a brain tumor since my grandmother has a friend whose granddaughter died from one a few years back (I'm not related to the girl who died in any way) therefore I am aware of the possibility. I went to the doctor and she told me I have cluster headaches and that its nothing to be worried about, however, since its been persisting so long without relenting I am having doubts. Along with this pressure I have been having feelings of constant depersonalization and derealization over the past six months. Though I've never had a history with anxiey or depression I haven't been to a psychiatrist to check it out. I'm hoping someone can give me some direction on here.
The head pressure is the main concern I have. Sometimes it feels sharp, sometimes its burning, and sometimes I can hardley notice it. My doctor wouldn't recommend me for a CT scan, however, I don't think I did a very good job of conveying what I'm feeling to her. The pressure is usually a very small location a circle about an inch in radius. I feel it on the back left of my head usually up high near were it curves from verticle to horizontial but it does move around further to the center and down or even to the right.
I'm here because I'm freaking out about what this could be (especially the possibility of a tumor) and if anyone knows anything your advice would be appreciated!
MissMononoke andrew36678
Edited
Hey I am experiencing the same thing and seriously dude the circle in back of head and sometimes on top. it drives me crazy and is unsettling. everyone on here seems to be feeling the same stuff. what's wrong with us 😭😭😭
jcrowley Recoverandheal
Posted
Sorry to hear you’re having so much trouble. I see some similarities in our symptoms but not sure if we’re suffering from the same thing. Very discouraging.
So much info I've been reading on pressure headaches but so far not finding anything that truly matches what I'm experiencing. I had a pre orgasmic thunderclap headache in Feb ‘21 (9.5/10 pain like I've never had) and have had a constant pressure in my head since. I don’t even like calling it an actual headache because I’ve had migraines before decades ago and this is nothing like it. It’s like the center of my brain is about to explode. Most of the time it’s not even extremely painful but the discomfort is intense and it’s affecting all aspects of my life. I can still function but I’m irritable and just don’t enjoy regular activities lately.
To be clear, I’m not depressed, I just plain don’t feel well. Its kid of like a severe sinus headache but in the middle of my head. It’s like I need a pressure release valve on my head! Hospitalized for 3 days. CT, MRI and spinal tap showed no abnormalities. Over the counter headache relief does little. Hydrocodone provides a bit of relief but I obviously can’t take that forever.
I’ve seen several neurologists that have offered little help. My neurologists prescribed me and I just finished a heavy round of Indomethacin which seemed to lower my discomfort a bit but now it’s back full throttle. He says there are several other treatments he’d like to try but I have little hope.
jcrowley Recoverandheal
Posted
Sorry to hear you’re having so much trouble. I see some similarities in our symptoms but not sure if we’re suffering from the same thing. Very discouraging.
So much info I've been reading on pressure headaches but so far not finding anything that truly matches what I'm experiencing. I had a pre orgasmic thunderclap headache in Feb ‘21 (9.5/10 pain like I've never had) and have had a constant pressure in my head since. I don’t even like calling it an actual headache because I’ve had migraines before decades ago and this is nothing like it. It’s like the center of my brain is about to explode. Most of the time it’s not even extremely painful but the discomfort is intense and it’s affecting all aspects of my life. I can still function but I’m irritable and just don’t enjoy regular activities lately.
To be clear, I’m not depressed, I just plain don’t feel well. Its kid of like a severe sinus headache but in the middle of my head. It’s like I need a pressure release valve on my head! Hospitalized for 3 days. CT, MRI and spinal tap showed no abnormalities. Over the counter headache relief does little. Hydrocodone provides a bit of relief but I obviously can’t take that forever.
I’ve seen several neurologists that have offered little help. My neurologists prescribed me and I just finished a heavy round of Indomethacin which seemed to lower my discomfort a bit but now it’s back full throttle. He says there are several other treatments he’d like to try but I have little hope.
jcrowley Recoverandheal
Posted
Recoverandheal,
Sorry to hear you’re having so much trouble. I see some similarities in our symptoms but not sure if we’re suffering from the same thing. Very discouraging.
So much info I've been reading on pressure headaches but so far not finding anything that truly matches what I'm experiencing. I had a pre orgasmic thunderclap headache in Feb ‘21 (9.5/10 pain like I've never had) and have had a constant pressure in my head since. I don’t even like calling it an actual headache because I’ve had migraines before decades ago and this is nothing like it. It’s like the center of my brain is about to explode. Most of the time it’s not even extremely painful but the discomfort is intense and it’s affecting all aspects of my life. I can still function but I’m irritable and just don’t enjoy regular activities lately.
To be clear, I’m not depressed, I just plain don’t feel well. Its kid of like a severe sinus headache but in the middle of my head. It’s like I need a pressure release valve on my head! Hospitalized for 3 days. CT, MRI and spinal tap showed no abnormalities. Over the counter headache relief does little. Hydrocodone provides a bit of relief but I obviously can’t take that forever.
I’ve seen several neurologists that have offered little help. My neurologists prescribed me and I just finished a heavy round of Indomethacin which seemed to lower my discomfort a bit but now it’s back full throttle. He says there are several other treatments he’d like to try but I have little hope.