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Pressure Headaches, Clogged Ears, Stiff Neck 2 years

Posted , 24 users are following.

Anxietyridden
Anxietyridden

Hi Evergone!

As you can see by my name, I have anxiety. It all started 9 years ago when my father commited suicide. I was only 21 at the time. My anxiety didn't hit right away, it slowly crept up on me over the years. I used to smoke a lot of weed growing up. But I had to stop because it only made it worse whereas before it used to be an escape for me. Things were going pretty well until an old childhood friend of mine, my best friend growing up, also commited suicide. That was 2 years ago. And that really hit my anxiety hard. I was super depressed. Had breathing issues. Couldn't sleep for days. And started getting debilitating headaches. I lost my job because I could no longer concentrate because the headaches were so bad. Shortly after the headaches I started to get a weird sensation in my ears like they were ALWAYS full. I got a CT scan, saw an ENT specialist and both told me that I was fine and that it was my anxiety. ... ever since then my ears have NEVER stopped being clogged. I pop them every day. And some days are worse than others. And some days the headhaes are worse than others. Truthfully I just started living with it because I didn't know what else to do. But in the last couple weeks it has gotten so bad. My head hurts so much I can barely think straight. I get up to walk around and I feel just 'off'. Like I need to lay down. And of course my anxiety takes me to the worst places. I'm not on my anti-depressants anymore because they made me feel suicidal and like I was a zombie. And then it's about finding the right ones for me, but I can't lose my job again. I finally have a great career. And now these headaches pop up again. All I can think is that I'm dying. That I have something like a tumor. It's all I think about (along with constantly popping my ears). I went back to the doctors a couple days ago and was prescribed a steroid nasal spray. And also told to use a nedi pot (the sinus flush) before the nasal spray each time to clear anything out and then spray. I know anxiety and depression can create physical sensations that are REAL. But what if I really have ETD? (Eustachian tube dysfunction) which is something to do with the middle ear and the pressure in your head because it is not right. And maybe this anxiety is only making it worse? How do you actually figure this stuff out? Do I go for another CT scan? What if I have something now that I didn't have 2 years ago in the first scan? It's just really scary. And I'm only 30 and I just want to feel normal again. Anyone have a similar story? Or anything at all? Please sad

1 like, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • kayleigh1412
    kayleigh1412 Anxietyridden

    Posted

    It’s so good to finally see other people with the same symptoms! My right ear is always feeling full,there’s slot of presssure on the right side of my head I sometimes feel shooting pains around the right side area of my head. I suffer from anxiety and depression but for some reason I can’t keep away From my neck there will be days that the back of my neck just at the start of my head is so sore on the right side I’m not sure if I have a trapped nerve or what? But I can’t help but think I have a brain tumour or a tumour in my neck,everytime the pain comes I start to panic instantly it’s so draining. I’m constantly feeling my neck to see if I can find any lumps but I wouldn’t know if it’s unusual or not
    • hector36506
      hector36506 kayleigh1412

      Posted

      Did you find out the problem ?I have similar problems. Headaches only in my left side, fullness on my left ear , like it's clogged and needs to pop. Also my nose is constantly clogged, and have a soar throat. I feel vertigo and sometimes it's hard to focus. I feel like it's a tumor or some type of cancer. I've been to the ENT 3 times but they don't seem to be very concerned have had a CT scan that didn't show anything abnormal. Ever since I started feeling these symptoms I haven't felt like myself. I also get tired randomly.

    • beemartin02
      beemartin02 kayleigh1412

      Posted

      i feel the same way!!! I feel like i was always alone! i wish one of us could figure it out and help the others!

  • josey11148
    josey11148 Anxietyridden

    Posted

    HI did you do a sinus scan. It would help to eliminate some of these problems I had this same problem awhile back did a brain and sinus scan. Happens that my sinus was clogged I got a simple nose drop that heals me trust me I was on the verge of given up. I cried could not bear it anymore thanks god im good as 100% better now. 
    • KimieJo
      KimieJo josey11148

      Posted

      Hey Joey! I just wanted to ask you a question on that. Right now I am having those exact same symptoms; ear fullness/soft headache. They’re bearable; like I don’t feel like I’m going to die but they are inconvenient. Anyways, I wanted to ask how long your symptoms were when it happened and when you did the nose drop how long did it take to go away? This ear fullness has been scaring me. Also, did you see an ENT when the symptoms came up?
    • josey11148
      josey11148 KimieJo

      Posted

      Kimmi. I could not cough. I could not sneeze. My neck aches so bad  I went to chiropractor it never helps. Symptoms was like 6 months there.  After the drop almost instantly but I had to watch it to make sure but within like 2-3 days all cleared up and ready to go. I could not believe a simple sinus clogged could cause so much problems   I could not bend my head nor neck. Nor shake it. My temples hurt. My eye socket feels like to take them out. It was very scary  thought it was a brain problem. But I thank God everyday for the cure cause I could not take it anymore. 
    • KimieJo
      KimieJo josey11148

      Posted

      Thanks for the quick reply Joey! My symptoms don’t sound as bad as yours was. You sound like you were suffering. I’m sorry that happened to you. D: When you felt all this pain did it happen right away or did it slowly get to that point? Like did it worsen the more you had it or did it hit you all at once? 
  • janine33476
    janine33476 Anxietyridden

    Posted

    Please find a Lyme Literate doctor and get tested for Lyme disease. Your symptoms are CLASSIC. My son went 8 months with the excruciating headaches, neck pain, blurred vision, nausea, ears that were clogged. Lyme disease. Ilads.org will help you find a doc. A GP, internist or any other doctor will tell you that you DONT have Lyme or will test you with an Elisa test which will come back negative. You need a western blot or Lyme test. Good luck. Google the symptoms of Lyme...

  • kristen75728
    kristen75728 Anxietyridden

    Posted

    Did you find a fix?  My story is similar.  It started with a full ear, congestion, headache, noise interference, then after a month I have gastritis and reflux.  I have been to two ENT’s.  I have had a brain/ear MRI with/without contrast, which showed ear, sinus and brain clear.

    I had my eardrum pierced thinking I had fluid trapped, but that didn’t help.  I had steroid pack, nasal spray and I tried Claritin.  Nothing sad  

    I do have neck and shoulder pain for years, so I have been going to a chiropractor.

    I have not had an allergy test, so that is next.  Also, I will be tested for TMJ.  

    I was wondering if anyone had any ideas what this could be?  It’s been going on for over two months.  Oh, I really don’t have vertigo.

    They think it’s an inner ear balance problem.

    This is so frustrating to say the least.

    • KimieJo
      KimieJo kristen75728

      Posted

      Holy crap I had the same exact thing happened to me. Literally the ears got clogged first and constant headaches, and then a month later was diagnosed with GERD. Do your stools seem a bit off?  

      I went to an ENT and he said that I did have TMJ which contributed to the ear pain. 

      Also, when my ears got really congested I went to a chiropractor and now my ears aren’t congested anymore, but the reflux began shortly after my visit with her. 

      I don’t think you have an ear problem,  I think your reflux is contributing to your ear problem. When you have reflux, sometimes the acid will go up into the ear and cause them pain. Once I changed my diet the remaining ear pain I had after the chiro went away. 

    • kristen75728
      kristen75728 KimieJo

      Posted

      I don’t have ear pain, it’s just my right ear feels full and just noise interruption in that ear and yes, my stools are a little “off”  I did have an Endoscopy and I have gastritis and refulx and had a small polyp removed.  I’ve been eating different kinds of foods to see what I can and cannot tolerate.

      I have an app to be tested for TMJ, my neck and shoulder blade on the right side is sore always when I wake up.

      I go back to the gastro soon for a follow up.  I also have an app to be tested for Lyme disease and an allergy test.

      So frustrating!!

    • KimieJo
      KimieJo kristen75728

      Posted

      Your ent or chiro should’ve told you right away that you had TMJ, at least both of mine did.   

      Also, you should mention to your chiro the ear fullness. My chiro did a neck manipulation and took care of the ear fullness/pain right away, however the reflux followed after lol. I have gone to a new chiro and he’s helped immensely with the reflux.  

      As for the Lyme disease part, usually people who have Lyme disease feel bed ridden and have flu-like symptoms. When do you think you got Lyme disease?  

      Also, what exact was the smell polyp the removed? And did you doctor mention how you got the gastritis? 

    • kristen75728
      kristen75728 KimieJo

      Posted

      My ENT knows I grind my teeth, but I’m not having any jaw pain.

      I did tell my chiro about my ear being full and he does work on my neck, but it doesn’t help my ear.  

      I looked at the Lyme’s Disease because I did have a rad that I thought was something like ring worm, but it went away.

      I’m not sure what the polyp was, it was 2mm in size.  I have my follow up this Thursday.  They took biopsy of my stomach tissue and that was normal.  I had no infection or allergies that they tested for so right now, I don’t know what’s causing this gastritis.

      I have had a bunch of blood work done, so waiting for those results as well.

  • don63833
    don63833 Anxietyridden

    Posted

    I think i have the same condition, i have anxiety and depression, it started 7 months ago since i quit my job, havent got a job for two months which resulted to almost get broke, and return to my own country with nothing (i work abroad). depression and anxiety hits me hard, sometimes i got panic attack, cant breath but i try to manage it, cant sleep well, i woke up at 3/4am in the morning and cant go back to sleep, i cry alot, after a got got stifff neck, headaches, chest feels like gonna explode, my and right ear feels like youre in an earplane that u cant pop it, ive been suffering it for months now, went to ENT doctor but he found nothing bad, and eveytime i work on my deskthe back of my neck really hurts. my vision starting to get bad too. I live in japan btw, so looking for english speking doctor is hard for an expat.

  • oliver79637
    oliver79637 Anxietyridden

    Posted

    Hi, my ear fullness and popping was because of a malocclusion messing with my jaw and et muscles whenever i closed my mouth.

    Do your teeth fit together?

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