Unwell for 2 years. Pressure in ears and head. Very fatigued.
Posted , 63 users are following.
Looking for an opinion on my last 2 years of being ill. I'm 46 years old, male, and in a good state of fitness. I'm not over-weight, have never smoked, and rarely drink.
I've seen numerous doctors and don't seem to be any closer to a diagnosis. I started visiting my GP with what felt like a lingering flu. Early symptoms included being over tired, pressure in ears, and generally not feeling well. I'd been dealing with a very stressful business situation in the 12-18 months before the symptoms started and was advised that I was probably run-down. Each time I went to the doctor they would take a blood test. Over at least 6 tests they would always tell me something different, but it always seemed to be that I had some unknown virus. At times my blood cell count was too many white cells, or too many red cells. The frustration was they could never tell me what was wrong. I had stress tests for my heart, CT scan and MRI. All came back normal. During this period I would sometimes have 2-3 weeks where I felt normal and was able to work and exercise. These periods of good health never lasted. Fast forward to about 6 months ago. My [now new] doctor referred me to an endocrinologist as it was thought there may be a thyroid problem. My first test did indicate that I may be hypothyroid but they didn't want to give me any medication as they thought it wasn't required. I didn't get any better over the next few months with the same symptoms continuing - pressure in my head and ears, fatigued, unable to concentrate etc. At my next visit to the endocrinologist my thyroid function had worsened slightly and I was put on 50mg of euthyroxine. My blood pressure was also fluctuating a lot with periods where it was around 150/104. I was prescribed medication to try and bring this under control. Around 4 weeks ago I was on a trip away from home and started to feel really awful. I felt my head pressure was increasing and when I shut my eyes the only thing I could hear was my heart beating with a pulsing feeling my head. I had frequent hot flushes, dizzy spells, and never ending ear pressure. I was sleeping frequently for hours during the day, but struggling to get a good nights sleep, perhaps due to building anxiety about what was wrong with me.
Now back home, I went back to the doctor and explained how bad I was feeling. The main symptoms now being extreme fatigue, constant pressure in my ears, and a very strange feeling at the top of my head. I felt on a few occasions that I was going to faint, especially in the morning. I had tried exercising [cycling] one morning, and had to abandon after only a short time. I had also started to feel aches and pains in my legs and back. I explained to the doctor that the main symptoms that were worrying me were the inability to work [tired and no concentration span], the pressure in my head and ears, and the strange pounding sensation from my heart. I was thinking at this time that these may all be connected to being hypothyroid. The doctor ordered a new thyroid function test which came back right in the middle of the normal range. That has scared me as I feel dreadful, and have been pretty much consigned to bed for the last week. When I do get up I feel dizzy. My eyesight has changed. Hard to explain but it's just not feeling normal. I also feel that driving has a different sensation and I don't feel entirely safe. I still have episodes of feeling like I will faint, but never do. My doctor had asked me to take Zoloft [as she felt I was over anxious]. I didn't want to take them but did, thinking it would do no harm. The morning after taking it I felt even worse, with the dizzy feelings increased. Even 2 days later I still feel the effects.
I'm trying to find out what could cause my symptoms and came up with various reports on labyrinthitis. As this seems to be a viral problem that can cause the feeling of ear fullness it seems to be a possibility. It's all I've come up now that it doesn't look thyroid is the source of the problem. Right now, I'm in the worst health I've been in years. I can't work, exercise and need to sleep 4-5 hours during the day. I have constant ear pressure, pressure in my head, dizziness, lack of energy, and muscle pain. Can anyone suggest what this could be. It's been 2 years now and I just seem to get worse. Writing this from bed as I don't seem to have the energy to stand up.
2 likes, 115 replies
danielle99733 marcuscent
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lorraine15646 marcuscent
Posted
I see another doc on the 17th of may..a Neurolagist...I have been told its menopause also. I have been depressed by this for so long and fear i will never recover....I feel your pain and misery. Eye exercises help me for the off balance feeling and the neck tightness i have from straining to stay steady. Nothing works.
cmarks marcuscent
Posted
Have gone through the exact same issues as you said. I have an appointment scheduled to see a neurosurgeon, but I'm wondering if like all the others, he won't find anything. Will you please let me know what type of specialist you went to that diagnosed this?
Blessings!
ItAintMono marcuscent
Posted
I can feel the sorrow in this thread, but I find it comforting to know other people are experiencing similar problems to me.
About 7 weeks ago I came down with some kind of "flu", but it wasn't the flu. It wasn't Mono or Strep throat either (my tonsils are inflamed).
So far my only diagnosis is "anxiety" my blood work is fine, my chest is clear (2 x rays) my heart is fine (ECG) and multiple blood tests say there's nothing wrong with me.
I keep thinking I've got something serious because I feel weak, fatigued, walk like I'm drunk, and am also having things like night sweats and cold sensitivity (not hot chills).
I might have to wait months to see an ENT and I'm in despair wondering if it is something serious.
On the ear note, my left ear was producing more ear wax than normal before all this happened, and it now feels as if it is blocked because I can't pop it using the "hold your nose and breathe out" method.
pakpimp786 marcuscent
Posted
marcuscent pakpimp786
Posted
Hi. Revisiting this thread because I never did find a solution. Had a few months of being relatively well but back to feeling horrible. Ear pressure won't go away and still over tired. Now have an annoying chest pain that is also undiagnosed. Ent suggested regular nasal spray to help with eustachian tubes do started on that again. Blood pressure now under control with daily medication but underlying issue certainly still with me. Hoping a change of location for the summer may help. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
pakpimp786 marcuscent
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seed marcuscent
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Im not sure if this is of much help but I too have had similar issues. In December of 2016 i got the flu for the first time in my life. The sickest I've ever been in my life. I'm a 42 year old male at the time. After about a month I thought I pretty much recovered but then I got these eye infections that swelled my eyes shut. This cleared after about a month as well. Shortly after that I had problems with my heart and heart palpitations for about a month then strange nervous system issues with tingling in my hands and eye problems. Shortly after that I had severe sleeping problems. I would wake up thinking I couldn't breathe. Then the constant head pressure started and the fatigue, the fatigue. The fatigue is the worst.
I never knew what fatigue meant until I experienced this general inability to move my body like I want too. I would have bursts of "normal" for a couple days, then many days of feeling unwell. Constant head pressure, fatigue, memory and cognitive issues as well as balance problems. There were periods of days where I would tell my doctor that I just feel like i'm about to pass out all the time. It's horrible. Overall, over the past 18 months I have become better to a degree with constant bouts though of head pressure, a few days of light vertigo recently, and body aches and fatigue. It's so hard to describe the vast variety of symptoms over the last 18 months as sometimes you feel ok, then you have something new start happening to your body or your head.
The things that are pretty consistent are the cycles of feeling better, then feeling worse, which is tough on me mentally. It is definitely attributed to how much activity I do both mental and physical. It seems if I put in a day of working around the house I'll pay for it with 3 days of feeling like I have the flu.
The only sense of comfort I have found is to go on forums like this and twitter and follow and share on the #ME and #MECFS and #pwnme hashtags there, try and get educated on this disease and to my surprise see just how common it seems to be these days. It's frustrating and I feel for anyone that is going through the same, whether it's the more extreme version of what we're dealing with or even a less severe. That's the other issue on this disease as it has grades of severity as well.
Just try and eat better, keep your mind clear and anxiety down if possible, and get as much facts and experiences of those that also are suffering in the hopes of figuring out ways to cope and maybe even get better.
dudu75 marcuscent
Posted
Hope you are feeling better. I am suffering the same last 2 years..was wondering did u get better...did you find the cause of the problem?..my docs are saying it is all in the head..and it depression pls let me know if you know anything
jodi30028 marcuscent
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Chell99 marcuscent
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Hi, wondering if you ever received any answers. I have such similar symptoms as you. It started 9 days ago with a light feeling in my head on and off. Then it went into a pressure or sometimes numb feeling in the back of my head. From there I feel like I’m going to faint when I stand for long periods of time. The pressure at the back of my head sometimes goes behind my ears as well. Lack of energy. Like almost out of breath doing light activities. And this all brings on crazy anxiety. Every now and then I feel my heart skip a beat or I can’t catch my breath but I’m not sure if it’s from anxiety. Overall this gives me such an “off feeling.”
I was told it was neurological. I had a cat scan and an mri of my brain and spine. Everything came out fine. My blood work came out fine. Waiting on results of a Lymes disease test. I have an appointment with a cardiologist tomorrow (due to feeling like I’m going to faint and weak at times) and per my regular doctor a referral to the ent. I’ll keep you posted as I go along but hope you have your answer by now. 😩??🙏
Chell99
Posted
Ok. I went to ENT today. She feels I have a severe case of Vertigo. She told me to up my potassium and electrolytes and lower my sodium intake. I’m going to give it a shot and see if it works. She said it can take weeks to feel better. 🤞
dudu75 marcuscent
Posted
You must reduce alcohol consumption even if you are social drinker.
You must stay away from spicy food or anything that trigger acid reflux as this is a major contributor. ACID creates confusion in the stomach.
You must take top of the range vitamins supplements and daily probiotics min 50 Billions daily and on going in the morning as soon as you wake up
Stay away from anti depressants
STRESS AND ANXIETY are the main problem, as I was in a continuous stress the last 3 years, when the circumstances contributing to this stress faded, my ears problems and over all health and immune system dramatically improved.
during my stress period I did not take any antidepressants, but was depending on herbal supplements such as Ashwangndha , take for 3 month period , then stopped for 1 month, then started on DLPA for one months and stopped as I realized I no longer need it. you can choose between DLPA or 5HTP, but DLPA worked well with me.
Exercising is my next goal.
Ringing in the ear comes from stress by the way. Walk every day at least 30 mins.
Hope my post gives hope to every one, I must admit my ear pressure is not 100 percent gone, but by far I can function normal again and my smile is on my face. Please refrain from taking any antidepressants with any of the Herbal supplements I have stated.
Reduce your alcohol to once a month. Caffiene to one coffee per day even if Decaf
Best of luck to all and there is finally light end of the tunnel
terrie27149 dudu75
Posted
Thank you! I have ro agree with you on stress causing Tinnitis..that is what I feel was one major culprit that happened to me. The calmer I am, the less the T. It sounds like it's "far away," yet when I get stressed, even watching a movie, it blares. The lightheadedness and wavelike feelings, not sure yet. Still trying to take a mental journal on that. I was leaning towards wheat..bread mostly..seems even small amt gives me wave-like symptoms of the brain...thanks again for input. I never drink but do love coffee..will journal as well..have a blessed day as you continue to improve..
sprite234 marcuscent
Posted
Hi I would just like to add my experiences to this discussion.
My symptoms are...
Tinnitus, pressure in ears and around back of my head, waves of delirium that spreads to front of head causing me to feel like passing out, sudden surge of adrenaline as my body tries to regain control followed by panic attacks, feeling ill in the mornings like something is poisoning my blood stream, tired, aching joints back ache left pelvic area. Also heart murmurs and heart thumping, numbness in lower left arm and lower left leg, lump and my throat like swallowing a boiled sweet whole. Continually feeling depressed and anxious with a sense of loss like someone close has just died.
Known conditions...
High blood pressure stress and anxiety, no exercise and of course, I drink too much beer.
Doc increased my BP meds and give me amitriptyline and I've cut down on beer and whole wheat bread, porridge and bananas. I've also started eating much more salad.
Its very early stages but I think these changes are managing my symptoms and I intend to start exercising and will stop taking amitriptyline.
I hope this helps someone with similar symptoms.
terrie27149 sprite234
Posted