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
Chell99 marcuscent
Posted
I had many of the same symptoms and it did in fact turn out to be my middle, inner ear. Believe it or not, physical therapy helps me. You can find middle ear physical therapy exercises right on youtube. It has helped me tremendously.
eliseo71130 Chell99
Posted
did you have swollen head, lightheaded, facial tension, and nausea? i have the same feeling but with heart palpitations and cold throbbing hands/feet.
how long did you have the infection for?
anne82787 marcuscent
Posted
Hi in reply to your message may I suggest that the strange body pains and fatigue could be something called fibro myalgia I have had exactly the same thing myself and together with ear pressure problems makes it all feel worse it's not serious and seems to be linked to stress depression worry, all these kind of things you can find lots of I formation online and maybe have a word with your doctor, I'm sure you will feel better when you have an answer
anne82787 marcuscent
Posted
Hi may I suggest your problems could be caused by something called fibro myalgia I suffer with the same condition, it seems to be linked with anxiety, depression, worry, and together with your ear blockage probably caused by eustachia tube dysfunction can make you feel really miserable, you can find information online and talk to your doctor don't worry it's not serious, hope you find peace of mind soon luv Annie. X
macaulay84809 marcuscent
Posted
Hello, I have just read through all the comments on here and it’s unreal how this is exactly how I’ve felt for years and I’m only 24, male. I have been back and forth doctors and emergency rooms so many time’s I hate going there because I feel like I’m known as that person, I have struggled with health anxiety and panics but with this ear fullness and cloudy brain fog I know it’s different because i can never shift it and I make up and my thoughts just feel odd myself like i know they never used to be like, I got Constant feeling off fullness in right ear, I’m fatigued a lot even tho I’m 24 and should be in peak health which I was like 2 years ago, I just keep saying to my family “somethings not right” and I can’t put my finger on it. And my vision does go a lot I wear glasses and sometimes they feel like make me worse. Thinks some times feel a bit cartoony and surreal. And I feel like I’m constantly thinking in my own head and not just going with things anymore , I feel like I’m going crazy because I’ve had blood tests, heart monitors , ct scan (was before this fullness feeling ) I’m currently waiting on ent but I’m contemplating going private to speed thinks up, sometimes I get my girlfriend to massage a certain point on my neck which can give me some relief but does come back, which had me thinking could be nerve muscle problem which led me to see chiropractor , which I have seen now twice and has said some tension on my neck, and to be honest I am a nightmare for clicking my own neck and in past have used cotton buds to clean my ears which probably hasn’t done me any favours, but I’m led to believe that it’s ETD, I too also have feeling like it goes into my throat and constant clearing it. But I too have found no treatment or relief but this has only been happening past 3 months consistently and things are moving pretty quick and I’m going to get tests done privately and i won’t be leaving til I’m getting answers and this cloudy brain fog is gone.
Muche macaulay84809
Posted
I have been dealing with symptoms very similar to yours for more than 4 years. I have made numerous doctor visits to find out that everything was ok. I even ended up taking anti-depressants, but it didn't treat the cause of my ailments. Eventually, I took things into my own hands and became my own doctor, without relying on clinics or hospitals. I have narrowed this condition down to chronic sinus disease (not exactly sure what kind). The symptoms I had was daily present (on and off) back of head pressure around ears (almost headache but not quite), trouble concentrating, memorizing (short term memory), tiredness, sudden needs for sleep, fatigue, irritation to bright light, irritation to louder sounds. What cured me (not completely, still in the process) is a vegetable that anyone can find in their house. ONION!. Here is what you do with it. Cut the onion (the stronger the scent, the better) in rings of 5 millimeter thickness. Usually 3 to 5 rings. Place these rings on a long scarf (long enough that could go around your forehead and be wrapped). The onion rings should be placed on your forehead in the area above eyes. Wrap the scarf with onion before you go to sleep, and repeat this for 3 nights. Repeat more if needed (even during daytime). This has healed my sinuses, and the symptoms I previously had, have been decreased greatly. Also avoid cold and drink and eat warm food. I hope this will help you or anybody else reading it. Good luck.
jessica68627 marcuscent
Posted
Please help me, i have the same issue. I really don't know what to do, please any tip from you guys been suffering for that undefined symptoms for a year now. 😦
Muche jessica68627
Posted
Please see my reply. Good luck.
Luke581 marcuscent
Posted
So glad I've found this discussion! I'm 27 yrs old and have been suffering with many of the symptoms said for over 3 years (ears feel blocked and always popping, low concentration span, mind feels very foggy, feeling off balance/dizziness, tiredness/fatigue all the time, vision doesn't seem quite right at times, a general feeling of unwellness) Doctor have given CT scan, seen a ENTS and had allergy tests done but no joy there. Something isn't quite working right within my body and don't know what!! Willing to try anything as it's really becoming hard to live with on a daily basis. Any advice I'd hugely appreciate! Thanks
Muche Luke581
Posted
Please see my reply here. Good luck.
andrew05838 marcuscent
Posted
I know this is an old thread. Recently, I've been feeling the same way. I was diagnosed with having fluid on my ears and I was prescribed an antibiotic. As long as i was taking it, I felt fine. i recently stopped taking it and all of the symptoms are coming back. I had my gallbladder removed back in June and I don't know if that has something to do with all of this. It got so bad that I went to the ER and they performed a MRI and it was normal. All of my labs were normal as well. It's also getting scary to drive. My jaws and ears hurt. There is a constant feeling of fullness.
Muche andrew05838
Posted
Please see my reply here. This is a sinus related condition.
Cloudyburster marcuscent
Edited
same situation. lots of blood work, MRI, MRA and going back for a contrasted MRA. ent. gastro.
wake up feeling like I've been running all night.
clogged ears and pulsative tinnitus in one ear when lying down.
constant tinnitus.
fatigue fatigue fatigue.
I'm a slim early 40 year old. this isn't right.
waiting on a testosterone blood test.
just went for a run to shake it off and ended up with a slight headache on right side, right facial odd feeling and right arm tingly.
so either that MRA will come in handy or maybe the chiro is my next source of help. my neck had always been a source of prior problems.
then again, I've never fallen over. never been rushed to hospital. no test showed anything wrong. maybe a psychiatrist is the next move?
who knows!?
Muche Cloudyburster
Posted
I have been dealing with symptoms very similar to yours for more than 4 years. I have made numerous doctor visits to find out that everything was ok. I even ended up taking anti-depressants, but it didn't treat the cause of my ailments. Eventually, I took things into my own hands and became my own doctor, without relying on clinics or hospitals. I have narrowed this condition down to chronic sinus disease (not exactly sure what kind). The symptoms I had was daily present (on and off) back of head pressure around ears (almost headache but not quite), trouble concentrating, memorizing (short term memory), tiredness, sudden needs for sleep, fatigue, irritation to bright light, irritation to louder sounds. What cured me (not completely, still in the process) is a vegetable that anyone can find in their house. ONION!. Here is what you do with it. Cut the onion (the stronger the scent, the better) in rings of 5 millimeter thickness. Usually 3 to 5 rings. Place these rings on a long scarf (long enough that could go around your forehead and be wrapped). The onion rings should be placed on your forehead in the area above eyes. Wrap the scarf with onion before you go to sleep, and repeat this for 3 nights. Repeat more if needed (even during daytime). This has healed my sinuses, and the symptoms I previously had, have been decreased greatly. Also avoid cold and drink and eat warm food. I hope this will help you or anybody else reading it. Good luck.
Muche marcuscent
Posted
I have replied to multiple people in the comments below, with hope that it will restore the quality of their lives. Please try the method I suggest and respond back.