Head Pressure-- Could this be Lyme?

I've posted this description on quite a few health boards, now. I was on another forum that deals with Brain/nervous system disorders and quite a few people saw my description and thought it might be Lyme.

I hope you guys can look over this and tell me what could be the "tell tale" signs of Lyme, if I have any. I don't think I have Lyme, but I do have something very annoying and odd going on with me, and it's been going on for 4 years now.

I was bitten by a "large" tick about 8 years ago now at a camping trip, but it was removed before the 36 hour mark. about 5 years ago I was bitten by someone's dog on the leg, and I was told by the carer that the dog "had all its shots". I went in and got a tetanus booster the next day.

In closing, I would ask that some of you be careful with suggesting Lyme, because I also have anxiety problems, and some of these could be caused by anxiety.


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I'm 27, male, with no diagnosed diseases. Recently I had a battery of blood work done (the usual, cholesterol, enzyme/vitamin levels, thyroid) and nothing abnormal was found. I have no history of neurological diseases in either side of my family. I do not have high blood pressure. I am very myopic however and I do have mild astigmatism.

about 3-4 years ago, after a prolonged episode of drug addiction, I experienced a feeling of "head pressure" that got steadily worse. That part may be important... it started off as tolerable, and over time, got worse and worse. It is now at an unbearable stage, and shows few signs of slowing down. It is almost a constant sensation--it can occur anywhere in or around my head, no preference for any side or area. It also extends into my neck (usually around the left side of my neck.)

Much more alarmingly, along with the head pressure getting worse, other symptoms have slowly appeared.. few, if any, going away. Whatever new symptom crops up, seems to stay. These symptoms include:

- Lots of floaters in the eye, which may appear out of nowhere and change on the fly--tolerable, but very annoying
- Daily tinnitus (mostly in the left ear, but occasionally "switches" to the right ear)
- Slight lessening of sensation on different areas of the body
- Visual problems, most noticeably (right now) is slight double vision, slight difficulty moving my eye muscles (seems to be tied in with head pressure)
- The double vision started 7-8 months ago, it just seems as if the "calibration" of my eyes is slightly off... hard to describe though.
- Stiffness/postural problems, makes for awkward walking, but no actual problems with mobility. Could be partially due to sitting in front of a computer too long, lack of proper exercise, etc.
- Stiff neck (could be from postural issues)
- Snapping jaw, like it's out of alignment (sometimes my jaw "tweaks to the left" involuntarily)
- My constipation (always a problem) is out of control
- Caffeine ingestion seems to cause occasional blurred vision and floaters, but not always.
- Alcohol intolerance. It makes most of my symptoms worse, especially the eye twitching/involuntary eye movement stuff--more than 3 drinks and I notice worsened symptoms the next day, even past the hangover stage

The head pressure was the first symptom of this "condition."

So, there are several aspects to this "thing" I have. I do have an anxiety disorder but low incidence of actual panic attacks.

So, is anyone familiar with the head pressure at least, and found a way to relieve it?
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Thanks,

Batman

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I would say see a lyme doctor ASAP. My lyme disease started with 'head pressure' followed by a lot of the symptoms you are describing, including swelled lymph nodes in the breast/under arm area.
let me know if you need help finding a doctor

Dowa said...
Have you had a cat scan or m MRI of your head?? Or, seen a neurologist?

This is going to sound idiotic, but no I haven't, and it's because I don't have health insurance...

Are there any activities or dietary measures that make neuro symptoms (head pressure esp.) worse for you guys?

Do you guys have alcohol intolerance?  Unpleasant effects from 3-4 drinks which can last throughout the next day, or even 2 days later?

I absolutely have no alcohol tolerance.  Most of the time half a beer or a few sips of wine will give me an instant hangover.

I also stopped doing any alcohol to make sure my antibiotics aren't weakened by the alcohol.

You really need a SPECT scan of your brain. Is there a University with a medical school near you?  Sometimes they will take you on.  You just have to deal with student doctors.

Cat's Claw can be bought over the counter and has antibiotic qualities.

What part of the country are you in?

saxmar

Hi Batman,

Sorry you have been dealing with this. Your symptoms sound very much like Lyme and most likely coinfections as well such as possibly bartonella and babesia. My husband has all three. All three of my children are infected so I have seen a lot of symptoms. Yours are very similar to many I see in my family.

You need to be careful to see a doctor who is lyme literate to get the appropriate testing done. Most doctors do not believe in chronic lyme so this is very important! Also, the testing is not entirely accurate (many false negatives), so you need to see someone who can diagnose you based on symptoms alone. I would start reading books about Lyme to see if you think your symptoms fit. The most recent book just published is Cure Unknown by Pamela Weintraub. It is excellent.

Best of luck to you.

tickbattler

I have almost the exact same symptoms. Did you ever figure out what was wrong???

For many years before finally being diagnosed, I had alcohol intolerance, head pressure and swollen glands in addition to many other symptoms that didn't seem to make any sense.

The best thing you can do for yourself right now is research as much as you can and ask questions on this forum. Try to totally restrict all sugar and carbs which feed the lyme bacteria and if you can afford to add some of the supplements suggested for lyme in Burrascano's treatment guidelines. If you can't afford to see an llmd, then possibly you can look into one of the herbal protocols such as Zhang's or Cowden's that might be more affordable than going the traditional llmd route. If there's any way you can afford to see a lyme literate doctor, please do so as soon as possible. Believe it or not there are a few out there who do not charge a fortune although I personally know of none. You can find an llmd in your area by contacting [email protected] be sure to include your zip code in the message.

Good luck

I have read everyone's post. I am 28 and have been having the same problem. I have constant head pressure and sometimes feel like fluid is running down the side of my head for years. I have been to Drs and had MRI's and Ct scan but they all come back normal. the pressure in my head is getting really hard to deal with. As time progress it is getting worse. Could this be lyme disease.

Hi Batman!
Welcome to our forum!!! I am sorry that you have a need to be here, but am sure glad you found us!! Like the others, I would highly recommend that you get in to see a Lyme Literate doc. Blood testing is sooo inaccurate & those that read these tests don't have a clue as to what they are looking at, that there are many false negatives - this would be the main reason for you to be 'clinically' (by symptoms, not tests) diagnosed. Lyme Disease is known as the 'New Great Imitator'. It shares the same symptoms as so many other conditions, that it is easily over-looked as a cause of patient's suffering. This is why we go from doc to doc to doc trying to find out what is really going on. I would highly suggest that you find a doc that sees the body as a whole unit, rather than just seeing a doc that sees only parts of the body.

Lyme can most definitely cause anxiety - I just had to go back on anxiety meds myself.

One of my biggest hurdles to get over has been serious constipation. I was on a seriously high fiber diet, taking stool softeners, & doing the fiber drinks every day & still couldn't count on that working. I had to go on a 'script for intestinal cramping 10 years ago & I was told by that doc that if I went more than 3 days without anything 'moving', that I need to be in an E-room!! ACK!! My Acupuncture Doc has been able to really help me out with the herbs she has me taking - she's a Master Western & Chinese Herbologist as well. I believe that it is critical to have your intestine working well, as they play a large part in the body's ability to rid itself of toxins. And I do believe that this issue, for me, was due to Lyme.

A lot of people infected with a tick-borne infection (tbi's) have issues with alcohol intolerance. I have had my tick-borne infections fr a long time, but am only recently experiencing this symptom.

Another thing that is fairly common for those with tbi's is wheat & dairy intolerance. This could be part of the reason for your head pressure. I seem to have a sensitivity to them, but as long as I limit the amount I take each week I seem to do just fine.

I don't believe that a tick has to be attached for 36 hours. I have had positive test results come back after a tick had only been attached for an hour at most.

A lot of great advice is given here by other members, I hope it helps some...
Trav

hi everyone my problems started years ago, when I came home for college one summer. I have been to alot of doctors. i started going to ear nose and throat doctors but that wasn't it. The head pressure contuined and caused me to feel nerves. most recently I had to stop driving distances because it started affecting my eye sight, because the pressure would get so bad. Also recently I went to UMC which suppose to be the best and largest hospital in the state of Mississippi but they couldnt find anything either.

Like I said stated earlier I have gotten a number of MRIs and CT scans but they all came out normal.

Since the head pressure I have been having alot of anxiety attacks. This lead me to go to a doctor and get on anxiety and depression meds.

But I have learned to cope with it as much as I can. But its just upseting when I go to different doctors and they cant find anything wrong, but I know that there is something very wrong.

The pressure that i have feels like fluid is in my head and at time its makes me feel nerves and dizzy. I have had a doctor tell me that its a migrane. But I know its not that.


But I just keep living and trying to deal with it the best i can. I know that one day I will get to the bottom of my illness.

Hi Batman55,

Please let me know how you are doing. I also have the same problem now. My symptoms are so bad, I had to quit my job, and cannot take care of the household. My poor husband has to do everything. I don't get headaches, but different parts of my face swell. It's hard to pinpoint, but right now I feel swelling in my left temple, and roof of mouth, and neck on left side. Although the pressure can change. I too have been told that it could be Lyme. I am currently seeing a LLMD in CA. She has done the following tests. Western Blot, Igenex, Cd57, and My lyme immune id test. Honestly I cannot deal with this anymore. It's been going on for almost 2 months, and it's absolutely debilitating. Do you have any tingling that goes with your pressure. Mine all started after getting treated for what I thought was a sinus infection. Turns out there was no infection in my sinuses, yet I still feel horrible. I'm hoping to get treated soon. On a bright note. I got in touch with 2 ladies who had the same problem as I have. They went to an LLMD, and got treated. It is not a quick fix, and took some time, but they are feeling much better now. Not 100%, but they have better quality of life now, and can go out and do things. I wish the best for you Batman55. My prayers are with you. Take care of yourself.

Neurogurl,

Have you been able to find a Lyme Literate Doctor. You seem to be having a lot of anxiety -- getting treatment could really relieve that and your other symptoms.

Hope you are feeling better.