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6 Month 24/7 Pressure Headache, Tinnitus and Lightheaded

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Posted 11/13/2013 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Still got headache been 4weeks 4days doin my head in now its all mainly in front and top of head
Posted 11/13/2013 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
And still got two days left to go on antibiotics as they said its cause of my viral throat infection it just don't seem to be down
Posted 11/13/2013 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Mines is going on 7 weeks now.

I have now developed a constant 'cricket' noise in my left ear to make matters better.

Docs tomorrow AGAIN!
Posted 11/13/2013 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Awwww blesss its worryin tbh ain't it x
Posted 11/26/2013 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Scottio: I don't think "stress" is a causative factor at all in your headache, though now you are certainly under significant stress dealing with this pressure headache. Is it still daily? You don't have classic migraine headache. What I think you're dealing with is some type of histaminic cephalgia, cause unknown. This is basically what I was diagnosed with at a top headache center some years ago, as it is a constant claw-like pressure behind and over left ear, which particularly exacerbates with mental exertion. Physical exercise, especially aerobic, improves it a bit.

Also, physical exercise has the added benefit that I will sleep much better at night. I also take 1000 mg. coral Calcium, 250 mg. magnesium at night to help me doze off, and this regimen generally knocks me out for a good 4-5 hours if I do so; adding 5-HTP to this regimen is even more effective, and, good for next day stress. I am presently on this natural PM regimen, but if I don't take anything at bedtime-----like you, I end up waking up 4 or 5 times in the course of the night.

Hope these suggestions help you a little, but keep persevering as you're in the very early stages of the "game". Your case may not be as severe as mine, but I have basically had to learn to live with it over the years. Have been off all meds since June, a huge accomplishment for me. However, occasionally I do take acetaminophen or enteric coated aspirin to take the edge off of it a little, when it is particularly bad, such as on a very damp day (and we have a very high level of humidity in SE Michigan, not the best place for headache sufferers).

Post Edited (Travis_Nobilis77) : 11/25/2013 7:09:17 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/26/2013 9:09 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Travis.

I've been trying to take some vitaimins like C and B12 to see if that has any improvement. The buzzing sound in my ear/head is also weighing heavilly on my mind 24/7, just hoping it passes as quickly as it came on.

I am due to see a ENT doctor some time next month so we will see what that brings, other than an MRI I don't see what else they will do for me.

So far I've gone down the holistic path with no luck, massages and of course the CT scan, bloodwork ect.

I have tried codine tablets, mefefamic acid, Propananol and some OTC meds that don't touch whatever it is I have. I used to be a gym fanatic but I broke my wrist 6 weeks prior to this headache so it's now over 3 months since I have been so maybe I will try that in the meantime.

Posted 11/26/2013 9:11 AM (GMT 0)
It's still daily Travis but it's not quite as severe and the dizziness feeling is not so much a factor now. The pressure however is still constant and my head does feel too heavy for my neck.

Sleeping is a tough one becuase of the buzzing sound, currently taking nytol to help me sleep but not really doing much.
Posted 11/26/2013 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I know I've posted this elsewhere but feel compelled to mention this once more - the neurotoxin incorrectly labeled as a safe artificial sweetener Aspartame/Phenylalanine can induce 92 very serious side effects. One of them is migraines/headaches/vision problems. If you drink diet sodas, Crystal Light or the CL powder supplements you add to bottled water, eat yoplait light yogurt (blue containers), chew gum such as Dentynne, Trident, or consume breath mints such as Breath Savers, consume 5 hour Energy Shots, eat fat free or sugar free food items (cookies, ice cream, candy, etc.), you ingesting this very harsh and damaging chemical into your system.

Don't let the sad fact that the FDA approved of it in the 1980s fool you, don't let the studies done by Coke and Pepsi fool you either, people are addicted to diet sodas, drinking them by the case load and are truly very ill from them.

Once someone points out how harmful aspartame truly is and they go off these 6000+ food and drink items (it's in medications too and baby food/formula sometimes), they begin to feel much better.

Simply google "aspartame's side effects" and the "many names of aspartame" (it hides under a dozen names, to fool us).
Posted 11/26/2013 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Cheers Marsky.

However I doubt diet has anything to do with how I feel given I have been fit and healthy for 27 years and never even suffered from so much as a bad cold so my immune system is pretty sturdy.

It may make some people feel better and that’s fine and good luck to them but what’s going on with myself is pretty serious IMO and I know my body. There are people all around me who stuff their faces with sweets, fizzy pop ect and look and feel great while I feel horrible and my diet is better than most.

Thanks for the information, however.
Posted 11/27/2013 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Well all I want to point out is this artificial sweetener and others like it are in so many products now, toothpaste and mouthwash. And there are so many sick people out there. It's not rocket science we shouldn't be ingesting all of these harsh chemicals each day. But if you are eating a clean diet then ignore my advice but if you're not sure, read ingredients. You may be as shocked as I was, I had no idea I was ingesting aspartame on a daily basis because I always said I ate healthy (fruits, vegetables, fish), but in reality I was buying products with it in them.
Posted 2/25/2014 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Ok so had MRI with contrast and results normal.

6 months now I've had this pressure frontal headache with buzzing in ears and lightheaded 24/7.

Headache specialist said I have new daily persistent headache or something along those lines.

Over the moon there is no tumour naturally but scared I still don't know what's going on.

I'm stating to think I've got a really bad case of TMJ or something but who knows.
Posted 2/25/2014 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Also saw an ENT who said its not sinus and ears are ok no hearing loss deposited the non stop buzzing in them.
Posted 3/3/2014 9:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I have tried cold compress and it does help but the relief does not last very long, it's also the case when I shower...so warmth helps too it seems.

Execising outdoors (in the cold) makes the headache throb althoug inside at the gym it does not affect the headache.

Can't really understand that one though.
Posted 3/5/2014 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
Start Amitriptyline today, anyone else had success with their headaches with this drug?
Posted 3/11/2014 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I have been having similar symptoms. I started to take amitriptyline but found the side effects to be worse than my head pressure. Currently I am taking propranolol which I just started so I will see how it ends up. I have been to ENTs, neurologists, and optometrists. They just call it a migraine and try and put me on a different medication. I don't want to mask the issue, I want to solve it.
Posted 3/11/2014 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
I tried Propranolol 10mg then 60mg before I started my current medication, I found the side effects were horrbile for me and did nothing for my headahce.

The Amitriptyline I am only taking 10mg so the only thing I expierence so far is a dry mouth in the mornings, I have to go up to 50mg in a few weeks so maybe it will get worse by then.

I want an answer too but nobody seems to have one, new daily persistant headache and chronic tension headaches are all I get told but I know something is causing this.

After the Lumbar Puncture I'm not sure what else I can do to find out whats going on. I have scoured the internet for months and have seen cases like myself on lots of forums but no one has any idea what this is or a cure.

Posted 5/16/2014 10:09 AM (GMT 0)
Lumbar Puncture was done a few weeks ago, my oppening pressure they said was on the low side of normal at 9 and closing at 9.5.

Not head anything else so not sure what it happening now or what is next for me. Next Appointment with Headache Specialist is in Novemember so I've to continue with Amitriptiline till then moving from 25mg to 50mg if needed.

The medication has helped so far and the intensity of the head pressure has faded although I still get a week or so when it comes back bad but at least it's not constant now.

Posted 7/18/2014 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys it looks like no one has posted in a few months but I'm hoping you all are still checking this. I am a 26 year old female and I have had these same symptoms for nearly 2 years now. Before I was 100% healthy and happy, now I am miserable. I have constant 24/7 head pressure, pains, aches, shocks, tingles, muscle spasms, numbness. I have reoccurring ear aches and sore throats. I also have some reoccurring skin rashes and hives. But the biggest problem is my head pressure. I also have sinus/facial/temple pressure and pain. I feel like my head is in a vase. Brain fog and lessened memory too. I feel a constant tightness around my brain and fullness in my ears. The base of my head hurts as well as top and sides of my head. I have had 2 MRIs, a MRA, 4 cat scans of sinuses, spine, neck and sinuses again. I have had Balloon Siuplasty ruling out any sort of sinus issue. Been on rounds of antibiotics. Muscle relaxers, multiple pain meds, diuretics, rounds of steroids, antihistamines, beta blockers, sleeping meds, and multiple other headache medications. I have had a Lumbar Puncture which spinal fluid pressure was normal. Been to optometrist time and time again. Seen 3 neurologist, 1 Neurosurgeon, 4 ENTs, 4 Dentist. Had my wisdom teeth removed, all my amalgam filings replaced and all dental work is perfect. I have had every blood test and allergy test recommended. Everything appears normal. My MRI incidentally showed a small 10mm benign cyst on my pituitary gland. The neurosurgeon and neurologist said it was not causing any pressure or harm. It didn't grow in the year between my MRIs. Everything else looked as it should. I have had rounds of hearing test a long with multiple sessions of steroid shots in my ears, only to rule out any underlying ear problems which none were present. I have spent nearly $30k and I am a student. I have missed 1year and a half of college to work and figure this out.No medication, test, detox, sleeping schedule, physical therapy, acupuncture, or any other remedy has even slightly helped me feel better. My insides feel shaky and my head spins. I am determined to find out what had happened to me but in feel like I am the only one who is, the doctors are very dismissive. If anyone has figured out what is causing their symptoms please let me know I will try anything to narrow down my search. I am very sorry others are suffering like I am I feel your pain and frustration. Taking it day by day ad staying positive has got me this far. There is an answer, it only takes one person to take an interest, have and idea and figure it out. Please post if anyone has any thoughts l. I will post if I find anything new. Thanks again everyone hope you all are doing as good as you can be.
Posted 7/20/2014 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Thera,

I wanted to tell you that you are not alone. I share identical 24/7 head and face pressure and pain. I've been to several neuros, ophthalmologist, ENTs, pain specialists, GPs, rheumatolgists too. MRIs MRAs blood tests, LPs, diagnostics everything has been super clean except for a pretty messed up TMJ MRI. I'm going to go the ND dentist route the more I read about success stories with other people's TMJ head pain and problems.

I'm going on six months with 24/7 pressure and pain and constant worry. I know how you feel. I'm so sorry you feel that way. As hard as it is to hear, you have to remain positive. You've invested so much already you have to keep trying. Be thankful it isn't a brain tumor or an aneurysm or water on your brain. I know it's scary to think, "Is this going to be the rest of my life," but know how young you are and how many more years you have to live and that someday this is just going to be a really awful year or two of your past.

Not sure how things are going for you psychologically, but I did find a lot of help with the low-dose antidepressant like Effexor or Cymbalta. I actually decided to get off of it when I was feeling a little bit better and it was an absolute disaster. The last month has been living hell again and I finally made an appointment with my doctor and I will be starting it again. My physical symptoms haven't really changed at all and six months but the way I cope with them has been really significant thanks to a medicine so if you haven't already please think about this.

How did your symptoms start? Did they just come on out of the blue? Is there anything at all that makes you feel better even if it's just 5% better? Lastly if it was a life or death situation and you had to tell somebody what condition you had, what would you say what you thought you had? I know we aren't physicians but often times we are our best advocates and the best people trained and experienced to listen to our own bodies.

Best to you and know I'm here with you.
Thomas
Posted 7/20/2014 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Thera,

I wanted to tell you that you are not alone. I share identical 24/7 head and face pressure and pain. I've been to several neuros, ophthalmologist, ENTs, pain specialists, GPs, rheumatolgists too. MRIs MRAs blood tests, LPs, diagnostics everything has been super clean except for a pretty messed up TMJ MRI. I'm going to go the ND dentist route the more I read about success stories with other people's TMJ head pain and problems.

I'm going on six months with 24/7 pressure and pain and constant worry. I know how you feel. I'm so sorry you feel that way. As hard as it is to hear, you have to remain positive. You've invested so much already you have to keep trying. Be thankful it isn't a brain tumor or an aneurysm or water on your brain. I know it's scary to think, "Is this going to be the rest of my life," but know how young you are and how many more years you have to live and that someday this is just going to be a really awful year or two of your past.

Not sure how things are going for you psychologically, but I did find a lot of help with the low-dose antidepressant like Effexor or Cymbalta. I actually decided to get off of it when I was feeling a little bit better and it was an absolute disaster. The last month has been living hell again and I finally made an appointment with my doctor and I will be starting it again. My physical symptoms haven't really changed at all and six months but the way I cope with them has been really significant thanks to a medicine so if you haven't already please think about this.

How did your symptoms start? Did they just come on out of the blue? Is there anything at all that makes you feel better even if it's just 5% better? Lastly if it was a life or death situation and you had to tell somebody what condition you had, what would you say what you thought you had? I know we aren't physicians but often times we are our best advocates and the best people trained and experienced to listen to our own bodies.

Best to you and know I'm here with you.
Thomas
Posted 7/21/2014 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Thomas,

Thanks for the reply. I am very sorry to hear that you are having these problems as well. I also have read up on TMJ and it's honestly one of the only things I have not yet explored. I will make an appointment this week with a specialist and post what they say. Also let us know what the tell you.

My symptoms started late October 2012. I don't remember the exact point, and I don't remember a trigger or a particular incident that started them. It started with a hungover feeling when waking, not induced by anything and never went away. My head felt tight and foggy, and had a strange lingering sensation I had never experienced before. The best I can describe it as is pressure. I also get random pains in my head: in my temples, top of head and base. I feel like it starts in the base where it is strongest and wraps around my whole head. I feel dizzy and get lightheaded. I have never had so many head rushes with no apparent cause. The pains are not constant. They come and go. It's the pressure that is constant. Since this started I have not had one day of relief.

I ask myself every day "am I going to be like this forever?". I can only stay positive and know that it is something, there is an answer. A cure. It's just finding that one obscure thing, sign, or doctor that sees something. I wasn't always like this and I am not always going to be. I feel as if I could just pop my ears or crack my neck or clear my sinuses (I have tried all of these things with specialist.) that all of this would clear up.

My psychological state before all of this was healthy, happy, and stable. Now I am not so sure. My energy and mood is definitely down. I am irritable and have a sense of hopelessness sometimes. My sleep is hugely affected by all of this. I feel as if my head floats while I am trying to fall asleep. I feel I am in a lingering half awake state. Ambien has helped immensely but I am not a fan of the drowsiness during the day and I don't want to be dependent on any medication. I would not say I am depressed as much as frustrated. I work in a high energy and very social environment. I am not lacking in support from friends or family. However, no matter how well things are going career, relationship, family, friends wise I have this "thing" that is holding me back, separating me, making me feel alone. I can express, explain, talk it to death but in the end I am the only one who knows how I feel.

Your question is very interesting and I have tried to answer it many times. I haven't told a lot of my friends and family because I don't have all the words to verbalize what is wrong with me. I just don't know. No one does. I have joked that by the time anyone is able to find anything wrong with me and the $$ I have spent on this, I might as well of put myself through medical school and diagnose myself. If I could make my best uneducated guess, I would say anywhere from some sort of infection, to deferred nerve pain. I thought for the longest time it was a sinus infection and have been proved wrong time and time again.

What are your symptoms besides the pressure? I have others that are not as prevalent, just wondering if maybe we have more in common. When did yours start? Out of the blue as well? Is there anything that makes you feel better, besides the anti depressants or makes you feel worse? How is your sleep and how do you feel when waking up? I also wonder how the doctors have treated you and how you explain things to them. Thank you for your support, and I am here to listen too. Also thank you for your antidepressant recommendation. I am not opposed to trying one and have thought about it for some time. At this rate I am willing to and have tried anything that might help the slightest bit.

I am saddened reading all of these health boards, it seems many people are suffering from these and many other undiagnosed symptoms. I just hope that we can all find what is ailing us and wish everyone a speedy road to recovery.
Posted 7/21/2014 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thera,

To be honest my symptoms are dead on to yours. It is a constant 24/7 head and face pressure, that is harder to put into words than imaginable. We both know what normal feels like--and it is not normal. It is always there, affecting everything. It takes away the simplest joys and makes the most minor annoyances major. I too have headaches and associated migraines from time to time, but I would gladly take these if I could get rid of the head pressure, eye pressure, and dizziness. I'm a former 3 sport athlete who was once extremely active, and that has been reduced to practically nothing.

No one know hows we feel. It is that simple. As much as we'd love for them to, it just can't be so. I work(ed, haven't been able to do anything in all this time) as a professional actor and before my condition set in was living the life in New York City as happy as ever and boom, one weekend came about and I haven't breathed a normal breath of air in 6 months. I thought I was having a sinus infection. My symptoms started in the back of my head, a funny nerve type feeling. After a sinus infection didn't pan out I thought pinched nerve or worse, but nothing ever came about. The head pressure slowly started a couple months later severely. I had an appointment with my Neurologist today and he assured me there are others with our symptoms out there. He said most certainly cluster migraines can take form as head pressure, that the trigeminal nerve can be affected and show sinus type symptoms which don't exist. It seems like all the appointments, specialists, tests we have done and we've gotten no where, but we can't think that way. We have to keep at it. I know what you mean about sneezing, popping your ears, or cracking your neck and magically everything is back to normal. I wake up every morning praying I have achieved this in my sleep. Anyways like I said, my MRI of my tmj has shown pretty significant damage (thinning and displacement)and I'm going to invest in trying to correct this.

At this point, I believe I've narrowed it down to:
1. TMJ( I've tried Physical Therapy as well Trigger Point injections for TMJ, but never a major corrective postural change)
2. Cluster Migraine/Rare Undiagnosed Neuropathic Pain: Topamax, Depakote, Muscle Relaxers, Prednisone haven't worked yet. What other medicines have you tried? Are you on anything currently?
3. PseudoTumor: Lumbar Puncture pressure was normal as well as eye exam so this is very unlikely(did you get checked for this as you are female?)

Ruled Out:
1. Sinus Disorder
2. Brain Disorder/Tumor/etc
3. Auto Immune. Multiple blood tests normal(have you been cleared of auto immune disorders?)

Some of my other symptoms include:
1. Cold Hands and Feet
2. Eyes: prominent black bags, pressure, redness, itchiness
3. Stuffiness
4. Ear pressure
5. Acid Reflux
6. Throat tightness
7. Dizziness
8. General out of it feeling
9. Sensitive skin
10. Weight loss(muscle loss but all blood tests point to being cleared of atrophy or dystrophy)
11. Jaw clicking/popping/soreness

Lastly in terms of taking an AD, I never thought I was depressed, just frustrated too. But I certainly reached my breaking point with this condition. I think back 2 months ago how I was and how I am now, and the management of my condition was night and day. I have to wait till the end of the month to get back on Cymbalta as my doctor wants me to finish titrating up on my Topamax before i restart it. Cymbalta has both AD qualities as well as head pain neuropathic qualities so it might be worth checking out.

Where do you currently stand with your treatment? Do you find being distracted the best medicine for your right now? Unfortunately I have totally been consumed by all of this and have had little energy for anything else. What is your best strategy to continue you on? It is really something you have been dealing with this for 2 years, please know I know what that means. How is your family and friends' support? Mine is good, but what is your normal communication and involvement in relation to it?

Best,
Thomas
Posted 7/23/2014 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thomas,

Ruled out:

1. Sinuses/infections- I had balloon Sinuplasty last month. My 3 CT scans over last 2 years have all showed I have clear sinuses. I went through with the procedures and medications just in case we missed something. Dymista Nasal spray.
Azithromycin 250Mg Tablets 6-Pak Antibiotic. Patanase Nasal spray. Avelox 400Mg Antibiotic. Azithromycin 250Mg 2nd try Antibiotic. Amox-Clav 875Mg another Antibiotic. Fluticsone Nasal spray.

2. Headaches: Rizatriptan 10Mg Tablets Headaches, Meloxicam 15Mg Anti-inflamitory. Topiramate 25Mg Seizure and Headache medication. Rizatriptan 10Mg Cluster and Migraine Headaches.

3. Allergies: Prednisone 10mg. I have had prick test done. No significant allergies, except for dust mites which I am on shots for.

4. Muscle/Joint: Carisoprodol 350Mg Muscle Relaxer, Chiropractor, Physical Therapy, Massage Therapist, Acupuncture.

5. Ear problems: Acetazolamide 125Mg Diuretic. Prednisone 20mg. I underwent Steroid injections in my ear drums as well. Painful and offered no relief to ear pressure/aches. MRI of inner ear, came back normal.

6. Pseudo Tumor: I had Lumbar Puncture as well as eye exam too. All pressure was normal.

7. Autoimmune: All blood work came back normal. I have had re testing done on all blood work too.

8. Dental: I had my wisdom teeth removed, all amalgam fillings removed, and current on all dental work. I still need to get a TMJ scan done.

9. Eyes: Eye exam to check pressure, looked good. I got a light eyewear prescription.

What I've found:

1. Small benign cyst on pituitary gland. Doctors say it's an incidental finding.

2. A year ago when I had thyroid blood work done my levels were normal. Now levels are off. I have developed thyroiditis. Don't however think it's causing my head symptoms. On thyroid medication currently.

Current Treatment:

1. I am on a system cleanse. I stay away from food allergens and an off any mood altering substances. I am detoxing for heavy metals since I recently had my amalgam fillings removed (long shot I know).

2. I exercise as much as possible. I used to run 7-10mi 5x/wk. I am now lucky to do >2mi 3x/wk.

3. Staying pre occupied. Work and sleep are my best escapes.

I have hit a wall. I don't know where to turn now. 2 years of this is approaching and I feel like I haven't made any progress. The only progress I've made has been ruling things out. Everything I try takes time and money. I try one thing and that's one months time, and one months earnings. I think I will get a TMJ evaluation next and I also want to do nerve testing (EMG) on my neck and arms.

Will keep posted what I find. Please do the same.

Thera
Posted 8/29/2014 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Ashbee09,

Cervical problems have definitely crossed my mind too. Personally I have had scans and MRI of my spine. Everything looks ok to the doctors. I have still went ahead and tried physical therapy, chiropractors, and acupuncture. I feel if it is still a unseen spine issue or muscular issue I have a lot of work to do still. I am going to keep up with chiropractor appointments and physical therapy exercises. I'm sorry to hear your dealing with this too. I'm currently exploring every possible cause. Will post if I come across anything. Hope you can get imaging done. Best wishes.
Posted 2/19/2015 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello thera

Im hoping you are feeling better right about now. Im dealing with something similar to what you are going threw. These non stop headaches are driving me crazy and doctors just cant figure out was wrong with me. I was wondering if you have found anything that has help you with your headaches.
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