numbness and tingling in top and back of head

Hi and welcome!

First of all, congratulations on the birth of you son! I certainly hope that you can get the answers to the quesions that you have so that you can fully enjoy this wonderful time with him!

As far as the topic question that you asked...anxiety can indeed cause this symptom. I have seen it posted about here, as well as other anxiety literature sources, so at least you know that anxiety is a possible cause.

It could also be a side effect of your medication...your pharmacist would actually be a great person to talk to about this, as they are really knowledgable about these things.

It could also certainly be related to your headaches/tension and TMJ...so if you think about it, it's no suprise that you are experiencing this...and I wouldn't worry that it is from another more serious source.

Which makes me wonder why your doctor is testing for MS...is this just to rule it out for peace of mind, or are you showing other signs for it?

I hope that your test turns out well for you, and you can then start to focus of working on the anxiety.

I know that it is difficult to find time with a new baby, but I would ask for a therpay referral from your doctor next time you go in. I had to make the commitment when my daughter was young...and even a couple of hours a week seemed impossible to 'give up' to therapy...but it was so worth it, both for me and for my family!

In the meantime, check out our Anxiety/Panic Resources (main page, 1st post) You will find lots of self-help ideas that you can get started on right away there.:)

Keep talking with us as well...we are here to listen and support anytime.:)

Scaredy Cat

I get tingling in my head, more recently, I have noticed when I have showers my nerves seem to be in tune, like my nerves or something are being repaired and I am getting a lot more good sensations in my neck,

Nothing beats a nice hot shower to relax the muscles, only had 1 mild attack lately but I have been off the alcohol lately, limiting sugar intake and trying to eat well , hey I will do anything to get me well again,

Some times a get a dull pain in my chest like a burning pain that last a sec

2 very important rules to follow

1. Relax
2. Relax

How easy is that ;) finding time to relax and just shrug things off , I am trying not to stress about everything , one day at a time for me at the moment.

Hi ali l Congratulations on your new baby boy. Which doctor said you have prenatal depression? It could very well be that, however I am so happy you are having the CT scan. Is this baby your first? I know for a fact that carrying or even sitting down and holding for an extended time can cause neck and arm problems. I had that very problem 36 years ago. I had a good chiropractor who helped my neck and upper back. I was using a carrier when I shopped. I switched to a stroller. That was a big help. At home I used a sling that held my baby close to my body in front. Stress places a huge amount of pain on us, good stress or bad, stress is stress. Good luck to you. I will be watching for news on your Scan. untll later....Cat

Thanks guys, it really is reassuring to know there are other people out there with the same issues. I have had a good day today and the numbness hasn't given me much bother. My Mum has come to stay for a while to help out and be there for me whilst my husband is at work, that alone has helped so much

Thanks for sharing your pain, my cousin too was facing the similar problem n took help from your question.., she is fine now.

Just wanted to comment on your initial concern as well Ali. That was the very first anxiety symptom that I had as well, I too let it drive me crazy into thinking about all of the possibilities that it could be from. I thought it was a sickness, then I thought it was an extreme anxiety disorder, my mind wouldn't shut off. I guess it's because I've always had health anxiety in the past and once I actually started experiencing anxiety symptoms, it through me into a huge anxiety panic attack.

Anyways, just know that the weird sensations on the top and back of your head are completely normal for anxiety. I used to get them A LOT when I first started dealing with my anxiety issues. I used to feel like my head wasn't even there because the feeling was so strange, for me it was more lightheaded and tingling and it went from the top of my head all the way down to my neck. I would take the advice of others that have already reached out to help you out and the key is just try and relax as best as possible. It definitely has to be tough with a newborn but whenever you can, just try and take some time out and do things you enjoy and that also are relaxing.

For example I would try and go and work out when I was first dealing with my anxiety symptoms when they were really bad. Even though exercise is amazing, it didn't help me when I was worrying and very tense. It actually kind of made it a little worse for me atleast right afterwards anyway. I'm sure the long term benefits are still positive but it would just make me more tense and sore and that was complicating things lol. Not sure what you're interests are but I started getting into reading, mostly biographies of some sports players or people that I liked. Hopefully a relaxing hobby is just what the doctor ordered and will help eliminate the headaches. For me the headaches lasted awhile though, best advice I can give you if they continue to linger is to just try and ignore it as much as possible. The more you dwell on it, worse it was, for me anyways.

Best of luck

Thanks so much for your reply. I get lightheaded sometimes too, especially when in a certain situation. I am in ikea today and there are a lot of people around so I feel a bit panicky!! Sometimes I don't like being in a crowd. I am really really trying to be more relaxed, it will just take some time. Thanks for your reassurance tho, it certainly helps :)

Hi!

For the past month now I have been suffering from all the symptoms of Anxiety followed by panic attacks. I tend to get panic attacks because I get scared of what I am feeling and sometimes just out of nowhere. I get a tingling sensation in my head that goes from the back to the front of my head at times, and even just my lower left side of my head, even pulling at my mouth feeling like I am going to have a stroke!!I also feel like my ears are sometimes plugged, and I have an ear infection with pain.

I have had all kinds of blood tests, urine tests, and heart monitors but all the doctors tell me the results are fine. I have started taking True Hope which is an all natural supplement that helps anxiety, depression, and bi polar issues. It was working for the first week and all my heart palpitations are gone and I feel okay, but I still get these panic attacks that dont seem to be going away. Its taking over my life and work! My doctor now has prescribed me the anti-depressant Chlorizepam but I'm afraid to take it because of possible side effects and I dont want it to make me dopey.. What should I do?? My next step is to get a Cat scan...

Hi, I got a CT scan and it came back normal. I have had blood tests, chest x ray etc and everything is coming back normal. I had been feeling really great and feeling more positive and less stressful and anxious about things but last few days I've been feeling rubbish again. I have pain in my chest, some numbness on and off all over my head and achy arms. I also get a fuzzy head and sometimes feel I might pass out (which never happens) I have also been really feeling my irregular heartbeat for a good few weeks so they are putting me on a 24 hours monitor to see what is going on. I just want to be better for my son, it is very frustrating!

Hi all. New to this forum, but have posted in a few places. Ali, I'd just like to say how weird it was to read what you have recently been experiencing because I've had the same exact feelings in the last day or two. I thought I had a virus or something because I don't usually feel like that with my anxiety and stress. But, I am also perimenopausal (actually just turned 50, so pretty close to menopause itself) and I believe my hormones may be goofy right now. It could be hormonal issues causing some of your anxiety to be really bad as well. They do play a number on us women! Scaredy Cat is right about the coping mechanisms; breathing techniques and meditation are the best way to calm yourself. You just have to remember that a panic attack and anxiety attacks will not kill you! You just have to let them run their course and be done with it. Unfortunately the anxiety can lead to panic, which will lead to depression. Therefore, it is important to get it all under control to keep your state of mind healthy. Now that you have had all those tests done, you know that you are perfectly normal and that nothing physically is wrong. Concentrate now on your emotional and mental portion of your body. I hate anxiety and all the feelings it brings along with it. I swear when it hits again it feels like it never went away; and that could be after years of it being in check! I definitely understand where you are coming from and you are in my prayers! You will get through it...you are stronger than anxiety and if you just don't let it gain control of you, it will calm down.

i have to agree with renee about breathing techniques and meditation to help anxiety. a coping skill i have been using lately is to listen to guided meditations and guided imagery recordings on you tube. i have a few that i really like. i get my head phones and plug them into my smartphone...then i find one of the videos i like, lay down in bed to relax, and just close my eyes and follow along with the meditation/imagery (most of them tell you to sit, but i like to lay down). i usually use the videos that are 10-15 minutes long, but there are some that are shorter and longer. if you want to check it out, try searching "guided meditation" or "guided imagery" on you tube. they have really helped me calm my nerves, work on my mindfulness in the moment, and practice deep breathing!

Thank you for all your kind and reassuring words. I am just at a loss what to do now. I have had a racing heart for a few days now and I saw my doc on Tuesday and she has referred me for a 24 hours monitor. I can sometimes feel my heart beating loudly in my chest and I can feel the irregular beat quite often! Tonight I have felt really strange and I don't know if I should go back to the doctor and keep on at her about how I am feeling. I don't feel stressed or anxious like I have been before and that is making me think that these symptoms are not anxiety related but something else. I just don't know what to do anymore.