Head pressure, Brain fog, odd head sensation, feeling detached

Brain and nerves
1

Hi all, 

I decided to become a member and make a post here after reading the forums for quite a while, great site by the way. 

I am currently suffering with various symptoms and am in a bad way and just don't know where to turn any more so thought I would post here and see if anyone has any similar experiences or advice. 

So first of I am male and 26 years old. I have been suffering with the symptoms in the title pretty consistently for about 2 and a half years now. I used to have some relief from the symptoms for a day or 2 here and there or maybe a bit of relief for a few hours in the day but recently the symptoms are pretty much constant and I cannot shake them. 

I have an overall mild pressure feeling in the head, its not painful but is just very aggravating and feels really strange. I also have extreme brain fog with this and like a fuzzy head, there is a constant cloud over my brain and I never have any mental clarity or a clear head. My cognitive function is extremely poor now, my short term memory is non existent, its scarily bad. I often feel, detached from reality when the symptoms are bad and suffer from de-realisation, although I think this may be down to some anxiety and depression I experience when the symptoms run me down. I also get random sharp cramping pains in the head, they are quite painful but do not bother me so much as they only usually last a second or 2, it varies on how many I get of these each day but its usually less than 5. It often feels as though my brain is malfunctioning somehow and my cognitive function and senses are all out of whack, its hard to explain. There can sometimes be a build up of these symptoms throughout the day and by the night I can feel like I somehow how the flu without a fever? Like I have the head pressure, completely foggy headed, I feel super unwell, weak, sometimes even start feeling cold. Also have night sweats usually for about 4 or 5 days each month, there doesnt seem to be any sort of pattern to them that I can notice, so not sure if they are relevant. Another thing I have is ringing in ears which is mild but seems to have gotten worse recently if that sounds relevant at all. The main thing that gets me is the odd head pressure/sensation and the utterly life hindering brain fog, my brain feels like it is coated in a dark blanket constantly.

I do suffer from anxiety, I know many of these symptoms can be caused or made worse by these symptoms. I dont doubt that anxiety is a contributing factor and the way I think about they symptoms probably makes them worse but I have come a long long way with my anxiety, I have good control over it, I haven't had a panic attack in a couple of years, I manage to control most of my concious anxiety and stay in a positive mindset. No doubt I still have some subconscious anxiety underlying and I am working on that but I am not convinced this is the route cause of my symptoms. I am in therapy for my anxiety. I do not feel I will ever fully recover while I have these symptoms hanging over me though. 

I have been to the doctor about these symptoms, although I do think I struggle to explain them or put them across very well in the doctors office. I have have blood tests which are all normal. I saw a neurologist couple of years back when this started, had a CT scan which was normal, they put the stabbing pains down to icepick headaches and thought the other symptoms were probably made worse by my anx/depression. Since then I went away and have been on anti depressants etc with no improvement of symptoms. I have also had a few ECGs and a 24hr ECG as I have slow heart rate and low bp so thought maybe the symptoms could be down to low bp and lack of blood to the brain, doctors do not think think this is the case and all my results came back normal. I have recently been back to the neurologist who is referring me for an MRI although he said he is sure there is nothing sinister and thinks the symptoms are probably tension type headaches and made worse by and previous drug use, he only put it down to the drug use when i told him about it though so it seemed like a convenient diagnosis. I forgot to mention I used to take drugs on the weekends socially, cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy on different occasions for a couple of years, I have had periods where I have felt ok since taking these drugs and do not really think they are the cause, I was not an addict this was just one or 2 nights a month at the weekends. So I have an MRI coming up but the neuro thinks it will be clear and obviously I hope it is and I am looking for other answers. 

What could be causing these symptoms? Other than anxiety which i no can be a factor, but I have periods where my anxiety is pretty much non existent but these symptoms still build up out of nowhere and persist. I was thinking maybe some sort of allergy could be a possibility, I have tried cutting out gluten and lactose, this didn't seem to make much difference although I didn't stick to this for very long. I actually did a juice fast for 2 weeks with eating nothing other than fruit and veg juice put through a juicer to see if that would help but it didn't really give me any relief. Are there any other stomach issues that could cause this? I never have diarrhoea or constipation, my stools always float recently though, to the point of not being able to flush them, also whenever I have seen chance medicine doctors they check me out and say they think i have issues with digestion, i don't feel i have these issues but do wonder if there might be something in it. 

Could there be something going on with the blood vessels in my head? Could it be a spine/posture issue? Some sort of epilepsy or electrical activity in my brain? I just have no idea now and am desperate for some relief. If anyone has any ideas or advice I would really appreciate it. 

Oh just to add I am reasonably fit, I try go to the gym a few times a week and I do some weight lifting. I am a normal weight. I have been losing some weight recently which is a concern but I am still in a normal weight range for height and age. 

Thanks for reading

2

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed explaination of what is going on with you. I don't feel so alone now.  Brief history on me;

I am a 38 y/o female.  I work in law enforecment. I have been healthy my whole life, no medical history to report other than kidneys stones every few years.  I do suffer from mild anxiety and depression from time to time, I lost my family the last several years. I take ativan 0.5 mg only when needed A week ago, I woke up with what I thought was flu-like symptoms.  Muscle-aches, sensitivity to light, joint pain, mild nausea, dull headache. After I got off wok, I drove home and went straight to bed hoping some rest would help. I woke up the next morning and my symptoms were 10'xs worse, in addition to bilateral temporal pain and my brain actually felt "hot". I started feeling foggy and my short term memory was failing.  I felt like I was in a fog and nothing made much sense.  I started medicating with tylenol and ibuprofen in hopes of allieving my pain.  Nothing helped.   I had meetings the next 3 days that I could not miss, so I forced myself to go and sit through them while in extreme pain and diiscomfort. The headache would not go away.  When I returned to work on Friday morning, my co-workers urged me to go to the emergency room. They said I did not look or act like my usual self. All the tests came back normal in the ER. CT scan, blood work, ekg. I left without a real diagnoses. 

I have no isues with migraines. Physically fit and a non smoker and drinker. This acute unexplained illness has really scared me.

1 Like
3

I think as you've tried anti depressants, had a scan , seen a neurologist with no answers of cause then maybe try something simpler. I suffered from sinusitis in my 20s, never had it before, it came on suddenly. I had some of your symptoms---headache, feeling of foggy brain, felt like my head was full of liquid cement. I can remember crouching down to puck up a tray of plants---couldn't stand up. I sed nasal drops and steam---lots and lots of steam. It lifted the symptoms. I found pollen, dust and any sort of tiny particles set it off. Even today ---40 years on--- I can't walk into a carpet shop, or even through a carpet dept in a store, without the symptoms starting again.

also worth a dental check up and if you can run to it a chiropractor to just check you over. 

You might want to look at EFT for anxiety. I don't know how it works but it does, and you can learn yo do it in 10 minutes so it's low/no cost.

good luck, I hope you improve soon.

4

Wonder if you had a virus? Been a really nasty one going around here. Friend of mine couldn't move for almost a week. She still sounds awful now. I had it but got over it in 3 days. It came on really quickly and I just collapsed into bed and emerged 2 days later. Be careful with ibuprofen---always take with food and don't take too frequently.

hope you feel better soon.

5

Thanks Hollyberry and daisyrose.

I am looking at other things now like possible food allergies or stomach issues that are leading to my head symptoms. I have read up on Candida which sounds like a possibilty. My doctors will not do any tests on these types of things though as I do not really have any bowel issues like loose stool or constipation, so the doctor wont refer me and I dont have the money to go private. I have also lost 2 stone over the past few months which is also worrying. My bloods are normal so I dont know what to do. Im sure there are other blood tests that could be done to check for certain things but the doctors will not do these.

I am thinking about possible doing some sort of cleanse and changing my diet, ruducing sugar etc to try and see if it makes me feel and better and improves the candida (if i have it). I eat a reasonably healthy diet anyway and dont exactly want to be cutting out a load more stuff when I have already just lost a load of weight.

6

Hi, Just wanted to say I can walk into a building and sometimes my head feels really bad, odd, foggy, I can't wait to leave when I get that. I have found out its from EMF's. Just check your surroundings with a meter. High EMF's make you feel all the symptoms you are describing.

7

I was feeling pressure feeling in head not not so severe not headache fatigue muscle pain and now diagnosed with low B12 (247) and High TSH 9.47. I am scared that there is something wrong in my head. Can't focus anything as my endocrinologist gave me medicines and told me don't worry. Still i am worried about headache/pressure, anxiety depression. please help. Will I have to visit neurologist.

8

i have these same symptoms they really drain me and strike at night .sometimes i get brain shutdowns before sleep, they really bring fear to quick realization. ive nearly died almost and got murderd and still the sleep shutdowns are the worst thing.sometimes when i get the waves i get an odd tungue tied sensation like i know im going to saysomething wrong i have  very vivid dreams after these moments and ive found that alchol increasies these symptoms for me 100 fold in the folowing days after .. its pesky. im 21 years old strong as an ox i keep the mind set that nothing can stop me but this feeling is ambitiosly besetting and heart stopping. ive also had an icy cold like sensation down my spine when the symptoms are at there worst .ive cheched around and speculated some as to what could cause them i havnt drank in weeks eating healthy seems to help i doubt its cancer allthough the weakness and over all sickness makes me feel as such. sinuss suck my father has sever sinus problems and anxiety.my sister has devasting painic attacks and migrains that numb her face and tungue. my mother is a nut . i often have stomach problems and milk destroys me hahahaha. it could be stres related stomach ulcers causing dilusions or hightend senses prettaing to a simpler problems,. such as bad dreams, people around you or sinus problems. ive found that the mind and body will full on go to war with its self when one consistantly dwells and seperates the two. ive been trying to keep a journal to check back on my thoughts to try and find if i have a very bad case of anxiety ...very possible..  I am in great need of learning what this crazed phantom pain is and what its relationships are.  hopefully someone here can bring forth the nessesary insight to resolve this dilema .              P.S. sorry for my poor spelling and grammer never really been good with that and thought it not as important as other things smile

 

9

Have you been tested for Lyme disease? 

10

Please get tested for lymes. I've been suffering for 2 1/2 years now. I found out that I had lymes in August. I have so many weird symptoms but the one that sticks around and seems to be constant is the weird feeling in my head and the brain fog. My memory has also been terrible. I'll just list all of my symptoms here.

-Brain Fog

-Name and word retrieval difficulty

-numbness on Lower back left side of head

-Numbness and tingling

-Shooting pains

-Difficulty following normal speed conversations

-chest pain

-Dizziness

-Light sensitivity

-Hyperacusis

-Weakness

-Tinnitus

-Fatigue fatigue fatigue*

-Mood swings

-Irritability

-eye flashers

11

Hi all I want to tell you of symptoms I had up to 4 yrs ago..brain fog where I would forget to do normal chores, very minor sort of sore throat but not much, very slight temperature, lots of mucus, very anxious and depressed, and emotional.... These symptoms I had for about  50 yrs... So 4 years ago I stopped milk, cheese and yogurt..... I still have milk in tea but have substituted milk in cereal with almond milk.. Soy milk eventually  gave me the same symptoms as milk....The first think I noticed was that the throat symptoms went also the negative emotions, the mucus, the thick head also...so now for the past 4 yrs I feel a weight lifted, I'm very confident and life is good. I am 71....If I have dairy my joints ache and the mucus starts again.....So do a test run and give the milk cheese yogurt a miss and see how you go .

hope this helps

12

Hi,

Wow, I have been experiencing exactly the same symptoms and have been through all the same tests, from multiple blood tests, STI tests, head and neck MRI, stress ECG, normal ECG... all which came back normal.

I have been suffering with this for the last 14 months and it started off extremely bad with me not being able to remember small tasks, but getting better over time. In my case, I had high cholesterol and took Atorvostatin which I think started this all and caused the damage, but every doctor I have spoken too says this cannot be the case. It's hard as there is nothing physically wrong apart from tiredness, but it is mostly mental confusion, dizziness, brain fog, and a constant feeling of being trapped in ones own head. Eventually the GP has given me a self referral slip to a mental health clinic which I am very hesitant to do, as i know that it shouldn't be the case that I have a mental issue, but these are symptoms of a physical condition IMO.

Thank you for the brilliant description and I hope you find out what it is. If you do, please post as this is exactly how I feel and think it may be the same thing.

13

So what are they doing for the lyme's disease, and has it helped?

14

Hey I know this is an older post, and I hope you still check this website, but i've recently had most of these symptoms as well.

Brainfog, pressure inside head, terrible memory, cognitive disfuntion, anxiety... Check out Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). I know, kind of cool syndrome name haha. It basically means that you don't get enough blood to your brain. I haven't been diagnosed yet, but all of my symptoms match this disorder.

It helps to drink more fluids, increase salt intake, and wear compression socks. Whatever you can do to increase your blood pressure (mine can get as low as 97/60). The compression socks are kind of weird, but they help so much! It's worth looking into. There are many other things you can do, but it's worth it to start out with that stuff (especially compression socks). Even if you don't find immediate relief, see a doctor and talk to them specficially about this syndrome. There are medications that can increase blood volume or help your body retain fluids. I hope you have found some relief since you posted this.

15

I went down the same road as you. No answers, scans, test, etc. It was extremely frustrating not to have answers. BUT I finally got an answer. Get a thyroid peroxidase ab blood test done. It's a different test than the standard thyroid test general MDs give. If you have a high number (mine was 400), you likely have something called Hashimotos Disease. 

In a nutshell, your brain fog, fatigue, almost feeling like you're on the brink of the flu, sometimes cold feeling, out of it, lack of motivation, and not feeling like yourself, flare-ups, irritability is all being caused by your body attacking your thyroid. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease and certain foods you eat are likely making your symptoms worse because your body reacts to certain protiens (google Hashimotos cross-reactors) with an autoimmune response. 

For me, it seemed to be gluten, coffee, and possibly dairy.

I wish someone had told me about this 2 years ago. I joined this forum just so I could hopefully point you all in the right direction. Trust me I know how you feel and how annoying it is to have no answers.

16

Hi everyone! i hope this discussion is still alive. Im from philippines and ive been suffering braain fog 6 days from now. i only suggest, try organic coffee for the mean time, in here (philippines) we have organic coffee called "kapeng barako". I dring 4 cups a day when im working on office, and evening i excercise with atleast 1 hour and eat many veggies for the pre-meal. i can say that it helps because im getting fine now more often. hope this helps for all of us. and dont forget to always pray to him for strong life. thanks guys!!

17

I am having ALL the EXACT same symptoms! Had several catscans. Waiting on my MRI. Dr just kept chalking it up to migraines and after pills and pills and pills and shots in the head...FINALLY said ok lets mri. I'm p*ssed because It's getting worse and worse.

What did your MRI results show? I can't live like this any more! And I can't seem to find the words to explain to my dr whats happening with my stupid head! It's like a high feeling without being high. Every now and then black out spots in my vision. But mostly just this stupid feeling in my head! And I have no idea how to explain it!

So im curious if you got your mri done and what did they say?? Maybe I can have my dr look for whatever your results were!

Please respond.

18

lots of useful information on this forum. Quick question. Six years ago I fell and hit my head. Got a concussion and two days later had a seizure while behind the wheel. Lost consciousness and wrecked. Lost my dl for six months according to state law. Never had seizures before. Never had any after. This summer I felt lightheaded a couple of times. Went to the doctor and she sent me to a neurologist who diagnosed me with generalized seizures after a 12 hr eeg determined inconclusive wave activities in my brain. I don't feel the so called seizures and I ve been on meds since November , meds with horrible side effects. A pharmacist suggested me to get tested for vertigo as my symptoms (with I have stupidly failed to tell my doctor) include head pressure, brain fog, feeling underwater (especially after working out). I always have very low blood pressure and my pulse is low (I m always told it's because I m a runner, but since I ve been on these medications I no longer run at 9mph....5mph is now a struggle). I m reading from the comments above that low blood flow to the brain can cause all the symptoms the initial post described?

19

Heidi I was in the same boat in November and my neurologist ordered an EEG which showed partial temporal lobe seizures. The meds have not resolved my problems though.

20

I've been having the same exact symptoms. I'm currently using a one month heart monitor so far they haven't found anything . I do suffer from anxiety too. the docs told me the symptoms are all from anxiety and stress. but I've been feeling these symptoms for a month now, could they really last this long ?