Pressure around my head, dizziness, imbalance?

Treatment and medication
1

Hello, 

I've had this for around 3 days now so I'm going to end up booking an appointment to the doctors to see what this could be. Basically 3 days ago I randomly came across dizzy with a sense of imbalance, I felt as if I was going to be sick but I wasn't. My head also felt as if the muscles were tightening, kind of like pressure. It hasn't been as bad as it was on the first day but it still hasn't completely gone even after the 3rd day. It's kind of sporadic, like it comes on a little worse at different points in the day. 

It gets to the point where I need to lay down, and I can't look at the computer screen without it getting worse. 

I do have a terrible sleeping pattern, I don't know whether this could anything to do with it. 

I also checked my blood pressure which read 133/77 so that seems fine.

I've never experienced anything like it before.

2

Hi Charlie,

What are you taking the cit for?  I am taking for anxity - at the 5.5 week mark.  Side effects in the beginning can be difficult - mine were dizziness, nausea, bad tummy, heightened anxiety, burning sensation, skipping heart beats.  All subsides in the first 2 to 3 weeks except for the upset stomach and nausea - which are just starting to settle now.  I feel much less anxious now and a hundred times better than I was when I started.  My sleep is pretty much fine now as well - in the beginning, I did not sleep for 3 days straight.  You just have to hang in there - the rewards are amazing.  It generally takes between 5 and 8 weeks for the cit to level in your system and for all side effects to disappear.  don't be disheartened - you will be back to your old time soon!!!!

Best,

Linda

3

Hi I think you feel like I do, my sleeping is awful, but find I need to lie down alot as i am very irritable. I have only been on my Citalopram for 8 days and from other peoples experiences its seems we need to stick with it for a while and things will start to get better. Some people seem to have similar side effects and others have different ones. Try to relax and drink plenty of fluids, I haven't been able to eat much at all. How long have you been on them and what dosage are you on? I am on 20mg per day. Hope this helps and you can always write on here for support. Elizabeth 

4

Hi Elizabeth,

Just thought I'd chime in here. I am into week 5 and the last couple of days, my stomach has settled alot - my anxiety has gone down and I am feeling much much better.  I could feel things improving over the past couple of weeks, but this week has been very positive.  I lost over 15 pounds in 6 weeks and have had no appetite at all - that has slowly been improving, but again, this past week it is way better.  So hang in there,  it WILL get better.

Best,

Linda

5

Hi Linda,

Thanks for your reply and advice, I will continue with meds and I am sure side effects will settle soon. My panic attacks were worse this morning but I am trying to distract myself as much as possible. 

Elizabeth 

6

Hi, Charlie, I'm on day 5 of 20 mg and I have only felt light side effects for the first day or two, I've read to give it a couple of weeks, but I have noticed a change in my relationships and my acceptance to others lack of patience or reasonability. I try to run with the mood it brings and let go of things that I didn't used to. It's still early but I can honestly say that i have never gotten along better with those I couldn't even stand being around before. hope this helps you. I just tell myself "Let the magic pill work" and I feel a little better everytime.

7

Hi I'm curious how your feeling now? I've had the head pressure also along with many other side effects. Been on 20mg for a week now.  Just wondering if you're doing a lot better by now?

8

same with me... could any one help?

 

9

I created this account just to help everybody with this symptom. Sorry for my bad english.

First, i'm not a doctor, and this post is just for information.

I had a pressure in back of my head for 3 weeks. It started suddenly, and none painkiller worked, but finally i'm free.

In 3 days after it started, i was going crazy with that pressure and headache, i was afraid of brain tumour.

I visited an neurologist, he did a clinical exam (checked my eyes to see my intracranial pressure), my reflexes, pressure and blood circulation, all normal.

I asked it for a RMI or a CT Scan, then he told that based on clinical exam, that was not necessary.

He did a brain mapping on me, and found that my occipital nerves were causing the pain and the pressure. On the generated figure, the back of my head was incredible dark red.

He prescribed me clomipramine and escitalopram. I questioned him about these antidepressants. He told me it was not depression, these drugs can act on headaches prevention and muscle relaxation.

I asked about brain tumor, and he laught. He told that a brain tumor never causes a headache as primary symptom, even it does, it's not for so long. Usually, brain tumours causes loss of vision or body parts movements.

I questioned about the name of my problem, he simply told that a muscle pressioned an occipital nerve, it even doesn't have a "problem name".

About 2 weeks taking these medications, i am 90% better, and didn't had any side effect.

Don't worry about brain tumor guys, and do a brain mapping before any RMI or CT scan (that maybe exposes you to high levels of radiation and the risk of taking constrast).

If there is a tumour on your head, a brain mapping will figure out that something is wrong, then you should do a CT or an RMI.

10

Hello Michael,

As I was reading your post I realized that I have a couple symptoms like you did. I've had this problem since January, my neurologist has ran blood work and done MRI's with contrast and all have came back normal or atleast no sign of tumor but I have head pressure everyday and it worsens when I first wake up from laying down. I don't wake up in the middle of the night or anything so I can say I sleep my 8 hours but it has completely changed my life style. This last week i decided to go on a stress leave because I couldn't take it anymore I feel overwhelmed and depressed that I am feeling this way. I feel unbalanced. Lightheaded and pressure in my head. My neurologist prescribed propanolol to prevent migraines but I felt that the dizziness has gotten worse since it drops my heart beat. I just feel confused all the time. I am just so desperate because I feel worse everyday . What is brain mapping?

11

Everything about your post is exactly the same as me, even the propanol and the reason why they prescribed it lol so weird, it hasn't helped me out much I'm also having rough time believing the anxiety def. I'm going to ask the dr to switch, when I talked to her before she said Prozac and benzo would be what they switch me too but I didn't want to that at that time, however now I think in might take the leap. This whole experience has strained my marriage and relationship with my kids and friends a lot and I gotta find a way to make it better so hopefully Changing will help a lot