pressure in the head

[nannettesea]

Hiya everybody, Nan here.

I don't know how long  it's been going on, but I have worsening pressure in my head.  Like my brain is packed tight inside my skull.  As most of you know, have disabling dizziness 10 1/2 mths post-op.

I feel like the tightness must be related to the dizziness.  May have gotten worse since I stopped the 2nd migraine trial.

Does anybody else feel this, and have specific symptoms related to it?

I've been doing some cranial sacral work, temporary relief, but I'm always lifting my eyebrows and starting to massage my head because of the tight feeling.

Thanks, all.

[Static]

Don't know if this will help you but if/when I get that feeling, I use an ice pack on my head and it actually helps!  It also cools you down a bit and in all the heat we've been having, that's a good thing

[matti]

Just wondering if some of the therapys you are doing might be helping some areas, but aggravating or inflamming other areas 

When I had done some physical therapy a few years back for neck issues related to my AN, half way through I developed a tight pressure type feeling in my head/scalp. Sometimes felt like I had a weight sitting on my head. I would find some relief through massaging my neck and scalp. It eventually went away.

Maybe you should run it by your doc and see what he thinks.

Sending hugs!
Cheryl

[nannettesea]

Thanks Static and Cheryl.

Could be possible some of the stuff I'm doing is moving things around.

I have that weight sitting in my head all the time....

Hugs back,
Nan

[Larry]

Hey Nan,

Sorry to hear about the tightness. Geesh, we all get so many different problems its scary sometimes. Anyway, i was going to suggest to have another MRI or cat scan to make sure that nothing untowards is going on in your head.

I gather the sensation is not like a migraine but like someone has put your head in a vice and is squeezing away. Pay to put some technology onto it - for no other reason than as a process of elimination

cheers

Laz

[lee]

i described my head pressure yesterday - sounds similiar but the pressure isn't yet to the degree it sounds as yours. i'm sorry you are having it too along w/ the dizziness. i have that big time. another mri sounds in order and applying outside pressure to the lower back part of myhead sometimes gives me momentary relief. hang in there! let us know what you decide to do.

ps question for static - i read u got treated @ jeff. i live outside philly too and am @ penn. how have u liked your docs?

[BevM]

I have pressure as well and sometimes a sharp pain that runs from my neck up to the top of my head.  I know you're not supposed to do this but a friend gave me a low does Klonopin 1 mg and twice now I have used that at night when the pain is more extreme and it seems to help.  A nurse friend told me this is because that med works on nerve pain.  I am also doing body work with a woman who does a lot of stretching and that seems to help temporarily.  I have not yet seen the specialist so have't been able to ask why the Klonopin seems to work.  I know we shouldn't self=prescribe meds but I was just thankful it worked even temporarily.  Threaiputic body work might be something to try too!!

Bev

[nannettesea]

Thanks for your thoughts, Laz, Lee and Bev.

Laz, I had a cat scan recently to check the "good" ear for something called superior canal dehiscence--another possibilty for dizziness.  It was negative.  I was thinking of another MRI, will ask my doc when I see him soon.

Lee, I already had the surgery almost a year ago, which only made my dizziness worse, and all the docs are mystified except one who said I also had Mal de Debarquement in addition to AN, which is why I'm still dizzy....

Bev, I'm already on Klonopin, so don't worry!  I take .5 mg twice/day, it eases my dizziness on most days.  I'm doing various alternative therapies, trying to find something that helps.  Cranial sacral seems most promising so far.

Nan

[Boppie]

Has anybody checked out neck/shoulder misalignment?  Chiropractors are good at finding this.

[nannettesea]

Boppie,
Funny you should mention this.  I just saw a chiro today who specializes in upper cervical work.  Supposedly works wonders.  Of course, eVERYONE I see says that....I may give it a try.

Thanks,
Nan

P.S.  If it works, I will recommend it for people with facial problems.  This guy wrote a book about a condition relating to the trigeminal nerve.  Terribly painful, called the suicide disease because there is no cure and people take that way out....geez.  But upper cervical.  The East Indians call the upper two vertebrae the "mouth to God."  Interesting.  Will keep you posted.