← Return to Head feels like it will explode daily. Severe cognitive difficulties

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@nathansmith7143

This MRI was of my head only. As far as I remember, the report came back clear for the MRI, but I can double check.

I have worked with 2 different neurologists. The first neurologist insisted on me having an EEG for seizures despite me never having a seizure. The second neurologist prescribed me gabapentin and baclofen because he thought I was just dealing with a chronic tension headache. The drugs he prescribed did not help whatsoever. I haven't had my carotid arteries checked, but where would I get that checked? I may have had Covid when I was in the 8th grade, but my symptoms began to occur when I was a Junior in high school. I had one Covid shot last year (during the second half of the year) just in case this was somehow Covid related, but I felt no different over time after the shot.

I have had plenty of blood work, but a lot of that work was done with a functional medicine doctor who was insistent that I had a mold infection (despite the treatment plan not working). I will have to check in with my family on the blood work side of things.

No alcohol or drugs. My recent diet consists of whole grain berry cereal for breakfast, protein and fruit (mainly chicken and apples) for lunch, and whatever my mother makes for dinner (always homemade. For example, one dish is chicken tortilla soup). I am not one for sweets or junky food. I will say that my diet hasn't consistently been as I described throughout the time I've been suffering, but I haven't noticed any symptomatic reactions to certain foods. I generally do drink enough water per day, although recently my stomach doesn't tolerate too much food or liquid. The most I can do for exercise is walk right now and even then it is hard to push through the symptoms, but I still try despite how unenjoyable the symptoms make the experience.

I will say that one antidepressant (Cymbalta) made me temporarily feel more motivated despite my symptoms still always being present. However, after increasing the dosage, my anxiety and headaches increased in intensity, and I had to wean off the drug. I also tried TMS therapy for depression. 30 sessions of it led me to no change.

I am lucky to have family support to help me advocate whenever I am struggling to advocate for myself. I wouldn't be this far without my family support.

Jump to this post


Replies to "This MRI was of my head only. As far as I remember, the report came back..."

@nathansmith7143
You could check with a cardiologist or vascular specialist to ask about your carotid artery health/blood flow. You may benefit from a cardiovascular exam due to your symptoms and having Covid/covid shot.

You may want to consider an EEG. It would just check your electrical activity in your brain to see if something shows that could be behind son of your symptoms. Definitely check the brain mri report in detail for impressions of any brain matter and vascular changes.

Some of your symptoms can me tied to your cervical spine. Have you ever had an injury in sports or fallen? You should see if your neurologist would consider sending you for a cervical spine MRI and referral you to an orthopedic specialist if anything shows up. Any compression of spinal cord, nerve roots and nerves can affect blood flow to brain and spinal cord.

I wonder if it’s heart related and not getting enough oxygen. Have you had any tests for your heart or scans. A heart blockage or irregular heart beat, and other heart issues could cause head pressure, and having trouble exercising, breathless etc. High blood pressure might also be something to consider. Do you have a heart monitor you wear on your wrist to keep track of heart beats, blood pressure, and other things. Allergies would be another consideration. I have PVC’s ( premature ventricular contractions) so had some heart tests. Dr. Said he did not see anything after a stress test. He walked out of the room and my PVCs started again. I am very sorry. Many times you have to figure it out yourself unfortunately. Keep a daily journal of times of everything you do, when and what you eat, when you exercise and symptoms you are having…everything about your day and time head pressure headaches start and when it ends. Keep the journal and maybe you can figure this out. Also record your wrist heart monitor readings several times daily especially when you are having problems.