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Head feels like it will explode daily. Severe cognitive difficulties
I have been dealing with constant head pressure in the back of my head for over a year. It has gradually gotten worse over time, and with this negative development came decreased cognitive function as well. I am not as sharp as I used to be, and my memory is extremely poor. I also cannot seem to feel joy anymore no matter how positive my mindset is. Bear in mind that I am only an 18-year-old male, so I am still young. I often find myself zoning out in my own thoughts as the pressure and pain gets worse. I am hardly present in the current moment; therefore, I really struggle to be mindful and live in the present at all times. As I type this, I find myself struggling to sharply think of how to compose this message. Anyway, the symptoms don't stop with my head. I also feel like I'm out of breath when I talk, and I have on-and-off debilitating anxiety that really gets me down in the dumps. Also, my limbs will just feel restless and achy randomly without any clear explanation. I have seen many doctors and found no relief. Pain killers and supplements are futile. I have only had an MRI laying down, but no chiari malformation was spotted, nor were there any other abnormalities. This chronic pain I deal with in my head makes me deal with a huge mental challenge from day to day. I have gone through the psychiatric route and have found no relief either, despite numerous therapy sessions and numerous (5-6) antidepressant medications. Currently, I struggle mentally from day to day and dread each day. I go to bed as early as I can (8:00 PM) to escape the chronic symptoms. All in all, these symptoms make me feel like I am going insane. I am so desperate for my life back and I know living life is worth so much... that is why I am still here typing this message. However, I cannot live like this forever... this is UNBEARABLE and I need help. Any thoughts?
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I had the spinal tap to check for hydrocephalus. I had this spinal tap after symptoms occurred (probably some time around September). I'm guessing the next step is an MRI of the spine to check for potential leaks.
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1 Reaction@nathansmith7143
Here is some interesting information about anxiety and head pressure.
1. https://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-disorders/symptoms/head-pressure/
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/anxiety-and-memory-loss
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2 Reactions@nathansmith7143
My son takes medication for adhd that causes some side effects (gets tired and he has Reynauds which causes his blood vessels to spasm and his skin gets reddish/purple mottled). He is tall for his age (15 and over 6’ tall and still growing) and due to his heart defect (bicuspid aortic valve), he needs to be careful to slowly stand up from seated position. If he stands up fast, he gets lightheaded and dizzy. His heart doctor has told him to drink more water with electrolytes in it (50% of body weight in ounces at a minimum) which helps regulate blood pressure/volume. The doctor also suggested he reduce screen time and video games as it can worsen his anxiety and heart palpitations/pounding hard and fast.
My son needs to sleep well and takes magnesium (has also used the Calm magnesium drink). He also takes melatonin, if needed. He takes a multivitamin since his diet is limited.
I have a counselor meet with him biweekly to work on breathing techniques to help calm him down. He has some panic attack episodes at home and at school. He starts to panic when he feels his heart pounding and is afraid he is going to have a heart attack/die. This stress and anxiety has caused him to struggle more with obsessive compulsive tendencies about his heart. The more he thinks about his heart and it starts to pound harder and faster, his anxiety spikes which makes his heart beat faster and then he panics. The breathing techniques are intended to help him refocus himself on something else and the breathing helps calm down his nervous system.
When he starts to get visual changes in his eyes, he can tell when a migraine headache is starting. He gets a cool wash cloth to put on his forehead and lies down in his room with lights off and shades close to keep it dark. Sometimes the pain is so bad it makes him vomit (this just happened yesterday morning). He notices that he has triggers when he doesn’t sleep well or his sleep schedule changes or if he is dehydrated. Sometimes what he eats affects him.
When he sleeps, he uses a sound machine, hepa air filter and fan for white noise and to keep room cool. He knows he is on his video games and phone too much which may be contributing to some of his symptoms. He also knows that exercise helps him relax, stay more calm, and sleep better but needs to do better prioritizing it. He also struggles with being tired all the time which makes it harder to exercise. When he does, he feels better and the positive effect it has on his mood and anxiety.
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1 ReactionNathan, you should try and retrieve the record of your spinal tap. There would be imaging, When you get the cervical MRI as for the CD as well as the written report. How long was the fall before the headache onset.
The spinal tap for hydrocephalus doesn't commonly include contrast dye which you need for a cisternogram. But it does usually measure spinal fluid pressure which could be another clue. The tap with gadolinium is preferred as more accurate than a MRI.
However, I prefer dailyhope's advice of a cervical MRI before the spinal.
Maybe look at the symptoms of a cervicogenic headache.
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1 ReactionI 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.
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1 ReactionYou should eliminate drinking alcoholic drinks, smoking and caffeine and chocolate. Keep track of what you eat and drink in relation to your symptoms.
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1 ReactionWill do. The fall was about 2 years before the headache onset. I feel like my symptoms gradually worsened over time and became hard to tolerate by the beginning of last year.
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1 ReactionI have not had any tests or scans for my heart. I don't think I have a heart monitor. My blood pressure has been in an acceptable range every time it has been tested after the onset of symptoms. The pressure headaches are constant from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep. I get GI issues sometimes when eating and drinking but I don't notice any change with the pressure headache.
Have you had an MRI? Head injuries? I’m sure that you will get a diagnoses when they have a clear picture of your brain. Let us know what they find out. I’ve seen my brain images and now I know why I have the issues that I have. My DRs have helped!