1. < Brain & Nervous System

Head feels like it will explode daily. Severe cognitive difficulties

Posted by nathansmith7143 @nathansmith7143, Apr 10 8:22pm

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System Support Group.

nathansmith7143 | @nathansmith7143 | Apr 12 12:51pm
In reply to @joanm56 "Have you had an MRI? Head injuries? I’m sure that you will get a diagnoses when..." + (show)
@joanm56

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!

Jump to this post

I've had an MRI of my head but nothing worth noting was found. I have not had a spinal MRI for potential spinal leaks, so that is probably the next step for me.

REPLY
nathansmith7143 | @nathansmith7143 | Apr 12 1:55pm
In reply to @joanm56 "Have you had an MRI? Head injuries? I’m sure that you will get a diagnoses when..." + (show)
@joanm56

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!

Jump to this post

I forgot to mention this but I have not had any head injuries either.

REPLY
diannesmcneill | @diannesmcneill | Apr 12 7:56pm
In reply to @nathansmith7143 "I have not had any tests or scans for my heart. I don't think I have..." + (show)
@nathansmith7143

I 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.

Jump to this post

Do you have a neurologist? The MRI or CT scan sound like good ideas? Surely the neurologist can help. Are you off all caffeine?

REPLY
1 reply
gently | @gently | Apr 12 8:39pm
In reply to @diannesmcneill "I wonder if it’s heart related and not getting enough oxygen. Have you had any tests..." + (show)
@diannesmcneill

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.

Jump to this post

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5358270/#ref-list1

REPLY
diannesmcneill | @diannesmcneill | Apr 13 7:29am
In reply to @nathansmith7143 "Will do. The fall was about 2 years before the headache onset. I feel like my..." + (show)
@nathansmith7143

Will 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.

Jump to this post

Go back to your doctor. A neurologist and you together should be able to figure this out. Maybe a trip to the emergency room when your head pressures are so bad would be a good idea.

REPLY
1 reply
nathansmith7143 | @nathansmith7143 | Apr 13 12:31pm
In reply to @diannesmcneill "Do you have a neurologist? The MRI or CT scan sound like good ideas? Surely the..." + (show)
@diannesmcneill

Do you have a neurologist? The MRI or CT scan sound like good ideas? Surely the neurologist can help. Are you off all caffeine?

Jump to this post

I am not currently seeing a neurologist but I have seen two in the past. Do you mean a scan of my spine? I already had an MRI of my head. And, yes, I am off all caffeine.

REPLY
nathansmith7143 | @nathansmith7143 | Apr 13 12:32pm
In reply to @diannesmcneill "Go back to your doctor. A neurologist and you together should be able to figure this..." + (show)
@diannesmcneill

Go back to your doctor. A neurologist and you together should be able to figure this out. Maybe a trip to the emergency room when your head pressures are so bad would be a good idea.

Jump to this post

I have gone to the emergency room 2 different times and the most they did was prescribe me pain killers that didn't help. I don't know what a 3rd visit to the ER could achieve.

REPLY
1 reply
joanm56 | @joanm56 | Apr 13 12:40pm

Nathan, what type of fall?

REPLY
1 reply
nathansmith7143 | @nathansmith7143 | Apr 13 2:05pm
In reply to @joanm56 "Nathan, what type of fall?" + (show)
@joanm56

Nathan, what type of fall?

Jump to this post

A fall on my back. I was wearing a drum as well.

REPLY
diannesmcneill | @diannesmcneill | Apr 13 6:19pm
In reply to @nathansmith7143 "I have gone to the emergency room 2 different times and the most they did was..." + (show)
@nathansmith7143

I have gone to the emergency room 2 different times and the most they did was prescribe me pain killers that didn't help. I don't know what a 3rd visit to the ER could achieve.

Jump to this post

You most likely are correct about that. Your neurologist most likely is who could run tests.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.