Constant head pressure and headaches

Hello there,
I have been experiencing something kind of similar. I just came across your post in trying to find answers. I think I figured out what it was for me, I’m praying this helps you. Have you looked into whether your ears are clogged/plugged? It might feel like they’re not if you’re really used to it or you may just not notice it. It all has to do with the eustachian tubes which affect the pressure in your ears which can cause WAY more symptoms than what is listed online.

Please please look into it. Ears often look more normal than they are too.

healthline.com
/health/ear-barotrauma

healthline.com
/health/why-does-my-ear-feel-clogged

I made this account to say I have many of the exact symptoms as you. Depersonalization, constant head pressure emanating from the back of the head, medicines being useless, cognitive difficulties, nothing showing up on MRI, memories fading away, etc.

However, I don’t have a couple of your symptoms. I don’t have breathlessness when I talk or achy limbs. My limbs instead feel like they’re distant, not really numb but less sensitive than before.

School used to be so easy for me, but now it’s a living nightmare. It doesn’t help that I also have ADHD. I find myself only able to focus on my head issue. I’ve spiraled into a deep depression and I don’t know how long I can keep going.

The only thing that helps is getting massages. It seems to calm the pressure down a little. There was one time I got a painful massage (note, the massage didn’t include the head, only the spine up to base of skull), woke up the next morning feeling normal for 3 hours. It was beautiful. I didn’t realize how depersonalized this issue made me feel.

The fact that the massage helped and didn’t include the head makes me think it’s a spinal issue, possibly CCI. Another thing to note is that my issue started soon after I got a phone, so my issue could be due to my head hanging low (but remember, correlation does not mean causation). Maybe try getting a deep massage and see if it helps.

I don’t think CSF leak could be it, as most brain MRIs can tell that. Also, All my blood tests turned out normal, so I don’t think it’s a serum-based deficiency.

If you find anything out about your issue, please let me know. I think I’m struggling with the same issue, and even an ounce of relief would be amazing.

Hello @matthew9324 and welcome to Connect. As I read your post, I see that you have thought about this problem and have tried to come up with an answer on your own. I'm glad that you had some relief with the massage.

You do not mention how long you have had these symptoms. Has it been a long time? Also, have you consulted with any doctors yet?

I look forward to hearing from you again. Will you continue to post as you look for answers?

Thank you for responding. It means a lot. Being able to talk to someone who actually listens really helps.

The symptoms started out as occasional brain fog around a year ago. It was odd, as I could sometimes tell the brain fog came from the back of my head. Eventually, the brain fog became constant. I thought my ADHD meds stopped working, so I started keeping track of those.

This summer the symptoms advanced, now the back of my head often feels under pressure with the constant brain fog. Then I knew there was no way this was my meds (since I wasn’t taking them during summer).

I have only been able to talk to my doctor once about the issue, as he retired. He believed it to be depression. I believe the issue caused that, but that it’s separate from my issue. I’ve started therapy around a week ago.

I’ve talked with a nurse practitioner three times. They order multiple blood tests and refer me to different people (neurologist, hematologist, and a rheumatologist for some reason).

I have been to a neurologist twice. They tell me it’s just migraines. The meds they give me don’t work. Nurse practitioner agrees it’s just migraines. I feel my opinion + symptoms is disregarded by both.

I’ve gotten several blood tests checking for possible headache causes. Magnesium, testosterone, vitamin B, vitamin D, Iron, thyroid, and a couple others I can’t recall. My brain MRI comes up negative.

I tried a chiropractor, but I only went for a couple meetings since I’m rather skeptical of chiropractors. No change in my symptoms.

Next thing I plan on trying is occipital nerve blocks from the neurologist. Since my symptoms seem to come from the back of the head, it could be some weird case of Occipital Neuralgia (weird in that it isn’t painful, only feels like pressure). I’ve talked with someone online who has ON and ADHD. Just like me, they experienced brain fog first and thought their medication stopped working before they got any other symptoms. Also, they could tell their brain fog came from the back of the head too.

If the nerve blocks work, I’ll consider further steps. If they don’t work, I might try to get imaging of my cervical spine and, if any issues are spotted, get them solved through physical therapy or other means.

Thank you. I will try to give updates as best I can.

Thank you for responding. It means a lot. Being able to talk to someone who actually listens really helps.

The symptoms started out as occasional brain fog around a year ago. It was odd, as I could sometimes tell the brain fog came from the back of my head. Eventually, the brain fog became constant. I thought my ADHD meds stopped working, so I started keeping track of those.

This summer the symptoms advanced, now the back of my head often feels under pressure with the constant brain fog. Then I knew there was no way this was my meds (since I wasn’t taking them during summer).

I have only been able to talk to my doctor once about the issue, as he retired. He believed it to be depression. I believe the issue caused that, but that it’s separate from my issue. I’ve started therapy around a week ago.

I’ve talked with a nurse practitioner three times. They order multiple blood tests and refer me to different people (neurologist, hematologist, and a rheumatologist for some reason).

I have been to a neurologist twice. They tell me it’s just migraines. The meds they give me don’t work. Nurse practitioner agrees it’s just migraines. I feel my opinion + symptoms is disregarded by both.

I’ve gotten several blood tests checking for possible headache causes. Magnesium, testosterone, vitamin B, vitamin D, Iron, thyroid, and a couple others I can’t recall. My brain MRI comes up negative.

I tried a chiropractor, but I only went for a couple meetings since I’m rather skeptical of chiropractors. No change in my symptoms.

Next thing I plan on trying is occipital nerve blocks from the neurologist. Since my symptoms seem to come from the back of the head, it could be some weird case of Occipital Neuralgia (weird in that it isn’t painful, only feels like pressure). I’ve talked with someone online who has ON and ADHD. Just like me, they experienced brain fog first and thought their medication stopped working before they got any other symptoms. Also, they could tell their brain fog came from the back of the head too.

If the nerve blocks work, I’ll consider further steps. If they don’t work, I might try to get imaging of my cervical spine and, if any issues are spotted, get them solved through physical therapy or other means.

Thank you. I will try to give updates as best I can.

October 1 2020 cxvid hit me. Since then 24 x 7 headaches and migraine with auras, pressure on brain (atmospheric pressure relate), brain on fire, brain fog, dizzy, tension headaches (PT Dry Needling fixed) blah blah blah

My head pain/ symptoms puzzle has many pieces.
The last year I’ve been working with Neurology and now I’m looking to add working with Immunology (cell level).

Here are a few papers I’ve found recently that are making sense.
Papers -
12/11/2024 - Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19 (Graphic abstract very interesting)
8/16/2025 Comparative Analysis of Long COVID and Post-Vaccination Syndrome:
2/19/2025 - A small number of people report chronic symptoms after receiving COVID-19 shots. A new study provides clues for further research.
10/19/2023 (video) Harlan Krumholz and Akiko Iwasaki (Rishi Shiah, Lilo Wu, and Adith Arun) discuss preliminary findings and answer questions from LISTEN participants.
I listed the Symptoms Long Covid – PVS post-vaccination syndrome (very interesting)
8/25/2025 Immunologist: Hope for ME/CFS and post-Covid, research needed
Akiko Iwasaki "... She sharply rejected views that ME/CFS or post-COVID might not be somatic illnesses."
2/19/2025 - A small number of people report chronic symptoms after receiving COVID-19 shots. A new study provides clues for further research.

12/11/2024 - Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19
https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(24)00438-4?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1931312824004384%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
Highlights
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein persists in the skull-meninges-brain axis in COVID-19 patients
Spike protein is sufficient to induce brain pathological and behavioral changes in mice
Spike protein enhances brain vulnerability and exacerbates neurological damage in mice
mRNA vaccines reduce, but do not eliminate, the spike burden

Summary
SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with long-lasting neurological symptoms, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using optical clearing and imaging, we observed the accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the skull-meninges-brain axis of human COVID-19 patients, persisting long after viral clearance. Further, biomarkers of neurodegeneration were elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid from long COVID patients, and proteomic analysis of human skull, meninges, and brain samples revealed dysregulated inflammatory pathways and neurodegeneration-associated changes. Similar distribution patterns of the spike protein were observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Injection of spike protein alone was sufficient to induce neuroinflammation, proteome changes in the skull-meninges-brain axis, anxiety-like behavior, and exacerbated outcomes in mouse models of stroke and traumatic brain injury. Vaccination reduced but did not eliminate spike protein accumulation after infection in mice. Our findings suggest persistent spike protein at the brain borders may contribute to lasting neurological sequelae of COVID-19.
Graphic abstract - Click paper link for graphics – very interesting

8/16/2025 Comparative Analysis of Long COVID and Post-Vaccination Syndrome:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.14.25333639v1
“Question - What are the similarities and differences between long COVID and post-vaccination syndrome (PVS)?

Findings In this cross-sectional study of 682 individuals, machine learning models identified distinct symptoms between long COVID and PVS. Long COVID was characterized by brain fog, altered sense of smell, and shortness of breath, while PVS was associated with burning sensations, neuropathy, and numbness.”

Feb 19, 2025 - A small number of people report chronic symptoms after receiving COVID-19 shots. A new study provides clues for further research.
https://news.yale.edu/2025/02/19/immune-markers-post-vaccination-syndrome-indicate-future-research-directions#:~:text=However%2C%20some%20individuals%20have%20reported,known%20about%20its%20biological%20underpinnings
“COVID-19 vaccines have been instrumental in reducing the impact of the pandemic, preventing severe illness and death, and they appear to protect against long COVID. However, some individuals have reported chronic symptoms that developed soon after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. This little-understood, persistent condition, referred to as post-vaccination syndrome (PVS), remains unrecognized by medical authorities, and little is known about its biological underpinnings.”
(click link to read more)

10/19/2023 Harlan Krumholz and Akiko Iwasaki (Rishi Shiah, Lilo Wu, and Adith Arun) discuss preliminary findings and answer questions from LISTEN participants.
https://medicine.yale.edu/ycci/listen-study/video/
The Yale LISTEN Study Town Hall: October 2023

The entire Town Hall is very interesting, here are 4 sections I found enlightening.

8:00 minute - Difference in Percent of Participants Experiencing Symptom (Long Covid – PVS post-vaccination syndrome; Note: the graphic chart is informative)

Long Covid –

Memory problems, Changed sense of smell, Brain fog, Shortness of breath, Cough, Sore throat, Excessive fatigue, Difficulty speaking properly, Changed sense of taste, Fatigue, Congested or runny nose, Phantom smells, Runny nose, Phlegm in back of throat, Headache, Constant thirst, Night sweats, Hypersomnia, Confusion, Insomnia, Hair loss, Dry scalp or dandruff, Dizziness, Throat pain or discomfort, Postnasal drip, Exercise Intolerance, Wheezing, Swollen hands or feet, Cold/burning lung sensation, Changes in voice, Phantom tastes

PVS -
Loss of hearing, Suicidal thoughts, Feelings of impending doom, Palpitations, Tinnitus, Numbness, Internal vibration, Neuropathy, Burning sensations

16:00 minute - Implications
18:33 minute - Hypothesis
37:00 minute - Hope next 6 months

(continue)

October 1 2020 cxvid hit me. Since then 24 x 7 headaches and migraine with auras, pressure on brain (atmospheric pressure relate), brain on fire, brain fog, dizzy, tension headaches (PT Dry Needling fixed) blah blah blah

My head pain/ symptoms puzzle has many pieces.
The last year I’ve been working with Neurology and now I’m looking to add working with Immunology (cell level).

Here are a few papers I’ve found recently that are making sense.
Papers -
12/11/2024 - Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19 (Graphic abstract very interesting)
8/16/2025 Comparative Analysis of Long COVID and Post-Vaccination Syndrome:
2/19/2025 - A small number of people report chronic symptoms after receiving COVID-19 shots. A new study provides clues for further research.
10/19/2023 (video) Harlan Krumholz and Akiko Iwasaki (Rishi Shiah, Lilo Wu, and Adith Arun) discuss preliminary findings and answer questions from LISTEN participants.
I listed the Symptoms Long Covid – PVS post-vaccination syndrome (very interesting)
8/25/2025 Immunologist: Hope for ME/CFS and post-Covid, research needed
Akiko Iwasaki "... She sharply rejected views that ME/CFS or post-COVID might not be somatic illnesses."
2/19/2025 - A small number of people report chronic symptoms after receiving COVID-19 shots. A new study provides clues for further research.

12/11/2024 - Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19
https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(24)00438-4?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1931312824004384%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
Highlights
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein persists in the skull-meninges-brain axis in COVID-19 patients
Spike protein is sufficient to induce brain pathological and behavioral changes in mice
Spike protein enhances brain vulnerability and exacerbates neurological damage in mice
mRNA vaccines reduce, but do not eliminate, the spike burden

Summary
SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with long-lasting neurological symptoms, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using optical clearing and imaging, we observed the accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the skull-meninges-brain axis of human COVID-19 patients, persisting long after viral clearance. Further, biomarkers of neurodegeneration were elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid from long COVID patients, and proteomic analysis of human skull, meninges, and brain samples revealed dysregulated inflammatory pathways and neurodegeneration-associated changes. Similar distribution patterns of the spike protein were observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Injection of spike protein alone was sufficient to induce neuroinflammation, proteome changes in the skull-meninges-brain axis, anxiety-like behavior, and exacerbated outcomes in mouse models of stroke and traumatic brain injury. Vaccination reduced but did not eliminate spike protein accumulation after infection in mice. Our findings suggest persistent spike protein at the brain borders may contribute to lasting neurological sequelae of COVID-19.
Graphic abstract - Click paper link for graphics – very interesting

8/16/2025 Comparative Analysis of Long COVID and Post-Vaccination Syndrome:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.14.25333639v1
“Question - What are the similarities and differences between long COVID and post-vaccination syndrome (PVS)?

Findings In this cross-sectional study of 682 individuals, machine learning models identified distinct symptoms between long COVID and PVS. Long COVID was characterized by brain fog, altered sense of smell, and shortness of breath, while PVS was associated with burning sensations, neuropathy, and numbness.”

Feb 19, 2025 - A small number of people report chronic symptoms after receiving COVID-19 shots. A new study provides clues for further research.
https://news.yale.edu/2025/02/19/immune-markers-post-vaccination-syndrome-indicate-future-research-directions#:~:text=However%2C%20some%20individuals%20have%20reported,known%20about%20its%20biological%20underpinnings
“COVID-19 vaccines have been instrumental in reducing the impact of the pandemic, preventing severe illness and death, and they appear to protect against long COVID. However, some individuals have reported chronic symptoms that developed soon after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. This little-understood, persistent condition, referred to as post-vaccination syndrome (PVS), remains unrecognized by medical authorities, and little is known about its biological underpinnings.”
(click link to read more)

10/19/2023 Harlan Krumholz and Akiko Iwasaki (Rishi Shiah, Lilo Wu, and Adith Arun) discuss preliminary findings and answer questions from LISTEN participants.
https://medicine.yale.edu/ycci/listen-study/video/
The Yale LISTEN Study Town Hall: October 2023

The entire Town Hall is very interesting, here are 4 sections I found enlightening.

8:00 minute - Difference in Percent of Participants Experiencing Symptom (Long Covid – PVS post-vaccination syndrome; Note: the graphic chart is informative)

Long Covid –

Memory problems, Changed sense of smell, Brain fog, Shortness of breath, Cough, Sore throat, Excessive fatigue, Difficulty speaking properly, Changed sense of taste, Fatigue, Congested or runny nose, Phantom smells, Runny nose, Phlegm in back of throat, Headache, Constant thirst, Night sweats, Hypersomnia, Confusion, Insomnia, Hair loss, Dry scalp or dandruff, Dizziness, Throat pain or discomfort, Postnasal drip, Exercise Intolerance, Wheezing, Swollen hands or feet, Cold/burning lung sensation, Changes in voice, Phantom tastes

PVS -
Loss of hearing, Suicidal thoughts, Feelings of impending doom, Palpitations, Tinnitus, Numbness, Internal vibration, Neuropathy, Burning sensations

16:00 minute - Implications
18:33 minute - Hypothesis
37:00 minute - Hope next 6 months

(continue)