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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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Everything you mentioned I have been experiencing. I have had every test you can think of the last 3 years and they cannot find a thing. It's debilitating and scary. Sometimes I even feel like I'm going to pass out the pressure is so overwhelming.
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2 ReactionsYour problem is very, very similar to mine. My GP seems mystified by the situation. I’ll be 90 next June. I tend to believe my problem is primarily one of age but it’s the sides of my head and forefront. Acetaminophen helps but my GP really limits my usage.
Wouldn’t mind if GP would say it’s an age problem but she doesn’t
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2 Reactions@matthew9324 Sorry tl hear of your struggles. I have been dealing with a similar set of symptoms. I have the constant head pressure, in the forehad and back of head, a general numbeness of the body, like everything is just dialed down by 30%. But have also had the moments of breathlessness when talking as well as a host of other symptoms that have come and gone. Ent said the csf leak would present as a consistent or regular discharge from the sinus, that worsened when leaning forward. So if there isnt a consistent drip it is probably not csf. I am starting to focus in on the spine and neck as the possible cause. Signs are pointing to a kink of some kind and is reinforced by the symptoms not returning till ive been awake and up for a bit. Aldo seem to be a rise in severity of some symptoms when neck is strained in certain ways. I'll be seeing a physio soon but I think the massages are a good idea. Will report back with any updates.
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1 ReactionHello Nathan,
Have you figured out what is going on?
It might sound crazy, but I am a 15-going-on-16 female with similar symptoms to yours, but less severe, and I am terrified this is all in my head. I get the breathing issues, the constant tension headaches, brain fog, memory issues, and my memory has gotten so bad I can't remember spoken words, at all. I can't remember parts of my days, and while I do have anxiety, I am starting to believe the constant pressure on my chest isn't from that. I am struggling so hard now and I don't know what is going on, and these symptoms started off really mild two and a half years ago and now have gotten to the point where it is becoming unlivable.
Notes on Medical History:
0. Have a chronic autoimmune medical issue that caused increased fight-or-flight (not MAST, doctors cannot determine it, genetic), but upped my medication for that, helped with the weird restlessness and back pain, but did not help with the breathing or other issues.
1. Genetic relatives with a history of thyroid issues, particularly hyperthyroidism
2. Have been diagnosed with potential arrhythmia of the heart when I was seven
3. Was diagnosed with GAD at 8-9ish (My memory has always been poor, but never this bad - I am missing 3 hours worth of memories at a time). Also have been diagnosed with long-and-short asthma in Australia (in America I was fine- where I was living in Australia, everyone has asthma), and no matter how many puffs of flixotide, Qvar, or Ventolin, nothing helps.
4. Fell on my back off of a swing after just turning 13, in April. I couldn't breathe for 30-45 seconds, and turned red, but was able to walk and talk totally fine, after I caught my breath, although my voice was a little strained. Back did not bruise but was sore for a few days afterwards.
5. In the end of June to the beginning of July of that year, I began noticing issues - I could not run as long or as fast as before. I couldn't get enough breath, which by the way, really, really hurts. My legs could move, but not my lungs. However, I also learned to swim during this time, and surprising, could swim with no issues respiratorily.
6. By December 2023, I could not run. I felt like I was dying, the pain was so bad, and my vision started tunneling. Memory issues began, and random back pain also began.
7. Memory issues many dealing with the comprehension of spoken words rapidly deteriorated, to the point at the end of 2024 I could not follow 2-step instructions, either because I was trying so hard to remember the first, there was no space for the second, or I forgot the first by the time I remembered the second.
8. Early 2025 after walking a lot, or dong exercise that requires respiration, about half-an-hour after doing the exercise my heart begins beating out of control. I can feel it just start to beat really fast, erratically, and hard, and it hurts. Additionally, at around this time, I have to start taking conscious breaths every 10 breaths, or I feel like I am beginning to suffocate and then I spiral. Also, if I am under too much stress, I faint.
9. Mid 2025 I cannot sleep through the night because I wake up having forgotten to breathe, and I begin to forget written words. Previously, written words I have had a near-photographic memory of, like to the point where I could recite a poem I read from memory. I could quote book passages.
10. August-November: Focus is a memory that is very faint. My grades suffer and I forget all the chores I need to do, and there is only about 3 per day. In addition, my lower back hurting becomes unbearable when I am tired, and after a while of sitting up straight, goes numb, which causes my legs to fall asleep. Fainting continues.
11. Late November-December - I increase my dose of Mirtazapine to 30 milligrams from 22.5. Back symptoms cease, as mentioned, and restlessness and phantom aches are less. Memory continues to deteriorate, and so does my focus, and my headaches and chest pain are near constant. Lying down does not improve the headaches, but it does the chest pain.
Further Notes: No x-rays, no tests, I have no idea where to begin, and right now I am concerned this is just me being overdramatic. Health insurance is not great, and we aren't rich, so I can't get it wrong.
I am so sorry for the length, but I thought it would be best to be as detailed as possible.
I hope you are feeling better and are okay now.
Thank you for your response! I definitely notice the general numbness over the body (but I don't think it's a form of peripheral neuropathy). I do think it's likely spine related after looking into it deeper (I don't have the zappy pain that most people with Occipital Neuralgia have). Massages seem to help, but its gotten worse over time.
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1 ReactionYour condition sounds exactly like what my 17 yo daughter had for the past 3 1/2 months. We finally broke the cycle two weeks ago. The diagnosis was never confirmed with imaging because couldn't get the unknowledgeable doctor to order an MRA / Mrv in time. But we followed the treatment protocol of removing all possible triggers and it worked ...
It sounds like PRES / RCVS. Recent research shows that vascular problems provoked by covid-19 can be a root cause. Basically, problems with blood circulation can start it. You get a painful pulsing base of skull pain that spreads down your spine and throughout the body. And your veins feel like they're throbbing. Getting a thunderclap headache can end the cycle and then you have to avoid triggers to keep it from starting back up. But removing all triggers might be able to calm your head back down again w/o enduring the horrible tch. Calcium channel blockers are supposed to help but my daughter couldn't tolerate the verapamil prescribed to her (we wanted nimodipine, but they gave her that). Try taking everything vasoconstricting out of your diet - ssris, NSAIDS, foods high in vitamin A like sweet potatoes and carrots, triptans, certain acne meds, coffee, antihistamines, hormone irregularities, check every herb or tea you ingest ... dandelion root and mint are both vasoconstricting. You can take vasodilators like coconut water or magnesium, but check you BP to make sure it doesn't go too low. Safe headache meds are Tylenol, feverfew and probably aspirin / Willow bark (they aren't vasoconstricting but they block a vasodilator in your body). You can buy magnesium sulfate (Epson salt) that is good grade and take 1-2 teaspoon as a good non prescription calcium channel blocker. Taking baths with Epson salt helps but avoid water that is too deep or too warm, because immersing yourself in warm water is a bad trigger.
Did a virus precede your head pain cycle? My daughter has mecfs / long COVID and are certain that this was the root cause, but there is barely any research on the link.
@matthew9324 Hi, did you develop these symptoms after recovering a virus? They resemble what my daughter, who has long COVID, has been going through. It sounds like reversible cerebro vasoconstriction syndrome and PRES. They are caused by vascular / circulatory constrictions and it can be stopped by removing all triggers and supposedly calcium channel blockers (they just crashed my daughter). Take EVERYTHING vasoconstricting out of your diet. Nsaids, coffee, ssris, antihistamines, triptans, teas and herbs that are vasoconstrictive (even mint tea, CK everything). Food grade magnesium sulfate is an over the counter calcium channel blocker that's maybe more tolerable than the prescription ones. This is what worked for her. Her entire body is decompressing now. Tinnitus has faded down, spinal pain and base of skull just about gone, hands are less painful to use. Her severe cognitive symptoms have all been rapidly fading.
@fourleaf Hi, look up rcvs (reversible cerebro vasoconstriction syndrome) and pres. They describe all of your symptoms and can be triggered by sars COVID. There is new research out that looks at the link (due to COVID causing endothelial dysfunction). Treatment - cut everything vasoconstricting from your diet. Ask your doc about calcium channel blockers (which may or may not help). Bathe in Epson salt, supplement with gentle vasodilators but keep an eye that your BP doesn't drop too much. Magnesium sulfate. Avoid warm bathes. No NSAIDS (look up full list if vasoconstrictors. Safe pain relief meds - Tylenol, feverfew, aspirin, Willow bark, the muscle relaxer tzanadine.
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1 Reactionsounds like your neck and your posture needs attention. The head is like a bowling ball as we age with the muscles no longer able to do their job. You have to get a good kinseologist and MFR therapist to diagnose you and refer you for proper attention. Botox will relax the neck muscles so they don't tug on the head. Also your digestive problems may be caused by medication. Mine definitely ARE! You need to stay in care with a PCM who will support you on your journey. It sounds like most of your stuff can be cured but you aren't getting the support you need. Also the neuralgia - so very very painful! mine was actually caused by a cracked tooth unbeknownst to my expensive dentist until it cracked! It was extracted and the pain of 4 months immediately abated. See an eye doctor and have your eye lid muscles checked. I had a "tuck" on the eye weighty muscle and my vision is MUCH improved. who knew! You have a lot, and you will need to spend some time with different doctors. Aging can be a burden!
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1 Reaction@nathansmith7143 - I moved your post to this discussion where you were discussing the symptoms you were experiencing in your head previously so you can return to your previous discussions:
- Head feels like it will explode daily. Severe cognitive difficulties https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/head-feels-like-it-will-explode-daily-severe-cognitive-difficulties/
Hoping members such as @joanm56 @gently @diannesmcneill will share about whether they've experienced head pressure with some head and eye aches, plus cognitive setback and some vision loss, along with some anxiety, breathlessness and digestive issues like you have described.
Did you end up hearing back from the neurology practice you were trying to get into previously? What did you decide about visiting with a cardiologist about the symptoms you are having?