1. < Brain & Nervous System

Undiagnosed Head Symptoms (Still Help!)

Posted by tess0831 @tess0831, Apr 22, 2020

A few times over the last couple years, I've had this strange head feeling that comes on suddenly, sticks around for 2-3 weeks, then goes away (most recently, it came back today). It's extremely hard to explain, but it's like I'll suddenly start to feel like I'm not fully "in my head"-- I'd almost want to call it brain fog, but my cognitive function is still completely there. It's almost a mild "head high" feeling, and while I don't feel any pain or pressure, it's extremely distracting/annoying and makes me feel like I don't have mental clarity. The first time it happened I actually was so worried at one point that I went to the ER. They did a blood test and EKG, nothing abnormal, and basically sent me home and told me to try allergy meds. It coincided with tooth pain/me finding out I needed my wisdom teeth removed, and then it kind of went away on its own, so I didn't think too much of it. The second time was several months ago, where it came on suddenly one evening as the sun was going down (at first I thought I was just reacting weird to the change in light, but it stuck around for a couple weeks after that). That time I was having some neck pain from a recent fall and had seen a chiropractor, so they thought it could have to do with the neck pain....but again, it seemed to just go away on its own after a couple weeks. This morning I felt completely fine, but I was working outside (I work with horses) and it started to get really hot which made me hot/tired, and I sat down because that feeling started to come back.
When it happens, I tend to have sensitivity to light, and very vivid dreams/I'll tend to sleep deeper and be more tired.
Given that it's happened 3 times now under different circumstances, I'm having a difficult time figuring out what it could be, and it's not exactly the best time to go to a hospital and have tests run. I plan on having a call with my doctor, but I would love any suggestions in the meantime for things I could try or get over-the-counter that could possibly help (or just any ideas of what it could be).
Thank you in advance!

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jun 23, 2020
In reply to @tess0831 "Thank you-- and yes, dizziness is a new symptom over the last couple weeks. It's more..." + (show)
@tess0831

Thank you-- and yes, dizziness is a new symptom over the last couple weeks. It's more of an almost-dizzy feeling, where I feel like I'm getting dizzy and then it stops. I've also had, on rare occassion recently, objects shifting when I look at them or looking like they're "breathing", which I've read can be a symptom of inner ear/vestibular issues.

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@tess0831 When I read your post what I think about is a physical problem that may be due to spine alignment. Some of this can be aggravated by poor posture, with issues like thoracic outlet syndrome (which I have) and that can affect blood flow to the brain. TOS can stop blood flow by turning your head. I am also a spine surgery patient, and have had a fair share of neck muscle spasms that have pulled on my cervical vertebrae. If C1 or C2 are twisted, turned or tilted, it can set off very bad dizziness or vertigo until they are realigned properly and that also affects blood flow to he brain if it is off. I have been fine ever since spine surgery. You may want to find a good physical therapist who is familiar with TOS and who rehabs spine surgery patients for an evaluation. Here are some technical links that can explain some possible issues.
https://mskneurology.com/atlas-joint-instability-causes-consequences-solutions/
https://mskneurology.com/vestibular-impairment-and-its-association-to-the-neck-and-tmj/
https://mskneurology.com/how-truly-treat-thoracic-outlet-syndrome/

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Jun 23, 2020
In reply to @tess0831 "Thank you-- and yes, dizziness is a new symptom over the last couple weeks. It's more..." + (show)
@tess0831

Thank you-- and yes, dizziness is a new symptom over the last couple weeks. It's more of an almost-dizzy feeling, where I feel like I'm getting dizzy and then it stops. I've also had, on rare occassion recently, objects shifting when I look at them or looking like they're "breathing", which I've read can be a symptom of inner ear/vestibular issues.

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@tess0831 With your dizziness and seeing objects shifting don't rule out and eye problems . I would make an appt to see your ophthalmologist after your ENT appt if you don't get any satisfaction . Good luck Let us know your outcome.

REPLY
tess0831 | @tess0831 | Jun 24, 2020

Update after seeing the ENT-- she's very convinced it's allergy related, as I tested positive for all the allergies on my blood panel. The highest/most concerning one is for mold-- normal range is equal to or lesser than 0.36 kUa/L, and while some of my allergy levels were above range for some (1.5, 2.6 etc.) the one for mold is 49.8 kUa/L which is extremely high. I live in an old house on a ranch, and would not at all be surprised if there's mold here (in fact, have always wondered about it as we have roof leaks, weird/bad smells in the summer, etc.). While structurally my sinuses and innner ear look ok, she thinks the allergy is causing inflammation in my inner ear which could cause my symptoms. So today I was prescribed a new nasal spray to use in addition to Flonase, which is called Azelastine (it's a topical antihistamine in nasal spray form, whereas Flonase is steroidal). My boyfriend and I also ordered a basic mold test kit...and of course this put together with my other positive allergy tests makes me want to move to a new place more and more!

REPLY
1 reply
Ellen | @helenfrances | Jun 24, 2020
In reply to @tess0831 "Update after seeing the ENT-- she's very convinced it's allergy related, as I tested positive for..." + (show)
@tess0831

Update after seeing the ENT-- she's very convinced it's allergy related, as I tested positive for all the allergies on my blood panel. The highest/most concerning one is for mold-- normal range is equal to or lesser than 0.36 kUa/L, and while some of my allergy levels were above range for some (1.5, 2.6 etc.) the one for mold is 49.8 kUa/L which is extremely high. I live in an old house on a ranch, and would not at all be surprised if there's mold here (in fact, have always wondered about it as we have roof leaks, weird/bad smells in the summer, etc.). While structurally my sinuses and innner ear look ok, she thinks the allergy is causing inflammation in my inner ear which could cause my symptoms. So today I was prescribed a new nasal spray to use in addition to Flonase, which is called Azelastine (it's a topical antihistamine in nasal spray form, whereas Flonase is steroidal). My boyfriend and I also ordered a basic mold test kit...and of course this put together with my other positive allergy tests makes me want to move to a new place more and more!

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Sounds like you should move to a new place....

REPLY
kca88 | @kca88 | Jun 24, 2020

Moving can be hard in a number of ways, but it sounds like a healthier home would be a very good step for you, take care, PS. we are trying to make our home healthier, its expensive and hard work, but were getting there and it does make a difference.,

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