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Head feels like it will explode daily. Severe cognitive difficulties

Posted by nathansmith7143 @nathansmith7143, Apr 10, 2025

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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donald1234 | @donald1234 | 4 days ago
In reply to @nathansmith7143 "This MRI was of my head only. As far as I remember, the report came back..." + (show)
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This MRI was of my head only. As far as I remember, the report came back clear for the MRI, but I can double check.

I have worked with 2 different neurologists. The first neurologist insisted on me having an EEG for seizures despite me never having a seizure. The second neurologist prescribed me gabapentin and baclofen because he thought I was just dealing with a chronic tension headache. The drugs he prescribed did not help whatsoever. I haven't had my carotid arteries checked, but where would I get that checked? I may have had Covid when I was in the 8th grade, but my symptoms began to occur when I was a Junior in high school. I had one Covid shot last year (during the second half of the year) just in case this was somehow Covid related, but I felt no different over time after the shot.

I have had plenty of blood work, but a lot of that work was done with a functional medicine doctor who was insistent that I had a mold infection (despite the treatment plan not working). I will have to check in with my family on the blood work side of things.

No alcohol or drugs. My recent diet consists of whole grain berry cereal for breakfast, protein and fruit (mainly chicken and apples) for lunch, and whatever my mother makes for dinner (always homemade. For example, one dish is chicken tortilla soup). I am not one for sweets or junky food. I will say that my diet hasn't consistently been as I described throughout the time I've been suffering, but I haven't noticed any symptomatic reactions to certain foods. I generally do drink enough water per day, although recently my stomach doesn't tolerate too much food or liquid. The most I can do for exercise is walk right now and even then it is hard to push through the symptoms, but I still try despite how unenjoyable the symptoms make the experience.

I will say that one antidepressant (Cymbalta) made me temporarily feel more motivated despite my symptoms still always being present. However, after increasing the dosage, my anxiety and headaches increased in intensity, and I had to wean off the drug. I also tried TMS therapy for depression. 30 sessions of it led me to no change.

I am lucky to have family support to help me advocate whenever I am struggling to advocate for myself. I wouldn't be this far without my family support.

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@nathansmith7143
Hey Nathan it's been a year since you where going through this hopefully it's over im hoping you could give me some insight im going through same thing 10 months now ct scan same head pills no mri yet but soon...feel like what you said I just want my life back

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