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Neurology (Expert Forum)
chronic headache and ear fullness
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chronic headache and ear fullness
by chronic pain, May 06, 2006 12:00AM
I have had a moderate to severe pressure headache for a year now, it has ruined my life basically. I would estimate that I usually feel it in the Corpus Callosum or the Thalamus (deep in my head), as well as this very strange feeling in my forehead of eyebrow heaviness, and sometimes double vision and eye pain as I move my eyes left or right. Also severe dizziness has been suddenly activated just by eye movements. I also experience bouts of positional vertigo that lasts several days at a time and then goes into remission for a spell.
Here is the strange part...my ears feel full. Not stopped up, but just full. My hearing is fine and I can blow air into my ears without a problem.
But listen to this--You know how when you yawn, there is a "muscle" activated that automatically makes your ears click? Well, if I keep this muscle "flexed", or "hold the yawn", it's like a lift a heavy weight off my head..
Also, when I hold my nose and blow air into my ears, or even when I sneeze I get tremendous relief from the headache and the strange eyebrow heaviness..but it allways comes right back. My nose also feels constantly blocked but my sinuses are clear by CT and head MRI.
I have been on heavy anti-biotics such as Levaquin ketek, inderal, topamax, and so on to no avail. My 3 doctors (headache neuro, oto-neurologist, and GP) at the local University are stumped, can you tell me anything?
Here is the strange part...my ears feel full. Not stopped up, but just full. My hearing is fine and I can blow air into my ears without a problem.
But listen to this--You know how when you yawn, there is a "muscle" activated that automatically makes your ears click? Well, if I keep this muscle "flexed", or "hold the yawn", it's like a lift a heavy weight off my head..
Also, when I hold my nose and blow air into my ears, or even when I sneeze I get tremendous relief from the headache and the strange eyebrow heaviness..but it allways comes right back. My nose also feels constantly blocked but my sinuses are clear by CT and head MRI.
I have been on heavy anti-biotics such as Levaquin ketek, inderal, topamax, and so on to no avail. My 3 doctors (headache neuro, oto-neurologist, and GP) at the local University are stumped, can you tell me anything?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, May 15, 2006 12:00AM
The best chance of you becoming headache free is to tackle your headache in several different ways at once - a multidisciplinary approach. THis includes evaluating for neck problems which contirbute to headache and dizziness, headache psychologist, physical therapy to the neck, biofeedback, and medications.
Good luck
Good luck
When you blow into your ears by holding your nose, you increase the pressure in your inner ear. If the pressure in your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is so high it is pressing your brain, which is soft tissue, into the openings of your skull, the momentary increase in the pressure in your inner ear could partially balance the too high pressure in your CSF, giving you a brief feeling of relief.
Ask your doctors to measure the pressure in your CSF.
Holding your nose and blowing into your ears would increase pressure in your middle ear, not your inner ear. Also, the anatomy of the inner ear appears to be such that the pressure in your inner ear will be the same as in your CSF.
The periodic episodes of vertigo and feelings of fullness in your ears you describe are both symptoms of Meniere's disease.
I do still think it might be a good idea to assess your CSF pressure.