Anxiety, un-balanced, and pressure in my head and ears... Help

[circuit]

Hi there,
i have just noticed this forum today and was hoping someone could give me some advice.This is going to be long.. Four years ago i started to have servere dizzyness it would last for about 5 to 10 seconds, my ears would feel blocked and my head felt so much pressure and then it would dissapear. I was under the E/N/T specialist for 2 years and had various tests, such as balance, MRI scan and a nerves test and all came back o.k. I was taking medication for Menieres Disease for 18 months but this did nothing and now after all this time i am starting to have Anxiety Attacks constantly thinking about my breathing and feel like i am hyperventilating slightly. I have started to take beta blockers for the anxitey but it does not seem to help. The dizzy episodes are more like an unbalanced feeling, things are not spinning but they do seem to move slightly and if i try to walk i walk like i am drunk. I am thinking of trying Hopi ear candles to see if it can help my balance. I am sure unless i can find out what is causing me to feel pressure in my head and ears and also off balance i will always suffer from this anxiety.

Any suggestions are greatfully received.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

wow am sorry your going through that , it to long to have to suffer anxiety, ive been going through my own right now to. i dont have the pressure but i do have the ears/head tingling and hot feeling . its no fun and unless you get it under control it will be with you a while ive had mine about week/half trying get over it. if you have been checked out by a dr and they know its nothing elsa but stress than maybe you can get some meds just help you get through it, i have some and it helps but dont take it away you have to tell yourself your ok and it will go away . thats what am waiting on for it to dispear. what bb are you . am on timolol it does not help with anxiety. good luck hold head , hope your day is better today

[wunabnorm]

Hey there,

Just wanted to let you know that I myself have anxiety and also frequent pvc's. I just wanted to tell you that yes... i have experienced the whole dizziness, nausea, and pressure in my head and ears. I am not sure if the anxiety/pvc's caused this, but i went to the ER twice thinking it was a brain tumor or something, and everything checked out fine. But, then one day....every time I moved my head or layed down, I would get the feeling like I had drank too much, (alcohol) and had the same feeling like you do when you get so drunk that you feel the room spinning, and falling. (Except I hadn't drunk anything) It freaked me out and I went to the ER again. All they did was check my eyes and ears, and layed me down on the stretcher, and did a few "body rotations" with me. They said that the "crystals" in the tubes in your ears can sometimes become off balance, and cause you to have vertigo (dizziness) and tension around your head and ears. They layed me on the stretcher with my whole body except my head I had to hang off of the back of it. I had to look straight at the ceiling for about 30 seconds, then tilt my head as far back as i could just enough to see what was directly behind me. Try and focus on one spot for 30 seconds. Then turn your body to the right side, and lay on your shoulder and hip/leg, and focus directly on one thing in front of you as well for 30 seconds. Go back to lying on your back, and focusing on the ceiling, and then tilt your head behind you again for 30 , and then try your left side. Do this about 3 times, and see if it helps any. This is one way to even out the "crystals" that have become unbalanced. This may not be your case, but it is definitely worth trying. Let me know how it goes. Oh, and make sure you are hanging your head off the bed, and the rest of your body is on it. Good Luck! :) I hope this works for you, and if you feel a falling sensation.... don't be afraid, it is just rebalancing you. Weird huh?

[be still my beating heart 13]

I've had anxiety for 7 years now and I too get the dizzy feeling with a pressure in my head and blocked ears.  The head pressure feels like a combination of a head-rush, and like a balloon being blown up in my head.  The blocked ears sounds like I'm earing ear muffs and sometimes that is accompanied by a whine that kind of sounds like a computer.  It usually heppens when I stand after sitting for a while, but has happened a few times when sitting as well.  When it happens I feel like I'm either going to pass out or fall down.  I've had this for atleast five years, and after all my tests my doc told me it was just another symptom of anxiety.  I know you're worried about it.  I still worry about it too, even tho deep down I know it's caused by the chemical imbalance anxiety sufferers have.  I hope knowing that someone else with long standing generalized anxiety has the same symptom is of comfort to you.  I hope you feel better soon!!

[Shooped]

how long does the pressure in the head usually last btw? just curious as i get something similiar kind of like a heaviness/tightness at different spots on my head.  My lip even starts to twitch when i lie down now!

[circuit]

Dear Friends,
Thank you for all your comments and support, i like yourselves get very frustrated at times but it is nice to know that people are willing to listen. I will certainly try the balancing idea, if  i recall when i first went to the E/N/T department they did try this method but they did not hang my head over the end of the bed. I can,t help but think it is somethink more serious even thoughthey have done 2 MRI scans. I can't believe that anxiety can cause so many syphtoms specially pressure in my ear and head and feeling so dizzy. Oh, the dizzyness as i said earlier in my previous statement last for approx 5 to 10 sec with a ringing in both ears and then my left ears sound like white noise (distorted tv).

Chin up people.

[Shooped]

anyone know if drinking makes it worse the next day :P ?

[be still my beating heart 13]

The pressure in my head usually only happens when I stand up, and is accompanied by the dizziness and hearing changes (muffled sounds/whinning noise).  When the pressure subsides, the dizziness fades as well as the hearing change, and usually lasts anywhere from 5-30 seconds.  But it actually feels much longer, and troubles me everytime.  I just want to feel well again, as I am sure we all do.  And I know from personal experience that while drinking does mask the symptoms of anxiety while your intoxicated, you are setting yourself up for a hell of a rollercoaster ride of symptoms for DAYS to follow.  I think this is why I became and alcoholic for a short time after I developed my disorder.  But I broke the cycle, and the symptoms I experience when I have a panic attack now aren't nearly as extreme as they were in the beginning.  I hope this helps.  I hope you're having a good day today, and Good Luck to you!!

[Shooped]

I noticed after i had a drink on tuesday the head pressure seemed to be worse yesterday.  But i had a drink today aswell so will see how it goes tomorrow.  (i rarely drink as it is) just happened to be a friends gig etc.

[rain deer]

I have just recently been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm.  I went to the doctor because I had a 30 second headache that was extreme.  It's kind of funny because I've looked up a ton of stuff now on it and haven't found anyone that had dealt with that as a symptom.  However a friend of mine actually had the same experience and found that he also had an aneurysm.  But since I've had the diagnoses other symptoms have started.  I have pressure in my head and a tightness in my neck every day (usually for the later half of the day).  I also feel dizzy from time to time.  I'm going in for an MRI soon but lots of people have told me that it sounds like anxiety.  So I'm doing what I can to calm myself down to see if it goes away.  But I haven't been able to make it stop.  The only thing that makes it go away for a little while is a good nights sleep.  Does anyone have something similar that they have gone through and gotten rid of?  

[lindrellc]

does anyones symptoms come on after eating like the head and ear pressure dizziness i was amazed to find out how foods that wee are intolerant to can cause such pysical symptoms! also an overgrowth of yeast in the stomach can cause real pysical symptoms if it gets out of control in the body called systemic candida it can affect the ears head dizziness the lot some of yous should look into it because it is treatable through diet? also rain deer surley they wouldnt be leaving you if you had a brain aneurysm is that not dangerouse i keep getting really sore heads all of a sudden but i just thought it was adrenaline surging now im worried ive got an aneurysm also? HELP!

[anxietymom]

I have been suffering form anxiety for 6 years now. My sypmtoms have been off balance, dizziness, pressure in the head and ears, like I need to pop my ears. I have had all the tests done and I reccommend you all do that too! Anxiety, especially being off balane, dizzy, is a sign of a tired nervous system. You need to rest and relax that it is just anxiety. I know it is scary, but the more scared you get, the more adrenaline you release into your body and the worse it gets, a vicious cycle. Try to just go with it, understand that it is anxiety and that it will pass with rest and the halting of releasing more adrenaline into your system.
Am here to talk!

[captainhook619]

I have all the same symptoms plus ringing in my ears and burning senations.  have you tried medications at all or have you srtayed away from them.  and if you have tried meds what type and what were helpful

[anxietymom]

I used meds when I got my first panic attack, back in 2001, just for about a week to help me through while I researched my symptoms. I,  personally, don't like meds but everyone is different. My brother takes 4 different types of meds for his anxiety and has for years, it works really well for him, Clonapin, Zoloft, Zyprexa, Metazapine. Everyone is different though, what works for one might not for another. Have you had thorough med exams? If so and you are sure it is just anxiety, read the book, Hope and Help for Your Nerves by Claire Weeks, plus you can download her cd's. They were very helpful for me!!

[cwj]

Helllo all, I just found and read all of the above.  I feel unbelievable relief that what I have been going thru is shared by others.  I knew I was not crazy, but sometimes you begin to wonder.  Here's what happens to me:  first my left ear begins to feel plugged, all regular noises begin to really bother me, like the computer, cable box, pool pump, refrigerator, then I begin to feel very sick to my stomach, then I get to a place of horror, here I'm in a state that I absolutely can't be still and I can't run from it either, there is no relief.  It becomes the hardest thing I've ever done just to be still and do nothing.  This has brought me to the ENT, Cardiologist, ER, Internist many times.  I am healthy as can be and a very fit endurance athlete, although suffering thru this makes it vary hard to keep training.  I started taking ativan about three weeks ago and some nights I will take an ambian to get some much needed sleep.  My questions are 1) Am I better off taking the ativan and ambian, or not?  I honestly don't know if I can't take them at this point and function in my life of work and family.  2)  Is this something I will have for life or will it go away? When?  3)  What can I do to help beat it?  4) Will seeing a pyschologist or pychiatrist be of any benefit?

[cwj]

I forgot to add that then my ears, mainly my left one, begins to ring and compound the bad feelings.  Then at about this point my skin, mainly my  face, forearms, and lower legs begin to burn and sting.  When I take 1 mg of ativan all of this goes away for about 7 to 8 hours.  If I don't take another pill at this time the whole cycle of symptoms will start again.  I would give anything to get past this.

[Kaaaii]

hiya i suffered from all the symptoms mentioned im 15 and going for an x factor audition on the 15th july. first it was heart palpitations that really scared me my mum took me to the docs n he checked my blood pressure and heart rate and everything came back perfectly normal. he gave me some anxiety tablets which helped me, then when i stopped with the tablets it started again, the doc sent me to the hospital for an ECG Scan and again everything was fine, but i still felt something was wrong. i went to magaluf for a week and drunk some alchohol it seemed to have helped loads. but when we were in the resteraunt i felt a huge sensation of dizzenes i started to panic n had to run out of the resteraunt. i then drunk lots of water and became ok again now i just feel constant pressure on my head can any1 help me my email is ***@****    xxxxxxxxxx

[Kaaaii]

k a i r o b e r t t a y l o r @ h o t m a i l . c o m

[Heavenlee33]

I was reading everyones comments and it sounds like me.  I do have a seizer disorder and at the end of last year I was having a bunch one day and went to the ER. Ever since then, I started with Panic attacks (so scary, thought someone was going to kill me feeling.) and now have continued spells. I discribed them at first  was dizzy spells...but..I really don't get dizzy. They acutally feel like head rushes.  I also seem to lose track of what I am saying or I really need to think. I have noticed my memory goes on me. That is one symtom I haven't heard yet.  I dont have ringing in my ears but I do have a pain in my right ear like someone sticking a knife in my ear.  My doc says it's all from stress. Drives me crazy, what the heck do I have to be stressfull over, I just went to Vegas, I am a 5 year cancer survivor, I have 2 small boys, I am a special ed teacher..STRESS..not me!
Doesn't everyone have stress??? It just drives me crazy. I researched the "Headrush?" feeling and it came up as possible orthostatic intolerance??
Does that ring a bell for anyone? Deals with blood pressure changing when you get up or move? It can happen for me though if I just move my head.
Thanks for listening and if you have any insight..let me know. I take paxil and xanax as needed..but..I still get them.

[overAgain]

Ugh, I get the same thing. Infact, i have it right now. My ears feel like i went up a hill and my head is almost pulsating. I took a shower & thought I was gonna fall while in there bcuz I was so off balance. I pretty much have every anxiety symptom ever. Sometimes I purposly start breathing fast and feel my pulse cuz I think my heart is going to stop beating. I always think I have a brain tumor, or an anyerism, or something brain related. I always think I'm gonna die, daily..and for dumb reasons. What sucks is I know I'm physically healthy and its just a chemical imbalance, but I torture myself into thinking all these horrible things. Why? I dont know. I have had this for years and I'm only 23. I have never been on any medication and really don't want to start. I dont want to have to depend on it. I try to fight it and ignore it, and it works sometimes. I have never told anyone about my symptoms, i just keep it to myself and live as normal as possible.  I guess thats weird now that I actually think about it.

[bcgx]

I can relate. I get what I describe as panic attacks, but they aren't. It started in university, and I first thought it was aspartame related as I was drinking a lot of flavored water w/aspertame, stopping ended the attacks.

However, it came back a few years later, and began with the feeling like I was going to swallow my tongue, progressed into what felt like blocked ears and then fight or flight symptoms: sweaty hands, dilated pupils. Sometimes I would see one eye dialed which is very strange.

People think I am paranoid, but these attacks hits me like a ton of bricks. When I am getting these attacks I can only put my head down due to what I call dizzyness but it really  isn't (I think the head rush comment is right on the money, feels like head pressure or a sudden burst, sometimes it hits and I lurch forward like I was struck with a bat or something). Today, when it happens, (about 2 times a year, lasts for a week or 2), the plugged ears have gotten worse.

I think the best advice I have would be
1. Stop drinking caffeine, I have found that I can drink a cup of coffee a day on a normal day, but once the attacks start I have to go cold turkey for a few weeks or the attacks get a lot worse. In-fact the attacks almost always start after I have a drink of coffee and then can last for days even if I cut off caffeine. Alcohol, even in small amounts will also prolong the attacks (they don't happen immediately with me, but if I drink alcohol on the weekend, during the week the caffeine can set off an attack)

2. Try to relieve stress, easier said then done, but I find these attacks typically happen during a time of stress, even if it is mild stress.

I hope that helps you, it only mildly helps me, I have not found a way to prevent or stop these attacks, just to manage them and tell myself I can get through it.

[FemmeFugazi]

Hey, that's me ! The symptoms, I mean. I have that all the time, along with dizzy spells, usually in the morning. The dizzy sensations go away if I get a chance to get outside and go for a bit of a walk- which is relaxing for me as well as, I believe, the fresh air being a lot better for my system than indoor dust and allergens.

The head pressure happens if I'm trying to sleep after a long day; it seems the more worn out I am from work, etc., the worse the pressure is.

And I've gone through the ear-ringing, and the burning sensations that other people have mentioned here.

In the past six months I've spent the majority of my time in doctors' offices, being tested, and retested like some kind of lab animal. And what it has all boiled down to is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, with all sorts of co-morbids.

And one of the things that my doctor and I have looked into is Vasomotor Rhinitus.

It's a sinus inflamation provoked by stress, and emotional stimuli, that causes dizzyness, pain & pressure in the head, neck, and face, and other sinus-like symptoms.

So.... take a look into Vasomotor Rhinitus and see if you find something there that helps you- all of you- get over these maddening symptoms.

I know the meds I'm taking have helped me (Homeopathics for the most part- my body does not do well on chemical pharmaceuticals).

[beatmald]

My heart goes out to all of you, I too suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, I control them with prayer, I just repeat a basic prayer over and over, like The Lord's Prayer, that keeps me sane, my son also suffers from this affliction but his age (19) keeps him from getting better, his fears just keep feeding into all these symptoms like a vicious cycle, he is going for a neurological test this week, he is feeling the head pressure and the unbalance and it drives him and me crazy, anyway, I'll pray for you guys, in my personal experience when all else fails, spiritual healing is the way. Good luck and God Bless

[KristinLeigh]

Hi, I am 23 and have been experiencing the same symptoms (left side tingling head, fluid in the ears, numbness on left side of neck, face, dizziness) going on 3 years now. I was married at 20 and never experienced any of this. After the divorce and a lot of traumatic experiences with me, I started to get a fluid feeling in my left ear and anxiety feelings. I went to the doc. and explained my anxiety and was put on lexapro. I took one pill and felt like a zombie for three days. After this, I felt like medication was not the route for me. The symptoms got worse and I started having a hot ear feeling and pressure in my head. I made an appt. with the ENT and  found that I had a deviated septum. By the looks from my CT scan it was not pretty. It made sense why i would have pressure in my face and ear. Before going into surgery the anthesiologist found that I had a murmur, but said it was nothing to worry about. After the surgery, the symptoms continued.  I went back to the ENT and was tested for Meinere's. This came out negative. I made an appt. with a neurologist and had an MRI. This test came back fine, just showing that I had a cyst in my sinus area, but nothing harmful to me. I then made an appt. with a heart doc. and had an ECG done to make sure the murmur was nothing to worry about. This too was normal, but I am going in on Dec. 31st to make sure my anxiety has not affected my heart. I know I worry on a day to day basis about dying from a heart attack or brain trauma and this is not good. I have recently bought inspiration books and I am too young to be stressing about this and putting my health through this. It is very hard to not get upset when the symptoms occur, but I do not know what else to do. If I am ever around family or friends or out even shopping, I have to drop what I am doing immediately and leave. I am fearful of passing out when my head starts to tingle and I feel woozy/out of it. It was so bad I freaked out at a bank once and had to go to the doc. thinking it was my blood sugar causing me to feel like I was going to pass out, but it was fine! I am hoping the doctors can rule out possibilities and this way I know it is me as a person that is causing this to happen. Good luck to everyone, this is hard and I know my parents are frustrated cause they do not know what to do to help, so it is nice to know that I am not alone. Thank you and Happy Holidays.

[crzychick]

here is a link to that Maneuver that wunabnorm was talking about that they did at the hospital.  I had the same problem but the Dr. said I had Vertigo and gave me meds that didn't work.  I googled and found the site and tryed it and it worked.

It's a chart at the bottom of the page.  Follow the pictures like you are looking at a clock.

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec06/ch080/ch080e.html