Extreme pressure in head and symptoms worsening.

[NoFluxes]

Today after doing some stretches (all I can do anymore) I was sitting up and the pressure in my head suddenly became so extreme, I became very lightheaded, my heart was slowing down, couldn't think straight, had trouble breathing, developed a headache, and also everything became more blurry. I tried to ignore it at first but it just kept worsening, I looked at my blood pressure standing up and it was at 90/70.

I fear that I'll become bedridden now since I'm at great risks of fainting and the symptoms are unbearable even sitting up... My doctor is currently out of town and can't contact her, even so its unaffordable without any health insurance, my dad is unemployed right now and having his own health issues but no one is giving us help.

My theory about the pressure in my head becoming so extreme is probably due to the sinus infection I have worsening since I'm allergic to the dust in my house. Apparently I actually did have the sinus infection 2 years ago but was left unmentioned to me.

[LivingInHope]

Not only may you have something serious, but with your dysautonomia, I imagine you are that much worse with the diarrhea!  I hope you are able to orally intake adequate fluids and electrolytes to make up for the loss with the diarrhea!

[NoFluxes]

Well my dad's car does have that indeed, but I might only have to wait another week to see my specialist again since we got approved for 'all kids", I mean at this point I should just wait instead of trying to go to some cheaper clinic lol. I been having some diarrhea and stomach ache issues lately though that has been constant for the last 4-5 days. If this new problem doesn't go away the infection may be serious.

[LivingInHope]

In a lot of cars, the front passenger seat can lay quite far back- maybe you could find out if your parents have one of these kinds of cars?

[NoFluxes]

Hmmm they might have some, but that still requires me to travel which I can't be sitting down much anymore.

[LivingInHope]

Well, I still believe a few months is too long to wait for an infection, if you have one.  Do they have no clinics in Chicago that charge less- such as a county hospital?  I'm glad you are trying to help along your immune system.  

[NoFluxes]

I never heard of doctors that nice where I live, but I do see your point on how infections are a serious matter... I do a lot of things for my immune system though so that should help in the mean time fighting it off, I mean even if I don't get it checked out by MY doctor now it should still be in the new few months.

My dad got a letter saying that all kid's was approved finally but we still need to wait for the card and such, either way the wait can't be that much longer for the sinus issue.

[LivingInHope]

If you did have an infection, one shouldn't just let it go.  You might be surprised how inexpensive a primary care family doctor visit might be, even without insurance- in fact, you might find one willing to give you a reduced rate if they know there is no health insurance and the financial situation.  They might even be willing to do a monthly payment plan.  And I believe there are certain antibiotics (older ones) that are less expensive than the newest kind.  No matter how many times you use the netty pot, I highly doubt its contents would reach every corner of every sinus.  

Infection, if you have it, is not something to be ignored.  Bacteria can multiply and infections can even become lethal.  So if you have symptoms- mucous that is not clear in color but yellow & painful pressure in your sinuses, and think you  may have one, please see a doctor!  A cousin of mine had a tooth infection.  The infection went to a faulty heart valve, and he had a massive stroke and died a short time later.  And in nursing school, I heard of a person who died from an infection that started in a small cut in on their finger.  

[NoFluxes]

LOL I'm not depressed believe me, I just realize the truth there's a huge difference, but anyway yeah it is possible I still have a sinus infection but its also possible its only mild, I won't be able to get it checked out though like I said until my dad gets that assistance. Oh and I used the neti pot a total of 3 times by the way and after the third time I became more lightheaded, at that point I don't even think its worth it but yeah I agree it should be checked out when possible.

[LivingInHope]

Well green would have been pseudomonas (if nursing school memory serves me correctly), but yellow (rather than clear) can be an indicator of a different kind of infection- staphylococcus I believe.  I think you need to be seen by a doctor, because I doubt one use of the neti pot would have cleared out an infection, if you indeed have one.  The mucous maker is still there and you have sinuses the nedi pot I don't believe would reach- the sphenoid sinuses, for example.

I sometimes get headaches from standing myself.  There are adjustments I've had to make, but I do hope you won't become bedridden from the problem!  Have you tried drinking a glass of water prior to standing aftery lying down for an extended period?  Have you tried compression hose?  Not all anti-depressants are the same, so if you are severely depressed, you might want to call the doctor about youre experience with the drug they prescribed and ask if something might be better for you.  For example, prozac generic was prescribed by one neurologist I went to as a possible migraine preventative.  On the other hand, during a period when migraines seemed in remission, celexa generic prescribed by a different dr. brought them roaring back with a vengeance.

[NoFluxes]

Well I have quite horrible news, I ended up buying OTC stuff for the possible sinus infection and the one I used is actually highly recommended its called the neti pot. Using it was pretty painful but anyway it did clean out most of the mucus (which was yellow not green) and didn't notice a difference in the pressure in my head.

I guess the pressure can just be caused by the drop of blood pressure or something else, but I do know I'm not the only dysautonomia patient with this symptom and some people don't even have the sinus issue.

Sadly as time passes the symptoms are indeed worsening, I'm not completely bedridden but if I am... a huge reason is because of this strong pressure. BTW I have tried an anti-depressant for this problem the last visit to my specialist and didn't improve any symptoms but cause more.

[LivingInHope]

There are multiple sinuses- hope you find a drawing outlining where different ones are, such as maxillary, frontal, sphenoid.   If you have pressure and pain when pressing in those areas, I'd recommend you go to a primary care physician (since they usually are the cheapest to go to versus a specialist), explain your symptoms and if they diagnose you with a sinus infection, they would want to prescribe antibiotics... if they do, you can ask for an effective one that's been around a long time, because it's likely to be cheaper than the newest one on the block.  

And if you take a prescribed antibiotic, I recommend you get some inexpensive over the counter acidophilus capsules, put them in the fridge and take them as directed on the bottle during taking the prescription, because antibiotic kills good bacteria along with bad, and often times can cause diarrhea because of this.  This way, you'd be putting some good bacteria back into your intestines- had a friend recommend this to me and it worked for avoiding diarrhea in the past!    

See PM on more info on things you can use in your room, where most people spend a lot of hours of their day, whether it's sleeping or doing other things- it may be the most important room in your house to try to keep as dust free as possible because of how much time is spent there.   You might be surprised that some Honeywell air purifiers on line may not be as expensive as you are thinking.

I think since you suspect your sinuses, it is worth pursuing.  To be so miserable even sitting up is not how I'd want to live and I doubt your folks would want you to live like that either.  Sacrifice may have to be made for you to see a doctor, but see if your parents aren't willing to do that for your sake, won't you?

[NoFluxes]

I wish I had one of those air purifiers, money is a huge problem currently but yeah that would help the dust issue. I don't know exactly where the sinuses are also but I can look that up right now. I don't agree that I should go to the emergency room only because there really isn't much they can do for me without charging, even though my house is full of dust I'm still more safe here anyway. And about the other things... no I never even heard of those.

I need an MRI done though because I don't know how serious the pressure in my head could be, its too bad it isn't FREE though.. I really don't know what to do about it anymore though since there's no good solution

[LivingInHope]

Re: sinus infection angle that you have- do you feel a sense of pain and fulness when you press on your sinuses?  Since it's been two years, have you not seen the doctor since then to bring these symptoms up to them and ask if you should be getting anti-biotic?  Do you have an air purifier at least in your room, for the dust allergy?  Do you have a hypo-allerginic dust keeper outer zip up pillow protector?  And what about a vinyl mattress cover?  

Regarding your father's lack of insurance- I definitely agree you should be seen immediately and the emergency room would be the place to go.  They are required to take you regardless of ability to pay, I believe.  They can tell how to apply for financial assistance, may offer you a discount on the bill if you tell them of the financial hardship & might even be willing to set up a payment plan.  Don't let lack of money stop you from getting medical care over something that is so seriously affecting your health.  

[CCF HeartMD6]

Your symptoms might be related to positional changes -- meaning your BP changes with certain movements and may be affecting blood flow to your head. However, it is impossible to tell just from over email alone. If you notice these symptoms when you move to a standing positon from either lying down or sitting, try doing this more slowly.  However, there are also a number of other causes that could be causing this and should be evaluated by a physician in a more appropriate setting. If you experience fainting or are blacking out at all -- you should really be seen immediately to make sure there is not another underlying cause for your symptoms -- such as an irregular heart beat that can be serious.