Constant pressure in the head like its going to explode

Hi Guys,

I have been having this pressure type feeling in my head/brain for the past few weeks. It feels like the pressure is rising up to the head and like its going to explode. Sometimes I get dizzy also and I feel that I cant focus and concentrate...like I cant think. I feel weak and like I have no energy sometimes. I also have some small red bumps/pimples on my scalp and the hair on top of my head is starting to thin. I am only 30 years old.

Has anyone experienced the same symptoms? Should I go to the doc and check it out and get an MRI. I am a bit worried that something is wrong with my brain etc.

Thanks for your help.

[selmaS]

Hi...when ever u have persistent symptoms lasting 4 or more days u should consult ur dr ....please do so and post an update on what u find out.

"selma"

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Are there other symptoms present? Pressure type-headaches may be associated with primary headaches like tension headache which is often due to stress. The red bumps on the scalp, on the other hand, may be due to infection that needs to be evaluated directly. Have this checked by your doctor for roper evaluation. Imaging studies like CT scan or MRI may also be indicated. Take care and do keep us posted.

[devon102]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your replies.

I went and saw the doctor and I did some blood tests. The blood tests results all came back fine. The doctor said the pressure feeling on my head could be due to tension headaches as mentioned above. He told me to monitor the progress and see if it gets better. He told me to do more exercise so blood flows to my head properly and to take it easy and see if things improve.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Thanks for the update. Its goof to know that the tests done were fine. Rest, ice packs, muscle relaxants and other pain medications may help with tension headache.  Hair fall may also result from stress. Stress management, using biofeedback and  relaxation techniques may also help. Take care always.

[devon102]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the updates.

In the last 2 weeks I found a large dent in my skull on the top back of my head and now yesterday another dent has appeared to the right top side of my skull. These definitely were not there before and have appeared out of no where. The dents feel like they are growing also and getting longer and they feel like they get deeper on some days and somedays not. I still get the pressure tension headaches especially more now since I have found these dents on my skull. I am afraid that these dents will start appearing on other parts of my skull and come to the front of my skull where people can see it. It feels like something is eating away at my skull or skin of the skull.

I went and showed the doctor and he said there are only two ways that you can get dents in your skull and that is either by trauma or infection. Well, I definitely didn't hit my head with anything so it cant be trauma. If its infection is it caused by those red pimples/marks I was getting on my scalp before? The Doc says the infection has finished but then why is still denting on other areas. The doctor said it is really nothing and it is normal and has sent me for a cranial CT scan just to check it out further.

I am really worried that it wont spread to other parts of my skull and dent further. Have you guys heard anything like this before?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
infection would definitely be ruled out with the previous blood tests done. Dents in the skull do not usually occur since the skull is a very strong bone that do not change in shape easily. I also recommend imaging studies such as a CT scan to determine if there is any brain pathology present with these dents and ease any anxiety. Take care and do keep us posted with the CT scan result.

[devon102]

Thanks for the quick reply Rowena.

Went in for the CT scan today and should get results tomorrow.

Will keep you updated.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Good to hear that the CT scan was already done.  Hope to hear from you soon for the result of the scan. Take care!

[devon102]

Hi Rowena,

I got the CT scan results today and I checked what the Radiology doctor wrote on the report.

The findings were as written:

'The cerebral brain parenchyma shows preservation of the grey/white matter differentiation. No acute intracranial haemorrhage, large established infarct, mass effect, midline shift, hydrocephalus or effacement of the basal cisterns is seen. The brain stem and cerebellum are unremarkable.

The visualised osseous structures, paranasal sinuses and mastoid air-cells are unremarkable.

No significant intracranial abnormality is seen.'

I haven't seen my GP about it yet so I am not sure what all those terms mean but it looks like there is nothing wrong at all with my brain/head internally.

I don't think the scan can check for the dents though right? with the skull bone structure?

So, this rules out there is nothing wrong with my brain but still doesn't explain the skull dents on my head.

All I worry about is that the dents wont occur again to other places on my head especially to the front where it will be physically visible. My head is already a shaved hairstyle so all new dents especially the ones on the side is pretty clearly visible.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

Des.

[Dr Santos]

Hi Des,
The CT scan results showed that there was nothing wrong with your brain and no infection was present. The visualized osseous structures, which pertains to the skull/ bone, was also unremarkable which may suggest that the dents present may be subcutaneous in nature. Discuss this with your doctor for further evaluation. Take care always.

[devon102]

Thanks for all your updates Rowena. It is greatly appreciated.

I have made an appointment with my Doctor for early next week to discuss further.

That is good news then that there is nothing wrong with my bone structure and it is subcataneous.

I have a feeling it may be all stress related from prolonged stress levels.

Also, is it possible the more I prod and poke at my skull the more dents seem to appear? If I press hard and keep on touching my head can I make my own dents form? Or is it just all in my mind and I am just being to paranoid.

Thanks.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Indeed, the results showed unremarkable osseous structures. However,  you should also discuss the results with your attending because they are  in the position  to properly evaluate and see the CT scan plates also. It is possible that stress can be a factor. Further evaluation may need to be done to see if a certain amount of force may cause the dents. Rest, relax and managing your stress would really help. Take care always.

[devon102]

I went and saw the Doctor today and he said that there is nothing wrong at all with my head according to the CT Scan results.

He wasnt sure on what to say about the dents in my skull and said it was normal and was caused due to the veins etc..on the coronal sutures....

He advised me to stop worrying about it and to exercise more and take up meditation..

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you?  At this point, you can indeed stop worrying about it as this was already cleared by the Ct scan and from evidence-based medicine. However, try to observe also if there are changes or additional symptoms that will appear and keep us posted. Take care always.

[devon102]

Thanks Rowena.

I found another two dents on my head...one on the other side of my head parallel to the left side dent....looks like its following the coronal suture line...

The other one on the front side on my head...although its very small...

Dont know why all these dents are still appearing...maybe I will go to another doctor for a second opinion..

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Thanks for the update. Were you able to identify possible factors/ triggers that may be the  cause of the newly formed dents? What activities or food were you taking prior to this? You can indeed get another opinion regarding the cause especially if there are new dents forming and to ease any anxiety. Take care always.

[devon102]

Hi Rowena,

I wasnt able to identify anything unusual or factors that I did differently. Sometimes I have long showers...dont know if that softens the scalp...

I saw another doctor today and after pushing and poking around on my scalp he wanted to check for Pagets disease so he sent me for another round of blood tests and a normal skull x-ray.

Would my previous CT Scan picked up Pagets disease?

Also, just wondering if it is normal to have bone cracks/lines on the forehead under the skin? I can feel a couple of bone cracks or bone lines when I press on my forehead from the top of my hair line to my eyebrow.

Thanks Rowena.

Regards,

Devon.

[Dr Santos]

Hi Devon,
How are you? Paget's disease commonly causes no symptoms and is often incidentally noted  with X-ray tests. Indeed it can cause bone pain, deformity, fracture, and arthritis. And the most common bones affected by Paget's disease include the spine, the thigh bone , the pelvis, and the skull. A CT scan can pick up Pagets, however, further evaluation such as bone scan and blood tests such as serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) may be indicated. Also. bone that is affected by Paget's disease can easily be identified with bone scanning images. It is uncommon to feel cracks or lines on the forehead since the bone there is usually smooth.  Take care and hope to hear about the results of the  skull x-ray and blood tests. Best regards.

[devon102]

Thanks for the reply Rowena.

I sometimes do get joint pains in the knee and fingers etc but I don't think that I have the symptoms of Pagets disease. I am not sure if the initial blood test from the first Doctor tested for SAP. The CT scan I had previously as well showed no signs of Pagets either. But like you said we will see if the upcoming skull xray and blood tests will find anything.

It's weird that you say that it's uncommon to feel cracks or lines on the forehead since they are smooth because I can feel two bone lines/cracks running from the top of my hairline on my forehead down. You can follow the bone line down quite clearly. Maybe it was there all along and now I have only noticed them due to me pressing my forehead. Hopefully the skull x-ray will pick up on that too.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
It is possible that the lines/cracks were already there but just the same, mention this to your attending physician when you get back for follow-up. Indeed, the results of the skull x-ray and the blood tests will help determine the possible cause. Hang on and hope to hear from you soon for the results.

[devon102]

Hi Rowena,

I received my blood tests and skull x-ray results from the second doctor yesterday. The blood tests all came back fine and no signs of Pagets or any other problems. The skull x-ray also came back all fine with nothing to be noted either.

The doctor had no idea on what the possible cause could be and just said it had to be the suture lines on the skull and not to worry about it.

The frontal bone on the x-ray showed it to be rather smooth with no bone lines or nothing which is rather weird with all the bone lines I am feeling on my forehead and nothing showing up on the x-ray.

So, at the end of the day we still don't know what is causing the dents/soft spots and why all of a sudden they all appeared. Maybe it is like you said earlier that they are subcutaneous in nature and is the layer between the bone and the scalp. Maybe it is a skin issue then?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Thanks for the updates. If the skull x-ray and blood tests were fine, and the second doctor has cleared skeletal issues, it is possible that it is skin or subcutaneous in nature. At this point try not to worry about it.  With the tests and evaluation done, everything was fine. But just the same, observe and take note of any new symptom also. Take care and best regards.

[devon102]

Hi Rowena,

Thanks for the message.

I am trying to monitor the scalp and by looking at it closely it seems like the scalp skin is very loose and tender especially on the right side. The right side of my head also is where all the majority of the dents are. One thing I do everyday is take long showers. Do you think this could be a reason for my dents/depression in my scalp?

Also, I have hair loss around those areas as well where the hair is thinning. Just trying to see other reasons as to why this is all occurring.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
To rule out the involvement of long showers, you could try to lessen your time in the shower  and see if there is effect or changes seen. Hair loss can be inherited such as in male pattern baldness or it can be due to reaction to stress or underlying medical illness. It could be due to your reaction to stress. The growth phase of the hair follicles usually is arrested and will return to normal once the stressor is gone. Let me know how it goes with our little experiment. Take care!

[devon102]

Hi Rowena,

How are you doing?

Just updating you that my skull dents are still there although now I am not touching them as much like how I was before and no new ones have appeared which is good. I am less paranoid about it as before as well.

I have these new marks on my arms and lower stomach. Its like red rashes/bumps which are on both of my upper arms and are are puffy and very, very itchy. I also have the same on my lower stomach and under my armpit. They are like red round rashes/bumps made up of smaller bumps. Sometimes they are rough and other times they are smooth...like another skin layer on top of my skin...like a lizards skin...I have had them for quite a while now...maybe over 3-4 months and they are not seeming to heal. My doctor gave me diprosone cream to put on there...but it just made it worse and more permanent...like a different layer of skin...

Any ideas on what they might be?

Thanks Rowena.

Devon.

[devon102]

Hi Rowena,

How are you doing?

Just updating you that my skull dents are still there although now I am not touching them as much like how I was before and no new ones have appeared which is good. I am less paranoid about it as before as well.

I have these new marks on my arms and lower stomach. Its like red rashes/bumps which are on both of my upper arms and are are puffy and very, very itchy. I also have the same on my lower stomach and under my armpit. They are like red round rashes/bumps made up of smaller bumps. Sometimes they are rough and other times they are smooth...like another skin layer on top of my skin...like a lizards skin...I have had them for quite a while now...maybe over 3-4 months and they are not seeming to heal. My doctor gave me diprosone cream to put on there...but it just made it worse and more permanent...like a different layer of skin...

Any ideas on what they might be?

Thanks Rowena.

Devon.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? It is good that there are no more new skull dents. The skin lesions could be due to allergic reaction or skin infection. Over-the-counter antihistamine medications may help provide relief. If the cream prescribed by your doctor is not helping, I also suggest that you go for a follow-up for proper management. A change of medication may be indicated.  Diagnosing skin lesions can be tricky because direct clinical examination is needed. Try also not to scratch to prevent secondary bacterial infection. Take care and hope to hear from you soon.

[devon102]

Hi Rowena,

Thanks for your reply.

I went and saw my doctor and he wasn't sure on what the condition was so he has referred me to a dermatologist. I am yet to see the dermatologist yet.

Another thing I have been having is a sore/aching bladder, under the navel/lower abdomen. I have been urinating very frequently (5-6 times in a couple of hours) and there is an extreme urge to urinate. It always feels that the bladder is full and it is uncomfortable to sit down with the sore pressure feeling on the bladder like I am squeezing it in. Whenever I do go to the toilet I get a considerable amount of urine coming out but most of the time just very little. After I urinate I still have the full bladder feeling and in a couple of minutes I feel like I have to go again.

This has been occurring for the past 2 weeks now maybe. It feels like it is inflamed or very sore. I am always feeling like the bladder is full and I am squeezing it in. So like a continual full bladder feeling with frequent urination. Is this a bladder muscle problem? or a UTI? I may have to go for another visit again to the Doc to get this checked out.

Thanks Rowena.

[Dr Santos]

Hi Devon,
Urinary frequency and pain may indeed point to a diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Confirmation through urine tests will help in the diagnosis. Bladder issues like bladder dysfunction can be considered if the urine test is negative for UTI. Drinking plenty of fluids and applying warm compress may help also. If the rashes and pruritus persist, antihistamine medication may help. Hope to hear from you any updates soon. Take care always.  

[devon102]

Hi Rowena,

How are you doing?

Just wanted to get your opinion and advice on this pain I have been having. My ribs and breast bone have been very tender and sore for the past few days. I can feel two swollen bumps in the middle of my chest. Feels like it is on the ribs that is connected to the middle chest bone. When I press it..it really hurts to the touch. When I make movements, cough, laugh etc..I can feel the pain and tenderness in the chest. Its only on the right side of my central ribs/chest where the pain/tenderness occurs and where the two swollen bumps are.

Any idea to what it might be?

Thanks Rowena.

Kindest Regards,

Devon.

[Dr Santos]

Hi Devon,
How are you? How long have you been having the symptoms? Can you elaborate on the two bumps in your sternum? Is there pain, swelling, discharge or fever present? This could be due to musculoskeletal issues such as costochondritis or inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternal region or from the inflamed bumps. With costochondritis, rest, avoiding exertion/ lifting heavy objects, pain reliever and warm compress may help. It usually resolves after a few days. However, you may need to have the bumps checked by your doctor to ensure that they are not infected. Take care and do keep us posted.

[devon102]

Hi Rowena,

Thanks for the reply. I have been having the symptoms for just over a week now. The bumps are next to the sternum on the right hand side. There is no discharge or fever present. I can feel it hurting when I move/cough etc. There is also pain present when I press on it and rub my fingers over it to feel the bump. The swelling is not visible on the skin but when I rub my fingers over the area I can feel the swelling/bump.

I think it is like you said the inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternal region. From looking at skeletal diagrams on the internet it looks to be in that area.

Regards,

Devon.

[Dr Santos]

Hi Devon,
How are you? Do you still have the bump and pain in your sternal region? I hope you are feeling better now. Take care and best regards.

[devon102]

Hi Rowena,

How are you doing? I don't have the pain and lumps in my sternal region anymore and all is feeling better in that area now.

Although, I have several lumps in other areas. I have a big hard ball-shaped lump on my back under the skin. It is rather painful when pressed and it is under the skin and about the size of a large marble. It is not moveable and you can see the outline of the shape of it on the skin. There is no white pus or liquid at all. I have another one a bit smaller in size on the back of my neck.

I have had several of these lumps on my back before. They would form and grow big and round and then it would gradually reduce and go away leaving dark scar marks. It seems to be spreading and then disappearing over time.

Although, this latest one is quite big and very hard and painful to the touch. It's like a hard rock mass under the skin.

I will be going to show it to the doctor soon cause I am quite concerned about it. Any idea to what it may be?

Thanks.

Regards,

Devon.