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436713 tn?1408884730

Fuzzy Head

For two years now, I have had this light headed, non-spinning, VERY fuzzy. The way I describe it is that I feel like I have cotton balls or something in my head.  My head doesn't HURT.. and I am not spinning.. But I just have this sensation that makes me feel like I want to close my eyes.  It is even worse when I am in stores where I have to look at a  lot of things, and it often makes me feel very nauseous. I feel like I always want to lay down and close my eyes, and feel this way from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed.

I have gotten many blood test, and EKG and and echocardiogram on my heart.  I feel like I should get a brain scan, or something, but the doctors keep telling me I shouldn't worry since nothing is showing up.  But It is so frustrating, and some days I just start crying and get really upset, because I keep thinking I have a tumor or cancer or something.  

So then I get anxiety, which obviously escalates my symptoms.  However, the doctors are like, well maybe you are feeling this was because you keep thinking you are dying and that you are worried. But I'm like..."I'm feeling worried because I have these symptoms!!" Do you know how I feel?  

lately I have been having this headache feeling that feels like head pressure (which the doctors think is a tension headache from stress, as well as chest pain/heaviness, which I also think is from my worrying.  I'm just so sick of dealing with this!)

I just want to figure out what is wrong.  I eat extremely healthy, do yoga, get acupuncture, meditate, etc.

ahhh. Does anyone have any reassuring words or any idea of what I could have??
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Avatar universal
For the past three years i have been having fuzzy heads, poor concentraton, cant sleep. want to lie down in afternoon. I am more anxious about driving, being on my own, tight dull headaches. I suffer from migraines regularly... i just dont feel normal, i feel as if my head is detached from my body on an almost daily basis. I was started on hrt 2 month ago, which has helped the low mood but still have a funny head, took a turn at work 2 weeks ago, almost passed out, felt drunk and balance off.. im at a loss. scared to drive. Had ecgs, full bloods, blood sugar checked but they all fine, work colleagues passing comment that im not myself and havnt been for a long time. Think another visit to Gp on the cards. Worrying that its something serious deffo doesnt help. Going to try cutting out caffeine, alcohol etc, i just want to be me again.
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Avatar universal
Has ANYONE found anything that has worked? I have all of these symptoms exactly and have found no relief after CT, MRIs, blood tests, and neuro visits. I am desperate!!! They say that I am normal, but i know what normal feels like and it is NOT this. :(
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Avatar universal
I'm so sorry you are suffering. It is important that you have your thyroid checked, even if it has been checked before. Your T3 and T4 and Thyroxine levels being low can cause exactly the symptoms you are speaking of. As they continue to go down they can cause things as simple as congestion in the face, retaining fluid, but they can also eventually cause buildup of fluid around the brain, the heart, make the organs start to shut down etc. I don't say this to alarm you, but simply to point out how important these levels are and that they are somewhat related to your symptoms. My wife became seriously ill when her doctor ignored these symptoms until the point she collapsed.
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Avatar universal
Hi Lauren, I hope you have this sorted out. I have a lot of similar issues. One person described hypersensitivity the way you feel when in stores with lots of sensory input.
Others talked about tinnitus, which I have as well.  Heart pounding, just feeling awful like a bad flu or hangover.  Not dizziness like vertigo but a feeling the floor is not the right height.  It takes time for my mind to adjust when looking close, then far away, or looking sideways when walking forward.  

I will definitely try excluding some food to see if I'm allergic.
Thanks for the ideas everyone.
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Avatar universal
Lauren9748 do you still have this issue?? I am having it now exactly to a T what I have had for a year now I hope you get this message I'd like to talk with you my email is a.***@**** I want to see if u still have it and if u do we should talk if u don't you list tel me what it was and what helped!
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2 Comments
Lauren9748 I have no idea why I can't give u my email and why that message messed so badly but I guess write back to me on here or maybe we can talk on Facebook messenger if u tell me your Facebook name I really wanted to know what you ended up figuring out! I could use help this is annoying and so depressing
Hi Amyk35 have you found any answers to your problem?
17676743 tn?1459013362
Hi I have had the fuzzy head thingy for about 2 month now 24/7. It does not matter if I am standing, sitting, or lying down it will not go away. However, it might sound strange to some of you young people but hormones as well as thyroids have a lot to do with it. I have been listening to a lady called Barbara Hoffman on YouTube granted, her videos are mainly about Menopause and hormones. Due to the fact that I am in my late 40's I feel her videos are helpful. However, men and woman can have issues with their hormones in their 20's. In addition, thyroid issues can start around that age as well. I started taking progesterone cream so we will see if this might help level out my hormones and make me feel better. Good luck to you all. Hope you feel better soon I know it suck.
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Avatar universal
THYROID THYROID THYROID.
This is a top thread when searching for this symptom. If you have been experiencing "brain fog"  or "cotton balls in your head" consistently for months on end, you feel like something is just wrong in your head, are tired no matter how much you sleep, and some days a worse than others, with stress or lack of sleep causing bad days ... then GET YOUR THYROID and TSH LEVELS CHECKED. It's a cheap test, and it's very diagnostic. There are numerous people who don't get properly diagnosed because they are young, haven't had weight gain or changes (too tired to eat), and don't have irregular periods if they are women - the two most obvious signs that make doctors think "hypothyroidism".
Young people are expecially likely to get misdiagnosed with major depression because many of the symptoms superficially match and feeling tired and fuzzy all the time is liable to interfere with school and work and relationships, causing depression and anxiety.
In addition, if T4 levothyroxine hormone replacement is not working for you and you have hypothyroidism, look into getting T3 replacement as well. There are varients of hypothyroidism where too much T4 is converted into "reverse T3", an antagonist of the most active thyroid compound T3. It negates the effect of hormone replacement. Adding T3 bypasses Reverse T3 to ensure your body is getting the active T3 it needs to function properly.
THYROID THYROID THYROID.
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Avatar universal
I've had this feeling for almost two years now. I woke up one day and it was there, this feeling of physical fuzziness in my head like there's cotton in it. I've had several blood tests, urine tests, and an mri of my head done with everything coming back completely normal. I even made an appointment with a neurologist and he said he didn't recognize my symptoms and hat it could be from any number of things such as west Nile and I may never find out what it is. Thinking about it gives me anxiety because it causes a feeling of impending doom sometimes and freaks me out. At first I thought it was candida because one blood test did come back with abnormal candida but I did a candida diet and supplement for a month with no results. I then thought it was mercury poisoning and got my Mercury cavity fillings replaced with porcelain with again no results. I'm vegetarian if that helps at all but I haven't been able to figure this out. I'm making an appointment with a gastrointestinal professional soon to see if it's something to do with my gut. Btw I'm a 21 year old healthy male. Any advice?
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Avatar universal
This is a common symptom of copper overload.  It's really common for vegetarians and vegans.  Zinc balances out copper, but many people, especially vegetarians and vegans don't get enough bioavailable zinc in relation to how much copper they consume.  I am not a vegetarian, but we don't eat a lot of meat.  Taking a zinc supplement has helped so much.  Just take it with food - it can make you nauseous.  :)
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Avatar universal
This is a common symptom of copper overload.  It's really common for vegetarians and vegans.  Zinc balances out copper, but many people, especially vegetarians and vegans don't get enough bioavailable zinc in relation to how much copper they consume.  I am not a vegetarian, but we don't eat a lot of meat.  Taking a zinc supplement has helped so much.  Just take it with food - it can make you nauseous.  :)
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Avatar universal
I'm so glad people are still on this thread!

I also have a job where I stare at a computer all day (data entry). But I've had this job for a little over a year, and the fuzziness didn't start until about a month ago. But maybe that has something to do with it.

The only other viable causes I can think of are makeup (I started wearing foundation for the first time last month - although I think that's a bit of a long stretch) and not enough fruits in my diet. I hardly ever eat any fruit, so I am going to start eating more apples and berries. Hopefully that will make a difference.

Some people mentioned radio and cell phone waves - it could be the cause, but again, it's a long stretch.
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Avatar universal
I feel the same exact way! I mean to a T. It has been a little over a year for me! It is so annoying and scary :(. Especially being in like a store when my kids want to shop around. From the minute I wake up to the min I go to bed. This feeling is so weird and hard to explain but I feel you did a good job. Maybe we can find a couple things that are common in life for both of us. Like I work at a credit union and stair at a computer all day. I have three little girl. I just had a baby back in August but I was feeling this way a couple months before I even got pregnant. It scares me everyday thinking I have a tumor of something putting pressure on my brain. I take birth control pills. I have been to ENT, I have had nerve testing done as well. I hate that my doctor doesn't seem worried. He actually makes me feel like I am crazy. I just want answers and reassurance. I think my next step is to try an ib profen once a day.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your great advice.  Glad that your problem is solved.  

For anyone that is interested to find out what you are allergic to, there is a blood test that tests all kinds of foods and outdoor stuff.  It's been a long time ago, but I believe it was an IGa  test or something like that.  It was pretty expensive, but I never have gotten the bill and it was 4 years ago or at least I didn't recognize it on the many pages of what my insurance pays..
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Avatar universal
Do any of you have a runny nose?
Apparently that was my problem, and I have found my cure! I hope it will be helpful to some of you.

For as long as I can remember, my nose was a bit runny. Not a big deal, I got used to it, and it never really bothered me.
A couple of years ago, I started having a fuzzy feeling, headaches, and dizziness that really affected my life and work. I went to see neurologists, done a CT scan and tried migraine medications (which gave me a 3-hour long piercing migraine, so I never touched those again), no one seemed to find the problem. When the dizziness got worse I went to an ear-nose doctor to see if there might be a problem with my inner ear, and she says "of course your head hurts, your nose is stuffed, and I can see by the sides of it that you blow it a lot". So she gave me an anti-allergic nose spray, and within two weeks I felt like new! Now I take antihistamines daily, and the headaches and fuzziness are gone!

Some of you have mentioned allergies, and advised people to do an allergy test or avoid certain foods- but that doesn't always help. I did numerous tests and still don't know what it is that I'm allergic to, if there is such a thing at all. I just take allergy medications, which are safe and reliable, and it works just fine.

My advice to everyone here- if you blow your nose a couple of times a day, no matter how esoteric and irrelevant it seems (I can get a stuffed-nose headache without even feeling that I need to blow my nose) go to a doctor and ask for a nasal spray for a constant allergic runny nose. Try it for a while and see if it works, and then you will know if that is part of the problem. After that you can try and figure out what it is you are allergic to, and how to manage it.

Tell me if it works!
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the info. Can you tell me how you are treating your symptoms?
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Avatar universal
Hi!

I just wanted to comment on this because I have chronic "weird fuzzy head" and know the cause for mine.

Hopefully this might help some of you...my fuzzy head comes from fluctuation in catecholamines...typically when its on the uprise. Your fuzzy head may have nothing to do with this, but I've noticed a lot of your doctors are looking at brain abnormalities, which is not really where this would come from.  If there is anyone at wits end and hasn't tried these things, I'd ask your doctor to look into it...

1.  catecholine levels  (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine)  For me, when these levels go up, my fuzzy head occurs more frequently.
2.  your adrenal glands.  This is where these neurotransmitters are made, so if there is some relation between the two, it would be a good place to start.
3.  rare tumors.  Rare and mostly benign pheochromocytoma - which affects the adrenal glands, and paragangliomas - a  neuroendocrine neoplasm.  Both are rare, and both are mostly benign...I think 95% plus, but both can cause secretion of catecholines.

My other suggestion would be to see an allergist.  I've also noticed an increase when I eat things I'm allergic to.  Gluten allergy apparently is one to look into.  

Hopefully someone finds some help from this...good luck!  Its annoying, but after a while you can ignore it.
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Avatar universal
The same as you, the MrI and cat scan have shown ventricles. I have been plagued w/ these symptoms, sometimes accomp by dizziness, for the past 5 mon, but they went away for about 6 wks only to return w/ a vengeance about 4 wks ago. Dr has perscribed migraine med to take as needed, w/ little help, have done phys therapy for dizziness, but the last time nothing new was mentioned to try except meditation 5 m/ day w/ shoulder weights. Now dr has me taking 75mg butterbur 2x/day but I heard it can take 4 m to work. She said she'll prescribe a daily migrane med if butterbur doesn't help w/in 10 days, however topomax seems to have some neg side effects. She mentioned a beta-blocker, but I'm already on BP meds. I exercise, which does decrease the fuzziness, but it seems lately I'm dwelling on it, and wake up in the middle of the night w/ it still slightly in the same spot in my head. Let me know what you think I should try...
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Avatar universal
Someone told me I should get my eyes tested?
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Avatar universal
Right now I have a headache which I have had for the last 4 days now and a constant feeling of dizziness like I am going to pass out. I had bad anemia 2yr ago and had to get a blood transfusion.. I was wondering if this would be to do with that again? Its horrible I worry I may have a growth or something in my head
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Avatar universal
I'm 28, and have had similar feelings/symptoms for about 7 years. Although they have worsened in the the past 2-3.

No pain, just feeling constantly tired, and not with it. No matter how inactive or active I am, or how much sleep I have had.

This coincides with my move into London - possibly linked? I also have tinnitus, which posts on here seem to suggest a potential link.

I have had blood tests with no answers. I have been on a paleo diet (cutting out grains etc) and that only helped marginally.

In order to even reduce the symptoms, I have to work extremely hard, to the point where it's almost as debilitating to live such a life style as it is do have the fuzzy head conditions. I would be on a paleo, yet rich in protein diet, wake up very early and do 2 hours of very strenuous exercise 6 days a week before work. Obviously a way of living that can't be maintained, and makes a mark on relationships/friends/family.

At the age of 28, feeling so low energy, lethargic, mellow is very frustrating and I feel as though I am seeing my friends of similar ages really making big drives at this crucial time in your life, but I can't match it, and feel as though I have lost my spark and self confidence as I am unable to live up to the potential I feel I have.

I try to live by a routine, a to-do-list, but I am too exhausted to get what I use to be able to do done.

Things that I have tried that haven't worked:
Air purifier, routine, no alcohol, no grains, no lactose, routine hard exercise, fresh air, holidays, longer & better quality sleep, increased hydration. Whole weeks off to reset. Multivitamins.

Things to try:
Move house? Move out of London? More tests? Vegetarian? Psychological ideas? I'll try any decent suggestions!

Glad to hear that for some people it just goes away, but I don't think in my case this will do so by itself as it's been 7+yrs, plus I want to make the most of being able to push for things whilst still young.

Will report back if any developments or improvement. Any help very appreciated.
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Avatar universal
Lauren,  I think it's terrific that it went away by itself.  I'm wondering why you think that the Vegan diet wasn't so good.  Did you notice a change soon after you stopped it?  Thanks for your posting.  Sara
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436713 tn?1408884730
Hey everyone! I just discovered my original post... over 4 years ago! It's amazing to see how much this post has grown... I wish you were all here when I was going through all these symptoms! Unfortunately it seems to have gained popularity years after I left this site.

Just wanted to update you all.  Amazing, and annoyingly, all of my symptoms went away on their own.  I know this isn't helpful, but hopefully it gives you hope that they can go away.  

Looking back, I think veganism was a bad choice for me. i was vegan for 4 years, and am now a big time grassfed meat eating, dairy, local eggs, and tons of organic local veggies.  

I wish you all the best!
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Avatar universal
This is so interesting! I am at work now but researching fuzzy head as its making me feel so sick right now. I really struggle to concentrate and I am so tired all the time.

It started about 7 months ago, I remember it was just before I left my last job when I was feelin greally stressed so I assumed it was this, I had also tried to cut down my caffine intake at the same time which I thought may be the reason. I don't have it all the time so I havnet worried enough to go to the doctors. Apart from I did go about a sinus infection as I had sinus pain round my eyes and nose and front of my forehead .The doctor said I didn't have sinusitis so didn't give me anything, he just told me to stop taking pain killers. I have been using a nasal spray convinced it was sinus related but it hasnt helped that much, and have now been using that twice a day for the last month.

I am really interested in what you said about a food intolerance as I am a  bit of an allergy kid anyway, allergic to cat hair, dust, nuts and soya! You mentioned oats...I hadn't had porridge since I was about 7 years old and I started eating it around 7 - 8 months ago, every day!! I will definately try to stop etaing it for a while and see if it makes a difference.

Also as someone else mentioned about checking B12 levels. I had a bad stomach bug last year, 2 in a row in fact followed by cold after cold after cold! I then spent about 4 months feeling exhausted and thirty. It really took it out of me. Once the constant thirst went and the tiredness remained I went to see the doctor who checkled my B12 levels with a blood test. They were low so I had a course of B12 injections. Felt SO mcuh better until the last couple of months where I have started feeling very tired again although not as bad as before. Going on holiday for 2 weeks soon, hope that will re-charge my batteries as I have just had another B12 test and my levels are normal now.

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Avatar universal
So sorry that I didn't know about your response until now.  How often do you get these migraines?  If less than 3 times a week, then you should get a strong pain killer by prescription to treat them.  If they are more than 2 times a week, then you cannot take any pain reliever without risking getting non-stop rebound migraines.  In that case you should be taking daily preventative migraine medication which is also by prescription.  Your migraines should not be from menopause, at least not that I've ever heard about.  If you have already tried these treatments, there are more treatments available.  Let me know, if you're still on this site after it's been so long. Nobody should suffer so much.
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