PRESSURE IN HEAD

I was happy to finally read that someone else suffers with 'pressure in the head'.  Everyone I talk to (friends, family, physicians), think I'm crazy.  The pressure I encounter is so great that my hearing becomes muffled.  It lasts for about 30+ seconds. I do not black out nor do I get headaches or feel dizzy. I am a 61 year old female.  Only once my blood pressure register slightly high.  I have an office position.  I am 5'4" and weigh 176 lbs. I have had MRIs/CTs/Full body scans, you name it.  Everything comes back normal.  I get this feeling at least 3 to 4 times/day.  This happens when I get up from a sitting position.  However, when this happens I am not standing up quickly nor am I standing up from a chair position.  I drive a Honda Van with the seat position as high as it will go so when I get out of the car I basically am almost in a standing position.  My son was diagnosed several years ago with vasovagus reflex.  What is that and could that possibly be my problem?

[Forum-M.D.-SH]

First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.      
   Vasovagal syncope is caused by an abnormal reflex that results in a drop in blood pressure and slowed heart rate, with decreased blood flow to the brain causing (dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting).  After several seconds the system recovers with increased heart rate and vasoconstriction of the blood vessels.  This abnormal reflex is mediated through the vagus nerve (supplies autonomic control of the heart) and occurs due to many stimuli including seeing blood, needles, emotional stress, injury etc.  From the symptoms and story that you describe, I do not suspect your symptoms are due to an abnormal vasovagal reflex, but could be impacted general autonomic dysfunction causing blood pressure fluctuations with postural changes.  The heart has baroreceptors (respond to pressure) that constantly control the vascular tone by the autonomic nervous system (ANS).  If your ANS is not working properly, you could have dramatic shifts in your blood pressure that could theoretically could cause the 'head pressure' that you describe.  I would suggest a tilt table test with autonomic testing to evaluate your ANS and its response to postural changes.  The other possiblity would be a primary headache syndrome, you can associated features of headaches (such as headpressure) without the typical 'headache pain'.  Starting a headache prophylaxis medication such as nadolol, elavil or topamax may help to decide if this is related to headache (it takes 2-3 weeks to work).
I hope this has been helpful.

[Mels22]

HI I AM 26 YEAR OLD FEMALE - GOOD HEALTH EXCEPT I HAVE CHRONIC SINUSITUS - HAD AN MRI IN NOVEMBER THAT SHOWED THAT. FOR THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS, I HAVE HAD RINGING IN MY RIGHT EAR AND A FULLNESS AND SOME PAIN. I HAVE ALSO HAD STRANGE SPOT HEADACHES ON THAT SIDE. I'M A LITTLE OCD SO THIS CONCERNS ME. I HAVE BEEN AFRIAD OF ANEURYSMS MY WHOLE LIFE AND WAS WONDERING IF THIS COULD BE THAT. I HAD A CT SCAN MRI/MRA IN NOVEMBER WHICH WAS CLEAR EXCEPT FOR THE CHRONIC SINUSITIS. FOR THE PAST COUPLE DAYS, THIS FULLNESS/PAIN HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I HAD A SINUS INFECTION LAST WEEK BUT TOOK THE Z-PACK AND ALL THE OTHER SYMPTOMS I HAD CLEARED UP EXCEPT FOR THIS EAR STUFF AND SOME SPOT HEADACHES. THERE IS ALSO A CLICKING SOUND WHEN I CHEW OR TALK OR OPEN MY JAW WIDE. ALSO, I CAN HEAR MY HEARTBEAT IN MY EAR SOME AND SOME SWOOSHING NOISE. IT DRIVES ME CRAZY AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY.
MY QUESTIONS ARE..
1. COULD THIS BE AN ANEURYSM?
2. CAN AN ANEURYSM GROW THAT FAST (IN 2 MONTHS)?
3. SHOULD I SEEK MEDICAL HELP RIGHT AWAY?
4. DO I NEED MORE ANTIBIOTICS?
5. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR IT?
I GO TO THE ENT ON THE 30TH BUT THESE SOUNDS AND FEELINGS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY AND WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING SERIOUS. YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
THANK YOU!

[vega1318]

Did anyone check your blood pressure laying down, sitting up and standing?  Sometimes, people don't regulate their pressure well and it  can fluctuate greatly when they change position (even if carefully) - giving them similar symptoms.  A vasovagal presyncopal symptoms are possible too.  Have you had  a full cardiological workup including a "tile table test?"   PErhaps, your doctors should consider it.

[vega1318]

sorry, I meant a "tilt table test"

[RobertMillerFoundation]

If anyone suffers from "head pressure" and wants to talk then email me at ***@****..  I was having mystery symptoms and had about 5 doctors tell me to see a psychciatrist but I was finally diagnosed... check out Robertmillerfoundation.org/letter.html