Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

lightheadedness, pressure in head, tingling

During the last six weeks I
43 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I have had the same symptoms, including a feeling of drunkeness, pressure in head, especially at the base of the skull, shooting pains above left ear to above left eye, tingling and slight numbness in face (left side) and left arm, inlcuding pain in the left thumb, nausea, and inability to focus when reading.  It thought I was having heart problems, stroke, brain tumor, bad sinus infection, etc.  I have had a CT scan of my brain and sinuses, as well as an MRI of my neck.  The only thing found was a slightly bulging disc in my neck, which, I was told, should not be causing my symptoms.  I was actually starting to experience some mild depression because nobody could tell me what was wrong with me and i felt this way all day, every day, for months.  It was especially bad when I was trying to read or do computer work. Sometime into the process, I was asked by my nueurosurgeon if I had recently had any whiplash-type injuries where the neck was jerked back hard and swift.  
It turned out that, several months previously, I was on a water ride called The Edge, where you are on a mat and drop over a steep edge onto something that looks like huge skateboard half-pipe.  When I was flung up to the other side, my head was slung back and it felt like a crunching at the base of my neck.  I had an immediate headache that lasted the rest of the day and my neck was stiff for a few days.  It went away after a couple of days and I didn't think of it again until the nuerologist asked me about it.  It was determined that I had a compressed nerve in my left shoulder.  According to the nuerosurgeon, there is a nerve that runs from the spinal cord  through the left shoulder and all the way into the thumb.  Because of this nerve being compressed, and the tension created from that, it was causing tension in the muscles running up the left side of my neck as well, which was causing the symptoms and headaches on the left side of my face and above my left eye. He sent me to a place called Integrative Therapies, where I went through a series of therapies including bio-feedback therapy, cranio-sacral therapy (not sure if that is spelled correctly - really interesting therapy that worked great!), deep tissue massage and something that included posture, such as preferred sitting, standing and sleeping positions to relieve pressure on the shoulder and neck areas.  With the bio-feedback therapy, they were able to show me, on a computer screen, that the tension level on my left side was much greater than on the right.  They showed me relaxation techniques and I was able to actually see the tension level decrease on the screen while I was performing the excercises.  During one of the deep tissue massage sessions, the therapist located that nerve running through my shoulder and the pain shot down my left arm all the way to my fingertips!  I went through these therapies for about 2 months and my syptoms went away completely.  I also purchased, at the recommendation of the therapists, a contoured memory foam pillow.  What a difference it made in my ability to sleep.  It took all the pressure off of my neck and shoulder and even made my lower back pain go away completely (and I had that before all these other symptoms).  I started out with a pillow that I purchased at Target for $20 and now use a Tempurpedic contoured memory foam pillow.  It is much better but also way more expensive, which is why I started out with the pillow from Target.  I do not go anywhere without my pillow because I can tell a huge difference when I do not use it!

Sorry this has been so long, but I hope that it helps.  I have just now started to have some symptoms again.  It has been 1 1/2 years since I completed the therapy.  I have been stressed lately and feel like my stress is accumulating in that same spot again, so I am going to go back to the excercises that they gave me and schedule some deep tissue massage sessions and, hopefully, that will take care of the problem.  Good luck with all of your conditions - hope this has been helpful!!!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hello all,

My story starts Feb 11th and has continued until present and none of the 15 plus doctors I have seen have any idea what I might have. Many of the symptoms expressed by danny7 and others on this forum are similar to what I am experiencing. Here it is:

1. Fatigue (on and off)

2. Numbness and Tingling in left side and it usually feels heavy. This also comes and goes as if they were episodes. So far, I have not lost mobility.

3. Pressure in my neck and head.

4. Numbness and tingling in my head.

5. Sensitivity in my temples also a constant low lying headache unlike any I
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, Has an e e g helped? was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A related discussion, Allway lightheaded head ache was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for responding to me.  It's just so frustrating.  Please let me know what your results of your last test are.  Knowing that all is well with you has already helped with the anixety.  I can live with all of these symptoms as long as I know that they are not life threatening.

Thanks again!
Good Luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
gkibler,

I had the same symptoms, and had an MRI and CT Scan of my sinuses and brain. All came back negative. I saw an allergist thinking it was a sinuse infection as well, and since the ct scan came back fine for my sinuses he ruled it out, but gave me a nasal spray and antihistamine anyway. THat did't work, it only made me jittery, so I stopped it right away.

I've had this for a month, and just had an ENG done last week. This tests your inner ear to see if a virus or disease could have infected it, which would make me unbalanced and dizzy. No news yet, but I should get a call today with the results.

My Doctor, Neurologist, and the ER doc I saw all said the same thing... I must have gotten a virus, that infected my ear, and has caused all of these symptoms. I doubt it, but they are the ones with the medical degree, so who knows.

Your Neurologist will most likely send you for an MRI - which is a piece of cake. Just bring a CD of choice, and you'll be in and out in a half hour. My Neuro said he wanted to rule out everything, and he has, which was a relief. But the waiting for results is painful. Try to stress your concern and have the results back in 24 hours. Mine came back in 6 hours... no joke... 6 hours after my MRI the neuro called me with the results.

I too was having anxiety, which my doc said is a byproduct of not knowing what is going on, and the lack of control we have over it. I still get it ocassionally, but not as much these days. Just hang in there, and ask a ton of questions, and push to get more tests done. The more you know, the safer you will feel, the less anxiety you will have.

Feel better -
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Experiencing very similar symptoms to a lot of the above posters - it was quite a relief to come across you guys. It is always reassuring to know you're not suffering alone. I have a constant dull pain and pressure at my left temple with sometimes an accompanying pressure around my left eye, 'numb' sensation in the left side of my face, occasional muscle spasms in the back of my neck and legs, a feeling of light headedness, nausea and sometimes, when I lay down, the feeling that I'm going to faint. The combined effect of these symptoms has me feeling very nervous and I'm finding it a task to fall asleep before 6.00 a.m. I really want a MRI or CT scan - anything to give me reassurance that I'm not suffering for a critical disorder.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi- I'm new here, and I was looking for answers too. I've had 3 car accidents ( none of my doing )7 years ago. Then I was just in another one, but was in an awkwrd position leaning forward tring to get my mom to stop cause a lady ran a stop sign. My symptoms started with a headache, then a Migraine, and Nausea, with a fever. I thought I had the flu- since I hadn't felt all these symptoms before. I went in to see The Chiropractor 4 days later when I was in immense pain- and had a hard time focusing, thinking, and the Migraines wouldn't leave. The Chiropractor took x-rays, did an exam, and said I had a bruise ( my brain seperated/tore from my skull so there was some swelling.)Whiplash, and back injury.Told me to Rest, Ice, and take off work, He then sent me to my reg DR. and he prescsribed me Vicodin, Volteran, and Skelaxin. Told me to check back if the pain got worse, and for a check up. 1 mo later- he did refills. 3 mos later he siad I should see Physical Therapy-they said I had TMJ ( with muscle spasms in face, sore teeth, tight jaw & throat, hard to swallow sometimes, Migraines, Pressure in Jaw )TOS ( Thorasic Outlet Syndrome) Numbness & Weakness in arms and hands- did that and a Tens unit- which helped for stregnthening and muscle spasms. Although the symptoms still there. Chiropractor & Message Therapy 4 mos-helped with all the spasms and tightness- I felt perfect that whole day- but back to symptoms the next day or two. Chiropractor referred me to TMJ specialist- I was fitted for a device and Migraines went away, felt new, was feeling normal for 2 weeks, pressure was alieviated when I wore the device, Painful at first to move lower jaw muscle back into correct position. Sleep apnea gone- able to breathe -Bio feedback siad I was now getting 20% more oxygen -since my tongue was not blocking my throat-while I slept. 6 Months since accident- now I still have Light headedness, dizzy, TOS, TMJ, and pressure in whole head-possibly tension headaches? I feel more pressure with Loud Trucks, airplanes over head, or loud Bass sounds. I'm still feel lack of oxygen. IME- says I shold be fine-and Regular Dr. has be set up to see a Specialist- Physiotherapist- in 2 weeks. Lawyer says continue Chiropractic & Message care ( since I was getting relief from strain of my work-( photographer & Loan officer ) and now the doctors have me off disability- so I have to work full time), and tomorrow I go in for a 2 hour check up on my TMJ device $ 3200.00 each one.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Has anyone ever thought about TMJ? I was just looking up the symptoms, and they all sound fairly close to what we are experiencing. TMJ can have some very strange symptoms that you wouldn't expect from it.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a lot of these symptoms as well.  Tingling in the head, double vision, headache, neckpain & joint pain.  It's been going on for a few days now.  Last night, I started getting tingling in my arms and lets too and it woke me up.  I have TMJ but i've been to the dr. and these symptoms are not being caused by TMJ.  I have an appt. to see a neurologist a week from today but I am going to have very hard time waiting.  The tingling in my head has gone from scarce to constant and it's literally driving me crazy.
My dr. kept diagnosing me with a sinus infection but that's clearly not it. Also, about 2 mos.ago, I had trouble breathing and thought I was having a heart attack.  After 7 hours in the ER they sent me home and told me I had aniety.  I'm scared to death. When I look up all of these symptoms, I get answers like MS or head/neck cancer.  Has anyone had these symptoms and it be something minor?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
In response to the person who said that sensitivity to Eletromagnetic forces could cause these symptoms...

This could be possible. I am a designer and work in front of a computer for 8 hours a day. With little distractions throughout the day. I have doing this for the past 8 years. I was once told to stop every so often and refocus my eyes, or get out for a walk occassionally not only for sanity reasons, but for health reasons. Being in front of a computer for so long each day could possibly have a negative effect.

Does anyone have the same symptoms and in a similar work situation?

Although, last night I did read somewhere that a pinched nerve can cause similar symptoms.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi to all ~

As the Good Lord would have it I found you guys with many of the same symptoms that I have been struggling with for some time...In looking for the millionth time as to what could possibly be at the bottom of it all I spent considerable time today mining the net (again!) and found one common denominator that fit many of the symptoms to a "T" - Electromagnetic Sensitivity.

It would take a good while to cut and paste all the abundant information on it, and it couldn't possibly fit into this posting, so I'll just list some of the research links I've compiled for all your consideration ~ plan on spending a fair amount of time reading...NOT fun discoveries to be sure.

So, hope to be of help and here goes (listing, listing followed by site address - be sure to explore sites):

ElectroSensitivity-UK
July 30 2006
Cross Currents and The Body Electric
by Dr Robert O Becker
Dr Robert O Becker; twice nominated for the Nobel Prize, author of Cross Currents with a new foreword by Louis Slesin and the book The Body Electric.
http://www.electrosensitivity.org.uk/


The danger of chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields
http://www.tetrawatch.net/science/chronic.php

ENERGYFIELDS.ORG
AKA Council on Wireless Technology Impacts
We are citizens and professionals concerned about safe uses of
Electromagnetic Radiation
http://www.energyfields.org/


EMR POLICY INSTITUTE
http://www.emrpolicy.org/

Study Review of Hypersensitivity of Human Subjects to
Environmental Electric and Magnetic Field Exposure
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ehib/emf/RiskEvaluation/Appendix4.pdf
Computers
for the Electrically Sensitive (ES)
by an ES Engineer
EMF Control for Computers
Computer Tips
Gathering Stories
Questions and Answers
Proper Use of a Trifield Meter
Building a computer from scratch
EMF from hard drive
EMF from mouse
Modifying Keyboards and Screens
ES or Flicker Sensitive?
http://www.citlink.net/~bhima/emfcomp.htm


Take care all ~



Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Has anyone figured out what all of these symptoms mean?
I have the same symptoms, the dizziness, the pressure behind my nose, the back of my headache, and the occasional numbness and tingling. I have been to a neurologist, who suggested a CT scan, and MRI. All came back normal. I'm just waiting for my ENG results. I have been in perfect health up till this point, I'm only 30 years old.

Does anyone have any answers? Could this be a sinus issue, if I had my sinuses scanned and looked fine? This is very depressing... and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Guys!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello Everyone,

I am also going thru something so horrible to me that I cant even describe and now its getting worst and worst which doesnt let me live my life anymore in a happy manner, it started at the beggining of the year in Jan 10 when i was having lunch and i felt a headache and numbness on the back of my head, right after that i passed out for a few minutes and when i came thru i was soaked wet in sweat and was really really cold. after that I got a physical,and eeg, and electrode and all came back normal.  I still dont know what it was but now things are worst. I get alot of the symptoms that you guys describe. I have the brain attacks as danny puts it, which feels like your going to pass out and like if your head is getting numb and you feel cold flashes passing thru your head and body. also i feel fatigue,numbness at times of the back of my head and jaw and face. my ears get stuffy and feels like im on a plane. i feel pain on my neck and back of my head, the muscles feel very tight. i get night sweats. shortness of breath due to this , i guess im starting to have panic attacks and my heart races due to not knowing whats wrong and thinking im going to pass out. I get trembling. I dont know what could be causing this, i have always been healthy and never had any problems till this year, its been 8 months and im still going thru this hell , I dont know what else to do. I feel sometimes like my head is going to burst and as if im going to pass out but i dont. Please help anyone or any info would be great.  Thanks you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I completely can understand what all of you are going through with the frustration of not knowing what is going on and having very real and even dangerous symptoms. I was out on an event 2 weeks ago during the humid weather, and literally had my legs go numb and tingly and weak and it started in my lower left forearm, since then I have not been able to drive or walk or stand or sit much without their return. The ER said peripheral neuropathy as a their best guess, and my rheumy had no clue.
Every night I wake up with a bizarre sensation in my legs pressure is down from my legs  to my ankles where it sits & then my legs start to tingle and get numb and then my back of skull feels numb and tingly, tongue feels swollen...final result I become faint...I have to get up walk around and massage my legs for it to calm down..sometimes elevating the head or legs helps.

After 2 weeks of this sudden disability, I had a massage therapist come to my home who did some deep tissue, so far she said I have an inflamed sciatica, but I don't know why my head is involved or arm. Anyhoo, all my labs for lyme, RA, CBC and back xray, are normal..I will have a brain scan Friday, which I hope is ok. I did sleep well for the first time in a week after the massage, so maybe it could help some of you as well.

It is frustrating I know. I will post if I find anything useful in my results. I only take aciphex and naprosyn for the moment..I have taken naprosyn for 3 years now.
My symptoms seemed to kinda start with jabs in the calves after taking Methylprednisolone (spelling)..5 day pack. It lowered my postassium without my knowledge and then a week after I finished this med...I started with all this weird stuff.

Best of luck to you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am new at this so here it goes.  I have been having the following symptoms for 1 year with no luck on finding out what it is.
-balance problem (have fallen 3 times now)
-tingling in left and right arms
-foggy headed
-bluring in mainly left eye
-headache (not migrane)
-pressure in the back of my head

I have been to: ENT-Eye specialist-vertigo specialist-headache specialist-vascular doctor-nurogalist-Neurosurgeon.
I have taken the standard pills for veritgo and did the eppley (not sure of spelling) procedure for 3 months.  I have had a cat scan-MRI-MRA-sonagram.  All of these have show nothing.
I am getting very depressed and tired of feeling like this from the time I get up until I go to bed.
This affects my job because I am reluntant to go to certain places and if I have to walk for a long distance.
If anyone has any suggestions for me I would greatly appreciate letting me know.  If you can think of another type of doctor I should seek help from please let me know.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hey im an 18 year old male and i suffer from really bad pressure in my head back and arms. Especially in the top of my head and middle of my back and its lasts for days. I also suffer from tinglyness and pins in needles in my body especially arms. My family says i suffer from severe anxiey and my gf says the same thing but it doesnt fell that way i havent been to the doctors yet cause my twin brother has for his heart all the time so i think they wont treat me like for real but i am really suffering with this its hard to work, think, and conduct my every day life some one tell me whats wrong and give suggestions i also have cracklin sounds in my head i fell like im the only one
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello
I am 28 year old , i have been experiencin panic attacks for now more then 4 years, but all of suddeen i started feeling sevre head ache and pressure feeling in my head which has made my life miserable i cannot concentrate on my work , i always have this pressure feelign on my head plus nausea and feelign i will faint
I have shown to the neurologist who says clinacally i nothign wroing and asked me to see for another month and if symptoms do not go away then he will conduct the MRI, I have been workign under lot of stress these days
I am not sure whether this part of the panic attack or some thing else
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
for the past few months since I had my baby actually about 9 months ago I have been having the pressure in the head feeling.  At first that and a few occasional chest pains were my only symptoms.  Now since July I have had many more symptoms including the pressure in my head which the only way I can describe it is like your head is a balloon and it is being blowed up!  I have also been having dizziness, can't focus my eyes very well, my face sometimes feels tingly, I can't swallow right, I feel real nevous and shaky feeling, my stomach hurts all the time.  The doctors have ran numerous test like echocardiograms, Ct scans, blood work, I have worn a heart monitor a couple of times and a 30 day event monitor.  The doctors were under the impression that it was anxiety.  However I do not feel anxious and have nothing to feel nervous about.  Until finally my ct of my sinuses showed that I have chronic sinusitis and my eustachian tube in my ears was closed too which I found out after visting  an ent. He asked me if I been having any dizziness He said this could be causing some of my symptoms.  I have to admit after worrying for months about this I have become anxious and nervous about it.  However I was wondering if any of you have any input on my situation.  I am currently taking ketec an antibiotic and zyrtec and nasonex but I dont feel any different I still have the occasional dizziness and nervousness.  And I forgot to mention I cannot stand light anymore it kills my eyes and my symptoms get worse when I am in the heat. Please give me any input!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had two fainting spells.  I fainted while driving about a month and a half ago.  I visited my family doctor who referred me to a nuerologist.  The nuerologist ordered three tests.  I also fainted last night.  I had two of the tests performed this morning- and ansar test and an EEG.  The technician really freaked out during the ansar test and called in an RN (apparently the doctor was out of the office).  The RN explained that my heart rate was extremely high (140) and that my blood pressure was low.  Since neither the technician or RN are doctors, they could not tell me anything more.  I have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow morning, and I know that they won't be able to tell me anything until I see my nuerologist in two weeks.  I'm very concerned and don't know what could be wrong with me.  Help?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Nikki76

Just a few thoughts I had when I read about your symptoms and that your husband and kids may be having similar symptoms.  I wondered about environmental exposures since there are multiple persons living in the same household with some symptoms.  It might be difficult to know but are you exposed to pesticides or herbicides for your lawn or community spraying now that you live in Florida?  Or do you live in a home which was flooded and either has black mold or other fungus or possibly was sprayed inside for pests or mold?  If you have mold you might consider using diluted clorox and airing out the house very well.  If you have chemical/pesticide exposure you might want to determine the types and talk to neighbors too and then a county health doctor or even a PhD professor type at a nearby college for information about it.  Just some thoughts I hope will help.  God bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi
A few years back I suffered some of the symptoms which some of you have.
Almost fainting followed by pressure in the head. Sometimes headache [pressure] did not start till the following day.It got to a point where i had so many 'episodes' that I was never without the bad head ,couldn't cross a road by myself or walk down the street. I was bad news.Also had 'tingling' but no pain.

Had an MRI but nothing wrong.
Neurologist sent me to a cardiologist
Cardiologist did 'tilt table test' and decided I had Neurcardiogenic presyncopy [presyncope]
syncope is fainting so presyncope is the almost fainting which I was having.
I was put on beta blockers but this did not help.
Cardiologist then gave me a choice of a drug which would control the heartbeat or something which would alter the chemicals in the brain. I felt so dreadful that i chose the latter.
BINGO! I was feeling fine in days.
if you look up Neurocardiogenic Syncope [or Syncopy] and Presyncope you might get a better idea as to whether this may help you.
it does seem to be stress related.
I hope this may help you
jmlo
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi!  I had the same exact sysmptoms as you and thought I had a stroke one night.  It was very scary.  The paing shot thru the left side of my face, kind of like it was coming from over my left ear and into my left brow and temple.  Afterwards, the whole left side of my face and my left arm tingled.  I started experiencing a lot of dizziness and nausia during the day and couldn't even read to my child at bedtime cecause I felt like i was going to be sick - I really couldn't even focus my eyes well. Thought I might have a brain tumor! Go up and read my post from 5/18/06.  It turned out that I had a compressed nerve in my left shoulder(from a whiplash-type injury, although stress and tension can do the same thing)  Once I started going to a rehabilitative therapy practice (Integrative Therapies), my syptoms went away after 6-8 weeks of weekly therapies to reduce stress and tension.  My symptoms cleared up 100%. It is amazing what can happen to your body from stress and tension caused by many types of reasons.

Hope this helps (make sure to read my post on 5/18 for many more details)  Good luck with getting better!!

jp67
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
the decision to check into the compressed nerve was made after all the other tests came out fine (CT scan of head, neck and sinuses, MRI of brain and neck, heart was fine) The tingling in my arm and pain in my thumb was the biggest clue because there is a nerve that runs from the spinal cord down to the thumb.  Once I started the series of therapies, it was confirmed through the bio-feedback and deep tissue massage.  I can remember one massage session where she went really deep and hit right on the spot.  We concentrated on that area and they gave me excersises to reduce stress and tension in that area.  I wrote earlier that some of my symptoms had started returning and, by applying the excercises and relaxation techniques for just a few days, the symptoms have gone away again.

I hope that you have found the cause for your symptoms and that treatment is working as well for you!!
Helpful - 0
2

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Forum

Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease