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pressure feeling on top of head

hi,
for the past 2 weeks ive been having a feeling of pressure on top of my head (i posted previously).  it was not really a pain like a headache, just pressure and just on top of the head, not really all over.  i had a cat scan done w/o contrast that was interpreted as normal.
My question is,
can a cat scan determine the presence of unruptured anuerysms? because im really worried about that and tumors since this started.
Also, i do have anxiety disorder which i take xanax .5 mg 2x daily. and i notice that sometimes after i take the xanax, the feeling of pressure subsides somewhat.  could something like this be psychological or anxiety related?  it's not what i usually get as an anxiety symptom so im really worried about something being wrong or the cat scan missing something.  please help.  
thank u for ur time and for answering my previous post.
Pan
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1316182 tn?1285158716
I am having the exact same symptoms! It's scaring me! As we speak, I am having that burning sensation on the top of my head. I am also experiencing it at the back of my head at times. Left side only. I also have pressure in my left ear most times. I also have dry eyes too! It's causing me to have bad panick attacks and pain and strange sensations in my arms at times. I am under alot of stress right now, but always lead a stressful, panicky type lifestyle. So why do I feel this way now???
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Avatar universal
hi mii name is ceecee. i am a 21 yr old college student i recently got a new job and on the job you have to look at the computer screens alot and last month in march i caught 2 bad sinus infections and after that my allergies have been kicking my butt. lately ive been feeling wierd. my head feels pressure between the ears and my head feels tingly at times and i get hot sensations n pressure in one spot on top of my head. this morning i had a bad dream and it felt like something popped around that same area but i woke up and nothing was there. am i going to be ok or should i go get checked? im very GOD fearing n believe in his will so im going to put things in his will but still being human i get scared. i just wanted to hear a doctors opinion if someone wouldnt mind sharing?
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Avatar universal
After reading these posts, I feel like I'm not the only one to experience this pressure on the top of my head.  My problem has been attributed to anxiety and stress after the death of several people close to me, my father being the closest.  I started experiencing this pressure 2 months after his death. There are days that I dont have it all and other days it stays with me all day.  I am currently taking 10mg of Lexapro and it does alleviate it, but it doesnt go completely away.  It seems to hinge on what I have going on in my life at a particular time.  I'd appreciate any responce if anyone experiences the same.
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Avatar universal
Here's a site I found where they list & describe 36 types of headache: http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/EMIHC000/20933/20933/231464.html?d=dmtContent#

I used to have a pressure at the top of my head that didn't hurt, but when I bent over, it felt like it was going to explode.

I also used to have many episodes of those electrical shock-like "zingers" (mostly in my head, but also in my elbows, hips, and knees).

For the headaches, I've been going to a "headache and neck pain center" and getting weekly injections of miacaine (spelling?).  It's a type of freezing, similar to Lidocaine or like the kind a dentist gives you, except I have it injected all over my head - in my eyebrows, temples, cheeks, and back of my head.  It might sound silly, but I'm given a "pre-freeze" before they give me freezing (I think it may be a milder dose of the same thing, and perhaps just enough to freeze me a tad so that I don't feel the burning sensation of the "real" freeze).  

I'm also given injections in my neck and shoulders with a different medication, a sort of muscle relaxant (never asked what it was called).

The headaches (I refuse to call them "my" headaches) have dwindled considerably.  The way the doctor explained it to me, it's a "hyper nerve" that causes them, and although the freezing itself only lasts for 10 or 12 hours, having repeated injections on a weekly basis over a period of months "trains" the nerve to calm down, and over the months the nerves "learn" to "behave".  The doctor also said that because I am getting relief from the freezing, that it is definately nerve related (anything more serious, like an anurism, would not see relief from the injections).

As for the electrical shock-like "zingers" (which may only last a minute or less and are terribly painful while happening), I'm taking an anti-seizure medication which again, helps calm the nerves.  The one that I found which works for me is Epival.  Although I'm RX'd 2 tablets a day, 1 does the job and the "zingers" have gone from 30 / day down to only 2 or 3 / day.  This particular med can be awfully hard on the body though, so I need to check the levels of it in my blood every 2 or 3 months.

A "rice sock" provides relief for the headaches as well.  Here's how to make them...

*Stuff* a sock completely full with some sort of grain (NOT corn!) - a dry, UN-cooked rice does nicely (minute rice will not work). Because heated grain has a bit of an unpleasant odour, if you like you can add a few drops of a nice-smelling pot pourri oil, or even a few sprigs of lavender. Then, either use an elastic band to close the end of the sock, or tie a knot.

Since this heat pack can be used over and over again for years to come, you may want to use an additional sock as a cover so that you can pull it off to wash it.

Heat the "rice sock" in the microwave ONLY for 1 to 3 minutes... even though the rice is totally dry, it lets off steam and can burn, so be VERY CAREFUL not to heat it too long. Apply it to wherever you have pain. It'll stay hot for about 45 minutes to an hour.

I wrap one around the back of my neck and lay another over my eyes when I have a headache (the heat makes my tense muscles relax, which itself eases the pain a bit). My mother lays hers on the small of her back, or puts it across the front of the seat on her computer chair so it rests under the backs of her knees.

I hope somether here was helpful and that you find relief for the pain. Good luck!
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Avatar universal
sounds like a tension headache. they can be caused by anxiety, which is treatable.
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Avatar universal
The CT scan with contrast is good for evaluating medium to large tumors, and large aneursyms may be seen. However, a MRI is better at evaluating these disorders. The low grade pressure sensation is not typical for pain related to these disorders. Anxiety and stress can manifest as various symptoms. So to answer your question anxiety or stress could present with similar symptoms. However, this should be a diagnosis of exclusion (meaning other things should be considered first). I again would recommend that you discuss this with your primary doctor or see a neurologist to have this completely evaluated. Good luck.
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Avatar universal
SDA
Hmmm... I also have been getting that "hat on your head" (almost feels like a cotton ball inside my head) feeling lately, with occasional stabbing pains on the top and sides of my head. I'd be very intersted in the answer to your question. Thanks for posting it.
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Avatar universal
I have similar feelings but it feels like I have a hat on my head, when I don't. I also get sharp stabbing pains on the side of my head that come and go.  I get migraines if I am exposed to too much light or sunlight. I still don't have a diagnosis

Take care,
The Canadian.
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Avatar universal
aneuyisms are characterized as sharp headaches - one you've never felt before.  Tumors would cause some motor problems, vision, headaches. Your symptom is most likely anxiety.
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Pino84:

I guarantee that it'll be the excess use of the computer. If you use a computer for more than 7 hours a day, or watch television for that long it's going to do bad things.

Myself, personally, I use it over 12 hours a day because I need it because of my living. I have a strange pressure feeling on the top of my head, find it hard to focus my eyes on something for a certain length of time (especially a monitor screen or a television), the closer I am too the screen the worse it is as well (the focus thing, not the pressure).

If i press on my head the pressure goes away, but does come back after not very long, but it comes back with a pain which stays for a minute or two so I don't do that anymore.

Give it a try, go for a even something as little as a few days without using a monitor screen, looking at a television or anything like that and I guarantee that the pressure feeling will go away.

Since I know this is how it works for me, I've started to cut down on the amount I use my computer, and use alternative methods, such as if I need to type up a report, i'll take a break from the computer, make a cup of coffee, sit and chill with some music and draft up my report on paper first.

The best things I can suggest are:

1. Use your computer for no more than 10 hours a day MAX (that including breaks).
2. Take regular breaks every hour or two (don't go stupid and do what other people say and have one hour on and one hour off, cos it's just not needed). People say you should take breaks, and it is true because your eyes will become strained and tired and you could even cause blindness by burning your retina. I myself, use the computer for 1-2 hours, then I find other things that I can do, although still in relation to my computer, such as like I mentioned above by drafting up my reports on paper first them type them out on the computer after i've had a break.
3. Do not press on your head because it gives a few minutes relief from the pressure.
4. If you do have pressure on your temple and it's really getting too you, take a break from the computer and try taking something like Ibuprofen (consult your doctor prior).
5. Sit the required distance away from your monitor that makes it less of a strain on your eyes.
6. Make sure you monitor is above 72 Hz in refresh rate. TV's, If I remember right, run at 50 Hz as standard, or they do in the UK, so thats even worse ... try not to think that you can take a break from your computer and go watch tv, because it's going to make it worse.

Try not too worry about it, i'm sure that once you start using your computer and watching tv less, the pressure will start to get alot better and wont be there as much, although it'll still be there sometimes, you're just going to have to live with it as I have too.

I hope those pointers helped anyway, as I spent weeks trying different things and found that basically the less I look at a monitor screen, the better my head feels. Try to get some exercise as well .. nothing makes you feel more refreshed and alive than getting some decent exercise .. maybe such as a 30 min jog or a game of football.

Also about the Ibuprofen, I've heard that you shouldn't take them too much as they can do bad things to the lining of your stomach walls ... however, if you need to take some definetly consult your doctor beforehand.

Again, try not to worry .. just try to forget about the pressure. I know it's hard sometimes as i've been there myself, and still am there myself dealing with it. Worrying will only make it worse anyway, so just do something on your breaks to take your mind of it .. like go out to your friends house, or go to the pub or something like that, or even listening to some music and air guitaring - which is my personal favourite ;)

Good luck
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Avatar universal
Hello, again. I've just finished a 24-hr urine, CTscan, MRI and event monitor. Everything is normal. Last Sunday , I had 2 episodes. My neighbor, who is doing residency, told me she saw another patient with my symptoms, and it was a migraine attack that was initiated by a spike in estrogen. Since then, I have been researching this diagnosis and it makes a lot of sense. I am 49 and am in "peri-menopause" meaning that I am having some hot spells and irregular periods. I have had headaches prior to cycles in the past, which are "migraine' in nature due to vascular condition. When I have these attacks, I feel like my head is exploding, but I don't have nauseating pain, just a dull ache afterwards. This doctor told me that the degree of pain varies in patients. The fact that it is happening in only the right side of my head is significant. Also, when I have too much wine, it seems worse. I have now stopped the red wine, aged cheese, soy sauce and am watching diet closely for triggers.
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Avatar universal
hi everyone reading some of your posts ive noticed a alot of symptoms of psuedo tumorceribri the pressure in the head feels like your heads going to explode when you bend over sounds in the ears and pain in the eyes and alot of others.to make a long story short if thats what you maybe experiencing  you should go to your doctors.Nothing shows up on an mri or ct i've had 6 ct and 2 mri its a condition of to much  ceribrial fluid that pushs on the nervs in the brain and spinal cord and can give a realy sore neck  realy tight and stiff you should look it up if your interested it can be diagnosed by a lumbar puncture (ouch). I hope none of you have it ,having it myself i can tell you it's realy shity and no cure for it and doctors are not knowledgable about it.
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Avatar universal
Today is the third day I am experiencing heavy pressure on the top of my head. Not really like a headache, but it feels as though I have hit my head.It began after working in the flowers early in the day, but it was humid and I got very hot. I take Toprol,Hyzarr and Potassium. The past week I have taken Trimspa. This pressure is also made worse by bright lights, noise and bending over. Overall, I just feel tired and this pressure extends to my jaw at times. I have TMJ and had a root canal 2 weeks ago. What do you think?
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Avatar universal
I have had this condition for a week, I think.In April, got dizzy, had bad tachycardia and spike in BP. My Dr started me on 2nd medicine (Toprol). Last week, I felt the same sensations, dizzy, felt like head was exploding, ears ringing, flushing of skin and sever spike in BP...177/121. This happened three times. Daily, I have "numbness" in top of scalp, feeling of pressure on right side, no pain, seems to be worse in morning and get better at night. On occasion, I get a "ringing" in ears and have noticed BP spikes from 117/73 to 145/94 in 2 hours. I had CT scan and blood tests. NADA. Today, I'm getting an "event monitor" and an MRI. Will post later.
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Avatar universal
Wow...Im glad Im not the only one suffering.

Im a 20 Year old male form Australia.

When I first fell ill with my problems which was abou 4 years ago at the age of 16. I used to panic what was wrong with me. I thought I had Meningitus, Brain tumours or Glandular fever etc. I thought I had cancer cause I developed a Hormonal lump on my Breast and I am a Male. I do crave sugar and thought it was Diabetes....

This depression or illness i had made me develop an Anxiety.

At times I have felt a little bit better but never been well to what I used to be.

I have taken Zoloft, Roaccutanne(For acne has had known side effects to cause depression and suicidal tendencies)

At the moment I am 20 and dont feel as though I am anxious Because I try not to worry what the problem is etc ..but I still have the symptoms and it affects me cause I cant work...I yawn all the time.

SYMPTOMS:

Pressure in ForeHead and temple. Heavy Sensation..Like a Tension Headache.
Pressure behind eyes. Heavy
Tired, Unmotivated
Hard time Conentrating or Reading  
(Feel like Im looking through the words or a weird vision Dizzyness)
Cannot focus or stare at objects..Eyes seem to want to look away or focus infront or behind..I guess they are strained or Fatigued
I am a Perfectionist..but Trying not to be lol
Constant Blocked nose

My sleeping patterns are bad. I do go out a bit and usualyl sleep for 4 hours a night..then sleep in some mornigsn till lunch time..But my system is set to wake up after 3-4 hours of sleep lol..


If I put my own pressure or a heat bag on my head it takes the pressure away a bit but comes back.

I list possible causes at the moment

Double Jointed in shoulder blades..Probly neck and back is out because I can use my arms and skip with them while keeping my hands together. I do have poor posture at the moment.
Anxiety disorder..Worry too much
Depression
Play alot of games. Watch TV and use the computer.
Genetics..Parents on Zoloft.
Other causes unknown etc..

What can I do :(..Im about to try Aurorix

Has anyone heard of this site

www.actionlove.com  

Apparently DR LIN says he can cure my symptoms but I worry abou drug interactions and safety over the net. His medication is unheard of but it sounds great. But is hormonal growth safe?

I just want to be able to feel well. :(...I have only had blood testsbut I am sure its not fatal or anything and I have a feeling its depression or back and neck probs. I just want to get better. Is it worth to get on Anti Depressants? If I stop them with the withdrawal symptoms. :(
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