PAin at top of head?

[ssparklers26]

I'm experiencing a new pain. I have pressure like someone is pushing from the inside of head at the very top in the middle. It's very strong and very painful does anyone else experience this? The intensity sometimes changes with position but it's always there.

[ajunebug]

I get the pressure in the middle of the back of my head...in fact, that's how I got diagnosed originally. It got worse and became a daily thing and I was afraid I had a brain tumor or something! I couldn't get in to my GP and finally went to the ER and said, "You're going to think I am nuts but I think there is something wrong with my brain!" Boy was I surprised when they did the MRI and told me, "Uh, yeah. There IS something wrong with your brain." Whoa! All that pressure is so uncomfortable. I feel like the top of my head will blow off, or my eyeballs will blow out from the pressure sometimes. It's like the pressure of a sinus infection, but in your skull instead of sinuses. So hard to explain unless you've experienced it.

And I am with you, I am about at the point of going ahead with surgery because I'm sick of dealing with this pain and pressure. I'm sick of looking at a certain kind of chair and thinking, "That is going to hurt me so much if I sit in it," and I'm sick of having to sit anyway and then being in pain all day long.

[ssparklers26]

I get the wooshing sound off and on. Weird. I told my husband at this point if they offered me surgery I doubt I'd refuse. I'm just at my limit. I of course would still do my research but I just need something to get better.

[actressmouse]

I also have the "whooshing" sound in time with my heart!! However, ten years ago, after an ENT sent me for an MRA, he told me "it's just the way you're made....you'll have to get used to living with it" and quickly dismissed me from his office!! No mention of chiari, no further follow up recommended.  At that time, I only had the ringing in the left ear, no hearing loss, and the "whooshing" sound....no headaches (AKA "the good ol' days!!") I naively took his word as he was the "almighty doctor".  I've since learned that MDs only use the tools they have in their toolbox...and this ENT didn't have a clue!! I feel validated by others who can relate.  Thanks for sharing!!

[lu7997]

I love how people assume "headache" is something that can be fixed with a few Tylenol.     No one can possible understand in normal headache land the worst migrain can barely touch a chiari good day.  

Yes the pressure headaches is what I get. Like my head is trying to push through my skull.   Mine is usually at the aides and into my ears.   I can a hear a very annoying loud swooshing all the time the matches my heart rate but it isn't a heart beat.   Sometimes it is at the top and pushing down too. But that usually occurs if u accidently laid flatter at night while I slept or if I dis too much bending over.   The bottom up comes along with it when the weather changes and the pressure is low outside. Like with cold fronts or storms.    

But this is not an exact science.  This is my OCD like observations trying to make sence of this.  


I am truly sorry u are suffering.  It is so very painful I know.   Many days I have thought about breaking my arm just to release the pain but always fear that the head would still be the worst pain.  (your pain venter is only able to regester one pain at a time and always chooses the worst)

complain away if u need to. The pain is still there but at least u are not alone

[ssparklers26]

Thanks and yes it's hard for other people to understand. They try but the constant pain can't be understood till you live it. The pain and pressure is alllll time. It's exhausting. So glad you ladies understand what its like.

[actressmouse]

Yep....that's chiari.  That is what my typical headache feels like.  I liken it to a cork on a bottle ready to pop off.  I also get this sick-to-my-stomach feeling in the middle of my head/neck region that feels like I'm gonna hurl.  It's hard for people to understand what this feels like if they've never felt it themselves.  Take it easy and try finding a comfortable position for a while.  

[*Stormy*]

Ugh..yes...I used to get many different types of headaches before surgery. The one you describe was the absolute worse for me...I remember having one like that before I was dx'd and I truly thought I wasn't going to make it through!! I think it is an indicator of an increase of pressure in your brain b/c mine came on after doing some strenuous activity. So take it easy and try to rest!!

Carolyn