I have a 12 mm herniation with CSF blockage but haven't seen a NS yet.
Aside from the body symptoms, my head has a whole list of them and pressure is definitely one of them. They come and go and change, so I never know what kind of day it will be. Or even the next hour.
But for the past year I have had an ongoing headache with pressure behind my eyes. I've had it for years but not everyday like this. It hurts when I press above my right eye. The back of my head is very sensitive (where the herniation would be) so if I lie on it during the day too long it kills me. I have to use a very flat pillow at night and it is usually better in the morning.
Problem is I am so tired constantly that I want to lie down on the couch a lot. I use a very soft blanket bunched up behind my neck as pillow and lie to the side.
I also get the cotton brain. Hate that one the most I think. It gets so bad it feels more like a stone brain, like the neuron activity is coming to a complete halt. I stare at the tv and can't comprehend it. And reading becomes almost impossible to understand. Fortunately that too doesn't last forever. Not yet, anyway. Otherwise I will be a zombie! This is a symptom I have had all my life, but fortunately it isn't every day and I was able to work for many years on and off.
I don't have tinnitus beside a few seconds of it here and there so I can imagine how horrible that would be constantly! But I do get the wooshing and pounding noise with my heartbeat. Also sometimes I can hear my heart beating in my left ear like the vein is pulsating too strongly.
I feel lightheaded and dizzy and find myself staggering lately. That's all I can think of for the head symptoms. Thought I'd add mine in here too lol. Best wishes to all of you!
Ps I also have chronic pan sinusitis. Five years ago, my MRI said "some sinus disease. Today, my tinnitus is much stronger, and the most recent MRI says "chronic pan sinusitis". I don't have a lot of mucas and no allergies, but the swelling alone might affect the eustatian tube/nerves. Just a thought.
Hi Emme, you are funny and provide a great, informative read, lol, so no worries! Did your tinnitus return sounding exactly the same? I was just wondering if it may take time for the nerves to heal properly.
I do think it's possible that the ringing is Chiari. I've had it all my life, just not as strong. I'm assuming, since you did have surgery, that there was csf obstruction. I don't have that. I wonder if they can see the nerve impediment on the MRI scans? If so, it would be pretty clear and easy for them to diagnose, wouldn't ya think?? I saw two ENTs that found nothing. My hearing is good too. Lately, I read that gerd can cause ear symptoms. I'm being checked for anything that could possibly cause gerd symptoms (have a great new GP). I am also having my cortisol levels checked, which can cause all sorts of problems too. I have learned to deal with the constant "hisssss" though it would be nice if some of this testing could give me some answers. All my testing comes back ok, which I am happy about of course. I just hope that new direction this doctor is looking will help. Please keep me posted with what you're able to find out about all of this. I will do the same.
Heather
Haha, I was going to say what a great way of explaining the foggy, hazy, achey headaches we can awaken to, but you beat me to it. Has anyone ever explained the reason for the ear fullness to you? I had one ENT tell me he thought it was my neck that caused the ear symptoms. I am still in the process of figuring all of this out. My herniation is 11-13mm but with good flow and no obstruction?? I wonder if the pressure alone could do it?
Hi
I get pressure in my head, especially around my ears. My ears seem to dictate how I'm feeling. I know if they are particularly full, that other symptoms are likely to follow, like neck/throat pressure and headache. Along with the head pressure I always have ringing ears.
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
As emme mentioned above, it is important to know ALL related conditions are ruled out as well as non related conditions as they can affect how we feel and heal.
Yes head pressure is very typical with Chiari...and IIH, .....pressure is one of the ones I would get at the temples it felt like my head was in a vice.....and I always had the increased pressure with large weather changes.
Hello and welcome!
Yes, very much yes. For me, head pressure both pre-surgery as well as post-surgery (I'm 5mo. out from surgery-but still dealing w/some surgery complications).
Have you been dx. w/Chiari? With a Chiari specialist?
Do you have other symptoms? Obstructed CSF flow?
I've learned the hard way, as our Selma (our lovely wealth of knowledge member) says, if dx. w/Chiari, make sure you also are tested for ALL RELATED CONDITIONS. It truly truly is of great importance.
I look forward to hearing back from you. Welcome to our Chiari Community/Family.
~emme~