Headache/pressure when lying on stomach

[ljholder]

When I lie down to read a book with my son at night, I usually lie on my stomach, propped up on my elbows.  Over the past couple weeks when I've done this, I get this sudden sensation of immense pressure in my head.   The pain is primarily from the top of my head down to just below my eyes.  I also hear "noises" in my ears....like wind blowing or something.  It hurts to try and read to him, so I usually put my head down on the bed for a couple minutes, and it goes away.  I do not recall ever having these before.  Currently taking Wellbutrin and Cymbalta for depression, GAD and OCD.  Also taking Zyrtec for seasonal allergies.  I have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and I do get headaches when I wake up, but I think those are more from the sleep apnea.

What could be causing the feeling of pressure and pain in my head when I lie down on my stomach?  Any information/help would be greatly appreciated.

[Bluediamondbear]

I have this too, I lay down on my belly and it feels like my head is going to explode and I can hear the blood whooshing in my ears,then in about a minute its over. I have no clue to what it is.

[Nyemma25]

I’m exactly the same! Like to a T

[LyJy2022]

No answer. Just chiming in because I’ve come across this thread a few times over the years. Intense headaches after Bow pose in yoga, also whooshing sound/ can bear heart beat in ears sometimes. Doctor told me it was my normal anatomy. I’ve asked I personal trainers and yoga instructors, they say it’s some sort of lack of blood flow. I am on Welbutrin, which is know to cause head aches, and have history of cervical whiplash injury from car accident. I wonder if it’s when I ovulate, I have occasional functional cysts, maybe the pressure there pressing on spine ? Just want to keep this post going on case anyone comes up with an answer!

[Leostratts]

I have had this issue for as long as I can ever remember (I’m 27 now). I’ve always avoided any position of lying on my front as my head throbs and then my ears go funny. I have no history of anything other than being unfit and maybe my posture is bad. I’m 1 year postpartum and have joined a gym and when being shown how to plank this feeling came flooding back and I remembered I had it. It’s very frustrating!!!

[Nyemma25]

This happens to me too. Most times I lie on my stomach with my head on my pillow, my head feels like it’s in a vise. It can last seconds or even several minutes. I know that I can “feel/hear” my heartbeat in my head. And I can feel the release of pressure and sound of the heartbeats slow as it subsides. Rarely I lose vision. I think it may just be a blood pressure issue in that position but I’m not sure.

[Nyemma25]

This happens to me too. Most times I lie on my stomach with my head on my pillow, my head feels like it’s in a vise. It can last seconds or even several minutes. I know that I can “feel/hear” my heartbeat in my head. And I can feel the release of pressure and sound of the heartbeats slow as it subsides. Rarely I lose vision. I think it may just be a blood pressure issue in that position but I’m not sure.

[Spine123]

I have the exact same thing of intense pressure in head and whooshing sound in ears when lying on stomach with arms propping me up. I had an mri with contrast and it’s basically normal. This began after I had my first baby.  I think it has to do with my poor posture, I have a very curvy spine (which got more curvy with pregnancy) so this position bends my neck more to cut of CSF.

[Sherriew23]

Ive been experiencing this a well for the past 5 years. I’ll lay on my stomach with elbows propped up, whether I’m reading or in my phone and would feel intense pressure, i could feel my heart beat through my head. I told my doctor about this a year or so ago, but she complained ignored it. Normally if i put my head down for a few moments it goes away someone what. But lately Ive noticed if i lay in that position too long its gives me a mild headache and tingling and slightly numbness in my face neck and arms. I’ll be calling my doctor tomorrow

[parchu14]

Keep us posted on what your doctor says...

[parchu14]

Anyone else get a diagnosis? I have had everything from a CT Angiogram of the head and neck, head CT, head MRI, lumbar puncture, etc. all normal. If my doctor can’t figure it out soon, I may be referred to the Mayo Clinic. The sensation of pressure or gravity on my skull that I once got from lying on stomach or hitting my butt out (like in a squat or twerk stance) now happens just when stomping, jumping, repositioning while seated, etc. If anyone is interested in my full symptoms/medical history, I am pasting below. Feel free to share any similarities, diagnoses, etc.

Current Symptoms:
-Pressure in head (feels like head will burst/pop off when lying on stomach, bending over, dancing, stomping, coughing, etc.)
-sometimes I awake with the pressure, other times it presents itself within hours
-head feels hot to the touch
-Elevated heart rate (resting heart rate can be upwards of 100 BPM, have seen it at 141 BPM at rest) which increases upon sitting up, standing for long periods of time, switching from lying on one side to the other, etc.)
-strong pulse in neck and scalp are visible (pulsating hair)
-Sensitivity to sound is accompanied by pressure in head and sensation of ear fullness
-Visual disturbance mimics the Atari game Pong, I see streaks of bright white in my periphery moving from the outside lower corners to the outside upper corners

Tests/Possible Diagnoses/ Diagnoses that have been dead-ends:
-Have had a CT Angiogram of the head and neck, a CT scan, an MRI, and spinal tap which were all normal -Most labs are fine (Vitamin D deficient, taking supplement)
-Blood pressure is normal
-Have been diagnosed with anxiety, but cortisol is fine
-Neurologist/ER says they are migraines, but prescription meds not helping and does not feel like my previous migraines
-Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (Negative via tilt table test)
-Chianti malformation doesn’t seem likely
-No aneurysm, tumor, meningitis
-No intracranial hypertension via lumbar puncture

Past Medical History:
-Cyst removed from neck in 2000
-Gallbladder removal in 2012
-6-9 month undiagnosed staph infection in 2017 that took a toll on overall health
-History of longtime, intermittent bulimia with recent ‘recovery’
-Vegan since 2012, but recently incorporating animal products to see if there is improvement (none yet)

Have seen primary care, neurology, cardiology, ENT, chiropractor, and have appts. next week with a chiropractic-neurologist and acupuncturist.

[Lilchef22]

I have very similar symptoms to you and I have chiari malformation

[nicocopebbles]

this thread is super old but I see some people are still commenting. I've been dealing with this my entire life (I'm 21). I just lived with it bc doctors make me feel like I'm crazy. might call a doctor or just continue dealing with it idk. if I do, I'll report back

[ppal1981]

I’m having the same issue — just started occurring a few weeks ago. And again just now hence I did a search and came across this post. I’m going to have to mention  to my primary. I have previous loss of my neck and back 5-15% die to previous car accidents. I’m beginning to wonder if this is just nerve pinching laying in that position or more serious.

[Rossfamest]

Has anyone ever gotten an answer? I have this exact thing too, but it’s recent. Sometimes when I walk up stairs I also have a crackling sensation in my head like rice crispies.

[Matias1796]

Sounds like iih

[specialmom]

any update for you Matias1796?

[tlockwood87]

This is obviously a super old thread but it looks as if people have been responding here and there over time with information as they come across it so I figured I'd share. I've been experiencing similar issues for, as far as I can remember, my whole life. Any time friends and family were over when I was a kid and everyone was laying around on their stomachs, propped up on their elbows to watch TV or play games, if I tried replicating the same position within minutes I'd start getting a headache. This was such a consistent cause and effect that I trained myself like muscle memory to just never be in that position and completely forgot about it for 20 years until recently the night before a neurology appointment writing down symptoms to bring to him.

This may not be at all relevant to anyone else's specific situations, but I have a Type I Chiari Malformation, a herniation of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum. Basically your brain gets pinched by too much extra bone on the inside of the back of your skull and squeezed downward like playdoh, which can further squeeze your spinal cord and impair or block CSF exchange. I think laying in that position on my stomach and craning my head upward, bending my neck in that way pinched everything even worse than it already was. Maybe not an explanation for everyone but food for thought, and why I *think* it happens for me, even more severely blocked CSF exchange.

[Kortana480]

Did you have to get surgery?

[MyKidsAreFreaks]

I also have Chiari as does my sister and we both experience these headaches.

[Matias1796]

My son has chiari I have low lying tonsils getting my LP monday to confirm iih.

[Lilchef22]

Hi, I get this too and I also have Chiari type 1

[Lyds1122]

I am also on Wellbutrin and have seen several other people on it experience the same pain (I also have this same issue) I am guessing it is some weird side effect of the medication. Which seems like a silly answer but I am just taking a guess

[Whiterabbitt]

I have this. Was checked for IIH and negative result from a spinal tap. But I do have papilledema present in both eyes. I also have chronic migraines. Hope that helps. Oh, clean MRI of brain w/o contrast

[Matias1796]

If you have optic nerve swelling and these symptoms you have iih. What was your opening pressure?

[Nat2018]

Did you ever find out what this was?

[Emizle]

These sound like my IIH symptoms anyone been checked for that? If you have visual disturbances would definately worth getting checked for papaliedema... (pressure behind the eyes caudeing swelling around the optic nerve) or having a lumber puncture that checks the pressure.

[Chloe5575]

I’m 17 (incase that’s useful)  and I get the exact same thing. Also sometimes if I’m walking around quickly I get the pressure and the whooshing sound. Sometimes it comes with seeing dots does anyone else?

[TheShowing]

Have any of you ever been seen by a vascular specialist?

[QJJ]

I experience pressure in my head and whooshing in my ears when I lay on my stomach and prop myself on my elbows - if I tolerate it long enough it mostly goes away. Never had an accident or injury. Never had back, spine, or neck issues. No wisdom teeth or tonsils. Good blood pressure. No medications. 35 F 135 lbs

[thenoblelady]

Wow. I have been dealing with this for YEARS.  Im going to get an MRI soon.  Ill try to remember to post results.

[Monika119486]

Any updates?

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hi Monika119486. We'd love to address any concerns you have.  It helps if you start your own question about what is going on and then we can talk about it.  Hope all is well.

[mahlkita]

Wait a sec... does anyone have chronic neck tension, history of lower back injury or tightness, and or see the chiropractor for adjustments regularly?  Just curious, b/c seems like it's a potential underlying issue with everyone on here... but we're all freaking out b/c it's WEIRD and definitely a little scary to feel this.  I'll ask my chiropractor next time I see him... I'll put money on the fact that he'll have a couple good guesses as to why this is happening.  When I go to the chiro or do yoga regularly, i don't experience this as much... and have not done either recently at all- for a few months now.

[ppal1981]

I do 5-10% loss in my neck and back from car accidents. This just happened recently (past month or so) and just happened again and I searched bing and came across this post. Did you ever talk to your Chiropractor?

[Sami25lw]

I'm kinda glad to hear all this. I'm not the only one. Sorry for all u.  It is extremely painful and irritating. My hearing his I get dizzy and oasd out if I don't caught it quick enough.  I'm getting my results back soon fir this. I'll let uaall know.

[mahlkita]

what did you find out?

[Sami25lw]

I'm kinda glad to hear all this. I'm not the only one. Sorry for all u.  It is extremely painful and irritating. My hearing his I get dizzy and oasd out if I don't caught it quick enough.  I'm getting my results back soon fir this. I'll let uaall know.

[ToxicLolita]

Hello I also have this issue. It is a recent event ever since my miscarriage but I think it is because of the accident from when I was 2 and broke my neck as I get older the injury seems to feel worse.. as soon as I can afford to see a doctor I will until then I can only try to avoid laying on my stomach