Headache and Pressure in head

[Jacqui1942]

52 days ago I woke with a headache on the left side of my head which hasn't gone and is now worse.  It started with pain in my eye, ear, left side of nose, jaw.  After a week I got pressure build up in my head with roaring noise, which hasn't gone.  I've seen my GP, taken antibiotic in case of a sinus infection, prednisone for 3 days, had a CT scan and an MRI, seen an ear nose and throat specialist, and waiting till March 19 to see a neurologist.  The MRI showed chronic small vessel ischaemic disease in my brain.  My head feels as if it's going to explode and the pain is worse when I cough, sneeze or bend over.  An audiology test showed my eustacian tubes are not working.  Can you please offer me any kind of advice because I feel like I'm going crazy.  Thanks.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Did they perform a lumbar puncture?

Will you be able to get an immediate referral to an infectious medicine specialist?Do not wait for March 19 to have your condition assessed. You may need some blood tests done including a blood culture.Urinalysis and urine culture are also necessary to rule out a systemic infection.

What relieved your fever and stiffness?Were you given any antibiotic medications?

At this point meningitis may be a strong differential, but this has been ruled out by your physicians. A lumbar puncture is both therapeutic and diagnostic for meningitis. So this should have been done. Also other infectious conditions like a kidney infection, a systemic viral infection, a sinus infection may be considered.

[Jacqui1942]

Hi,

Saw my ENT yesterday and he said my eustacian tube is not the cause.  The pressure in my head is really bad today with pulsing throughout my head.  Last Saturday my headache was extreme with stiffness and joint pain throughout my body and fever.  I saw my GP early in the morning and sent me to hospital where they checked me for meningitis.  I didn't have this and the only way they could control the headache was with intravenous morphine.  My fever went and the stiffness and join pain went but my headache came back and I still have it.  They say I need to see a neurologist but there isn't one that I can get to see any sooner than March 19th.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Ok ,it is best to have your ENT look into your eustacian tube problem.It may be indirectly causing your symptoms.

Some practical tips to help with your blocked eustacian tubes:

Drink lots of water .
Refrain from blowing the nose too hard.
Get adequate sleep.

Keep us posted regarding  your physician's advice. Good Luck!

[Jacqui1942]

Thanks Vanessa, I have a follow up with my ENT next week and I'm on the short list in case of a cancelled appointment.  I haven't experienced any neurologic deficits like you mentioned.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

The findings in your MRI may not be directly causing your symptoms given that it was defined to be chronic. Have you experienced any neurologic deficits like numbness or weakness of the extremities?

A roaring noise, the location of your headache and the finding of a problem with your eustacian tubes may be the cause of your symptoms. Has your ENT specialist discussed the possible cause of this findings with you?You may need to have a follow up with your ENT first to have this findings assessed and managed.