Headache, constant tinnitus, pressure in ears..

[Marty00007]

Hi everyone, since a week now I have had the following symptoms: headaches all over, constant pressure in both ears, more prominent in right ear, permanent tinnitus and fatigue.. Prior to that i was having a hard Time sleeping well because of a hectic schedule at work and had the occasionnal headaches but the aforementionned symptoms appeared a week ago and are constant

About a year and a half ago I had a CT done because i was experiencing sleep disturbance and weird headaches and everything came back normal but after reading About the harm that CTs CAN done I would have NEVER done the test, i would have went for a radiation-free MRI instaed...

Anywho i am a little worried that this could be a aide effect from the CT wich developped into somerhing worse with Time... I am a 32 years old male

Thank you

[selmaS]

  It is slow all over, and I was slow to answer ur reply to me a few posts back....sorry for the confusion....lol....

I hope u post updates after u see the Dr....

   "selma"

[Marty00007]

I was answering Dr Sharma's post, but thank you for your input, and yes I will show the copies of the scans to my neurologist, but my appointement is only in 3 months... it's very very slow here :/

that's why I could really use some medication in the meantime, at least to deal with (some of) the symptoms..

[selmaS]

  I am not a Dr, I asked about u having copies so u could get another opinion if ur Dr was not being helpful.....

  It is faster to have the scans in hand when u go to another Dr.

    "selma"

[Marty00007]

Hello doctor,

thank you very much for the reply. After reading more about meniere's desease I have been a little more preoccupied because I seem to have all of the symptoms, the tinnitus is still there, as well as the "fullness" in the ears, but most importantly the headache... it seems to improve slightly with lifestyle changes i.e. better sleep, exercising, but it is still there and very handicaping at times. Only thing is that I do not have any vertigo or balance problem..

recently even the advil cold and sinus don't work, like yesterday I couldnt sleep and was all sweaty and stressed because the headache around the temple (it's always around there) was really bad and the stuffed ears and tinnitus equally annoying...

Of course this has been going on for about 3 weeks now so it might go away but as time goes on I become more doubtful that it will just disappear..

what should be done if one suspects Mannere's disease, what specialist should I see... otolaryngologist ? the radiologist when I did my MRI as well as some friends suggested an osteopath, would that be a good idea ?

also and most importantly, what over-the-counter OR prescription medication can I use to relieve the symptoms, I can live with the tinnitus no problem, but the headache is really driving me crazy and I cant function properly at times, I have to call in  sick sometimes or cancel social activities. And Aspirins, tylenols, and now advils dont seem to do anything now...

thank you again for your time

[Dr Sharma]

Dear Marty, welcome to medhelp forum. I can understand your anxiety related to the previous CT scan since there have been concerns about their safety. CT scan is a huge dose of radiation almost about 500 times that in a conventional x ray. There is an increase cancer risk associated.
You need not associate all these symptoms with the radiation exposure. Your headaches could be related with the stress of irregular sleep. You must try practicing good regular sleep habits, avoid any nicotinic and caffeinated products, which act as central nervous system stimulants and can interfere with sleep.
You will need a physician’s evaluation for these symptoms. Tinnitus and headaches could be different symptoms or part of the same ailment. Tinnitus with headache is seen in migraine headaches, anemia, hypertension, exposure to loud noise, certain tumors.
You may require a detailed ear examination and audiologist should examine as tinnitus is a common symptom of meniere’s disease, a disease of the inner ear.
You mentioned a maxillary sinus cyst and relief with decongestants, so maxillary sinusitis could be the main culprit. You are better since stress levels about any impending serious ailment have come down. Hypertension needs to be followed up closely and anti hypertensives started if persistent high values.
You are most welcome with any further clarifications.
Wish you all the best.

[Marty00007]

Hi selmaS,

thank you for the reply, and sorry for the delay. Yes I do have a copy of the scans, I went for the MRI last frida, and it turns out that I have a cyst in the maxilarry sinus. My doctors thinks it's minor, some Cold and Sinus Advil seem to help relieve the headache, even though it decreased in intensity since I did the test, probably because of the relief from knowing there are no medical emergencies.

Now the biggest symptom is headache around the temple areas and fatigue. I heard that the sinus "clog" can be "killed" with enough antibiotic and nasal spray, and that some of them can shrink with time.

I'm just going to be careful and keep a watchful eye on the situation, but I dont think that at this point it requires any medical intervention besides antibiotics.

I can send you a copy of the scans if you want

[selmaS]

  Hi...since u mentioned u r overweight and have high BP and have this pressure I wonder if ur Dr is thinking ICP intercranial hypertension....many times they will do a LP to see if the CSF pressure is too high.

Keep track of ur BP...see if symptoms change as u change position...sitting verses standing, lying down, verses sitting.

Do u have a copy of the report and the actual images from ur CT scan?

    "selma"

[Marty00007]

Any idea anyone ?? it's been a week and a half now and the headache is driving me nuts. Went to see the doc today and he doesnt really take me seriously because I have a history of anxiety, needless to see it doesnt contribute to relieving the anxiety! I had to convince him that the pain was real, permanent and quite annoying too so he could give me a prescription for a MRI test... otherwise he scheduled an appointement with a neurologist, wich can take a while to get, and one with an ear specialist for the tinnitus, although I don't know what good that could do cause my ears are fine, the tinnitus is just a symptom of something else...

I am waiting a few days before taking an appointement at the MRI clinic, in case things improve, but somehow it's been so constant and sudden that I doubt that will happen...

Anybody who experienced something similar or has any kind of hint on the subject if most welcomed to share

thank you

[Marty00007]

Oh and forgot to add, I went to see the doc wednesday and he put my on Celebrex, he believes it's an inflammation of the nerves in the head, wich I am not convinced of, so far it's been three days and no change at all, all the symptoms are still there, sometimes during the day even worse..

My blood ios pressure is slightly high, 140, but it's always been this way since I'm a little overweight. I also often have pressure on my temples when I have the headaches.

Going back on monday to see my family doctor if things don't improve over the weekend... Any advice on what it could be? or anybody else experienced something siomilar?

thanks