Aa
Heavy headed feeling
Hello
Ever since 2 months ago I began having a constant severe tension headache, and feeling like a heavy bag of sand is sitting on my head at all times, deep inside my head literally feels like its numb or "asleep". Also have had some positional dizziness/eye spasms-- also when I bend over forward it feels like the blood pressure builds up intensly behind my nose area. And a "fizzeling" sound from my neck, when I move my head around, that wasn't there before. I am 30 years old.
What brought this on I don't know, I did have a very stiff back a couple weeks before it started... but the doctor ordered a series of MRI and MRA which are negative except this:
Cervical spine MRI reports "evidence of strengthening of the normal cervical lordosis, but no kyphosis is evident" .What exactly does this mean? My doctor isn't concerned by this finding. What else can be causing my symptoms?
Below is a link to some of my MRI, how does this look to you? (on a side note, what is that WHITE MASS in my lung?? - it wasn't reported by the radiologist either:
http://www.angelfire.com/ab9/alpha123011010/album/MRI_lung.jpg
Based on my research, I should also have an angiogram done by CT because of the MRA's limitation, correct?
A related discussion, query was started.
First, thanks for this forum being here!!! I'm 33 years old, female, caucasion, and worried. I've had rapid heart rate for about 8 years now. Initially, my cardiologist told me that the EKG showed SVT. Have had several holter monitors (24 hour) and several additional EKG's. More recently, I was experiencing a flip-flop or pause in my heart beat. The doc said it did show up 4 times on the holter monitor but, not in succession, therefore, no worries. (3 separate episodes). I finally decided to have radiofrequency ablasion because it got to where I couldn' tolerate any exercise whatsoever, my heartrate would climb to 150 in no time. AND I'm taking Toprol 50 mg/day. I went to the cardiology/surgeon to discuss the procedure, he did another EKG (this was in Feb 05) and he asked me a bunch of questions and RE-reviewed my chart. He said he didn't feel at all that I had SVT, but dysautonomia. I did have 3 major panic attacks in his office and while he was poking and proding and listening to my heart, my pulse went from 90 - 150 in a matter of seconds. He was taking my pulse at the time. I asked him to please leave me alone for a bit. Now, mine happens whenever, sitting still (ONLY IF ANXIOUS), or upon exertion (ALWAYS), his new dx is dysautonomia and said I needed to get into counseling for my anxiety issues. And that was that.. he sent me on my way. No referral to a neurologist or anyone.
Last night, I was taking a shower and out of nowhere, I had double vision, felt like my eyes were crossed and I couldn't uncross them. This lasted maybe a minute. The longest minute of my life. We are going through a LOT of stress right now and something new is always hitting us in the face. (I go to school myself, my 2 girls have to be taken to and from 2 different schools at 2 different times, I keep the house up, and study, and work parttime) We are having some financial difficulties and on this particular day, our car needed $300 worth of work done. I think I was tapped out mentally at this point. Anyway, this eye "thing" lead to a horrific panic attack because I always think the worse and thought I was having a stroke. My heartrate stayed up for an hour, I took an Ativan and it helped after about an hour. This morning I woke up, got out of bed, and then I felt very weak and my heart rate went up again. I felt extrememly weak and thought I was going to faint. I took an Ativan again, and it helped. I really don't know if I was having a mini stroke or what... my eyes have felt very weak and tired all week. (I haven't gotten more than 4 or 5 hours of sleep/night and do coding for a hospital on the computer.) I was also seeing colored spots in my vision (light green and pink) and I have floaters. I stay tense in my neck and shoulders and have weakness in my legs when I walk and they ache when I rest. I also have restless leg syndrome. But, my eyes have been bothering me more lately.
I know I'm long winded, but I'd drive to your place of practice if I thought someone would listen and take me seriously. I know there is a University studying dysautonomia in Ashville, NC and that's only about 3 hours from here. I may go there. I don't know what to do. I do smoke a pack a day and have for 17 years (I'd lose my mind if I didn't), get little exercise since my heart beats too fast and I sit at a computer all day. I do eat well, tho... :o)
Thanks for any input, Dr.
Last night, I was taking a shower and out of nowhere, I had double vision, felt like my eyes were crossed and I couldn't uncross them. This lasted maybe a minute. The longest minute of my life. We are going through a LOT of stress right now and something new is always hitting us in the face. (I go to school myself, my 2 girls have to be taken to and from 2 different schools at 2 different times, I keep the house up, and study, and work parttime) We are having some financial difficulties and on this particular day, our car needed $300 worth of work done. I think I was tapped out mentally at this point. Anyway, this eye "thing" lead to a horrific panic attack because I always think the worse and thought I was having a stroke. My heartrate stayed up for an hour, I took an Ativan and it helped after about an hour. This morning I woke up, got out of bed, and then I felt very weak and my heart rate went up again. I felt extrememly weak and thought I was going to faint. I took an Ativan again, and it helped. I really don't know if I was having a mini stroke or what... my eyes have felt very weak and tired all week. (I haven't gotten more than 4 or 5 hours of sleep/night and do coding for a hospital on the computer.) I was also seeing colored spots in my vision (light green and pink) and I have floaters. I stay tense in my neck and shoulders and have weakness in my legs when I walk and they ache when I rest. I also have restless leg syndrome. But, my eyes have been bothering me more lately.
I know I'm long winded, but I'd drive to your place of practice if I thought someone would listen and take me seriously. I know there is a University studying dysautonomia in Ashville, NC and that's only about 3 hours from here. I may go there. I don't know what to do. I do smoke a pack a day and have for 17 years (I'd lose my mind if I didn't), get little exercise since my heart beats too fast and I sit at a computer all day. I do eat well, tho... :o)
Thanks for any input, Dr.
Your symptoms sound somewhat worrisome for a low-pressure headache. While your blood pressure may drop each time you get up and that may cause a feeling of faintness -- some people have a low CSF pressure which can be caused by a small leak of CSF. This creates a vacuum effect each time you get up or move your head. You may hear a "whooshing" sound, you may develop a severe pressure sensation in your head, etc. Are your symptoms better if you're laying in bed?
To further evaluate this, you may need a special neck study looking for a leak (although it can be found anywhere along the spine) OR a CSF flow / myelogram. If a leak is found, it can be easily treated.
Alternatively, find a Headache specialist in your area.
Good luck.
ON
To further evaluate this, you may need a special neck study looking for a leak (although it can be found anywhere along the spine) OR a CSF flow / myelogram. If a leak is found, it can be easily treated.
Alternatively, find a Headache specialist in your area.
Good luck.
ON
Hi,
I had these same problems. I agree with some of what the doctor says. Its good to see a doc who does not want to slice you open. Most of this sounds like a posture problem. Instead of explainin all the medical terms, do this. Go to egoscue.com. He is the posture guy. He has a book called "Pain Free". It will show you what to do. I read this book when I first started medical school. I was having massive neck,shoulder problems. It felt like a sandbag was on my head. My posture was shot. I was able to fix this problem in a couple of months.
I will be a MD in six months. I have not learned much in medical school about posture problems. Just your basic stuff. But its seems like it is a much bigger problem. When I brought this out to my fellow MDs they said it was bunch of bunk. But we where all improved with what we learned in this book. This problem with my neck has changed my whole approach as an MD. I am going to several seminars do learn how I could help people with this when I finally become a doc.
For some quick relief lay flat on the floor. Put you legs up in a chair at a 90 degree angle. Spread your arms palm up on the floor. Lay like that till your head feels better. Maybe you should see a chiro to work on your neck and shoulders.
There is no reason to be scared. Tight muscles, poor postuire can cause so many aches and pains. Worrying about it makes it 10x worse. If someone said you won a million dollars, trust me that pain would disappear. Don't let the docs give you a bunch of drug. It will NOT help in the long run. You will be ok. Good Luck!
I had these same problems. I agree with some of what the doctor says. Its good to see a doc who does not want to slice you open. Most of this sounds like a posture problem. Instead of explainin all the medical terms, do this. Go to egoscue.com. He is the posture guy. He has a book called "Pain Free". It will show you what to do. I read this book when I first started medical school. I was having massive neck,shoulder problems. It felt like a sandbag was on my head. My posture was shot. I was able to fix this problem in a couple of months.
I will be a MD in six months. I have not learned much in medical school about posture problems. Just your basic stuff. But its seems like it is a much bigger problem. When I brought this out to my fellow MDs they said it was bunch of bunk. But we where all improved with what we learned in this book. This problem with my neck has changed my whole approach as an MD. I am going to several seminars do learn how I could help people with this when I finally become a doc.
For some quick relief lay flat on the floor. Put you legs up in a chair at a 90 degree angle. Spread your arms palm up on the floor. Lay like that till your head feels better. Maybe you should see a chiro to work on your neck and shoulders.
There is no reason to be scared. Tight muscles, poor postuire can cause so many aches and pains. Worrying about it makes it 10x worse. If someone said you won a million dollars, trust me that pain would disappear. Don't let the docs give you a bunch of drug. It will NOT help in the long run. You will be ok. Good Luck!
Last night I had a momentary lapse in consciousness for what seemed a split second and increase in heavy headedness along with some sudden dizziness. It wore off and I went back to "normal" (which is anything but normal, but you know...)
I do have a squishing sound when I move my head, however I did get adjusted by a chiro once a month or so AFTER i was allready feeling like this so I dont know if that causd it or not.
I also work out from time to time but I dont remembe any injury. There are so many of us with symptoms so similar it is not even funny. I pray to God every day that somebody will get together and figure out what is wrong with us.
I forgot who said they have pressure behind their face when they bend over but I get that too - when that happens to you, does your nose seem to swell shut? (ie- nasal turbinates)
I also can remember back over the past few years how when I still smoked cigarettes (i quit) alot of times when I stood up i would have minor blackouts (the drop in blood pressure syndrome) - with a pulsating pressure - occasionally my heart palpitates and pulsates in my head with the same pressure only then its pulsating up through my chest, throat, and head.
Doctors - please find out what is wrong with us. We are all human beings in need, we realize that many are worse off than us, but we are a large group of sufferers with amazingly similar symptoms.
I do have a squishing sound when I move my head, however I did get adjusted by a chiro once a month or so AFTER i was allready feeling like this so I dont know if that causd it or not.
I also work out from time to time but I dont remembe any injury. There are so many of us with symptoms so similar it is not even funny. I pray to God every day that somebody will get together and figure out what is wrong with us.
I forgot who said they have pressure behind their face when they bend over but I get that too - when that happens to you, does your nose seem to swell shut? (ie- nasal turbinates)
I also can remember back over the past few years how when I still smoked cigarettes (i quit) alot of times when I stood up i would have minor blackouts (the drop in blood pressure syndrome) - with a pulsating pressure - occasionally my heart palpitates and pulsates in my head with the same pressure only then its pulsating up through my chest, throat, and head.
Doctors - please find out what is wrong with us. We are all human beings in need, we realize that many are worse off than us, but we are a large group of sufferers with amazingly similar symptoms.
You said you weren't sure what brought this on however you neck squishes and you have pressure headaches and you had a stiff neck before it started...
I'm wondering if you may have exerted yourself a couple of days before the neck stiffness occurred. Only reason I ask is because that is how my headaches and stiff neck started (pushups) and "headache boy" (http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/Neuro/messages/33899.html) also thinks he did exercise before he had his issues. Three months later, I'm still alive but my life style is now frustrating. I'm exhausted almost all the time.
I'm wondering if you may have exerted yourself a couple of days before the neck stiffness occurred. Only reason I ask is because that is how my headaches and stiff neck started (pushups) and "headache boy" (http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/Neuro/messages/33899.html) also thinks he did exercise before he had his issues. Three months later, I'm still alive but my life style is now frustrating. I'm exhausted almost all the time.
Exaggeration of the normal cervical lordosis just refers to the posture of the neck and the normal curve that you see of the vertebrae - it probably means you could improve your neck posture, see a physical therapist for this
Kyphosis just means a transverse curvature in the spine from left to right and is abnormal, but relatively common.
The MRI you provide is only one small part of the MRI of your brain and I cannot comment on it alone. I do not read lung scans, but normal structures can appear as bright on MRI as well such as blood flow in the heart or aorta (which I suspect it may be), if you are still worried have your doctor check with the reading radilogist.
CT angiography is in an early stage of use, but MRA is usually suffiencent as a screenign tool, CTA has not replaced it.
Good luck
Kyphosis just means a transverse curvature in the spine from left to right and is abnormal, but relatively common.
The MRI you provide is only one small part of the MRI of your brain and I cannot comment on it alone. I do not read lung scans, but normal structures can appear as bright on MRI as well such as blood flow in the heart or aorta (which I suspect it may be), if you are still worried have your doctor check with the reading radilogist.
CT angiography is in an early stage of use, but MRA is usually suffiencent as a screenign tool, CTA has not replaced it.
Good luck
gosh yes i know what you mean about the pressure behind your face when you bend over! I also sometimes have blood pressure drops when i stand up resulting in black outs when i stand up
Every where I read about symptoms so similar to mine! yet nobody can help any of us, it is so frustrating
also one really severe thing that bothers me is how when i bend over forward it feels like the blood pressure skyrockets in the area behind my nose and eyes and my nose swells shut and hurt and it feels like my face is going to explode
My headache is mainly behind my forehead but my entire brain just feels literally numb, like your hand falls asleep only my brain fell asleep. The dizzy i have is mainly when i lay down it is like the room tumbles out of control like I'm in a clothes drier.
I also feel like I'm in a constant daze like I've been hit over the head with a hammer and im "seeing stars"
I also have this constant, uneasy, nausea that emminates out of my upper abdomen.
I wonder if this is an adrenal tumor, or something located in a totally different place than my head causing a distant effect? My doc would laugh if i asked for a full body MRI but I want one. feeling so sick is not good for any of us, good luck
I also feel like I'm in a constant daze like I've been hit over the head with a hammer and im "seeing stars"
I also have this constant, uneasy, nausea that emminates out of my upper abdomen.
I wonder if this is an adrenal tumor, or something located in a totally different place than my head causing a distant effect? My doc would laugh if i asked for a full body MRI but I want one. feeling so sick is not good for any of us, good luck
hi.
I to have been suffering from what my GP and the others i have seen have told me is a servere tension headache. My head also feels heavy and i have had a persistent (Same) headache for 2 months now). I have also been experiencing stabbing pains behind my eye which i have been told is just because i have had the headache for so long. My headache is sometimes like a sore ache feeling but also can be throbbing and the intensity of the headache can be crippling on days. I have been told it is stress related but i am only 22 and lead a stress free life.
I suffer from dizziness too especially after getting out of a hot bath (which sometimes helps releive the pain but never gets rid of it). I have had two CT scans that came back clear and a chest x ray which also showed a small white mass but although i was a little concerned i was assured it was nothing to worry about so i wouldnt worry. If it was anything the radiologist would of picked up on it. The headache has usually always been located in my temple region on the left hand side of my head. Is this the same region as yours?
Other sypmtoms include:
Trouble sleeping
Sore neck (sometimes)
Fever
Does this sound familar to your case? It is getting to the stage were i am sick to death of every day my head hurting.
I to have been suffering from what my GP and the others i have seen have told me is a servere tension headache. My head also feels heavy and i have had a persistent (Same) headache for 2 months now). I have also been experiencing stabbing pains behind my eye which i have been told is just because i have had the headache for so long. My headache is sometimes like a sore ache feeling but also can be throbbing and the intensity of the headache can be crippling on days. I have been told it is stress related but i am only 22 and lead a stress free life.
I suffer from dizziness too especially after getting out of a hot bath (which sometimes helps releive the pain but never gets rid of it). I have had two CT scans that came back clear and a chest x ray which also showed a small white mass but although i was a little concerned i was assured it was nothing to worry about so i wouldnt worry. If it was anything the radiologist would of picked up on it. The headache has usually always been located in my temple region on the left hand side of my head. Is this the same region as yours?
Other sypmtoms include:
Trouble sleeping
Sore neck (sometimes)
Fever
Does this sound familar to your case? It is getting to the stage were i am sick to death of every day my head hurting.
Pain all around my head, back of my eyes, Plus down the neck.Any movement causes pain to the head, plus speaking loudly also cause pain to the head.When i sit in a car and it goes around the corner i can feel pressure around my head, when i move my eyes i also have pain at the back of my head.
There also a very slight feeling in my cheeks/top of my nose.
Breathing through my nose also causes pain & When I move my head backwards I get a shooting pain to my head.
I think were in a similar situation, im waiting for a CT and MRI scan. If it weren
There also a very slight feeling in my cheeks/top of my nose.
Breathing through my nose also causes pain & When I move my head backwards I get a shooting pain to my head.
I think were in a similar situation, im waiting for a CT and MRI scan. If it weren
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