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Pressure on brain and numbness in limbs
Hi all!!
For the past few months, every now and then I would start feeling pins and needles either in my foot/ leg/ arm or hand.
Sometimes it goes completely numb and I cant even move it. But it only lasts seconds.
Also recently I started to feel this pressure on my brain. I don't know how to describe the feeling.
Its not painful, but its disorientating. Sometimes I can't think or see properly.
I am a little worried. Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this?
For the past few months, every now and then I would start feeling pins and needles either in my foot/ leg/ arm or hand.
Sometimes it goes completely numb and I cant even move it. But it only lasts seconds.
Also recently I started to feel this pressure on my brain. I don't know how to describe the feeling.
Its not painful, but its disorientating. Sometimes I can't think or see properly.
I am a little worried. Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this?
Oh yeah, I forgot. When my Chiari was getting really bad, I used to call it my pregnant head. It is the pressure. The pressure more than the pain. The surgery is actually called a "decompression". Make sense?
When you go to see the doctor, ask about Chiari Malformation. They will have to do an MRI specifically looking for it to be able to find it. If your blood work is normal, and your vitals are fine, and you still have those symptoms, you fit Chiari like a glove.
The incidence of Chiari is about 1 in 5000, which is a lot. The trouble is that Chiari is much more rarely diagnosed than that. It is that weird thing. Check out the Chiari Malformation forum here on MedHelp. You might be surprised at teh number of people going through your same story.
The good news is: there is help.
Chiari is a malformation where you have more brain than you have space for it. As you grow and age, the contents overgrow the box, and your cerebellum starts looking for an exit. Easiest way out is down the hole in the skull (foramem magmum) for the spinal column. You end up with balance and vision issues, trouble thinking and especially finding words. There is often neuropathy, which is an electrical feeling in usually one side of the body more than the other.
Neurologists don't always catch it. I have been in and out of hospitals for years with no diagnosis. Last year an ENT figured it out and sent me to a Neurosurgeon who specializes in Chiari (there aren't many, and it pays to find a great one). I had the surgery last May and am doing great. You owe it to yourself to ask. Here's to hope!
Abby
The incidence of Chiari is about 1 in 5000, which is a lot. The trouble is that Chiari is much more rarely diagnosed than that. It is that weird thing. Check out the Chiari Malformation forum here on MedHelp. You might be surprised at teh number of people going through your same story.
The good news is: there is help.
Chiari is a malformation where you have more brain than you have space for it. As you grow and age, the contents overgrow the box, and your cerebellum starts looking for an exit. Easiest way out is down the hole in the skull (foramem magmum) for the spinal column. You end up with balance and vision issues, trouble thinking and especially finding words. There is often neuropathy, which is an electrical feeling in usually one side of the body more than the other.
Neurologists don't always catch it. I have been in and out of hospitals for years with no diagnosis. Last year an ENT figured it out and sent me to a Neurosurgeon who specializes in Chiari (there aren't many, and it pays to find a great one). I had the surgery last May and am doing great. You owe it to yourself to ask. Here's to hope!
Abby
i have same problem since 2005, i take my body all medical test, all clear some time i feel pressure in my head, all the day vertigo, and feel pulse in my head, legs, chest, and when i sleep i also feel tingling my legs.
The doctor said it is stress and gave me some tablets. But he didn't seem very convinced.
I have no family history of anxiety or stress related illnesses.
I don't feel stressed.
The doctor said if the symptoms don't clear up in 10 days, I have to go to hospital for tests.
So far, nothing has changed.
I'm a bit confused, but I guess he is the expert. So I'm sure I will be right as rain in no time.
I have no family history of anxiety or stress related illnesses.
I don't feel stressed.
The doctor said if the symptoms don't clear up in 10 days, I have to go to hospital for tests.
So far, nothing has changed.
I'm a bit confused, but I guess he is the expert. So I'm sure I will be right as rain in no time.
If everything is coming out rosy, what are they telling you to do next? Has anybody mentioned anxiety? Are you under stress? Is there a family history of anxiety?
JH and NIH are in my opinion the best there is around this area. A teaching hospital like JH is the best since they are usually on the cutting edge as far as diagnosis and treatment goes. What are they saying?
JH and NIH are in my opinion the best there is around this area. A teaching hospital like JH is the best since they are usually on the cutting edge as far as diagnosis and treatment goes. What are they saying?
Thanx guys. @ JGF25, the symptoms do go together yes. I did schedule a doctor's app for today. Hopefully he can help me. :)
Ive had the same symptoms since May 2011. Ive been to a dozen doctors (Neuros, Rheumos, Endos, General Practive). No one knows what wrong. Ive been to John Hopkins and NIH. No one has the slightest ideal whats wrong. Blood work is all great.
I agree with JGF25, Numbness and tingle are usually neurological symptoms from nerve compression or irritation. Given your additional symptoms of pressure in the head, you most definitely need to go to your doctor very soon. There may be some blood pressure issues. You are young, but not invincible 8^)
It is always a good idea to get things like this checked out by a doctor. Anytime you have something happen that is not normal, or what is considered normal for you, you should schedule a doctor's visit. Does the head pressure and numbness go together? Do you get the numbness after the head pressure? These are all things that the doctor needs to figure out so make that appointment as soon as you can. No use sitting at home wondering what is going on...it's better to go and find out so that you can ge treated. Best of luck.
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