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.

[selmaS]

Hi...it is possible that the odontoid is causing a CSF block with ur head and neck in that position.

I would suggest a MRI of ur crvical spine as well as ur brain to see what is going on....if it is a CSF blockage that would also explain the  "nosies" in ur ears.

I hope u find the answers...please keep us posted!!

"selma"

[Rpower]

Hi, I was wondering if you know what the headaches you were getting are from, the exact same thing happens to me, and I get such a build up of pressure that me hearing goes, but this only happens when i lie the same way.If I sit up, it goes away
I was in a car crash last year hit my head, I was diagnosed with a minor concussion and soft tissue damage to my cervical spine (neck), I dont know if this has anything to do with it
Thanks!

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? It is possible that your previous accident contributes to your symptom since post traumatic headache is common symptom after a head injury. Rest, muscle relaxant and pain medication may help provide relief. However, if it persists, further evaluation, including imaging studies and blood tests are important to determine the underlying cause. Check with your doctor for proper management. Take care and do keep us posted.

[Rpower]

I have had back,neck and head pain since the accident,on and off,its not as frequent as it used to be,but there are some simple things that will irritate my back..I forgot to mention that I also had a thoracic lumbar spine injury (soft tissue). I have had acupuncture, anti - inflammatries, physiotherapy with two different physio's, tylex and tradol!!and im still the same.
I went to the doctor last week,and he made me feel like an idiot... I told him that when I lie down on my stomach and lift my head I get this pressure and pain and my hearing goes, he checked my throat, my ears and pushed his fingers under my eyes and told me I was fine.
I just think that I have done some nerve damage or something, and find it more frustrating than anything that I still suffer with it!

Thanks for replying! :)

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Thanks for the update. If the physical examination was fine, then try not to worry about any damage. Nerve issues will be seen with direct physical/neurological examination. Continue your medications and observe for any additional symptoms. Take care and do keep us posted.

[Rpower]

Ok I will thanks.

[rlaura]

I am having the same experience as ljholder - all the same symptoms when lying on stomach on elbows when head is upright or higher. it is very intense pressure and pain. i've been avoiding the position but i think i'll see my doctor about it.  it feels like something is being blocked or pinched. i am on no meds and haven't had any head trauma. i'm a dancer - in good shape. i'll let you know what i find.

[mahlkita]

same here with me... no injuries or meds, this just started last year.  first time was super intense and I got nauseous.  as soon as I lay my head down, all the pressure and pain subsides (typically centered towards top of my head, right side), then I can actually return to the same position without much problem.  I've been getting migraines occasionally surrounding menstruation for a couple years now - on the verge of a headache today after having a little bit of wine earlier; have issues with allergies (taking flonase)... maybe dehydration?  but no injuries, per se; no other meds.  anyway... same exact symptoms.  I'm 40 and this started sometime in past 5-10 months.  thought i'd post for posterity sake... everyone's posts are pretty old.

[josyalice]

Hi, I'm 15 and I have had the same problems with intense pain and pressure in my head when/ after I lie on my stomach, as well as this, whenever I get up quickly off my bed or after sitting or lying on the floor my head spins and I get nauseous and my vision goes blurry to the point where I have to stop and lean on something in order to stop myself from falling over, but that is when 'it' is at its worse. I have had these problems for what seems like a few years so I have sort of got used to the effects. I experience these problems mostly when I am doing something like surfing/ body boarding which means I have to spend a long time on my stomach, leaning on my elbows. Also I experience these things when I do floor exercises that involve me lying on my stomach. I have no previous injuries (that I know of) and I do not take any regular medication, I have never talked to a specialist or doctor about it, its just something that I have had for a while and delt with. Also I don't know if everyone gets this but my ears often start randomly ringing, but it goes away after a little while or if I yawn.

[Nat2018]

Did anyone figure out what this is? I have the same symptoms, increased pressure in my head when lying on my stomach whooshing in my ears if it gets really bad, oddly my lower back seems to hurt when I do get this increased head pressure.  Hearing usually becomes muffled.  Feels like something is being pinched off and blood can’t flow out ???

[tolsie]

Hi there I'm having a problem when I lie on my stomach I have pressure in my head when I get up and walk it feels better when I sit down I get neck Pain that radiates to back of head n I mean terrible sweating from head to face been for xrays on spine nothing been for stomach xrays doc says wind travells up to my shoulders that what's causes the pain can any one tel me if dey have similar situtation pls

[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

[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.

[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?

[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?

[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.

[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

[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

[TheShowing]

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

[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?

[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.

[Nat2018]

Did you ever find out what this was?

[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?

[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

[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

[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?

[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.