Effervescence Pop Rocks Noise at base of skull

[RedRobinRed]

Every day or so, I hear AND feel a sound that can only be described as if I've got a carbonated drink in the back of my head.  It can be heard from outside of my neck if someone uses a stethoscope as well.  It seems to be located at the absolute top of my spine, near where I belive the "blood / brain barrier" is, and the Medulla Oblongata.  It has been going on with no major issues for as long as I can remember, though recently it seems to happen more often. NOBODY can tell me what it is, I've only met one other person who has this experience and they've been unable to get any assistance either.  General MDs just are at a loss as to what it is, and don't seem to think its serious -- I'm fine with that answer, but I'm extremely curious if there's any explanation, and if so is there any thing really wrong?  

I'm on blood pressure medication (Benicar and HCTZ) and I've had two episodes of what I guess are Migraines.  I get a visual signal about 30 minutes prior to getting the most stomach turning "headache" though it doesn't really "ache", there's more of a sickening feeling as if my brain has been injured somehow and the thought of that makes me ill.  The only thing that's worked to solve those episodes is to shut myself in a cool, dark, quiet room and take Ibuprofen and sleep for several hours.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Rob


This discussion is related to Strange Sound in Neck.

[BPGentry]

I read on other forums that it’s some kind of tinnitis and could be TMJ related. I’ve never even thought to ask my doctor or dentist about it. I have a lot of tension headaches and tingling in my hands. No idea how many years I’ve heard that sound, but the nerve trouble has been 10 years.

[ParamedicPete]

Hmm I've never considered TMJ dysfunction as a potential factor! I've definitely got pretty bad TMJD.

[Damadstahr]

Nerve problems, tingling, weakness, headaches... get an MRI to look for lesions related to MS

[RansomGee]

I'm 21 years old and I have essentially the same symptoms as all of you are describing, (fizzing, headache) but in addition to that, my base of skull area feels so sensitive that almost any large movement I make (ex. lifting my arm 90 degrees) can be felt in the base of my skull with an uncomfortable rubbing sensation. It's not so painful but it happens so frequently that it's driving me insane. I compare it to chinese water torture but inside my head. Doctors have been no help. The only thing I can do to relieve these symptoms slightly is to put an ice pack on the back of my head or neck. Well, drinking a lot relives it but then it always comes back worse. It's comforting to know lots of other people feel the same as I do but equally as depressing seeing that none of you seemed to have found a cure. I for one cannot keep living like this and am desperate to get better before this thing makes me blow my brains out.

[RansomGee]

I'm 21 years old and I have essentially the same symptoms as all of you are describing, (fizzing, headache) but in addition to that, my base of skull area feels so sensitive that almost any large movement I make (ex. lifting my arm 90 degrees) can be felt in the base of my skull with an uncomfortable rubbing sensation. It's not so painful but it happens so frequently that it's driving me insane. I compare it to chinese water torture but inside my head. Doctors have been no help. The only thing I can do to relieve these symptoms slightly is to put an ice pack on the back of my head or neck. Well, drinking a lot relives it but then it always comes back worse. It's comforting to know lots of other people feel the same as I do but equally as depressing seeing that none of you seemed to have found a cure. I for one cannot keep living like this and am desperate to get better before this thing makes me blow my brains out.

[Chrisbean70]

I thought I was the only one I may be crazy, it's been going on for about a year off and on I have a blockage in my brain something to do with the Carotid artery I just have to take 81 mg of aspirin a day. But I have no idea what this is and my stomach feels like I want to barf I used to have migraines but I had a stroke May 2016 and I haven't had migraines since.

[MikeL4U]

Hi , I also feel the bubble sound at the base of skull . It’s happening from last 2 years . You may consider this as result of tensions headaches.

Doctors don’t have any exact answer on this  but what I oberserved is whenever you do any work that stresses out your brain ( reading on IPhone, working on computer) , drinking coffee, alcohol , not having enough sleep, over thinking , anxiety , cold hands then this will get triggered.
Below work around helps me.
1. I wear  blue light glasses while using electronic devices.
2.stopped drinking coffee, alcohol and cigarettes.
3. Stop over thinking.
4. Sleep well.


Some time it’s hard to follow all of the above but I try to follow .

[LauraWarner]

I get the fizzing at the base of my skull every morning while still lying in bed. I want to know what it is. I don't get migraines or any of the other symptoms mentioned here and I'm not on any medications

[Steakandeggs]

I am the same, no migraines or other issues. Kinda triggered by hunger. First thing in the morning I’m usually hungry and that’s when I hear it most. Annoying but not painful. I believe it might be related to Chiari, or brain tonsils. It my be herrititary. Ask your family if anyone has it too. I found out my daughter did. My sister never hears the noise but does have “Brain Tonsils”.

[Jennielpud]

I too get the pop rocks feeling. What is this. Anyone figure it out. I have chiari malformation and had surgery on my skull and spine. Have any of you had this as well. The pop rocks sound/feeling happen over a dozen times a day.

[DownByTheBay]

I know this is an old post but I came across it in a google search. I too have Chiari and was decompressed this Feb. I had never experienced this pop rock feeling until a few weeks after surgery when I was diagnosed with chemical meningitis. It started happening in the late afternoons after being up a lot. Now it happens every day, multiple times and starting as soon as I am out of bed. I do have pseudo meningocle so I was wondering if that might be the cause of it. I even hear it when I swallow. Others around me can hear it as well. My neurosurgeon said he has never heard of this. Go figure!