Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Does anyone else get these intense, unusual head symptoms?

Hi everyone, it's good to find this forum- I hope to find some solace or direction here! I'm 20 years old, and eight months ago to the date I got hit with a slew of very intense symptoms in my head that have not gone away and are still undiagnosed after months of tests and doctors. I'm in a very frustrating, hopeless place and just want my young life back, but I won't get into that as I'm sure you all understand.

Here is quick rundown of my symptoms and their timeline- My first symptom was INTENSE HEAD PRESSURE, like my head was filled up with air like a balloon and being squeezed at the same time. It would last up to a whole month with no break. I then started to get what I consider the second most intense symptom next to the head pressure, a BURNING SENSATION IN MY HEAD. It's not on my scalp, it's literally like a burning pain in my head. And it moves around but can be both sides. It's somehow worse than pain. I assume it's a nerve pain, but I know absolutely nothing about my symptoms yet. This would only last a few days in the beginning, but the head pressure let up after about three months and the burning became the most intense symptom and then THAT started lasting months at a time without a break, and that's been happening since January. Only tonight, which has lead me here, has the head pressure come back with a vengeance. I was actually on a "mild symptom" three day streak, so hopefully this lets up earlier than a month. The other main symptoms I get I consider secondary to these ones but add to the shitstorm: TINGLING IN MY HEAD, BUZZING/VIBRATING IN MY HEAD, INTENSE DIZZINESS/VERTIGO SPELLS THAT LAST DAYS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, HEAVY HEADED BRAIN FOG FEELING (FEELS LIKE IM BEING PULLED INTO UNCONSCIOUSNESS), SCARY SLEEP ISSUES LIKE AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS AND HEAD PRESSURE FILLING UP MY HEAD WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES, and then some. In the beginning, I even had TINGLING ON MY TONGUE. Also, two other things that have been around since the beginning and would have to be connected in my mind (but I don't know how) are the rash on my neck that is NUMMULAR DERMATITIS out of nowhere (had it biopsed, still don't know the cause) and A SINGLE, PAINLESS, SWOLLEN LYMPH NODE IN THE BACK OF MY NECK (POSTERIOR CERVICAL I believe)- it's been there for these whole eight months!

Nothing so far touches the pain or discomfort. I have been on Nortriptyline for a month and have not seen any difference so far. Tiger Balm Muscle Rub or ice are the only things that take the edge off the burning in my head but never takes it away. I am trying acupuncture and it's relaxing but have not done it long enough to see a real change. I got my anxiety under control within the first few months, and am out of work, so the only stressor in my life is this. I see a therapist regularly and she does not believe any of this is psychosomatic. A rheumatologist suggested Fibromyalgia since I had an autoimmune problem as a kid (Localized Scleroderma)  and have chronic back pain/costochondritis, but really my symptoms are all physically in my head and not "widespread" as Fibro is. My neck and shoulders are SUPER TIGHT despite all my efforts to relieve the tension.  

Does this sound anything like you? I'm in doctor limbo and just want them to at the very least do any more imaging that they can just to be sure. I'm just so so sad that I only get three days out of the month to live my life and they are generally spent too exhausted from my body working against me all month to do anything. I'm afraid of going out, especially alone, because my symptoms are so unpredictable.

It's like living inside a ticking time bomb. And I never know what's serious and what's not. And the ER never helps because I'm too complicated. I could rant forever about all of this as it's all been so traumatizing. But I know many of you get it, and I am so sorry you are in this Hell too. We deserve better.

Any feedback, solace, thoughts are appreciated. Thank you.

-Emma
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
20803600 tn?1546262537
COMMUNITY LEADER
General neurologists may not specialize in headaches, but rather in general neurology, Alzheimer's,  seizures, brain disorders or any of a thousand other specialized areas.
Do you do a lot of downward looking, or computer/smart phone foward bending of your neck? The symptoms you describe are vague but could be related to spending a lot of time with your head/neck bent working on computers, tablets, phones or other work. You may have an inflamed or pinched nerve that might be causing the symptoms you have.
Helpful - 0
20803600 tn?1546262537
COMMUNITY LEADER
What doctors have you seen? An ER is not the best option for chronic symptoms.
Since the symptoms are primarily head located, a headache specialist center would be my suggestion, followed by a internal medicine doctor and an ear, nose, throat doctor.
The swollen gland could be a left over bacteria from an ear, sinus, strep infection some time ago.  My son just recently experienced the same thing. A swollen lymph on one side of his neck from a previous strep infection. A round of antibiotics CLEARED the remaining infection and the swollen gland was gone in days.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I’ve seem two neurologists, three primary care, one rheumatologist, and one ENT :/
And an orthopedist and allergist
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community

Top General Health Answerers
363281 tn?1643235611
Nelson, New Zealand
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
19694731 tn?1482849837
AL
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.