Is a feeling of pressure in your head normal? I have read previous posts about a couple of people getting what feels like pressure in their head but noticed they were a while ago and wondered if anyone experienced similar?
I am 12 weeks post subarachnoid haemorrhage (still awaiting answers as to the cause) and have had this for a while on and off. All the doctors have ever told me is that headaches and ‘head sensations’ will ease with time but it just doesn’t seem any better. I contacted my GP about this who did my BP which was fine but felt like when I talked about the pressure in my head I was just brushed off.
I have had this from very early on after we my stroke and to describe it almost feels like a vice tightening around my head or that feeling you get when you are in an airplane at a high altitude. I get most of the pressure behind one ear and a tightness around my throat. When I mentioned this the GP thought it may be Globus Sensation and put me own Lanzoprasol for acid reflux. I didn’t really notice a difference. He suggested the next step may be an ENT referral but I just think it’s stroke related and nothing to do with my ears nose or throat. Should I bother going down that route?
Should I just trust that this is all a normal part of the healing process? It is a very uncomfortable feeling and does fill me with panic sometimes obviously thinking the worst.
@MrsG16 I had suffered a lot of pressure on my head like you, but i never went to the GP as my GP surgery is like duh, no clue whatsoever. It seems giving you Acid reflux was just signposting you. I suffered dreadful migraines before i had my stroke and had gone to Gp but it was brushed of. So I no longer attend my GP. But we are moving, so I am looking for another one. Hopefully the next surgery will be better. I wish you well and it your body if it doesn’t feel right, say it loud.
Cannot say what is normal but I still get the pressure in the head after five years, I know of another stroke survivor who still gets it after ten years. Having said that, each individual should consult a health professional even if appears common among survivors. This is to rule out if it is another condition or unrelated condition to stroke.
Yep it does feel like sometimes it is just a guessing game for them.
Don’t even get me started on migraines. Iv had them since being a child and since my stroke have had 3 but been terrified to take my medication (Sumatriptan) as it is comes with a risk of stroke and not recommended for someone who has had a stroke. None of the health professionals I have spoke to so far, my GP and at the hospital, have a definitive answer as to whether or not I can take it. It turned it I have took it now twice and am still here but it was terrifying. I need to book an appointment to see if there are alternatives but I just don’t want to be a guinea pig.
I had lots of weird sensations in my head after my stroke which I thought were never going to ease. I still get some 4 years on especially if I overdo it. Mine did ease a bit after about 6 months so you may find you need to wait a bit longer. Having said that if your GP has offered an ENT referral then don’t turn it down. It will do no harm to get checked & at least you’ll know it is definitely stroke related if they can’t find anything else. We should never just assume as other things could be going on.
My stroke September 25. And often feel headache and tension. Mainly though if in loud noise areas or bright lights. The main one though is if I’m having to concentrate a lot. My Dr said it’s down to the brain regaining it’s ability to work again. A bit like a cut it scars then heals. Sometimes it heals quickly and sometimes not at all. Nobody can say how the brain will react after a stroke.
I have had this feeling of pressure in my head since my stroke over three and a half years ago. My GP referred me to Neurology who did a scan and said the pool of blood from my brain bleed had gone and all was fine. Well actually its not fine. They then put me on Pregabalin which had no effect whatsoever so after a few weeks/ months on my GPs advice I stopped taking them and it was back to square one. Since then I still have a tight band GP admits he has no idea what to do and Ive just about had enough. The stroke also made me deaf and I now wear hearing aids and sometimes I wonder if that has anything to do with the feeling in my head. If anyone comes up with a cure please let me know!
I still get a bit of pressure, especially in really warm weather or high pressure days. Mine has improved since taking blood pressure medication. My BP was always fine before my SAH but only came down a bit afterwards.
I’m just coming up to 2 years post SAH and it does get better. You’re still quite early in your recovery so give it time and hopefully you’ll see improvements soon
Pressure is still very much present but thinking about it I have had a couple of weeks of sleeping and eating very little and also feel under a lot of stress at the minute due to marriage ‘issues’ so could just be that causing all these symptoms. I just don’t know. Feeling a bit lost
I have managed to get a doctors appointment but not until 2 weeks time. The original GP who suggested an ENT referral has left so am back to explaining it all over again to another GP. Our poor broken NHS
Are you on Facebook? There’s a very good Subarachnoid Haemorrhage group on there run by the brain and spine foundation. I didn’t really understand what I had gone through, or what I could expect to experience until I joined that group. There’s lots of very nice and knowledgeable people on there that might help you understand everything a bit better
I have been having counselling for the past 6 weeks which was helping me see things differently but now it seems my marriage is hanging on by a thread I am rock bottom perhaps my body is just crying out at me that it needs rest
I hope things settle for you very soon. All the additional pressure won’t be helping how you are feeling I’m sure. Stress feeds into fatigue which in turn can give you lots of other symptoms. A vicious circle if you like. Try and take it one day at a time and deal with one thing at a time.
Thank you. I don’t feel I have anyone to talk to who will listen and not say shit like ‘oh I feel like that’ and ‘I am surprised I haven’t had a stroke I am so stressed’. My husband actually told me he can’t have an adult conversation anymore. That hurt! Only those who have been through something like this truly understand.
Still no change with this pressure in my head. i am hoping for news from my CT scan soon. It was 2 weeks ago today they shouldn’t have you waiting around so long when they already know you are anxious but I get the NHS is a busy organisation.
Going to get myself out for a walk and get some fresh air that may help.
@MrsG16 My heart goes out to you Your husbands comment is ridiculous.. Sometimes people do not think before they say words and they do not realise how much that could hurt someone. You should have said C u Next Tuesday. I have been with my wife for 20myears and she has next insulted me.
but it was terrifying. I need to book an appointment to see if there are alternatives but I just don’t want to be a guinea pig.
Your husbands comment is ridiculous.. Sometimes people do not think before they say words and they do not realise how much that could hurt someone. You should have said C u Next Tuesday. I have been with my wife for 20myears and she has next insulted me.