New member with a question about unusual symptoms
 

Hey, folks! Great to be here in the NeuroTalk forums!

I was wondering if anyone here could offer me some experience or insight. About 3.5 months ago I slapped myself in the face (as a joke on a Zoom call), and gave myself either an mTBI or a whiplash injury. Initial headaches faded after a couple of days, but about 2 weeks later, I started having symptoms that haven't gone away. These include tinninus in one ear and an increased frequency of migraines (I get acephalgic migraines, so just dizziness without pain). But in addition, I've had strange pressure symptoms in the front and back of my head:

* A feeling of intense pressure (not pain) in the back of the head that radiates forward to the sinuses, worse in the evening or after lying with my head propped against a pillow

* A feeling of pressure in my top teeth when I touch the top (vertex) of my scalp even very lightly

* Sinus pressure at other random times

There's never any pain, just these strange pressure sensations. Has anyone here ever experienced anything like that?

Welcome nquixote. :welcome_sign: Someone will be along.

Thanks, Kitt! Just hope I posted this question in the right place! 😊

Hey nquixote,

I have a theory. I would suggest that all your symptoms are sinus related either through a sinus infection or congestion. Sinusitis occurs when the tissue lining the sinuses becomes inflamed and swollen. Upper teeth pain is a common symptom of sinusitis as is scalp tenderness. Your description of the feelings of pressure are also classic symptoms. Nasal congestion related to a sinus infection can create abnormal pressure in the middle ear that may cause tinnitus. You may experience tenderness around your face too, cheekbones, bridge of nose and forehead. The sphenoid sinus can also give feelings of pressure in the back of the head.

If my theory is right, and I'm just a random bloke from the internet, and it is a sinus infection, short-term antibiotics (typically less than 2 weeks) would be appropriate, but I would start off with trying decongestants if my theory resonates with you.

I can't imagine a comedy slap to head would cause an mTBI or a whiplash injury. **

Please will you let us know of your progress,

Best wishes,

Atty

Thanks, Atty! Unfortunately I went to an ENT and they said my sinuses had no visible inflammation. So it must be either a head or neck problem...

Welcome, nquixote!

I am another one who doubts that you have a whiplash injury or a TBI from that slap you gave yourself.

Have you started with the obvious--by looking at your diet and at whatever meds or supplements you're taking? Quite often there's something in the diet or a person's meds that shouldn't be there or that is there in the wrong quantity.

Another obvious suggestion: sleep. Do you get enough sleep and is it fairly regular? Or do you stay up all night, maybe for a few days, then sleep nonstop for a day and a half? Some people routinely live like that, and it can cause a boatload of symptoms.

Those are just a couple of ideas you've probably already dealt with long ago. I hope you can find some answers soon.

Thanks! My sleep is fine, actually -- I sleep 8 hours a day, at my normal times, and my sleep is refreshing and uninterrupted.

I have started PT for my neck/occipital pressure, and it has decreased it substantially. So that's good!

But unfortunately my feelings of dizziness and altered cognition have increased in the last two weeks. I discontinued medication (Imitrex) and all supplements, just to make sure it isn't that. But the symptoms are severe and disabling. I've been diagnosed with acephalgic migraine, but I feel like such constant, persistent symptoms must be the result of some deeper problem.