This seems to make matters worse for me and I was wondering if anyone could relate or has had similar episodes?

When I lay totally flat on my back I feel pressure around my throat, particulary on the right side where all my problems are at the moment (it used to be the left side that gave me all the trouble but that has calmed down significantly now after 12/13 months).

Anyway, there is pressure and a pulsing sensation on the right side, it basically feels really, really uncomfortable/not right at all. I'm worried because I'm due to have an MRI scan soon and I don't think I could lay on my back for 20 minutes right now...

Is it possible that your head/shoulder posture is very far forward??
That might be a factor with being flat with no pillow, the neck muscles could be so used to head forward, that they can't relax fully when laying flat.

You might mention that to your dr and maybe they will rx something to make it comfortable for that time. If they have a standing MRI, that might give more information...

Hey, thanks for your reply.

I have an appointment at the hospital next Wednesday so I'll definitely mention this and see what they say.

So far all they've found with me is that I have high blood pressure (It was initally 180/100 so I was sent from my PCP straight to the hospital, subsequnet readings have been 159/80, 158/88 and 160/90). I take 5mg of ramipril for that now, 2.5mg wasn't really budging it. I was referred to an eye specialist as they saw that there was something going on with my left eye in the ER. The eye doctor said that I have a squint and the vessels behind my left eye are "prominent" and he thinks the flow of blood to the retina is strained in that eye. I also have headaches that are pretty much chronic/daily and some vision issues as well as all the neck/shoulder discomfort and pain and some arm symptoms. Its never ending! Ha. Hope I get some answers soon.

Again, thanks for your input. I'll try and do some pillow adjusting.

You could also have stenosis of the jugular or a clot in the jugular. My jugular is clotted and I have similar symptoms. Constant headache, blurred vision, ear ringing. I've had my rib removed but so far it hasn't helped the jugular reopen. Dr. Collins talks about this issue at www.tosinfo.com. Other TOS experts don't seem to understand the problem though.