Tension headaches that last weeks

[Twenty2]

I think I may have tension headaches that cause a feeling of pressure in my head. Once it starts it goes on for weeks then suddenly I will find it’s gone and I have gone 2 or 3 weeks thinking I’ve got rid of them and suddenly it starts up again. The doctor says it’s anxiety and keeps increasing my antidepressants but I’m still getting this strange feeling in my head most of the time. It gets worse when I go out or when I’m driving and I can make it more bearable if I lie still and breathe slowly. Painkillers don’t help because it’s not an actual headache as such, just this pressing feeling

[RustyBucket36]

Hi Twenty2, I've been experiencing the same thing, that pressure in the head that comes and goes in an instant. For me, I've noticed a lot of tension in my neck when I get that head pressure. I tried using those reusable heat packs you throw in the microwave on my neck. They have them at CVS for like $10. The head pressure doesn't go away completely, but it definitely makes it better.

[Agora1]

Hi Twenty2, I could write a book on tension headaches which I suffered

from for years. The daily pressure/fullness in my head was unlike a regular

headache. A constant tightness that seemed to have no end. Like RustyBucket said,

heat paks were my salvation. I stayed away from pain pills because they were

but a momentary relief.

In researching chronic head pain, I found that what we feel in our heads is referred

pain coming from chronic trigger points. Usually in our shoulders, neck and base

of the skull. I could bet that your shoulders are almost touching your ears. Your

body goes into that preparatory stance anticipating the pain.

I took the bull by the horns and went to a Rheumatologist who sent me to

physical therapy to release those trigger spasms. Heat paks were used as well.

At home is was all about meditation/relaxation and incorporating "me time"

into my schedule every day. A time where you could tune out the world, the

stress and focus on nothing but going limp. As your body gets these breaks, it

will learn to respond favorably to get you back to normal.

Hydrating is super important. Our muscles need water. Can't emphasize that

enough. Stretching those tight muscles, being aware of proper head alignment

can make a big difference. Jutting head forward is a "no no". Breathing in the

calm, exhaling the stress. One last thing is seeing your dentist. Sometimes a

mouth guard can help relax those jaw muscles tighter than a top causing pressure

pain in your head.

Wish you well in your journey forward with chronic pain. This will eventually leave

you once you find what works for you. Namaste Twenty2. xx

[Twenty2 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you. One thing I never do is drink water

[Likeabadstorm]

I have this pressure chronically day and do our non stop for about 6-7 months. Nothing has helped it as of yet. I have tried heat packs, ice packs, got a night guard, glasses. I have whooshing in my ears and faintness feeling day and night. Agora is right my shoulders are so up to my ears a lot and I try to relax them. Mine gets worse the minute I sit up or stand. Laying down helps but doesn’t rid it. I get pins and needles too in face and head. I am scared of intracranial hypotension Csf leak because of the positional headache (pressure really bad). No otc meds work. I tried nasal spray for sinuses to see if it would help. Nope. I was told stress and anxieyy try may be causing it, ent thinks maybe they should check for intracranial pressure. All mri and MRA normal. So it seems it can come from anxiety and panic but it’s relentless. And I injured my foot and Tylenol with codeine didn’t help my head pressure. I hope yours get better and all we can do is try to relax so how.