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Odd "skull" sensations and pain? (with and without a headache)

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 6/6/2013 9:02 PM (GMT -5)
Hi,

Recently I've been experiencing (more than normal) some sensations I've always associated with FM. Sometimes directly after eating something 'bad' I'd experience the feeling of pangs in my skull, a sense of coldness in different areas of my head, tingling, pressure. It almost feels as if the muscles in my head are constricting and pulling on my scalp, and that pressure is being pushed on and around my eyes. Whatever the case, its uncomfortable and seems to coincide with that off-balance whacko- FM feeling. Along with these sensations, I also sometimes feel extra tension in my jaw and around my eyes. Right now it coincides with a headache.

I don't know what to do about it and its gotten bad ever since I allowed myself to consume a snack with MSG a month ago which I mentioned here. I don't take any meds because of how sensitive I am, and I'm wondering if anything would be able to reduce these pains. I'm frustrated.

Will this go away? I feel like this MSG caused headache doesn't want to leave... like it has seriously altered my brain and head. After a month and a few weeks I'd expect to recover. I know the MSG caused it initially.

Any advice? Or thoughts about what the sensations might be? Muscles spasm? Blood Flow abnormalities? Inflammation of the brain? sorry to sound dramatic but... seriously I don't understand these sensations and pangs in my head. They've never lasted so long from eating something bad.

I'd go to a doctor, and I suppose I will if they don't go away, but I just wanted to get some ideas here as well. Do you ever have headache phases that subside after awhile? I'll get a few days break of less headache, and then it always resurges. :(

Thanks.

Post Edited (CharmCityLady) : 6/6/2013 8:05:28 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/6/2013 10:35 PM (GMT -5)
My best advice is to get your Scalenes and SCM neck muscles massaged (gently) and get some cervical traction as well. A Physical Therapist will take care of this within two months, but an experienced massage therapist can help too.

Those symptoms you describe sound similar to what I experienced a few months ago. My neck muscles had become extremely tight due to poor posture and I had also developed Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. It took some time , but I've had physical therapy 2/wk and it got much better. I no longer have those weird head sensations (worse while laying down) and I have better range of motion on my neck. I also have less off-balance sensations, less TMJ issues, less tinnitus, less tired droopy eyelids, and no more cold chills on my head. Thankfully I never had headaches...I rarely get them, but that's just me.

But I feel for you cause I know how scary those head and neck feelings can be. Make sure you have a qualified professional check those muscles I mentioned. When they become tight, they can cause all those symptoms you mentioned. There is also info on youtube on how to stretch them and about associated syndromes.

MSG contains gluten and is pro-inflammatory so it could have made it worse, but doubtful it is the cause.


-Liz
Posted 6/6/2013 10:51 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks for your input! It really encourages me to know that you had that issue but that it has improved!

I get very discouraged when an issue worsens worse than normal and doesn't subside. I start to worry and panic that it will remain as intense as it is currently forever. Normally it will diminish eventually.. I just have to keep that in mind when I'm in a more-pain-than-normal phase.
Posted 6/6/2013 11:04 PM (GMT -5)
I know how you feel...that's how I've been lately with my legs. They keep vibrating, feeling tingly, etc...some days are tolerable but some days are scary! Like when it wakes me up in the middle of the night or when my legs feel weak and hypersensitive. So its like I traded the head and neck issues for leg issues....

I see it like this. You will focus on those issues until you get treatment, then you start to feel better and will find something else to focus on. The key is to let go once you feel better and not give too much attention to your symptoms cause it makes it worse..(typical for anxiety-prone people like us). I'm also in cognitive behavioral therapy for health anxiety. That helps me keep the symptoms in perspective.

Here is a diagram indicating where you will get issues relating to SCM tightness. See if that fits what you describe: http://round-earth.com/SCM.html
Posted 6/6/2013 11:17 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks a lot! I totally agree. When one issue subsides, another surfaces, creating this endless cycle... haha.. the best thing to do is refocus, know that the issue will most likely subside to some degree eventually, and count your current, present blessings, whatever they are.

For example, sleep is an ongoing issue with me, but since January I've been sleeping better in general and my insomnia troubles have been kept at bay. Another thing that has gotten better for me is my ability to write with more clarity and communicate and articulate better... Even though I'm annoyed at the headache, I should continue to count my blessings about my ability to sleep for the time being.

Thanks again for the reminder. It makes a difference for me.
:)
Posted 6/7/2013 9:27 AM (GMT -5)
Interesting how you say that focussing on your symptoms can make them worse, because:

Today I discovered the only symptom that I seem to be able to get rid of simply by ignoring it! My tinnitus. I started to get the piercing whistling sound in my ears today and I decided to just completely pretend it wasn't there and concentrate fully on what I was doing. I was shocked when the noise subsided within about half a minute of doing this! (It normally lasts for at least an hour.) I am sure there are numerous causes of tinnitus so this technique may not work for everyone. Also, it could have been coincidence-I will try it again the next time my tinnitus starts bothering me and see if it still works.
Posted 6/7/2013 7:00 PM (GMT -5)
Jasmine, that seems to be working for me as well. I haven't noticed any tinnitus for weeks...unless I start looking for it. That pretty much says it all.

My new philosophy with these symptoms: If its a real problem, you will notice it. Otherwise, forget about it!
Posted 6/8/2013 4:20 AM (GMT -5)
Yeah... I tried it again with the tinnitus this morning and it still works for me too. Glad it helps you as well!

about 2 years ago, I tried for a whole month to tell myself that I wasn't actually in pain - that I was just imagining it (I had actually started to believe this because people were telling me that so much). Unfortunately this didn't work, so I became certain the pain is very real.
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