posted
Long story will try to condense. Have had four years of various abx for lyme. Felt a lot better but felt stuck.
Last September I tested positive for bartonella with Igenex FISH test. Stopped lyme abx (my choice because I am drug-sensitive and could not tolerate 2 abx). Bartonella treated since October with zithromax alone.
Have been feeling pretty good, started part-time job, lots of yoga, etc. Three weeks ago stopped zithromax at doc recommendation for a 2-week drug free period prior to re-testing.
Within a few days felt head pressure, spaciness, which I had not felt in a very long time. After a week, doc said to go back on zithro which I did but I have not gone back to feeling as good as I was.
A week ago doc added back in Suprax which I had taken previously. I am only tolerating 1/4 of recommended dose Suprax in addition to the zithro. Have horrible head pressure.
My LLMD thinks that lyme has come back and is causing the head pressure but my feeling is that it is the bartonella as all this flared up when I stopped the zithro for that one week.
Or maybe I am just having a week-long herx?
In addition, my WBC count has been below normal for years and the only time it came into normal range was last December after 2 months of bartonella treatment. It has now gone back to below normal. My feeling is that the initial bartonella treatment allowed WBC count to increase but after a time the zithromax was less effective against the bartonella and so WBC count dropped again. LLMD says that WBC count is more likely to be affected by lyme than bartonella.
Now obviously my LLMD is way more knowledgeable than me but I am very confused about this whole head pressure thing, especially since I was feeling fairly well before. Any thoughts?
Posts: 133 | From Far Hills, NJ 07931 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
Can you describe your head pressure? I get that alot as well along with that i feel out of the world sensation. Who am i why am i here like you said spacey.
However head pressure is a norm for me. It gets so scary that i have to hold my head down sometimes.
I am looking for an answer on that too. Whether i have barts or lyme doing this.
-------------------- May God Bless you, answer your prayers, relieve you of your pain and make you stronger than what you are today. Ameen. Posts: 341 | From Columbia, MD | Registered: Jan 2009
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posted
I too get the head pressure...never been able to really describe it or get a doctor to understand...they always tell me sinus problems...Mine is in various locations within my head, but usually back of head and radiating into the jaw...sometimes behind my eyes and behind forehead.
Posts: 222 | From NH | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
My head pressure feels like when you have been really studying/reading for hours and your head just feels so full. Like you can't really think clearly although you actually can. Neck tightness too which I think adds to the pressure.
I had this in the past and it went away which is why it is frustrating to feel it back again.
Posts: 133 | From Far Hills, NJ 07931 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
There is a small exercise I got from my physical therapist that might help increase blood flow and drainage in your head. I will try to explain the right side and left is the opposite.
With the first finger of your right hand feel a little hard bone under/behind your right ear. Push up on that very gently and at the same time, with the thumb and first finger of your left hand, gently pull the triangular cartilage piece of your ear out to the side. It is a very subtle movement and you may not notice a difference at first.
That piece of triangular cartilage is called the tragus if you want to google it to see what it looks like.
Posts: 133 | From Far Hills, NJ 07931 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
I have also have head pressure and sensations in my head and face.... I describe it as the feeling of getting off a spinning merry go round but minus the dizziness.... just the pressure your head feels...
I had always had it off and on but for the past few months became very intense felt like I needed to hold my head or lay down....
then I started to have siezures which my neurologist is saying the pressure then every few minutes surge of pressure is focal siezures.
I have them about every 3 minutes and every once in a while stronger ones...
I am on Vimpat for the siezures which has really helped but I have found there are cetain triggers that make it worse.
Bright light...being on the computer....driving when the sun is particularly glaring...over stimulation seems to aggrivate it and I feel the sensations stronger....
If you have not had an EEG you may want to have one to see if your having siezures at all..
Hope this helps....many of you have helped me and Im thankful for your support!
Posts: 27 | From NJ | Registered: Apr 2011
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Coming back that quickly I would say it's bart. I have tremdous pressure when I've tried doing Rifampin for bart.
But Rifampin also brings lyme sx full blown.
I'm trying to remember when tremendous head pressure began for me? Headaches with lyme started in 99.
A different type pain in head, the pressure feel started when embedded tick got me in '05, any bart sx within a few months just took over.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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Thanks Aileen,I felt a positive shift when I did it and still now.Seemed to clear my ears.Will keep doing it and will share with friends. Posts: 905 | From Santa Cruz,Calif | Registered: Aug 2005
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