Stress Center Peer Support

First off, Im a 28 year old male that has never suffered from migraines or stress in the past.

About 4.5 months ago, I started noticing mild headaches, mainly around the base of the skull and sides of my head. There is also pressure in my head that is always present whether the headaches are or not. I also have visual floaters that started with all this as well. Sometimes there is slight vertigo but not to the point that Im going to fall.

Ive seen many doctors and had many tests and no one can really give me an answer. Im wondering if this can be work stress related. The symptoms tend to be worse while Im working but even on my days off they dont disappear completely.

I would think that if its work related stress, when Im off, I shouldnt feel any bad symptoms at all but maybe Im wrong. Is it possible that as long as I work at my current job I will feel this way?

Do the symptoms of stress usually follow someone even when theyre not in the main environment that causes it?

You could call and get the free CD which talks about how this program will help you. Do ask for that CD and see what you think.

We're the same age but your symptoms are a lot different than mine. It sounds like it could have somnething to do with your inner ear if you suffer from vertigo? These symptoms could be anxiety or stress related but sound to me like there could be an underlying physical problem so I would try and see some specialists and get a diagnosis. Have any of the doctors said they thought it was anxiety or stress related? Stress can make any problem worse but this sounds like there may be an underlying physical problem to me.

I have seen an ENT and everything was fine. At first, I was concerned it was something to do with my sinuses causing the pressure but everything turned out negative.

I recently had a MRI and my Neurologist discovered bone spurs on my cervical spine. She doesnt seem to think theyre causing any nerve impingement or serious enough to pursue it any further. Im getting a second opinion in a few days so we'll see how that goes.

Im wondering if it is something physical and the added stress from work just intensifies the symptoms.

Hi, I find that sooooo many things are stress-related. Just Google "symptoms of anxiety" or "symptoms of stress" and you see a whole list of things. I had so many of them that I had to admit that what I thought was a health issue was really anxiety. Can you try things to de-stress your life and see if that helps? Lucinda recommends daily exercise, cutting out caffeine and sugar, relaxation techniques, etc. Can't hurt! I wish you well!

Dean,
I am currently doing the program and i have experienced, and am still experiencing the same EXACT symptoms as you descibed in your first paragraph. I have beenb to an ENT and neurologist as well, although my neuro did not prescribe an MRI, and both say "anxiety". I have heard SO many people on these forums with the same if not similiar symptoms. It is amazing to me how many people who have anxiety end up seeing ENT's and neurologists - could there be a pattern that leads us all to anxiety? I too have been worried, but i have to start believing that this all adds up to anxiety. When i do the relaxation tape i always feel better. Let me know what you think of this. Any body else relate?

Dean,
to answer your question, yes, you can continue symptoms well after the initial thing that causes it bc of stress hormones and negative worry that continually causes them to be in your body.

Much of my symptoms seem to be tension headaches. I have dull pressure in my head and mild/intermitten pain at the base of my skull, sides of my head, and neck stiffness. I read somewhere that visual floaters can also be a result of stress.

xl, ABSOLUTELY!

i worked in an extremely stressful job (which i am now thankfully free of, by the grade of God).

right before i began to get panic attacks, i was getting "cluster" headaches behind my right eye and on the rt side of my head. they only occurred while i was at work and was the final symptom i experienced prior to getting full out panic attacks.

dizziness eventually began to accompany these headaches, and it was the dizziness that i think sent me over the edge in terms of being scared of physical symptoms.

Thanks for the info Paul.

Did any of the symptoms ever occur outside of work? Ive noticed when Im at work my symptoms are worse but even when Im off, I still have some slight pressure (possibly tension headaches) throughout the day. Im wondering if this is because I know I have to go back and am not free from that work environment yet?

Once you left your job, did the symptoms go away assuring you that was the root cause?