Worsening Brain Fog and Head Pressure When Laying Down and Tilting Head

Z

zmagic

#1
Messages
11
Likes
21
I am posting on behalf of my Fiancé. We think he may have ME/CFS or something like it. I was just curious if anyone else has worsening head pressure and brain fog when they lie down, sit back, or tilt their head in any other direction than upright? This seems to be one of his most unexplained symptoms.

Sitting up incredibly straight used to be okay, but now he has started to feel worse when doing that as well. He feels a little better when standing. We are baffled. Wondering if anyone else experiences anything similar? If so, give me a shout!
 
Rufous McKinney

Rufous McKinney

Senior Member
#2
Messages
11,680
Likes
28,442
Well yes, I seem to not do well lying back.

I sleep mostly on my side. I nap on my stomach.

I seem to not do well head back. I think it may be associated with some Cranial Cervical Instability.

I notice I sort of choke, my throat gets more hoarse, its always hoarse, more of a dull head ache back of head/neck.
 
Z

zmagic

#3
Messages
11
Likes
21
Rufous McKinney said:
I seem to not do well head back. I think it may be associated with some Cranial Cervical Instability.

I notice I sort of choke, my throat gets more hoarse, its always hoarse, more of a dull head ache back of head/neck.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply!

My fiancé has problems with his voice projecting/hoarseness as well. Some days he is fine with regard to his voice, but others he is not. Cold water or drinks seem to make that specific symptom worse for him as well. His head pressure tends to be all over with the exception of his face and is sometimes more noticeable around his ears.

have wondered about Craniocervical Instability, it does seem like that may be one of the only things that at least partially describes this issue. Or potentially an inner ear problem, but he doesn't quite fit that box either.
 
Judee

Judee

Psalm 46:1-3
#4
Messages
3,386
Likes
9,378
Location
Great Lakes
We bought one of these for my Mom. She had COPD and it helped with her breathing. https://www.amazon.com/Avana-Mattre...efix=elevator+bed+avana+5-inch,aps,106&sr=8-2

It's a little difficult to get used to, sleeping at an angle like that. (They also make a 7-inch.)

The 5-inch didn't bother her but I'm not sure everyone could adapt.

Also, it had a very strong paint smell. I had to take 2 weeks to offgas it in a room by itself with the window open when I could. I also wrapped it with a thermal cotton blanket to help absorb some of the odor. Then I still wrapped it later when putting it under her mattress to try to minimize any residual offgassing.

As a side note, some people in the POTs community say elevating the head of the bed is helpful.

So I posted this thinking maybe the blood is pooling in his head when he lays down. Anyway, just a thought. I hope you can figure out what's going on for him.
 
Z

zmagic

#5
Messages
11
Likes
21
Judee said:
We bought one of these for my Mom. She had COPD and it helped with her breathing. https://www.amazon.com/Avana-Mattress-Elevator-Incline-Support/dp/B07R8GLK6B/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2QT85SQZII1PU&keywords=elevator+bed+avana+5-inch&qid=1645924026&sprefix=elevator+bed+avana+5-inch,aps,106&sr=8-2

As a side note, some people in the POTs community say elevating the head of the bed is helpful.

So I posted this thinking maybe the blood is pooling in his head when he lays down. Anyway, just a thought. I hope you can figure out what's going on for him.
Click to expand...
Thanks, @Judee!
We do sleep with the bed elevated; although, it may not be quite high enough. We will probably give this a try regardless. Appreciate your input!
 
Woof!

Woof!

Senior Member
#6
Messages
523
Likes
1,396
When I get similar symptoms, one of two things is often the culprit: (1) cervical instability (I have a wobbly C2, the result of a horse rolling over my head a few decades ago) or (2) a strong sensitivity to dustmites and fragrances (easily diagnosed and eliminated by doing three things ... putting anti-bedbug/anti-dustmite covers on all your mattresses and pillows; washing all washable cloth items in your bedroom in hot water and fragrance-free detergent, giving your bedroom - and couch, if you spend a lot of time on it - a good vacuuming; and eliminating all fragrances from your environment). Seasonal allergies can also be a factor, so you may want to look into them too. From my own experience...
 
Z

zmagic

#7
Messages
11
Likes
21
I appreciate your thoughts on this, it's definitely worth a try! We actually found out today via a CT scan that he has pretty substantial ethmoid sinusitis. Wondering if that could be playing a factor in all of this as well? I'm sure getting rid of fragrances, washing everything, giving the house a good vacuuming, and things of that sort can't hurt and probably would, at the very least, help a little.
 
Z

zmagic

#9
Messages
11
Likes
21
[QUOTE="Shanti1,
In the thread above someone posted a video from a Dr. Ross Hauser who specializes in CCI (post 5) that is also really informative. He states that chronic sinusitis can be another CCI manifestation.[/QUOTE]

thanks so much for this! Going to pour over that right now.
 
Z

zmagic

#12
Messages
11
Likes
21
I had literally just gotten back from Fort Myers the day I started this thread. Imagine my shock when I found out that's where he was located and that I drove by his office several times while I was there. Was wondering why the name of the place sounded familiar when I opened the link :bang-head:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.