Pressure in back of head when lying down so bad I can't sleep (MRI, pain)

[Nolegator]

I have a lot pressure in the back of my skull where it meets the neck when I lie down to the point I can't sleep without taking painkillers or a muscle relaxant. It also radiates into my jaw and down into my neck and my upper back and chest. I have a small lump behind my left ear but not the other, even though the pain and pressure is bilateral.

Medical History:
I'm 33, male. I developed neck pain suddenly in July 2017 after going to the gym - I didn't feel like I got injured but the next day I felt a lot of pain and nausea. I thought I herniated a disk and went to the hospital, but a CT scan only showed mild degenerative disc disease (DDD), which the doctor said is not unusual. I followed up with an MRI which was also normal except for the DDD, and there was not evidence of any discs pressing on my spine or any nerves.

[greatblueheron]

Pain from DDD can worsen over time and radiate to other areas......perhaps a nerve is being "pinched" and you need further diagnostics and treatment. A disc could have herniated...etc. You might now be a surgical candidate.


A bit worrisome is that some of the symptoms you mention (all except back of head pain)
can indicate heart attack.

I'd visit your MD to confirm diagnosis. But if you have continued chest pain, with jaw pain, and pain radiation down the arm, you might want to visit the ER just to be on the safe side.

[greatblueheron]

Nolegator, how are you today???