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What Causes Severe Sinus Headache, Breathing Difficulty And Slight Numbness In Arms?
Question: My symptoms began a few weeks ago, when I experienced a pretty severe sinus headache. It was extremely difficult for me to breathe, I had pressure at my sinuses, temple, as well as behind the eye. Typically, right temple and eye. This lasted for about three days.
Thereafter, I felt fine for about five days then experienced an episode that sent me to the ER. I’m not exactly sure what the cause was but I experienced heart palpitations and sharp, restricting pain in the chest for a few seconds. Shortly after I had difficulty breathing and slight numbness in both arms. Also, at the same time I felt dizzy when moving around.
I’m not sure if this was a panic attack or something more serious. They said my lungs were clear and blood pressure was normal. Chest x-rays also came back ok.
The same episode happened again two days later. For the next two weeks thereafter I experienced extreme fatigue, fogginess and frequent pressure in the neck and head. The neck pressure is pulsating on the right side of my neck. The head pressure is also on the right as well. When the pressure is there my speech is slightly slurred and the dizzy feeling returns. The pressure worsens when laying on the opposite side.
I’ve awaken multiple times, dizzy, feeling as if I’m going to pass-out and chills to the point I was trembling uncontrollably.
All in all over the past few weeks I’ve had frequent, recurring headaches, pressure on the side of my head and neck. Multiple cold spells, stomach cramps and bloated.
Years ago I was told I have an enlarged chamber, but wasn’t a concern and also high blood calcium. If those are related.
thank you.
Thereafter, I felt fine for about five days then experienced an episode that sent me to the ER. I’m not exactly sure what the cause was but I experienced heart palpitations and sharp, restricting pain in the chest for a few seconds. Shortly after I had difficulty breathing and slight numbness in both arms. Also, at the same time I felt dizzy when moving around.
I’m not sure if this was a panic attack or something more serious. They said my lungs were clear and blood pressure was normal. Chest x-rays also came back ok.
The same episode happened again two days later. For the next two weeks thereafter I experienced extreme fatigue, fogginess and frequent pressure in the neck and head. The neck pressure is pulsating on the right side of my neck. The head pressure is also on the right as well. When the pressure is there my speech is slightly slurred and the dizzy feeling returns. The pressure worsens when laying on the opposite side.
I’ve awaken multiple times, dizzy, feeling as if I’m going to pass-out and chills to the point I was trembling uncontrollably.
All in all over the past few weeks I’ve had frequent, recurring headaches, pressure on the side of my head and neck. Multiple cold spells, stomach cramps and bloated.
Years ago I was told I have an enlarged chamber, but wasn’t a concern and also high blood calcium. If those are related.
thank you.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you are still feeling.
Looking at the description of those two episodes (palpitations, chest pain, difficulty breathing, numbness in both arms) I would say that they look more likely to be a panic attack. Of course that is after heart attack and lung problems have been excluded in the ER. You do not mention an EKG, but I assume that has been done as well.
As for the symptoms persisting afterwards, while taken in isolation they could be attributed to different conditions, when taken together they are not connected by a common condition to justify them all, except perhaps an infection but you mention no fever. For that reason I am inclined to say that the symptoms are more probably due to anxiety.
However some tests are wise before leaving it to anxiety (and anxiety can be a manifestation of conditions like thyroid dysfunction and metabolic changes). Tests like complete blood count, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, thyroid function, repeat electrolytes, vitamin B12 level are routine inexpensive ones which could find a cause.
Also some of the findings you mention should be better elaborated. You mention to have high blood calcium, but not if the cause has found, most common cause is high parathyroid hormone. If on repeat measurements the electrolytes are low again a cause for that must also be thought and perhaps take substitute supplements.
The plaque on your neck is unusual at your age, do you mean an atherosclerotic plaque in your carotid artery? It usually happens in people with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, long time smokers etc. It should be followed periodically by ultrasound. Anyway I do not think it is causing your symptoms. At worst it can release clots in the brain and cause stroke, but that doesn't manifest with chills, stomach cramps, bloating, can cause numbness in the limbs but only on one side, not both like in your case.
I remain at your disposal for further questions
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you are still feeling.
Looking at the description of those two episodes (palpitations, chest pain, difficulty breathing, numbness in both arms) I would say that they look more likely to be a panic attack. Of course that is after heart attack and lung problems have been excluded in the ER. You do not mention an EKG, but I assume that has been done as well.
As for the symptoms persisting afterwards, while taken in isolation they could be attributed to different conditions, when taken together they are not connected by a common condition to justify them all, except perhaps an infection but you mention no fever. For that reason I am inclined to say that the symptoms are more probably due to anxiety.
However some tests are wise before leaving it to anxiety (and anxiety can be a manifestation of conditions like thyroid dysfunction and metabolic changes). Tests like complete blood count, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, thyroid function, repeat electrolytes, vitamin B12 level are routine inexpensive ones which could find a cause.
Also some of the findings you mention should be better elaborated. You mention to have high blood calcium, but not if the cause has found, most common cause is high parathyroid hormone. If on repeat measurements the electrolytes are low again a cause for that must also be thought and perhaps take substitute supplements.
The plaque on your neck is unusual at your age, do you mean an atherosclerotic plaque in your carotid artery? It usually happens in people with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, long time smokers etc. It should be followed periodically by ultrasound. Anyway I do not think it is causing your symptoms. At worst it can release clots in the brain and cause stroke, but that doesn't manifest with chills, stomach cramps, bloating, can cause numbness in the limbs but only on one side, not both like in your case.
I remain at your disposal for further questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the detailed response.
After the high blood calcium was found, my urine was then tested to see if I was excreting too much calcium. That came back fine and no other tests were done thereafter. So I assume that means the high blood calcium is no longer a concern? My thyroids are also ok. But when it's said that thyroid function is fine, does that typically include the parathyroid as well?
The plaque was found via stethoscope and I'll be going back for further testing next week.
The biggest issue and concern of mine has been the constant headaches. They occur daily, it's not a bad pain but lingering and extremely frequent.
The past couple days I've also noticed a pins and needles sensation in my left foot, that occurs at night. Without pressure on the foot or leg.
I should also note that prior to all of this happening I was not eating well and lost about 20 pounds over 2-3 months. It was not intentional, but there were a lot of days where I only ate once or twice for the day. Maybe that could have caused a lot of issues I'm experiencing now? I've since been eating well for almost a couple weeks though.
After the high blood calcium was found, my urine was then tested to see if I was excreting too much calcium. That came back fine and no other tests were done thereafter. So I assume that means the high blood calcium is no longer a concern? My thyroids are also ok. But when it's said that thyroid function is fine, does that typically include the parathyroid as well?
The plaque was found via stethoscope and I'll be going back for further testing next week.
The biggest issue and concern of mine has been the constant headaches. They occur daily, it's not a bad pain but lingering and extremely frequent.
The past couple days I've also noticed a pins and needles sensation in my left foot, that occurs at night. Without pressure on the foot or leg.
I should also note that prior to all of this happening I was not eating well and lost about 20 pounds over 2-3 months. It was not intentional, but there were a lot of days where I only ate once or twice for the day. Maybe that could have caused a lot of issues I'm experiencing now? I've since been eating well for almost a couple weeks though.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that additional information.
It is difficult to diagnose a plaque by auscultation only, it can be misleading and must be confirmed through imaging by neck doppler ultrasound, so considering your young age, atypical for such issues I would be suspicious without having imaging confirmation.
As for the parathyroid hormone, no it is not the same as in thyroid evaluation. It is called like that because the parathyroid glands which produce it are in close vicinity with the thyroid gland, but their function is different. Usually it is one of the first tests in evaluation of increased calcium level.
The bad nutrition may be responsible for some symptoms and a temporary electrolyte alteration, in that case should get better gradually and lab values return to norm.
As for the headache, headache can have many causes, stress and anxiety can be triggers of several types of primary headache like tension type headache, the most common primary headache (primary meaning with no identifiable cause, not threatening). However if you are someone who hasn't experienced headaches in the past, considering also the tingling in the limb that you describe, if the pain persists I would say head imaging is advisable to exclude brain lesions, preferrably with MRI.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that additional information.
It is difficult to diagnose a plaque by auscultation only, it can be misleading and must be confirmed through imaging by neck doppler ultrasound, so considering your young age, atypical for such issues I would be suspicious without having imaging confirmation.
As for the parathyroid hormone, no it is not the same as in thyroid evaluation. It is called like that because the parathyroid glands which produce it are in close vicinity with the thyroid gland, but their function is different. Usually it is one of the first tests in evaluation of increased calcium level.
The bad nutrition may be responsible for some symptoms and a temporary electrolyte alteration, in that case should get better gradually and lab values return to norm.
As for the headache, headache can have many causes, stress and anxiety can be triggers of several types of primary headache like tension type headache, the most common primary headache (primary meaning with no identifiable cause, not threatening). However if you are someone who hasn't experienced headaches in the past, considering also the tingling in the limb that you describe, if the pain persists I would say head imaging is advisable to exclude brain lesions, preferrably with MRI.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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