Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are inconsistent with any serious brain pathology

Detailed Answer:
Good evening and I'm sorry you're being bothered by these inconvenient symptoms, however, reading them through carefully....a couple of times....my opinion as a neurologist is that you should be feeling better in a short period of time. Your symptoms are quite consistent with a viral catarrh which quite commonly produces all the symptoms you've described.

Intracranial mass lesions (especially rapidly growing malignant tumors) tend to be present much differently and headaches are not nearly as benign as you describe and there are usually other vegetative symptoms (such as new onset nausea/vomiting), vertigo, and other symptoms that suggest an increase in intracranial pressure.

I would take the return of your temperature to normal as a good turn around sign and continue working on hydrating and eating nutritious meals. You may also find things becoming more comfortable with respect to your allergies and other symptoms if you take up some NEBULIZATIONS using warm vapor/steam. If you don't have either a nebulizer or vaporizer that you can use then, you can sit in the bathroom and steam up the bathroom with a hot shower. If you breathe the steam in for about 20 minutes twice daily for the next 2-3 days the congestion and allergies will improve rapidly.

Your symptoms are inconsistent with any type of serious brain pathology and I expect you will be back on the basketball courts very soon shooting 3 pointers and dunking in no time flat.

Please let me know how your MRI turns out because I am interested to know if I'm correct in saying that it is highly unlikely that anything of import will be found on that study.

If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions and you have no further inquiries or comments could you do me the utmost of favors in closing the query along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? Please drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi or send me a copy of the MRI report if you'd like help interpreting what it says.

You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope this conversation has helped you give you a little more direction as to what you may wish to do as well as things you can discuss with your doctors.

This query required 28 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and respond in complete form.

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Brief Answer:
Very glad and NOT surprised that you're improving

Detailed Answer:
Pressure you are describing not likely a sign of anything but a reflection of a headache due to either sinus congestion or to the viral illness that you are now overcoming. I am glad to hear that things are turning around. I know you mentioned how careful you were to follow label instructions when taking some of the medication OTC for your head cold but I would still the cautionary note that states the MAJORITY of OTC preparations for colds/flus/coughs/sleep aids and anything else you want to consider are either UNNECESSARY or in some cases can cause things to complicate or remain prolonged COMPARED to the common sense modalities and reliance upon the natural curative powers of one's own body and immune system.

If headaches are bothersome then, the occasional TYLENOL/ACETAMINOPHEN preparation is acceptable or if you're an aspirin fan Bayer or Excedrin for migraine if the headache is a bit stronger. But that's it.....no need for MRI's, no need for ER visits, or time consuming doctor's appointments, and above all, no need for WORRY.

In other words, attention to adequate rest, cessation of smoking, elimination of high carbs and sugars from the diet, eating more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, reduction/elimination of caffeinated beverages, reduction/elimination of alcohol, exercising and cardiovascular maintenance according to standard AHA guidelines, and OCCASIONALLY when battling a cold or other viral entity taking supplements such as VITAMIN C in crystalline (NOT tablet) or powder form in high doses of at least 2500-3000mg. daily with some added zinc is entirely adequate to successfully get over the hump. I did forget to mention that knowing how to be in a calm and relaxed state of mind or mood is also VERY IMPORTANT for not only battling illnesses but for everyday living. Techniques of DEEP BREATHING, FOCUSED IMAGERY, and other approaches to slow the autonomic system down and all the excess sensory input that comes from driving on crowded highways, making work deadlines and meetings, and dealing with hectic situations in the home with kids and family are CRITICALLY IMPORTANT to good mental health. If you are a person who gets overly anxious when health problems arise in yourself or others close to you...there are ways and EXPERTS that can help you deal with such problems because if unchecked these can be very intrusive and demanding upon a person's energy states, time, ability to focus on work/daily activities, and the POCKETBOOK! So, don't be afraid to raise your hand if you're in this group because lots of people feel the same way with the internet and news media making livelihoods of making people aware of things which have always existed in the human condition but never "worried" about since it was always expected that the body would take care of things. Now, we are fed the fuel to worry and unfortunately, sometimes it's hard to tune out the noise.

Once again, I'm very glad that you're still going to be strong enough to file your taxes by next week and contribute to the collective good of the society....WE NEED YOUNG, STRONG PEOPLE such as yourself to help the older fuddy duddies like us ahead! LOL!!

Once again, just a reminder that if you could write a few positive words of feedback and stamp a 5-star rating on this conversation as you close the query, I'd be most appreciative?

Feel free to drop me a line any time at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

Cheers!

This query required 55 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and respond in complete form.

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