Dealing with bilateral jugular compression. I cannot sit or stand for more than a few minutes. In my research ive seen that jugulars open and flow more when laying flat? My headache and neck pressure eases a bit or is the most tolerable when flat which i know is usually the opposite of IIH but I suppose the jugulars opening more explains it? Just doubting myself. Anyone else better laying down?
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@HanaasMama it has always relieved symptoms for me laying down. At this point they don’t completely resolve but it does still provide relief.
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Sounds like a CSF leak symptom to me but I’m no expert on that topic
@HanaasMama me too, much better lying down in fact I feel “normal” first thing in the morning then pressure builds especially whilst sitting at my desk working. I have bilateral IJV compression from C1. One decompression under my belt in Sept but still experiencing issues at the moment.
You will get some great advice here.
Rosie 
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There have been some discussions and it’s been suggested before that as the IJVs open when laying flat one of the VES doctors advises laying down regularly, I can’t remember which doctor it was or who posted that though… For me laying flat was worse, I would wake with a headache unless I slept propped up, although that said I did used to feel the pressure build up through the day. It is more common to have headaches when upright with low pressure and headaches when laying flat with high pressure, but other members have found the opposite, as @Rosie and @MGORNEAU said.
Don’t doubt what the scans show!
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Hi @HanaasMama
Given the position of your bilateral internal jugular vein compression it is quite possible that your jugulars are being compressed by your sternocleidomastoid muscles.
Normally when you are sitting and standing your internal jugular veins partially collapse maintaining sufficient venous pressure to avoid low intracranial pressure in these positions.
However in your case, if the sternocleidomastoid muscles are causing your internal jugular vein compression then in a sitting and standing compression these muscles could be causing total compression of the internal jugular veins as these muscles are in a contracted state to maintain your head position.
When you lie down the sternocleidomastoid muscle is in a relaxed state thus allowing some flow through your internal jugulars thus reducing cerebral venous congestion symptoms.
Maybe you should get in contact with these University of Minnesota doctors in this publication who specialise in this type of internal jugular vein compression :
Sternocleidomastoid Omohyoid Entrapment of the Internal Jugular Vein Causing Vertigo and Headaches
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Thanks for that explanation @Emerald , you’re so knowledgeable 
I’ve added a link to that research paper & a note to say no members that we know of have seen the team, but hopefully they might be able to help members!
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I am the direct opposite! My throat pain is worse reclined or supine. I also can have worse head pressure (though I haven’t had this symptom thankfully in a long time) when laying back. I can get some head pressure with flexion of my head (scooping cat litter , as if that isn’t already a tedious chore). And I can have symptoms with head in extension. But I will caveat I have confirmed mild CCI from an upright MRI in 2024. My left throat pain and ear pain and popping does increase while walking and driving as well. So I’m kind of uncomfortable 24/7.
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Have you tried lying down/sleeping w/ a neck pillow or rolled towel to help keep your neck in neutral @k.p.c to see if that helps reduce your throat pain? It’s possible your head/neck position when reclined is slightly in flexion which would bring your styloids closer to your glossopharyngeal & vagus nerves (which are the ones that typically cause throat pain) & irritating them thus increasing your pain.
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Yes- doing that actually makes it worse for me for some reason. I have to lay on my right side or stomach (not ideal as it aches my neck in other ways). It takes many pillows and pain management before bed. 
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Quite a operation! There was a discussion a while back & one member posted about how sleeping on your front with your head turned to the side could possibly be helpful for IJV compression, but I think we’re all so different with our symptoms so it’s not the case for everyone. I always used to sleep on my front but after my whiplash injury I 've not been able to any more. Just trial and error as to what works for each of us!
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