I don't fly airline aircraft but to change cabin pressure manually is tricky. It can be done, but it's a nuisance for the crew. Some aircraft have a lower cabin altitude. That's the way bizjets are going these days. As the above have said, expect a cabin altitude of about 7 to 8,000'.
Yes, the cabin temps can be altered but I'll be honest, it's not worth the risk of complaints if the temp is altered too much.
As for the above health issues? I am certain they happened. Are there any underlying anxiety issues? Often they manifest themselves in physical form.