I have had a really bad throbbing headache, stiff neck and dizzyness for the past three weeks. I went to the doc's who thought it was anaemia, but blood tests came back normal. I went back as it got much worse, with the left side of my face and left arm feeling numb, and now all my fingers are tingly. The doc's said two days ago it may be labrynthits and gave me stemetil (prochloroperazine). But I feel no better after two days on this, if anything I feel worse, and cannot sleep properly as head hurts too much, even with codeine and paracetomol. Am I best to keep on the tablets, and could they be making my fingers tingly? I am aslo having trouble focussing my eyes, and feeling sick. It is really affecting my work (I am a PhD student) and my boss is getting fed up. Please help!!

Hi
I can relate to what you are going through. This is my second bout with this mess. Both times it started after a severe sinus infection. I had terrible headaches for about a month and a half. I felt as if I needed a pressure release valve at the top of my head. I can only take ibuprofen, the side effects of other stuff is nasty. I think the stiff neck comes from trying to hold your head up. Try a heating pad or one of those microwave things.

maybe u should go to see another doc, or go to the a and e.... maybe u need a ct scan.. could be something else.. i would if i were in your shoes.. let us know..

------------------
dipps

Well, I just went back to the doctor, told all, and he thinks I have a bad neck, which I find hard to believe, as cannot sleep through my headache, and arm has gone numb. Am going back to parents today (23 and running home!!) and going to get a second opinion there, as the doc here seems not to take me seriously.

Thank you for your help, maybe sometime will get to the bottom of this

Hello there,

Just to say don't underestimate the possibility that your sore neck/back could be causing these problems. Believe it or not back problems can be a major source of severe dizziness as tension/muscular spasm or trapped nerves in that area can interfere with blood flow to the brain causing dizziness. When I first heard about the whole back thing I thought give me a break, but I've now been researching this stuff for 9 months since I got ill, trying to find things that might help - and the back comes up again and again. It would also explain your numb arm (not a classic symptom of an inner ear disorder) and the terrible headaches. Bet as a phd student you've been stooping over a computer for hours on end?

I get info somewhere else on the net from a fairly well known vestibular medic, he frequently cites the back as a source of dizziness and someone on this board was also told by a neuro oto that her 7 months of cronic dizzies could be her back. Another thing you might want to look in to is tempero mandibular joint disorder - this can also cause neck/visual probs and headaches. Cranial osteopaths can be very good for back related dizzy problems.

If you are unhappy with the diagnosis you get you should see a neuro otologist, (specialists in the ears and dizziness) or a neurologist.

I have nowgot a referral to a neurologist and a CT scan booked, so hopefully things will start progressing now, it is interesting to note, that my back is quite sore at the momen, but not sure if that is as I have been inactive compared to normal. Also I am a science PhD, so not too much computer work thatnk god!!