Help...Strange neck/head sensations...Super Sarah & others - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

shinlee · 02-12-2003, 10:54 AM

Hello. Sorry for the lengthy posting...just want to provide enough info.

After 8 chiropractic "neck cracking" treatments to help resolve what is best described as a back of the head sensation of "water swishing back and forth in a pan" when turning my head, I then began to experience new symptoms.

Originally, my GP thought the "swishing" sensation could be BPPV and gave me exercises to do. Did for several weeks while going to a chiro thinking there might be an irritated neck nerve on the right side where the sensation originate (I had been doing a lot of overhead painting work a few days prior).

Post-chiro, new symptoms for last 3-1/2 months:

- Dull ache across base of neck
- more grinding sounds in neck
- constant clicking in ears when flexing neck up/down
(don't believe TMJ-related had jaw clicking for 27
years & seemingly resolved with chiro treatments.)

- raising up arms to massage neck/head feels like an energy/tension build-up from neck to head (hard to describe this one).

SYMPTOMS caused by TURNING<BENDING OF NECK (will resolve shortly after change of head position to upright/straight)...

- dizzy sensation if held for a short length of time
- prickly, tightening, burning sensation on top of head
- sensitivity to sound that (strangely) seems to
resonate off the base of skull/neck area and other
places on skull...doesn't seem to occur much if head
held upright.
- feel pulse in back of neck on either side if lying
against pillow or back of chair.
- "thrusting-like" sensation moves through head
sometimes with or without movement of neck.

Most all the above is relieved when lying down - more pronounced if under stress.

I've had MRIs of brain/cervical area...normal. MRAs of brain/cervical area (contrast) to check for carotid/vertebral artery dissections, aneuyrysms, AVMS...normal. CBC and blood tests to check for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis...normal.

ENG test for dizziness and MRI reviewed by neurotologist indicated a vascular loop compressing left cranial vestibular nerve. The doctor says that was what was causing the "swishing" sensation. However, I told him most of the sensations occur on the right side, to which he says it's hard to tell where it's coming from and didn't comment on other symptoms.

This all has effected quality of life as the dizziness and other sensations tire me easily.

What started out as an odd "swishing" sensation that I could have learned to live with has escalated into more symptoms that may or may not have been caused by chiro treatments.

Any insight given will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[This message has been edited by shinlee (edited 02-12-2003).]

mlgable · 02-13-2003, 09:11 AM

Have you seen an ENT doc yet? That swishing sound could be fluid in your ears as well as the dizziness etc. Sinus/ear problems can cuase a lot of different problems so get this checked out to rule out any ear/sinus problems.

shinlee · 02-13-2003, 01:11 PM

Hello mlgable.

Thank you for responding. Yes. I saw an ENT and neurotologist, which is an ENT that specializes in hearing nerves.

Can you recommend another place I can post this question as there doesn't seem to be much of a response.

The naturopath I'm seeing believes the symptoms are due to stress in my upper back, neck and scalp muscles that's causing these sensations. Other docs say it could be stress-related. Neurologist mentioned occipital neuralgia as a possibility, but I don't have excruciating pain as suggested in info I've read.

mel333 · 02-17-2003, 07:50 AM

Hi,

I would suggest chiro treatments may not be useful with the compression you describe. They can be dangerous if you have any type of nerve/artery compression in the head/neck. This is from what I have read and I personally found chiro didn't help me. My head and neck would react badly and I seemed to just need it more and more. I have a whiplash injury and have facet block shots done c3/4 and 5/6 plus a nerve block. I find massage helpful for my headaches which sound a bit like yours with the shooting pain from neck etc. I am also considering a c2 nerve block despite being unsure whether I have occipital neuralgia. I think my headaches are cervicogenic in nature yet, my ns has recommended a c2 block or facet blocks at c2/3 which can also be a headachy joint.
Have you had any neck injuries? Do the dr's suggest a nerve block? It may be worth trying if they are sure it is safe given your symptoms. Take care,
Mel

BigTex · 02-24-2003, 01:49 AM

Hello,

I too had 8 neck adjustments. I had mine in November and the last one I had made me very dizzy. For the past few weeks I have had neck cracking. Does your neck crack? I especially get the neck cracking first thing in the morning.