I need urgent advice!! - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

susu2007 · 09-28-2008, 02:53 AM

Hello everyone,

It has been almost a year punctuated by visits to so many doctors and I am still none the wiser.

I have intense pressure on the sides of the head (usually very bad when I first wake up), combined with stiff neck and constant feeling as if I am riding a boat. I become very aware of this when I am shopping in a open space where the anxiety tends to make it much more pronounced. I have been to an ENT doctor, an neurologist, an orthopedic specialist and have had all manners of diagnoses ranging from TMJ, muscle spasms, tension headaches, stress, etc. Each specalist bases his/her own diagonsis on their field of speciality.

I do get headaches sometimes but these are quite rare and are usually the dull type. The worst symptom is pressure in the head and the feelings of disequilibrium.

I am a university professor and this condition has really affected my work as I cannot seem to be able to stand for long in front of the blackboard without feeling as I am swaying or that the ground is tilted.

I would really appreciate any input or advice. I am despairing of finding out what is wrong with me.

Thanks in advance,

Alliecatt · 09-28-2008, 08:59 AM

I was wondering if you have any shoulder pain as well. This may be a long shot but some of the things you mentioned sounded similar to what I was going through about 4 years ago. I described to the doctrs that I felt pressure in my head and that I was off balance. I felt my head was "swimming". They did tests and not one doctor could come up with an explanation or diagnosis for what I was going through. They said I had vertigo, muscle spasms or that it was stress and they sent me home with muscle relaxers. In 2006 my shoulders started getting so painful that they would cramp. I also started developing very painful headaches. Then in 2007 these headaches I discovered were actually migraines. I had one so severe I ended up in the E.R. not able to speak. I started seeing a neurologist who ordered a CAT scan and MRI. It came back "normal". Then one day my right shoulder wouldn't move it was so painful. I went to the E.R. again. They took an x-ray. They didn't see anything abnormal. I was discouraged and days later went to the hospital to get my x-rays on disc. I looked at the x-rays on my computer at home and the tech report myself. I saw the tech wrote that I had bilateral c7 cervical ribs. Why no one has ever told me this I'll never know. I researched this and found out that these are extra ribs. It can be associtated with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. TOS can pinch and compress nerves and cause headaches, pressure, and cause you to feel off balance as well as feel pain in the shoulders and neck. I told my neuroligist what the technician wrote and she referred me to a vascular surgeon who then removed my extra rib along with the first rib to relieve the pressure.

I'm not sure if this is what's going on with you but if you are having discomfort in your shoulders too, maybe it's something you could look into.
Good luck.

susu2007 · 09-28-2008, 02:06 PM

Thanks a lot for your reply.

An x-ray I had a few months ago revealed I had a straightening of the cervical spine due to muscle spams. I have been through a series of quite bad physiotherapists and a couple of days ago my mother started giving me massages at home to relieve some of the stiffness in my neck and shoulders.

I am not sure whether the straightening of the cervical spine could cause all this mess. I also suspect that I clench my teeth at night. The problem is that I don't even know where to start as far as treatment is concerned.

Thanks again,..

Alliecatt · 09-28-2008, 07:13 PM

Continue to seek help until you find a reason for what is causing your symptoms. Eventually you will, trust me. If you have to go to several doctors, do so until you find one that listens and can figure this out. I was my own "doctor" in that I didn't give up and researched and figured out what was wrong with me.

One thing that was suggested to me but that my insurance wouldn't cover was Botox injections. I think it would probably help relieve the pain and stiffness/tightness in my neck and shoulders. I don't understand why it's not covered.

Another thing that was suggested that I haven't actually looked into was acupuncture. My neurologist says many of her patients have gotten great relief from it. Massage is great too, I just can't afford it. Of course these are suggested by my doctor and you should discuss this with yours to see if it would be beneficial for you. You also need to find the cause of your symptoms. I hope you can find an answer soon. I know how frustrating it is.

rdyrmsg · 09-28-2008, 08:15 PM

SuSu2007 - I am sorry you are having such problems.
However, many of the symptoms you describe sound identical to my DH's. Do some research one TMJ/TMD sypmtoms. I think you will find a great deal that sounds familiar. Perhaps that is a road you should follow - - the dental field rather than 'medical'.