Since April of 2008 I have been dealing with undiagnosed daily head pressure, neck pain, brain fog, intermittent facial tingling, along with other symptoms as well. It's as if I'm hungover while being sober. All these symptoms followed a horrible flu I fought for about a month before it finally cleared up. Within a month or two of the flu ending the brain fog and spacey feeling set it. It was downhill from there.
In the past 4 years I have seen 4 neurologists, neurosurgeons, chiropractors, tmj specialist, had MRI's, CT Scans, MRA's, biopsy of my intestines to test for celiacs disease, and a whole slew of lab tests.
The only issues the doctors have found in 4 years is 2 herniated disc in my neck. Based on the location the neurologist says it would cause left arm tingling or pain but it wouldn't radiate up into my head creating these nonstop headaches. He says theres a 60-70% chance the discs are causing neck pain but he wouldn't recommend surgery at my age for such a small chance of improvement. He honestly doesn't think the headaches/pressure are a result of the disc but perhaps another underlying issue yet to be diagnosed.
He's wanting to send me to another neurologist to have a lumbar puncture. He believes I couldve had a viral infection associated with the flu that could have contributed to this illness.
My question is now that it's four years later would a lumbar puncture be worth it? If there is an infection still in my body would the damage be permanent at this point?
The following user gives a hug of support to not4sakn: xSky (09-18-2012)
Re: Daily persistent headache/pressure and neck pain
It is possible that your flu had an accompanying virus that is responsible for your symptoms, or you may have had a condition (like Lyme disease) that mimicked the flu and left you with a long-standing infection. A lumbar puncture may help rule out these possibilities.
As to the herniated discs in your neck, what is their location? Do you know what caused the herniation? If it was a head/neck injury, other discs may have been affected leading to nerve trauma, even though it may not show up on MRIs or other imaging studies.
A pain doctor may be able to help if you don't get anywhere with the neurologists.
Quote:
Originally Posted by not4sakn
Since April of 2008 I have been dealing with undiagnosed daily head pressure, neck pain, brain fog, intermittent facial tingling, along with other symptoms as well. It's as if I'm hungover while being sober. All these symptoms followed a horrible flu I fought for about a month before it finally cleared up. Within a month or two of the flu ending the brain fog and spacey feeling set it. It was downhill from there.
In the past 4 years I have seen 4 neurologists, neurosurgeons, chiropractors, tmj specialist, had MRI's, CT Scans, MRA's, biopsy of my intestines to test for celiacs disease, and a whole slew of lab tests.
The only issues the doctors have found in 4 years is 2 herniated disc in my neck. Based on the location the neurologist says it would cause left arm tingling or pain but it wouldn't radiate up into my head creating these nonstop headaches. He says theres a 60-70% chance the discs are causing neck pain but he wouldn't recommend surgery at my age for such a small chance of improvement. He honestly doesn't think the headaches/pressure are a result of the disc but perhaps another underlying issue yet to be diagnosed.
He's wanting to send me to another neurologist to have a lumbar puncture. He believes I couldve had a viral infection associated with the flu that could have contributed to this illness.
My question is now that it's four years later would a lumbar puncture be worth it? If there is an infection still in my body would the damage be permanent at this point?
Re: Daily persistent headache/pressure and neck pain
Hello. I have the same problem you have. Chronic neck pain that radiates up the back of my head, down into my face and in my ears. I've been diagnosed with TMJ w/ myofascial pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis and herniated discs in my neck(C5&6) and a slightly pinched nerve on the left side of my neck. I have seen neurologists, rheumatologists, neurosurgeons, and a physiatrist. I'm also going to a pain clinic and they have done injections that made me worse. I can't find a doctor to help me and I am in constant chronic pain. I was prescribed Percocet 10/650 last month and it doesn't even take the edge off this pain. Also take Lyrica, Zanaflex and Celebrex. Can anyone offer any advice on what I should do? I would so much appreciate it...
