Suggest Treatment For Pain And Stiffness On The Neck And Blurred Vision

Posted on Tue, 1 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 1 Nov 2016 Answered on

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : First, I've suffered from migraines my adult life. However, for 5 days, the back of my neck is very sore, tough to turn right without stiffness and pain and my vision is blurred . Can not get rid of the migraine even w/my proscribe zomig. I wake up during the night and can't move my neck for a few minutes and my head is killing from the neck to my eye. This is different from my other migraines. any thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Occipital neuralgia to consider.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

In my opinion, occipital neuralgia, a condition related to compression of upper cervical nerves that supply back and top of the head should be considered and evaluated further in your case, since the pain is different from migraines in characteristics and distribution.

Arthritis of the cervical spine for example may be one of the conditions that may cause such symptoms.

I suggest you to discuss with your Doctor about this condition and further tests to confirm or exclude it.

Clinical examination and X-rays of the cervical spine are necessary initially.

NSAID drugs ( Ibuprofen ) and a soft cervical collar help improve symptoms in the first stages.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee