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Suggest Treatment For Severe Headaches And Stiffness In Neck
Question: I have had severe headaches for the last three years stiff neck and spine pain. my arms bilaterally are numb as well as my hands as of resent my feet pick and feel numb. my emg is normal except for carpal tunnel. I have several bulging disc in my spine and t-spine I have a fx vertabre. I believe my migraines and tension headaches are creating my symptoms. I have a medical physician. He has prescribed Tomopax and My neurologist has done botox injections. I am seeing a chiropractor again for adjustments. I had one on Friday. First one in over a year. The top of my head has pressure, but this is constant.
Brief Answer:
Need some details to guide you better
Detailed Answer:
Hello
My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.
I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. There could be a number of causes for your symptoms. I would be in a better position to reach to a conclusion if you answer following questions please:
1. Does anyone in your family has similar complaints? if yes then who and since when?
2. Pain occurs in whole head or in half head?
3. Does pain aggravate with movement?
4. Is there any associated history of:
a. visual symptoms like bright light flashing in your eyes or unable to focus from eyes at particular point?
b. Nausea, vomiting or anorexia?
5. Do you then prefer to lie in a dark room so that you headache improves?
6. Does headache occurs only during awakening?
7. Does headache starts if you are tired or did not take ample sleep?
8. Are you on any kind of medication?
I will be looking forward for the answers to conclude the discussion in the best interest of yours.
Thank You
Need some details to guide you better
Detailed Answer:
Hello
My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.
I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. There could be a number of causes for your symptoms. I would be in a better position to reach to a conclusion if you answer following questions please:
1. Does anyone in your family has similar complaints? if yes then who and since when?
2. Pain occurs in whole head or in half head?
3. Does pain aggravate with movement?
4. Is there any associated history of:
a. visual symptoms like bright light flashing in your eyes or unable to focus from eyes at particular point?
b. Nausea, vomiting or anorexia?
5. Do you then prefer to lie in a dark room so that you headache improves?
6. Does headache occurs only during awakening?
7. Does headache starts if you are tired or did not take ample sleep?
8. Are you on any kind of medication?
I will be looking forward for the answers to conclude the discussion in the best interest of yours.
Thank You
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I believe my nephew has similar complaints. It is my whole head. I have pressure on the top of my head, however the pain is from my neck up. I have flashing lights and bullets most nights, and I wake up with a terrible headache every morning. A hot shower Makes my symptoms worse, movement worsens my symptoms. I exercise every morning and work through the pain, when I exercise I feel nauseas and the pressure in my head is worse. When I get to work my arms start feeling numb and picking. The numbness starts from my hands and works up to my arms (bilaterally). I feel Nausea most of the time, my tongue burns, and I have a funny smell in my nose. Lying down in a dark room in the morning does not help, not much helps me in the am, I really am very sick. After work, I may have to lie down then a cold dark room will help. I am taking Topamax 100 mg. I need to make mention that when these symptoms are happening I am confused and my words do not come easily to me. It is almost like a TIA, however I know it is not. This is rather frightening. These spells are happening daily and I an unable to rid my self of them. I have always been very healthy.
Brief Answer:
Most probably Nerve compression d/t disc buldge
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for getting back with the answers. I have gone through them. Two probable differential in your case are migraine & nerve compression due to disc buldge. As you had surgery so it comes in top. I would suggest you to once get an MRI of whole spine done and get it checked by an orthopedic surgeon. If there is nerve compression then your symptoms will NOT resolve until or unless decompression is done which requires surgery. For migraine i usually start my patients with sumatriptan at an initial dose of 25 mg for pain relief. In addition, preventive medication can also be started to reduce the frequency(if headache occurs often). Options include propanolol & amitriptyline.
I would suggest you to get an appointment for an orthopedic surgeon first followed by with a neurologist. As soon as the cause is confirmed, further management will start accordingly. Meanwhile following measures will help you in reducing the pain:
1. Diet:
Following food aggravates the symptoms:
> Alcohol
> Caffeine overuse
> Chocolates
> Citrus Food & banana
> Dairy cheese
> Vinegar
2. Stress:
Stress is a potent stimulator of headache. If you have past history of stress related issues then you need to visit hospital to get medication for it as they are prescription only.
3. Exercise:
Try to have a walk in the evening for 30-45 mins. Change in environment will help to reduce stress & improve health.
4. Sleep:
Adequate sleep is very important. Sleep deprivation is a potent stimulator of headache. You need to manage adequate sleep of at least 5-7 hrs/day.
5. Keep a Headache Diary:
It can help you keeping the record of triggers. Write down everything you eat and drink, your exercise routine and schedule, the weather, strong feelings and emotions you may be having, your medications and their effects, and times and severity of your headaches. This can help you see a pattern in your occurrences, and will make avoiding one easier.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Most probably Nerve compression d/t disc buldge
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for getting back with the answers. I have gone through them. Two probable differential in your case are migraine & nerve compression due to disc buldge. As you had surgery so it comes in top. I would suggest you to once get an MRI of whole spine done and get it checked by an orthopedic surgeon. If there is nerve compression then your symptoms will NOT resolve until or unless decompression is done which requires surgery. For migraine i usually start my patients with sumatriptan at an initial dose of 25 mg for pain relief. In addition, preventive medication can also be started to reduce the frequency(if headache occurs often). Options include propanolol & amitriptyline.
I would suggest you to get an appointment for an orthopedic surgeon first followed by with a neurologist. As soon as the cause is confirmed, further management will start accordingly. Meanwhile following measures will help you in reducing the pain:
1. Diet:
Following food aggravates the symptoms:
> Alcohol
> Caffeine overuse
> Chocolates
> Citrus Food & banana
> Dairy cheese
> Vinegar
2. Stress:
Stress is a potent stimulator of headache. If you have past history of stress related issues then you need to visit hospital to get medication for it as they are prescription only.
3. Exercise:
Try to have a walk in the evening for 30-45 mins. Change in environment will help to reduce stress & improve health.
4. Sleep:
Adequate sleep is very important. Sleep deprivation is a potent stimulator of headache. You need to manage adequate sleep of at least 5-7 hrs/day.
5. Keep a Headache Diary:
It can help you keeping the record of triggers. Write down everything you eat and drink, your exercise routine and schedule, the weather, strong feelings and emotions you may be having, your medications and their effects, and times and severity of your headaches. This can help you see a pattern in your occurrences, and will make avoiding one easier.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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