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Suggest Treatment For Severe Spasms And Pain In The Back And Neck

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Posted on Tue, 27 Sep 2016
Question: I need to know if I should take my daughter back to ER 72hr after spinal tap to check for meninigitis with severe back spasms and neck pain at 8-9 on scale of 10. She has severe sinusitis (for 3 weeks while traveling in Europe) confirmed by CT scan 72hr ago followed by IV push of Levofloxacin and 500mg x1/day oral for 48 hr. She's had bad headaches, fevers, nausea, fatigue, neck and back pain that's mostly gotten significantly better since IV meds except worsening back and neck pain. She has been taking ibuprofen and tylenol but will not agree to anything stronger. She wants to know what's wrong with her and to not be in pain but w/o taking stronger meds. And even though she's eating every time she takes even ibuprofen her stomach keeps huting badly. What do i do? And today is a holiday so no walkin clinica are open...
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Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Was it a contrast CT?

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

Of course meningitis can present with worsening neck pain and stiffness but then there may be other features as well like fever,headache and vomiting,though again all these features may not present in all patients.The key point is that clinical examination gives certain clues to the diagnosis in most of the cases.If clinical examination suggests,a contrast CT usually shows enhancement of the meninges,even in early stage(was that CT a contrast CT).If these things are supportive of diagnosis,spinal tap is done.In some cases with a strong clinical setting,tap may be done directly as well depending upon the clinical
situation.Ibuprofen usually causes gastritis and pain abdomen.Pantoprazole for 5 days will heal it.Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Ajay Panwar

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Practicing since :2007

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Spasms And Pain In The Back And Neck

Brief Answer: Was it a contrast CT? Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com. I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query. Of course meningitis can present with worsening neck pain and stiffness but then there may be other features as well like fever,headache and vomiting,though again all these features may not present in all patients.The key point is that clinical examination gives certain clues to the diagnosis in most of the cases.If clinical examination suggests,a contrast CT usually shows enhancement of the meninges,even in early stage(was that CT a contrast CT).If these things are supportive of diagnosis,spinal tap is done.In some cases with a strong clinical setting,tap may be done directly as well depending upon the clinical situation.Ibuprofen usually causes gastritis and pain abdomen.Pantoprazole for 5 days will heal it.Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow up. Regards Dr.Ajay Panwar, MD,DM(Neurology)