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What Causes Feeling Of Fluid Rushing From Throat To Base Of Spine?

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Posted on Fri, 20 May 2016
Question: I have had arm pain and numbness for quite a long time and Dr was saying it was fibromyalgia. I was put on 1000mg of neurontin a day. It dulled the symptoms a little bit about 2 weeks ago while lying down I felt like I had a rush of fluid was going down behind my throat from the base of my spine which gave me a choking feeling I could hear fluid. Not long after that I started getting pounding headaches on the back of my head equal on both sides and the hand, wrist arms and shoulder pain got worse. I seem to be losing my balance a lot just standing up straight. I thought it was the neurontin but I also got double vision and my left eye just seems weaker. At first I went to the Dr and a NP said most likely a sinus infection and I had referred pain to the back but there was no fluid in my ears. A week later the headache was extreme and I went back and got a Dr and he said the pain in the back of the head was not related to sinus and did X-rays. He said I had degenerative disc problems between C5-C6C-7. He put me on prednisone 20mg 2 tablets one a day for 5 days. I finished them yesterday and the pounding is back as strong as ever and I am scared. I cannot take Advil or anitinflammatories as I have Barrett's and had erosive gastritis in the fall. They scheduled an eye exam but shouldn't more be done? The fluid sensation in bothering me. I did tear a disc in my lumber region before and I can explain that as a toothache pain. This is severe and throbbing and down my spine. Any advice would be appreciated. I am debating on going to an ED in XXXXXXX since I live so close. My primary had ignored all my symptoms for a while. I was diagnosed by urgent care physician. Thank you. XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX Welcome to HCM
I've gone through your query and understand your concern.

The upper limb pain, numbness, headache on back of head, vertigo could be due to cervical spondylitis or severe muscular spasm of neck and shoulder muscle.

The fluid sensation could be some collection/muscular spasm or current like sensation known as Lhermitte sign which is due to spinal cord compression. As MRI is also suggesting disc at C5-6/C6-7, it is most likely the cause.

Prednisone alone is not going to relieve your symptoms. You should avoid neck flexion/avoid weight lifting/use soft neck collar for few weeks/neuropathic painkiller like Pregabaline or Amitryptiline after proper prescription.

Do not take NSAIDS.

You need to consult neurosurgeon/neurologist for better evaluation and treatment. You might be suggested surgical decompression of disc if no relief of symptoms even after painkiller maximum dose/onset of new focal deficit.

Hope it will help you.

Thanks. Take care.
Dr Ishu Bishnoi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (3 hours later)
I did not have an MRI yet and the urgent care Dr wanted to send me to a homeopathic type spine Doctor. I just feel like i am beyond that point. In the sensation with the fluid i can actually hear it also. It was the xrays that showed degenerative disc disease and compression and arthritis. Plus even after the Predisone the pain is still there and coming back with a vengence. Plus i am already on the neurontin 1000 mg for fibromyalgia. I am having pain in both my pinkies and other fingers. i feel like they kind of left me hanging. I am seeing focal spots and lines in my left eye and it is blurry compared to the right eye. He didnt taper me off the predisone just 5 days thats it. I have been awake since 3:30am i cant even lay down without the severe pain. I don't want to seem over dramatic but it seems like in all the forums they have MRI done. I just feel i need a neurosurgeon over anything right now. My husband suffered a stroke 2 years ago at a local hospital and they kept insisting he was too young. His suv back gate struck him on the head during a snowstorm damaging the blood vessels to vertebre discs causing a clot that sprayed. They didnt think it was urgent until his voice was off his vision and his right size paralyzed. We missed the window for TPA. I had him moved to XXXXXXX Israel Deaconess Hospital in XXXXXXX and a whole neurological team took over. He was admitted as post acute stroke right away.
I guess you can understand why i am not liking this wait and see attitude. I just dont think tis is jist sore muscles that someone can adjust.
Do you think i should go to an emergency department so i cam get the MRI. My arms are getting weaker. Thanks. Im very scared .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Diagnosis of disease and need of MRI cervical spine

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX, from your history it seems that you need to get MRI cervical spine along with screening of brain done to rule out spinal cord changes, nerve compression, spinal canal size and to look for any areas of brain damage.
Regarding your visual complaints, first you need to get your visual examination. Your left eye might be developing refractive error or cataract or may be a symptom of diabetic retinopathy (in case of Diabetes Mellitus).

One more thing is get your vitamins D3 and B12 level checked up. Sometimes deficiency of these vitamin can lead to such type of symptoms.

Prednisone alone is not the treatment of cervical disc. As i have already mentioned, it is managed by changing life style and taking medication.

Hope it will help you. Thanks

Dr Ishu Bishnoi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Ishu Bishnoi

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 901 Questions

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What Causes Feeling Of Fluid Rushing From Throat To Base Of Spine?

Brief Answer: Diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylosis Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Welcome to HCM I've gone through your query and understand your concern. The upper limb pain, numbness, headache on back of head, vertigo could be due to cervical spondylitis or severe muscular spasm of neck and shoulder muscle. The fluid sensation could be some collection/muscular spasm or current like sensation known as Lhermitte sign which is due to spinal cord compression. As MRI is also suggesting disc at C5-6/C6-7, it is most likely the cause. Prednisone alone is not going to relieve your symptoms. You should avoid neck flexion/avoid weight lifting/use soft neck collar for few weeks/neuropathic painkiller like Pregabaline or Amitryptiline after proper prescription. Do not take NSAIDS. You need to consult neurosurgeon/neurologist for better evaluation and treatment. You might be suggested surgical decompression of disc if no relief of symptoms even after painkiller maximum dose/onset of new focal deficit. Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care. Dr Ishu Bishnoi