What Causes Intermittent Light-headed Feeling, Stiff Neck And Tension Neck Syndrome?

Posted on Fri, 18 Dec 2015

Question: Hello,

I have this feeling of lightheadedness that comes and goes and i wonder what is causing it. It is not vertigo and nothing is moving. I just feel that my head is ''light'' and that i am going to lose my balance..but i never do!
I used to suffer from anxiety attacks that caused me severe dizziness for months and months but i am taking antidepressants for a year now and i don't have any anxiety symptoms.
However, i have a very very stiff neck right now and i generally suffer from tension neck syndrome..
Could this cause my feeling of lightheadednes?
Is it dangerous?

Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Provide more clinical details

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
This episodic feeling of lightheadedness without vertigo may be not of serious concerns.
Stiffness of neck may have to be evaluated at this age.
you should get a Xray of cervical spine AP and lateral view.
Any history of joint pain , back pain.
Drugs for anxiety may be continued.
Get your blood pressure measured. take plenty of water.
Any history of migraine, headache, hearing loss, loss of consciousness, fever, vomiting.
Any other medical illness?
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back with further details.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (30 minutes later)

Hello doctor,

Thanks for your answer.

I don't have any history of joint pain , back pain, migraine, headache, hearing loss, loss of consciousness, fever, vomiting or other medical illness. I am generally healthy with normal weight and i am a clinical dietitian so I always eat healthy too.

My blood pressure is low always - not incredibly low, but low.

My stiff neck problems started a year ago when i had anxiety-panic attacks..The stiffness was caused from my extremely high levels of stress during the panic attack and since then i have neck problems that come and go!!

When you say xray, do you mean an ordinary xray, MRI or CT scan?

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get investigated and take treatment as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Low blood pressure may also cause feeling of lightheadedness.
You should increase your salt and fluid intake.
Get blood pressure measured for postural drop by a doctor.
X-ray cervical spine (digital) is ordinary xray and not CT OR MRI.
It is the basic investigation required for your neck but if any abnormality comes out then MRI or CT of cervical spine may be required to investigate neck stiffness.
You can get your Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3 tested.
For treatment you can take PREGABALIN with METHYLCOBALAMINE combination after discussing with your local physician .

Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

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