HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Tightness In Head And Neck Area With Normal MRI?

Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015

Question: I am suffering from head tightness (from front, back, temple, sides etc) and also neck tightness. This gives me off balance feeling and unable to concentrate. I am not able sit even stable. I feel my body very tensed. The imbalance, heaviness, tightness is 24 X 7. I went to number of doctors (neurologists and psychiatrists) in last 3 years but nothing is going to help. I did MRI three times during 2012-13 and various blood tests and EEG but all were normal. I took all types of psychiatrists medicines and left but its not helping. Doctors says, we have not understood brain more than 10% and its kind of unexplained.

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
HEADACHE/ VERTIGO RECURRENT NEEDS TREATMENT

Detailed Answer:
DEAR MR XXXXXXX JI
HELLO and wishing you a speedy & complete recovery.
I have gone through your medical history in detail ,your MRI /EEG/blood tests have been normal.
May i suggest
1. If your MRI BRAIN & CERVICAL SPINE both were normal,& you still get headache & vertigo , you should make your regular blood pressure diary . Check your BP regularly at least twice/thrice a week ,as HIGH BP can also cause these symptoms.

2. If BP is on higher side take some medications after discussing with cardiologist .

3 Get yourself examined by a CARDIOLOGIST for arrythmias/ectopics as a cause for vertigo ( especially if it is vertigo even on sitting )

4 Cardiologist may ask you for HOLTER TEST to rule out any rhythm disturbances .

5 If your heart examination is perfectly normal , take some medications like BETAHISTINE +CINNARIZINE and CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE+ AMITRYPTYLLINE combination for 2 to 3 weeks .

6. If symptoms improve significantly you can continue these for longer duration

7 DESTRESS YOURSELF IF THERE IS ANY ANXIETY .As anxiety can cause both these symptoms .

8. Do some yoga & relaxation exercises

9. Do some isometric exercises for cervical spine under guidance of a physiotherapist

Hope this should resolve your problems
Feel free to contact me for any further querry

Dr XXXXXXX k XXXXXXX
Director
Deptt. of neurosurgery

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Praveen K Nath (13 minutes later)

Please find attached my MRI report. After that two MRIs were done in Sep 12 and April 13 and same results. My BP is normal. 2D echo test was also normal.

Regards
XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
HEADACHE/VERTIGO NEEDS TREATMENT

Detailed Answer:
DEAR SIR
HELLO
YOUR MRI BRAIN is normal except SINUSITIS.
Normal cardiac test makes us more comfortable .
Continue antianxiety treatment .
You may consult a ENT surgeon for treatment of sinusitis

Thanx
Wishing you a speedy recovery

Dr XXXXXXX k XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Praveen K Nath (46 hours later)

I am still not satisfied / getting guidance. I have written that all tests were normal, shown to various neurologists. Met again with one neurologist on 26th Feb and he suggested one SSRI tablet. I am unable to understand why I have such symptoms like off balance feeling always, head heaviness, tightness, neck tightness, feeling eyes dry etc.

I am seeking help what type of specialist, I should visit.

Regards
XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (30 hours later)

Brief Answer:
VERTIGO? CAUSE

Detailed Answer:
DEAR MR XXXXXXX
Hello
Sorry for unavoidable delay due to some emergencies .
Symptomatic vertigo is mainly managed by NEUROLOGIST/CARDIOLOGIST /ENT SURGEON .
STEPWISE list of tests required for pinpointing cause of VERTIGO is as below

1. Complete ENT examination including TILT TEST

2 MRI BRAIN (normal in your case)

3 MRI CERVICAL SPINE to rule out any compression /syrinx /AAD

4. ECG/2D ECHO (normal in your case )

5 HOLTER EXAMINATION to rule out ectopics

6 Regular BP charting (normal bp in your case )

7. COMPLETE NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION to look for fine ataxias etc (genetic)

8 Regular serum electrolytes /hemoglobin /calcium etc.

You can continue taking BETAHISTINE/CINNARIZINE COMBINATIONS for symptomatic relief.

Hope this helps in alleviating your symptoms

Kindly feel free to ask any further querry

Dr XXXXXXX k XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj