Had an episode 2 weeks ago that I thought was an aneurysm - as had severe ice cream type headache starting at back of neck and radiating to top of head and behind eyes and temporals. Had CT and CTA of head and neck - negative findings. Woke up next morning with severe back pain and neck pain with loss of ROM. Was called in a RX Medrol dopes. No relief. Have had 2 physical therapy sessions. Headaches are less common. Neck stiffness and pain are gone. But now having tremendous low back pain. Have not slept in almost 2 weeks. Trying to work through this. Thought of Cauda Equina Syndrome as I am having swelling rectal feeling. Having trouble with BM s. Having trouble sitting and leaning forward beyond a 90 degree. Which test most definitive to R/O. MRI, Myelogram, or spinal tap (I do not wish for CT as have had enough radiation currently)