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What Causes Severe Headaches With Nausea And Pain In Lower Neck?
HI, I had ACDF on Nov 18th 2013 and have seemingly had great success for the most part---the pain in neck and sever pain in my shoulder blades is gone and the severe debilitating headaches are gone. But now recently after trying to get back in shape doing some cardio---I keep getting sick headaches and feel nausea and increased achiness in my lower part of my neck-- what is causing this??
Thu, 24 Dec 2015
Hello. Thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. After ACDF, your symptoms had resolved to great extent which means the compression over crevical nerves and cord is no more.
Now that, while doing exercise you are having headache, nausea and neck pain it could be due to exercise or some compression over nerves/cord at same or different level. Some conclusion can be made based on your symptoms.
If your fresh pain episodes are similar to past pain character and region, it could be due to compression over same level. It can occur due to unstable construct or instability caused by heavy exercise especially neck exercise. Avoid doing extrem neck movement.
If your pain is at different level but pin pricking or needle like sensation, occurs in neck or posterior aspect of head and radiates to hands/arms, occurs mainly on neck flexion/sneezing, sometimes associated with vertigo and nausea, it could be due to cord and nerve compression at different level. Take similar precaution as advised before. Avoid lifting weight/use of pillow. You should consult doctor for evaluation. You might be advised MRI of cervical spine to rule out compression/surgery site status/disc protrusion. Depending upon your diagnosis, you might be advised surgical management or medical treatment. You might need use of cervical collar to avoid neck movement.
If pain is dull, occurring over neck only, non radiating, feels tender on pressing the site, no needle like sensation, it could be due to muscle spasm or pull. It increases on moving neck on opposite side. You have to apply warm compresses/painkiller gel or spray/massage of neck muscle. You can take painkiller or muscle relaxant like Diclofenac sodium or Thiocolchicoside after proper prescription.
Hope it will help you. If still no relief, you should consult doctor for evaluation and management. Thanks.
I can understand your concern. After ACDF, your symptoms had resolved to great extent which means the compression over crevical nerves and cord is no more.
Now that, while doing exercise you are having headache, nausea and neck pain it could be due to exercise or some compression over nerves/cord at same or different level. Some conclusion can be made based on your symptoms.
If your fresh pain episodes are similar to past pain character and region, it could be due to compression over same level. It can occur due to unstable construct or instability caused by heavy exercise especially neck exercise. Avoid doing extrem neck movement.
If your pain is at different level but pin pricking or needle like sensation, occurs in neck or posterior aspect of head and radiates to hands/arms, occurs mainly on neck flexion/sneezing, sometimes associated with vertigo and nausea, it could be due to cord and nerve compression at different level. Take similar precaution as advised before. Avoid lifting weight/use of pillow. You should consult doctor for evaluation. You might be advised MRI of cervical spine to rule out compression/surgery site status/disc protrusion. Depending upon your diagnosis, you might be advised surgical management or medical treatment. You might need use of cervical collar to avoid neck movement.
If pain is dull, occurring over neck only, non radiating, feels tender on pressing the site, no needle like sensation, it could be due to muscle spasm or pull. It increases on moving neck on opposite side. You have to apply warm compresses/painkiller gel or spray/massage of neck muscle. You can take painkiller or muscle relaxant like Diclofenac sodium or Thiocolchicoside after proper prescription.
Hope it will help you. If still no relief, you should consult doctor for evaluation and management. Thanks.
I find this answer helpful
Hello. Thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. It is good that your most symptoms have resolved after ACDF. Recurrence of headache and neck ache in lower part could be due to
: Cervical spondylosis at same or different level. It can be suspected if your pain is similar to previous pain episodes, tingling in extremities, more pain on forward bending, occurring with vertigo.
For treatment you should avoid neck flexion, forward bending, avoid any kind of weight lifting, avoid extreme neck movement, consult doctor. The doctor may advise you repeat MRI cervical region to localise lesion. Accordingly, you might be prescribed painkiller like Diclofenac sodium or pregabaline for relief. Depending upon response or any focal weakness, you might be advised surgery.
: Another possibility could be due to muscle ache. It could be due to decreased stamina and flexibility of your muscles after surgery, bed rest. Pain in this condition is dull, can be felt on pressing muscles, no tingling sensations, relief on taking rest/stretching/warm compresses.
For relief, you can apply warm compresses, apply local painkiller gel like diclofenac gel after proper prescription, take muscle relaxant after prescription, stretching, bed rest for 2-3 days.
: It could be due to construct damage. It can be confirmed by getting CT cervical spine. You should consult doctor for it. Dangerous signs are like onset of new focal deficit.Donot ignore it. Avoid neck movement. Use hard neck collar to immobilise neck. Pain in this condition is usually sharp, shooting, radiating, needle like sensations.
Thanks. Hope it will help you. Take care.
I can understand your concern. It is good that your most symptoms have resolved after ACDF. Recurrence of headache and neck ache in lower part could be due to
: Cervical spondylosis at same or different level. It can be suspected if your pain is similar to previous pain episodes, tingling in extremities, more pain on forward bending, occurring with vertigo.
For treatment you should avoid neck flexion, forward bending, avoid any kind of weight lifting, avoid extreme neck movement, consult doctor. The doctor may advise you repeat MRI cervical region to localise lesion. Accordingly, you might be prescribed painkiller like Diclofenac sodium or pregabaline for relief. Depending upon response or any focal weakness, you might be advised surgery.
: Another possibility could be due to muscle ache. It could be due to decreased stamina and flexibility of your muscles after surgery, bed rest. Pain in this condition is dull, can be felt on pressing muscles, no tingling sensations, relief on taking rest/stretching/warm compresses.
For relief, you can apply warm compresses, apply local painkiller gel like diclofenac gel after proper prescription, take muscle relaxant after prescription, stretching, bed rest for 2-3 days.
: It could be due to construct damage. It can be confirmed by getting CT cervical spine. You should consult doctor for it. Dangerous signs are like onset of new focal deficit.Donot ignore it. Avoid neck movement. Use hard neck collar to immobilise neck. Pain in this condition is usually sharp, shooting, radiating, needle like sensations.
Thanks. Hope it will help you. Take care.
I find this answer helpful
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