Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
neurology-diagnostic
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
neurology-diagnostic
by msuscarlette, Sep 25, 2005 12:00AM
I am a 52 year old female
My life changed last December when I suddenly had serious pain in my throat and neck. Alternating between feeling as if I had strep throat and a broken neck, I went to my doctor. In November, I had an attack of tacardia. EKG was normal.
First step was a 10 day antibiotic, which proved innefective.
The nape of my neck, on the right side only, and extending up toward my skull, was unbearably tender and too sore to touch. I had spasms radiating from that point (the nape of my neck) up the left side of the back of my head. I had terrible headaches.
I had, for the most part, full neck movement, but horrible pain. I also alternated with that pain and having a horrible burning in the right side of my throat, along with tenderness in the right neck.
A biopsy was taken from both sides of the back of toung as I had "black blood blisters" on each side of my toung way back by my throat, of which the doctor was unsure. Proved to be vascular tissue and misplaced tonsil tissue and, according to my doctor, nothing to worry about.
My doctor thought that I may have suffered a whip lash injury (I had fallen off my horse 2 months prior to this starting) and suggested that I take pain killers, which were not very helpful other than knocking me out. In January, I was sent for an MRI of neck and head and when that showed nothing, a CAT of my neck and head with dye contrast. Showed nothing. From there I was sent to an ENT who examined my throat and sent me for a barrium swallow. Still nothing. I then broke out in a rash at the nape of my neck where the original pain was and was sent to a skin specialist who biopied that too. Still nothing, "pimples."
All this time, I still have the agonizing pain in my throat and neck. I am now depressed and starting to suffer from anxiety too. I have drug myself to work for the past eight months and stopped riding my horses or doing anything other than suffering from this stupid pain.
My doctor again sent me for an MRI of my neck this month and took blood tests for arthritis, total blood count, etc. All was painfully normal, except that the MRI showed some arthritis in my spine, C6 and C7. I am now being sent to a neurologist.
The additional symptoms I am having are somewhat confusing to me too, because I am not sure if they are related to the anxiety I am now feeling, or whatever disorder this is. I sometimes become confused, sometimes dizzy. My eyes will "tick," one or the other. Sometimes I feel numb in the right side of my face, not totally numb, but its like a decreased sensation. My vision seems blurred at times.
I am wondering, before I get to the neurologist, what tests should be completed. I am really sick and tired of living with this pain and would like a firm diagnosis of what it is caused from. After eight months, in which I kept waiting for it to go away, I really need an answer.
Any suggestions of how I should be assertive about this
My life changed last December when I suddenly had serious pain in my throat and neck. Alternating between feeling as if I had strep throat and a broken neck, I went to my doctor. In November, I had an attack of tacardia. EKG was normal.
First step was a 10 day antibiotic, which proved innefective.
The nape of my neck, on the right side only, and extending up toward my skull, was unbearably tender and too sore to touch. I had spasms radiating from that point (the nape of my neck) up the left side of the back of my head. I had terrible headaches.
I had, for the most part, full neck movement, but horrible pain. I also alternated with that pain and having a horrible burning in the right side of my throat, along with tenderness in the right neck.
A biopsy was taken from both sides of the back of toung as I had "black blood blisters" on each side of my toung way back by my throat, of which the doctor was unsure. Proved to be vascular tissue and misplaced tonsil tissue and, according to my doctor, nothing to worry about.
My doctor thought that I may have suffered a whip lash injury (I had fallen off my horse 2 months prior to this starting) and suggested that I take pain killers, which were not very helpful other than knocking me out. In January, I was sent for an MRI of neck and head and when that showed nothing, a CAT of my neck and head with dye contrast. Showed nothing. From there I was sent to an ENT who examined my throat and sent me for a barrium swallow. Still nothing. I then broke out in a rash at the nape of my neck where the original pain was and was sent to a skin specialist who biopied that too. Still nothing, "pimples."
All this time, I still have the agonizing pain in my throat and neck. I am now depressed and starting to suffer from anxiety too. I have drug myself to work for the past eight months and stopped riding my horses or doing anything other than suffering from this stupid pain.
My doctor again sent me for an MRI of my neck this month and took blood tests for arthritis, total blood count, etc. All was painfully normal, except that the MRI showed some arthritis in my spine, C6 and C7. I am now being sent to a neurologist.
The additional symptoms I am having are somewhat confusing to me too, because I am not sure if they are related to the anxiety I am now feeling, or whatever disorder this is. I sometimes become confused, sometimes dizzy. My eyes will "tick," one or the other. Sometimes I feel numb in the right side of my face, not totally numb, but its like a decreased sensation. My vision seems blurred at times.
I am wondering, before I get to the neurologist, what tests should be completed. I am really sick and tired of living with this pain and would like a firm diagnosis of what it is caused from. After eight months, in which I kept waiting for it to go away, I really need an answer.
Any suggestions of how I should be assertive about this
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Sep 26, 2005 12:00AM
, Sep 26, 2005 12:00AM
You have had a pretty comprehensive evaluation for your symptoms - including an MRI, ENT evaluation and barium swallow. This would encompass most of the more common GI or musculoskeletal causes.
Other options would be to consider a laryngoscopy or upper endoscopy to visualize the neck area and evaluate for any diseases that may have been missed on prior evaluation.
Regarding the neurological symptoms, a brain MRI and an MRA of the carotid arteries can be considered to evaluate for any signs of stroke. The neurologist should consider these options.
Another GI consideration would be a 24-hr pH study, which is the definitive test for GERD. Untreated GERD can lead to neck burning.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com
Other options would be to consider a laryngoscopy or upper endoscopy to visualize the neck area and evaluate for any diseases that may have been missed on prior evaluation.
Regarding the neurological symptoms, a brain MRI and an MRA of the carotid arteries can be considered to evaluate for any signs of stroke. The neurologist should consider these options.
Another GI consideration would be a 24-hr pH study, which is the definitive test for GERD. Untreated GERD can lead to neck burning.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com
A neurologist answers those questions, so that is why I thought you might get more specific info neurology-wise asking there, nothing against Dr. Kevin here, I'm sure he will give you good info too since there seem to be so many components to your symptoms.
Med Help International