headache

Dear Dr Nee:  Sept '08 I had a severe blow to the right side of my head/temple area.  Blacked out just for a few seconds but seemed to be okay except for the black eye!  A week or so later I started having headaches and now the headaches are very severe and neck ache also.  Sharp pains in head at times besides the ache and the neck becomes very stiff.  Have been to a neurologist and he said it was post concussive syndrome and gave me tremadol for the pain and that it should go away.  We're 1200 miles from home for another 2 weeks but should I get another opinion? I can't have an MRI because of a pacemaker for arrythmia.  Thanks for your help.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
In all probability the injury gave rise to a neck injury or neck strain, causing compression of spinal nerve at the cervical level. This neck stiffness could be causing headache. Maybe a CT scan with contrast can be done. There are other possibilities like MTBI or minimal traumatic brain injury or a chronic subdural hematoma. However since you do not have any other complaints, you may not have these problems.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!