Headaches and neck

[280zxkirk]

I'm 36 years old.I have been having daily headaches for the last 5 months. I had a CT scan which came out normal. My doctor put me on Indomethacin to keep me from getting headaches because he thinks I have Hernia cranium. I just recently had a MRI of my cervical spine without contrast. The impression cameback: C5-6 minimal asymetric disc buldge which results in minimal right neural forminal stenosis. There is no significant central canal or left neural foraminal stenosis.What does that mean? My neurologist looked at the test and says he doesn't see a buldge and it looks normal.Could this cause daily headaches? I also had a sleep study which shows me to have borderline sleep apnea.I always wake up with a clogged nasal passages. So my doctor wants to send me to an ENT.Based on my test results so far what should my next move be?

[Forum-M.D.-SH]

First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.  
    There is a daily headache syndrome called hemi-crania continua (a one sided headache that persists with no relief), which often responds to indomethacin.  The more common chronic daily headache is a band like headache around the whole head that is low in intensity, but comes and goes in intensity during the day.  This chronic daily headache is annoying, but does not generally stop you from doing the things that need to get done.  This type headache responds to medications such as elavil or tizanidine taken daily.  I do not think the findings in your cervical spine are contributing to headaches.  Sleep apnea can cause non-restorative sleep leaving people tired during the day, can lead to fatigue and daily headaches as well as more serious conditons such as high blood pressure.  There are several options in dealing with sleep apnea.  The most common in CPAP (continous postive airway pressure) and is delivered by a mask that is worn at night.  There are also surgeries that can be done, but not everyone is a candidate and they are quite painful (performed by ENT).  There is also a dental prothetic called the mandibular advancement device that can be used in patients with mild sleep apnea.  Wieght loss is also effective for many patients with sleep apnea, but takes time and some kind of therapy is usually needed before that.  I would recommend that you see a board-certified sleep doctor (found at sleep centers, most at major academic centers), which can give you the best advice and set up a therapeutic trial of CPAP for you.  I also think that a CT scan is inadequate for neuroimaging and I would suggest an MRI of the brain with and without contrast.
I hope this has been helpful.

[mike1105]

in my experience your c spine MRI is pretty normal. just becasue there is a "finding" on your MRI does not mean it is the cause of anything. yourMRI report is actually pretty good for a 36 year old.
do you lean over a computer alot? i knw it sounds obvious but poor upper body posture causes huge strain on the neck musculature since it is the muscles that must support a 16 lb head if it is not balanced over the spine. Neck mscle spasm is a very common cuse of headaches.

[280zxkirk]

I do lift weights . I noticed when I did pull ups inthe Fire Academy I would get headaches. I since have stopped doing pull ups. I have lightened the weight lifting but still get afternoon headaches.

[mike1105]

as a dentist who became almost incapacitated due to neck/upper back nd even chest pain due to postural stresses, it is entirely possible your problems are postural. get a book on posture and make some corrections in your head posture if needed and see how you do. you'll also need trigger point  release. get the trigger pont munual by cliar davis. spasm in the neck musculature can cause a whole slew of pain styndromes. trust me i've been there.

[Cruzette]

This probably isn't your issue, but for others who may be reading this forum it might help.

A co-worker pointed out to me that I was leaning in too close to my computer monitor at work. So I went to my eye Dr. and had my eyes checked. Come to find out, I had been using too strong of reading glasses to read my monitor with. In order to focus properly I had to lean into my computer monitor. My Dr. recommended a lesser strength pair of reading glasses for computer work and my posture is much improved.

[Nikk1000]

I broke my neck (C4) in a motorcycle wreck and severed the ligament between C4 & C5.  This required a cervical fusion where they removed bone from my hip to place on my neck to fuse the joint.  My lower back was always hurting where they did the incision.  The muscles just didn't want to hold me up and sometimes it got so bad that if I leaned and wasn't staight up and down, my back wouldn't hold me up.  I was 6'1", 220lbs, athletic, and in my late 20's so felling like an old man was no fun.  I had went to chiropractors for help but to no avail.  I would never let them touch my neck though.  Any relief was temporary at best.  I finally found a different kind of chiropractor.  One who worked with your Atlas bone and did not do any twisting or jerking on you.  The adjustment is so painfree, you question whether he did anything at all.  Soundwaves are used to adjust your neck.  But soon you feel the difference and quickly get to a point where you rarely need his service which is WONDERFUL.  I love my chiropractor but would love even better to help some fellow sufferers find the relief you fear will never come.  Covering up the problems with pain pills and muscle relaxers will never solve the problem.  My mother was slated to have surgery on her 3 bulging discs that had her down to where she couldn't work.  After having the Atlas adjustments, she now goes 6 months+ without visits and is back at work with no problems.  If you are in the Atlanta, GA area, call Dr. Roddy at 404-768-8008 or ask them for someone in your area and tell them Nikk sent you.

[shiraT]

If you're talking about headaches... I just read something interesting.  Apparently butterbur extract can prevent migraines and headaches.  I read it on www.migravent.com   Worth checking it out.....