Neck pain, etc.

[marcparis]

I'm a 24-year-old man. For several months I've suffered from neckaches, which have been treated by massage therapy, with little success, except for the observation that I have significant muscle contractures of the neck.

I have had a CAT scan of my brain, tests of neurological function, doppler of blood vessels in my neck, blood work, cervical X-rays, all of which have been negative, with a diagnosis of early arthritis.

On occasion the neckaches are accompanied by the following symptoms: oppression, lightheadedness, mild vertigo, nausea, hot flashes and sweating. These symptoms usually occur when I have been seated in a fixed position for a few hours (train travel, for example), and in particular while working (I'm a computer graphics artist and work seated in front of a computer monitor all day).  

I have other symptoms that may or may not be related. One is the persistent vision of white spots (not floaters) that has been diagnosed as simply viewing the blood cells in the vessels of the retina. The other is occasional weakness of my thighs and reduction of field of vision when when rising from a squat (before the neck problems I practiced weight training).

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

The neck is intimately connected with the nerves that control head movement/turning, balance and vestibular function. IF there is abormal feedback from the neck due to for instance pain and muscle spasm, there may be symptoms related to the balance and vestibular system such as nausea, dizziness, vertigo. These symptoms usually resolve if the underlying problme in the neck is treated.

Treatment usually involves physical therapy by a PT specializing in the neck. Probaly also posture retraining/evaluation may be beneficial if you are sitting at a computer all day, perhaps straining your neck. Sometimes medications such as amitrpytaline (an antidepressant used for chronic headache) may help in reducint the level of pain sensitivity, if taken at a low dose on a daily basis. Other methodsof muscle relaxtion - massage, muscle relaxants or botox may help. These treatments shoud be done under the supervision of a doctor, usually a neurologist who may specialize in pain or headache.

Good luck

[marcparis]

In Paris. I don't participate in camping, etc.

[Sandy K]

In 2001 my husband had cervical fusion done on 2 thru 5 vertabra.This left him with nerve damage that affects his arms and hands.It also affects is mental state .He yells at everyone for nothing.He'll go from nice guy to bully in a minutes notice.It's a job just dealing with his mood swings.For four years now this man has averaged two to four hours sleep a night.If that isn't enough we've noticed that his finger nails haven't grown since the accdent and the pink part of the nail is more white than pink.I've called everyone trying ti get some imformation on this .In a way it's sounds silly.But I don't know if we can stand anything else going wrong.So if anyone knows if this is a result of the nerve damage .Please let me know.

[jan]

I have cervical spondyloarthropathy (the dr. who coined that must've got a medal) and am symptomatic from it, including radiculopathy.  Taking a muscle relaxer really works for me.  You might want to give that a try.  If you do and find it too strong, try a different kind, that is what I had to do.

[Sandy K]

My husband can't take musel relaxers.He goes through bouts where he loses feeling in his arms and hands.

[SalR]

I had 3 discs fused 2 years ago. The pains statred about 3 weeks after the surgery, complained to the Doc. His response. " IT'S NOTHING I DID".  The tingling in my fingers continue. I have pain in both arms, especially in the biceps. Pain across my shoulders. I also do not sleep. I need an Ambien every night to get a few hours of sleep. I thought I was out my mind until you mentioned fingernails. Mine only grow at the edges. I'm seeing a pain management doctor, but to date nothing has worked out. I do hope that someone on this site has an answer.

[rosebud15]

I had an x-ray that showed I have growths on my spine called mylopathy, I was wondering if you could tell me what that might be it causes me excruciating pain, burning and tingling in my neck and my hands and feet. I am fixing to get an MRI done tomorrow to find out more. I go to Pain Managment and my doc is ordering my MRI. Any help would be appreicated. Thankyou Rose Marie