Vertigo

[Nia55]

Hello,

I will be grateful if someone can help me . I am suffering something that I don't understand and I do not know what doctor to go to.

I suffer extremely bad headaches that start suddenly from my upper back, specifically, a small area around my shoulder blade, becomes concentrated on the base of the neck, on a particular point that I can press and feel a little relieved, always on one side, and that particular temple,, eyeball and the top inner corner of my eye socket hurt really badly, sometimes for a couple of days at a stretch. I can press points in these areas and feel the pain intensely before numbing a little. I hate to see light at these times and usually cover up my eyes till pitch dark and try to sleep off the pain, which does ease with Flexilor SR (Lornoxicam)  or Winace (Paracetamol  500 mg
Aceclofenac100 mg, prescribed medication, available in India)

Often, with or without headache, when I lie down at night to sleep, I suffer severe vertigo, severe when I am on my right side or if I am lying down straight but looking at the right. Looking at the left, everything is ok. My headaches are usually on the right. I am not generally dizzy or unstable. But if I have worked too long at the computer or in the kitchen with my head bent for long periods of time, I am likely to get headaches. I also get acidity related headaches which sometimes can be confused with the muscular ones.

Can someone please tell me if they have an idea what this can be and which doctor should I be seeing? I have also read that this could be because of an inner ear issue, so it should be attended by an Otoneurologist.

[LivingInHope]

I'm glad PT is helping!  Also, that you are planning to visit those specialists!  

My fruit choices are very limited due to my GERD and interstitial cystitis (IC) too.  I once accidentally tasted aloe vera (straight from plant) & it tasted absolutely awful- I know some people take it internally, but they must be very brave it seems to me.  I wouldn't be surprised if the prunes you are eating & even the figs are aggravating your GERD, because prunes (which I like) & fig newtons have aggravated mine.  Neither fruit is permitted w/my IC.  I do eat activia yogurt everyday pretty much.  Thanks for sharing your experience!

[Nia56]

Gosh I forgot my password and I had to register again!

Hi SurgiMenopause,

I had a session with the physiotherapist and thankfully she thinks it is a postural issue and not cervical. She did say it could be an inner ear issue but after one session itself, I was really relaxed. I have this strain running up my back, onto my head and down to my temples, forehead, eyeballs, eye sockets and nose. That practically disappeared after the session. She gave me heating on my back for 10 minutes, mild electronic pulse at six points on my back, the pain points, for 10 mins and then ultrasonic massage on the back of my neck. I felt absolutely relaxed for at least three days and then it came back. Probably coz I do sit at the computer looking down for long hours.

I also have very severe chronic constipation due to IBS. With constipation, gas gets trapped in the tummy and that gives me a headache, bloated upper abdomen and acidity.I was on Colospa Retard for about 2 years when I realized it had simply stopped working. Now, I have started on a regimen of 2 tablespoons Aloe Vera Juice with 250 ml warm water first thing in the morning, break for 20 minutes,then 1 dried fig soaked overnight in water just enough to cover it and  7 almonds, soaked overnight too and eaten whole with skin. 2-3 dried prunes in a day, 2 tablespoons prune juice with yogurt, 1 soaked dried fig again in the evening and just before going to bed, 1-2 tablespoons Isabgulla husk mixed with 1 glass of warm water. Plus at least 1 to 2 liters of water everyday.

My constipation is gone and so has bloating. Gas passes easily. I do suffer from acidity though, which I have been watching and it seems to be often caused by dairy products, particularly when taken on empty stomach.

Because of these findings, I think it seems most likely it is a muscular/postural issue. But I do intend to see both an ENT and a GI specialist to rule out anything else. Thanks for the info on the gastric issue that I may need to check out.

Thanks once again SurgiMenopause, I hope you find relief in your health issues too. Perhaps you could try incorporating a few of the things I have mentioned. Figs have practically healed me. If you do, please let me know how it goes.

All the best
Regards
Nia

[LivingInHope]

You're welcome!

With bad acidity, you may want to ask a doctor if you might get a blood gastrin level to try to rule out a rare pancreatic tumor that can cause increased acid secretion.  Certain medicines for acid reflux would have to be discontinued for a length of time prior to the test though.

  Also, you might want to get a gastrointestinal doctor to take a look at your upper GI tract and test you for H. pylori as well, which can lead to ulcer formation.  And, you may want to get your iron and ferritin tested, as low iron can cause headache and you don't want that contributing to your headache situation, in case you are still menstruating or have any gastrointestinal bleeding you aren't aware of!  

Have you taken any dietary and other measures besides medicine to try to manage your acid reflux?  I have bad acid reflux myself and am taking ranitidine and cytotec as well as over the counter liquid anti-acid.

[Nia55]

Thank you Surgimenopause and Londres70.

Surgimenopause, really appreciate your taking the time. I do have a severe acidity issue, I am on Digene at least 2-3 every single day. And possibly post-nasal drip as well. Your answer has given me quite a clear direction.Thank you very much!

Londres70, thank you too!

Bless you both!
Regards
Nia

[Londres70]

In my opinion, sounds like two possibilities, MAV (Migraine Associated Vertigo) or an inner ear problem.  I would recommend consulting a Neurologist and Oto-Neurologist.  

[LivingInHope]

It sounds like you may have more than one contributing factor to your symptoms.  I would say perhaps the best starting place with the symptoms the way you describe them (as far as a doctor would go) might be with a neurologist.  You'll want to get pictures of your neck, since the base of your neck springs off to your headaches.  The one sided pain involving an eye-socket and sensitivity to light sounds much like a migraine.  They may also want to do an MRI or CT scan of your brain.  Also, your neck is part of your vestibular system and if there is a problem there, that could throw things off, not just the inner ear.  You may also want to visit an ear, nose, and throat specialist.  

Additionally, since you get acidity related headaches, and a website I just was looking at says acid reflux can cause vertigo and dizziness, you may want to see a primary care physician or GI (gastrointestinal) specialist or even the ear, nose and throat specialist regarding your the acid problem.  A GI specialist or ear, nose and throat specialist are able to take a look at a person's throat for signs of acid reflux disease.

If you know your pain starts out from muscle tension, you can try things like massage, moist heat, a cool cloth on your neck, taking tension relieving breaks from the computer, making sure the computer screen is at the right height for your eyes and neck when you are sitting with good posture as well as your chair at the height where your feet are flat on the floor.  You might get a standing clip board if you are bending down looking at papers and give yourself time limits on things that cause neck strain for you.  I like to use a wrap-around ice pak on my head for headaches besides prescription medication.

[Nia55]

Thanks for your help and time.
Regards
Nia