constant head and neck aching

[sabie]

For the past week I have had a constant headache along with neck discomfort and cramping.  Also, the left side of my face feels (eye area) heavy, but looks fine.  I have a really bad cold, coughing, nasal, and I am 18 weeks pregnanct so there is nothing I can take.  My question is regarding brain tumors.  I had a CT scan 13 months ago and everything came back negative, but should I have another one done if the head, neck, and facial pain persist.  I was told that eye doctors sometimes are the first ones to diagnose a brain tumor and I just saw mine in February and he said erveryhting was fine.

Could it be that I have a head cold and the coughing and constant sniffing are causing the headaches?  I am just worried and confused?

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

Headache for a week does not necessarily mean a brain tumor

Neck discomfort and cramping from a problem in the neck (such as muscle spasm or strain) can commonly cause headaches. In the context of a bad cold where one can get muscle aches and pains, it is not unusual to have headache, especially if you are prone to tension-type or migraine headaches. Headache can also cause eye or behind-the-eye pain. Migraine headache are quite commonly unilateral and throbbing.

In the first trimester of pregnancyit is difficult as you say to treat headaches. Clearing the infection should hopfully resolve the headache. Keep following closely with your doctors. Avoiding triggers that make the headache worse, eating and sleeping well are important to control the headache, and a physical therapy assessment of the neck may help.

Red flags that a headache is more serious are 1) fever and neck stiffness 2) impairment of consciousness 3) 'the worst headache of your life' 4) focal neurological deficits ie weakness of one side of the body

Good luck

[KrisKraft]

Have you asked your MD about Lyme? Many of the cold-like symptoms don't sound like Lyme, but when you have one side of your face sagging or numb, it's called Bells Palsy and it's a major red flag for Lyme.

You can see a comprehensive list of symptoms in peer-reviewed journal articles under "Symptoms and Characteristics (peer-reviewed literature)" on my website:
http://www.openeyepictures.com/underourskin/uos_resources.html

There is very good neuroLyme symptom info on his site, too. In my opinion, IGenex, which specializes in tick-borne diseases, is the only reliable Lyme lab, because they test for multiple Lyme strains, not just the B31 Shelter Island strain, and they report on the most specific Lyme markers, the 31kDa and 34kDA bands. IGenex has recently passed Cal., NY, and CDC quality testing with flying colors. You can download the IGenex testing forms from my website; give these to your MD if you want to use this lab. MDL isn't bad a bad lab either.
http://www.openeyepictures.com/underourskin/uos_resources.html

Fewer than half the people with Lyme ever see a tick bite or a rash. The longer you have Lyme, the harder it is to get rid of. There's one really good Lyme doctor on Long Island who specializes in pregnant women with Lyme, too.

I would strongly urge you to run to a Lyme-experienced physician, which you can find by typing in your location to "Flash Discussions", then "Find a Physician" here:
http://www.lymenet.org/

And you can also enter your symptoms under the "Medical Questions" section on this site, and you can see what other people with similar symptoms think.

KrisKraft
http://www.lymediseasefilm.com/

[jcverive]

Please allow the cold symptoms to pass before worrying about brain tumors, lyme disease, bell's palsy, etc.  Sinus infections can certainly cause the symptoms you describe.

By the way, what was the reason for your previous CT scan?

[sabie]

I had a CT scan done last April because I was having extremely bad headaches that lasted all day.  It turned out that I needed to have my wisdom teeth pulled because I had one that was impacted.
However, the headaches I am having now are more in the neck area and are worse when I bend over.  Also, I have discomfort and pressure behind my left eye and have had this bad cold for 5 days now.  I have also thrown up a couple of times throughout the 5 days but I don't know if that is from the pregnancy of feeling sick.  Like I said I went to the eye doctor in Feb and he said that everything looked fine but I didn't know if eye doctors can diagnose tumors in the brain.

[jcverive]

For what it's worth, any doctor can diagnose brain tumors given access to adequate testing services.  Many brain tumors do lead to retinopathies and other disorders of the eye, often well in advance of other symptoms and outwardly visible signs, so the eye doctor is often the first to notice problems related to brain disease/trauma.

But why are you so worried about brain tumors at such a young age?  Is there a family history of these, or has some thing suspicious shown up in other tests?

Personally, unless there's a good reason to suspect a serious disease or disorder to suspect, I recommend seeing a good pain doctor or neurologist once your cold symptoms pass.

[hiddenghost]

Is the pillow you sleep on at night really thick and proping your head up high.

If so, you might want to use a thin and firm pillow instead.
This would lower your head to a more natural position also aligning your neck vertabrae more naturally.

That's some advice from an amateur.

Of course, you shouldn't just take my word for it.
Go see a licensed doctor when you can.

[ozark]

Sounds like a sinus infection especially with the increased pain when bending over. does it hurt if you put pressure on your cheeks or eyebrow area?

[Hurtfilledtears]

My Boyfriend has suffered with this condition...If that is the term to use...since his early 20's. He gets a pain in his neck just below his ear lobe. It is small in intensity, then it excels to his jaw and up around his eye. Usually on the right side. It eventually consumes the whole side of his face along his nasal Track (Front temple, eye socket area, along the face near his ear and to his neck. His eye turns red and bloodshot. His nose feels stuffed and yet it runs, he coughs phlem up and uses spray, Medicated spray for his nose. No pain med works, Warm showers helps moderately. He is a smoker and can be consuming 2-3 packs a day. The headache starts off mild and he has them through out the night and each one is worse.  Normally gets them in the spring and summer. I am thinking it is cluster headaches and are triggered by seasonal factors and his heavy smoking elivates them. Am I right? I have researched cluster headaches a little and see that Magnesium and Riboflavin, Vitamin B and more Caffenine and less Nicotine have been shown to help. Any imput to help me help him with this pain would be greatly appreciated. I don't like seeing him suffer. Emailing me your responses is best. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.  ***@**** is my Email.

[lilajean]

Would love to find out what is causing my headaches-- my neck is stiff and the top of my head is burning.  It feels like a hot iron is sitting on top of my head.  Sounds crazy I know, but I'm miserable.  My eyes feel tired and achey (achy)-- makes me just want ot go to bed and sleep it off-- but I wake up with it.  I had a bad fall a year ago on icey sidewalk.  Feet went out and I landed on my back.  knocked me unconsious. Three months later, blacked out while driving down the highway.  Have had lots and lots of MRI's MRA's, CT's, etc. only to find nothing.  BP was slightly elevated so started Toprol 50 mg day is the only thing.  Any ideas, anyone??? Thanks-

[lilajean]

Forgot to add that my left arm/fingers are numb most of the time-- was thinking carpal tunnel, but wonder if there could be a connection?  Last night took an oxycodone which puts me out for the night. Slept good but did not get rid of the burning on top of my head. Neck and into upper back feels like it needs cracking to relieve pressure- may see a chiro today. Thisis  driving me crazy.

[lilajean]

went to my DR today. He gave me a prednisone injection...don't know if just a coincidence-- but feeling much better. Especially the stiffness in my neck is gone. Burning sensation almost gone.  So... what might this mean??

[msthec1]

i have had a headache for about 2 months now been to the doctor about 6 or 7 times he has no answer been to emergency room 3 times had ct scan done came back neg. i still have it but now its in my neck and sholders real bad. i get real light headed sometimes i have tried every muscle relaxer there is just about every pain killer there is nothing works. the pain in my head is weird i have little  divits or whatever you want to call them that are in my head i think everybody has them thats were most of the pain is in my head. It runs in circle down behind my ears down into my back and sholders its driving me nuts! i dont know what to do.

[housemouse]

I've been experiencing head and neck pain for the past 4 days or so.  It feels like it starts behind the head and spreads to side of neck and left side of head.  This is really bothersome to me and would like to know what causes it and how to get rid of it.  I wake up with it and go to bed with it.  I have allergies and sinus problems too.  Wish it would just go away since I am having foot surgery in two more weeks!  Does anyone else experience a crunching sound in the back of their neck sometimes or a sharp pain in the back of their head/neck sometimes?  I have been this way since I can remember.  Any advise??

[wanrodge]

i get headaches all the time morning to night been a&e seen my gp they say not to worry but ive sufferd with panick attacks so thats hard the headaches seem to be on me all the time i also get chest pain but i know its throughthe panick but cant stop[ worrying the headaches are somthing i dearnt even say the word doc says there chronic tension headaches but this was months ago as i took a lot of co codamol for chest pain