headaches/numbness in back of head

[LSimmons]

I have been getting dull headaches and numbness in the back of my head when I wake up in the mornings.  This has been happening for several months now, but it is becoming more and more common everyday.  It seems like when I lay down on my head, the pressure from my head on the pillow cuts off the circulation of the blood vessels.  The numbness/headache last several hours and even all day.  I was in a bad car wreck in August and suffered from several herniated disks and a spinal fracture; however, a few years ago I had sharp stabbing pains in the back of my head and got a cat scan but it did not show anything.  Last year I also had a pinched nerve in my upper shoulder, but it has gone away.  I really want to find out what is wrong with my head and why it goes numb.  I feel like I cut off circulation to it (like someone would their arm or leg if they slept on them wrong).  Thanks for your time and help!

Lauren Simmons
***@****

[jickel]

for 14mos. i have suffered with ringing in my ears or a fluttering in my ears.  i have a constant foggy feeling.  i have the feeling that my head is being squeezed.  my head feels like it is wobbly (like a bobble-head) on my neck.  i have taken lexapro (perscribed by my family dr.)taken off lexapro and had it replaced with prozac.  i have been given xanax, adavant and valium for what my family dr. believes is simply anxiety disorder.  i have had about 3 mri's of my head and neck all which apparently seem to be "normal".  i have had oblique x-rays again "normal", i have had emg's of the upper extemity's again "normal".  i have seen an emt had test done by emt to come back "normal".  i have been to a cardiologist, stress test, emgs again, "normal".  i have been to a nuerologist and been tested for lyme disease, heavy metal (lead), and other test i don't even know what for, but again, "normal".  i was referred by the nuerologist to get trigger point injections.  2 treatments and the doctor doing them declined more treatment due to no change in feeling,  my dentist has fitted me for a day and night mouth appliance for "clenching"  again no change in the constant fellings as earlier described.  i have been perscribed, (and this is just out of memory) skelaxin, naproxen, flexarel, bubitual (forvicet something like that).  i have been told that my c4-5 c5-6 & c6-7 are herniated.  i seem to seem to be able to understand that i believe that my symptoms are directly related with my neck discomfort, yet every dr. i have seen seems baffled by my condition or tells me i am suffering from anxiety attacks.  i am looking for anyone who may have any idea of what i am suffering from.  i have been feeling like "****" for 14 mos. and i feel like i  am becoming more and more unproductive i lay down for a nap as often as possible and not because i am tired but because i always feel like ****

[proudmomma08]

A related discussion, Pain, head popping was started.

[tonio558]

A related discussion, numbness and headaches was started.

[ShelleyLove]

A related discussion, Numbness in the back of my head! was started.

[jickel]

for 14mos. i have suffered with ringing in my ears or a fluttering in my ears.  i have a constant foggy feeling.  i have the feeling that my head is being squeezed.  my head feels like it is wobbly (like a bobble-head) on my neck.  i have taken lexapro (perscribed by my family dr.)taken off lexapro and had it replaced with prozac.  i have been given xanax, adavant and valium for what my family dr. believes is simply anxiety disorder.  i have had about 3 mri's of my head and neck all which apparently seem to be "normal".  i have had oblique x-rays again "normal", i have had emg's of the upper extemity's again "normal".  i have seen an emt had test done by emt to come back "normal".  i have been to a cardiologist, stress test, emgs again, "normal".  i have been to a nuerologist and been tested for lyme disease, heavy metal (lead), and other test i don't even know what for, but again, "normal".  i was referred by the nuerologist to get trigger point injections.  2 treatments and the doctor doing them declined more treatment due to no change in feeling,  my dentist has fitted me for a day and night mouth appliance for "clenching"  again no change in the constant fellings as earlier described.  i have been perscribed, (and this is just out of memory) skelaxin, naproxen, flexarel, bubitual (forvicet something like that).  i have been told that my c4-5 c5-6 & c6-7 are herniated.  i seem to seem to be able to understand that i believe that my symptoms are directly related with my neck discomfort, yet every dr. i have seen seems baffled by my condition or tells me i am suffering from anxiety attacks.  i am looking for anyone who may have any idea of what i am suffering from.  i have been feeling like "****" for 14 mos. and i feel like i  am becoming more and more unproductive i lay down for a nap as often as possible and not because i am tired but because i always feel like ****

[Robbo99]

Back in November I was sat at work reading the paper when I had a pop in the left side of temple. This made me jump up, both arms went numb. Had a CT scan + lumber punture which were normal.Used to drink a few energy drinks in mornings(stopped then) Still getting a sharp pain just above temple (not as bad as the past few months) Have stopped smoking weed / cigs. Stopped drinking coffee / tea. Alcohol cut right down. Keep getting anxiety attacks now and then, which never had before. Resumed playing football once a week. But always aware of this feeling in my temple. Can't stop feeling the pulse throbbing in my head. I was very bad with headaches all over + stiff neck for the first 3 months after. It has got a little better apart from the temple pains (couple of times a day) I am 28 years old. in good health apart from headaches

[LSimmons]

Thanks to the Doctor for getting back to me.  Right now I am not taking any medications on a daily basis.  I do drink a cup of coffee almost every morning (I will try to cut that out).  If I take an anti-inflamatory before I go to bed, I do not get the numbness or headache in the morning.  I will get an appointment to get it checked out.  Thanks again.

[LSimmons]

Thanks to the Doctor for getting back to me.  Right now I am not taking any medications on a daily basis.  I do drink a cup of coffee almost every morning (I will try to cut that out).  If I take an anti-inflamatory before I go to bed, I do not get the numbness or headache in the morning.  I will get an appointment to get it checked out.  Thanks again.

[Shutty]

I am a 23yr old male and I too get pressure in my neck/back of head and temples.  This occurs every day, some days are better than others.  I also find that I am constantly circling my head in order to crack my neck to relieve some of the pain(the cracking can be heard by others) It might help for a while but it is like a cycle and always comes back.  My doctor has told me that they are daily tension headaches as sometimes my head does feel tight and cracking my neck isn't helping.  I have suffered from anxiety in the past and I do stress over the smallest things.  Other symptoms are ringing in ears which I do think is caused by the tension, also sometimes the pressure can be that bad I get dizzy spells(not like the room is spinning but a light headed feeling)  Could it all be due to stress/anxiety?  I would like to hear your opinion.. thanks

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

I think this should be evaluated by a neurologist. It is possible that abnormalities within your cervical spine can cause headaches. Theoretically it may be possible to position your neck and cause loss of blood flow, but this would be extremely unlikely. The other thought is are you either taking daily pain medicine or do you drink alot of caffeine. The headaches may be "rebound" headaches from withdrawing over night. A neurologist can help sort out these issues. Good luck.

[SpunkyOne]

Hi lsimmons,

I just read your post and your symptoms read like mine!  I've had cervical spine problems for years where my neck is always needing to be cracked so I'm always popping my neck to relieve pressure or pain.  But I get momentary relief and many times, the nerves in my neck cause headaches which can last for more than a day.  I just started experiencing this numbness that mostly occurs in the back left side of my head and it also wakes me up.  I do scalp massage and neck stretches to get the feeling back and it freaks me out because my head and neck will get all tingly like when a foot or hand falls asleep and then slowly wake up.  Today was the worst (that's why I'm on here searching to see what others are posting that relate to what I'm freaking out about).  I've been to the neurologist and have had a CT scan and MRI which show nothing abnormal.  I have had a pinched nerve in my left shoulder and if I move my arm out to the left I will, at times, feel a zap into my thumb and pointer finger.  Also, for about two months I can hear what sounds like a truck idling outside of my house.  I can hear it when it's fairly quiet.  I went to the ENT who says I have absolutely perfect hearing so it's not my ears.  What the heck am I hearing?  I sounds like stress in my ears.  If you were cold and shivering with your shoulder up at your ears, you can hear the tension in your ears.  That's what I hear but I'm hearing it even when I'm not tense.  So what's with these odd symptoms?  Does anyone know because I another neuro Dr. in two days and I'm hoping he has some answers.  I'm tired of being told what I don't have.

Veronica

[LSimmons]

Hey Veronica,
I had a pinched nerve in the same exact place you did!  I got it last March and sometimes it still bothers me.  The numbness in my head is also in the same place yours is (the back left). I bet the pinched nerve and the numbness are related.  Please let me know what you hear from your doctor.  Thanks!

Lauren