Vertigo of cervical origin

At age 30, I had my first sudden bout of vertigo. Everything in my field of vision quickly started to spin and I felt as if was falling. I had several episodes over a few months and sought a diagnosis with an ENT exam, MRI, EEG with attempts to find seizure activity, cardiac echo looking for MVP, and tilt table to look for dysautonomia. Nothing was found and I was never was given a diagnosis. I'm now 50 and the episodes have recurred periodically over the 20 years.
In recent years, I've started having numbness in my right hand. Tests were negative for carpel tunnel. I saw a chiropractor and had a cervical x-ray showing degeneration in my cervical spine. After several chiropractic visits, the numbness was gone...BUT, now, I'm having very frequent episodes of vertigo. I've done a little reading that suggest compression of the vertebral artery from cervical misalignment is associated with vertigo especially when artery stenosis is present. Should I stop or continue the chiropractic? Should I see an orthopedic neck specialist? Any suggestions?

[susan122]

have you been tested for BPPV?  Go back to ENT and ask for this testing with a specialist who can evaluate you (and if positive- cure you).  

A DO or a physiatrist is a good person to get an opinion from.

[Kalvin]

I don't know about compression of the vertebral artery, but I do now that vertigo can be caused by disc bulges and other problems in the C - spine. X-rays only show bone, so the information obtained is limited.

Personally, I would never let a Chiropractor touch my neck, although I do have a lot of neck problems and have had surgery, but even if didn't have a history, I wouldn't, its just to dangerous. Manipulation of the Cervical spine can have disastrous results.


Take Care