Constant vertigo, head pressure, etc

[Stillborn]

3.5 years ago I was in a car which T boned a truck.
Around that time I developed these symptoms:

-24/7 Vertigo: Room/I feel as if moving; head movement does not change vertigo; Mild nausea at worst

-24/7 Head pressure in most of head with burning in back of neck

-24/7 Mind fog. Memory, thought and speech difficulties

-24/7 Awareness of heartbeat and possible palpitations

-24/7 Moderate fatigue

-24/7 Apathy. I feel happy I just don't really care about things as much as I used to.

-Stuffed nose. Often blood when blowing nose.

-dry mouth/eyes

-Infrequent short stabbing head aches in temples.

-3 months ago the right side of my head went numb for about a month.

Initialy my doctor thought it was anxiety/depression and I was anxious and depressed. I have managed to conquer both of these but my other symptoms, unfortunately, have not improved at all.

I have had many blood tests. Hypoglycemia/diabeties & thyroid disorder among others that I do not know/remember were tested for. My doctor has put me on serc (betahistine) thinking the vertigo was bppv but the serc didn't help. I have had a ct scan and an mri. I have no tumors and no signs of ms. mri did turn up one UBO.

Any idea of what is causing these symptoms or where I should be focusing what energy I have?

I really appreciate any input or help anyone can give me, thank you.

[zzzzzzzzzz]

Hi - sorry haven't been around - I must admit I haven't done much research into written info on this issue - just going by what I've heard from many in both the medical profession and alternative therapists. What they have said has been good enough for me to believe as it makes perfect sense to me. I can't imagine that adjustments can possibly do any good for mysef in the long run and cannot see how it wouldn't damage the nervous system in some way. I have reluctantly allowed people to preform them on me in the past, as I have been desperate, but from my experience in the last few years, I won't be doing that again.

[CourtneyT]

Have you ever heard of any dangers associated with upper cervical treatment?  I have recently read a few things about it possibly increasing risk of stroke or damage to vessels and ligaments.  I guess that is why I have been a little scared of the treatment. When I discussed this with the Dr. he said that it is not true and the treatment is very safe.  He was very good at answering my questions, but I was still a little uneasy about the adjustment. I think I will eventually get over it and do fine. I am hopeful that this will help me.
Thanks for all of the advice!

[zzzzzzzzzz]

Courtney, TMJ can also be caused by your neck problem. I have had this also, and did again just two days ago. Osteo wouldn't treat me as I had a bad cold and all the problems came back as a result - hopefully not back to square one. I am so dissappointed as I was doing well. Anyway, the TMJ will get worse with everything else as it is not a seperate problem. The muscles and tendons all work together and if one thing is out, others will follow. I think that if you really are so worried about adjustments, they could be a problem for you as you will not relax enough to let them work. You need to be able to trust, or try something else. As I said - talk to him - take control of the situation ask him to explain the treatment fully to you - including what the expected outcome should be. It sounds good that hes doing this scan thing, -should be safer that way.

[zzzzzzzzzz]

Hi Courtney, I've had quite alot of neck adjustments over the years - often with improvement for a few hours afterward, but it never lasted. 11 months ago, I had tingling and weakness in my thumb, and the osteo I was seeing, after doing some neurological tests, adjusted my neck. By that evening, my whole arm was weak & tingly and the next day, the wame worked its way up from my toes to my chest. That was just the start of a mystery illness they thought was MS - my eyes, ears, balance, thinking, speech were all affected and it was 3 months before the worst of it wore off - leaving what the neurologist called complicated migraines. I've had these since then and its only since I've seen this new osteopath, that I've had any improvement. He said he will not do adjustments as my nervous system has been through way too much to handle it. This is a huge relief to me as I could see this was the case, but did'nt know of any alternatives. I have had this problem for at least 20 years - possibly since birth as it turns out my 6 year old daughter has the same problem (she gets migraines too). Maybe someone for which the problem is a new one, can handle adjustments, but to my mind, I really wonder how much good such a seemingly violent act like that can do (probably just offended all the Chiro fans out there sorry). The treatment this guy is giving me does'nt feel all that comfortable either, but its so gentle compared, and it is getting results.
Certainly sounds like you do have the symptoms of an atlas problem, and you need to get it sorted before it gets worse - the last thing you need is all this while deeling with a new babe. I'd talk to this doc of yours about your concerns, and see how the treatments go. And if you're not getting anywhere, ask around for others recommendations. I have a rule,if I hear about the same thing three times in a short space of time, I'll try it. Alot of people want you to give their 'wonderful' person a go, but you can't try everything, so stick to the ones that everyone is talking about. Good luck.

[CourtneyT]

Thanks so much for the advice.  I will give these adjustments a try and see how things go.  The Dr. checks my neck with some imaging scanner to see if the nerves are irritated everytime I go in and if the scanner registers clear...he doesn't adjust me.
I think he said that your head should sit at 8-12 degrees on top of the atlas and mine sits at 4 degrees.  I have to admit I have been very skeptical.  I have never been to a chiropractor before and honestly always thought that it sounded a little dangerous. I am at the point now that I am desperate to find some relief and am willing to try anything.
Does anyone know much about TMJ?  I also have this really really bad. Both jaws pop and click when I open my mouth.  It seems like the dizziness gets worse when my jaws are hurting.  I have heard that TMJ can cause alot of different symptoms.
Thanks so much!

[littlears]

could be a nerve in your neck what about allergies to mold or foods they can trigger these symtoms i have suffered migraines when the barometer changes outside and will rain i usually have problems with head pressure like the top of your head will explode try some over the counter meds like claritin c as long as you do not have high blood pressure again high blood pressure can cause these problems as well check your blood pressure first thing in the am and later afternoon for 2 weeks to rule out that problem if nothing helps go back to your doctor.

[CourtneyT]

I read your post on seeing an osteopath for your symptoms.  I have the same symptoms and it started about 9 months ago. I woke up with a horrible crick in my neck. I had just had a c-section and was sleeping on a bunch of pillows and lifting my baby wrong. I think that this was the start of my problem.  I have horrible sinus pressure with no drainage, dizziness, off balance feeling at times and sometimes my eyes feel funny.   I just started seeing an upper cervical doctor that told me the same thing about the atlas in my neck.  I had my first correction yesterday. I dont really feel any different yet, maybe a little less stiff.  Are you being treated with trigger point therapy now? Did you say that the atlas adjustments made you worse? My lateral x-ray of my neck was terrible, my cervical spine was straight instead of curved.  I will be anxious to hear any input you have on this type of treatment.
Thanks!

[zzzzzzzzzz]

Damage to the neck can cause all of these symptoms - I've had them all myslf and more. The fact that you had a car accident would make this more likely surely. I searched for 20 years for an answer. Nothing showed up on MRI of brain and spinal cord and I got no real help from doctors in dealing with this. I am finally improving with the help of an osteopath who says my Atlas joint (between skull and spine is jammed as a result of an accident 20 years ago. A problem in this area is known to cause vertigo, vision problems, head pressure & fatigue, migraines and believe it or not, feelings of anxiety - plus a whole lot more as a result of decreased blood flow to the brain and nerve compression. I'm told The best treatment is trigger point therapy and NOT adjustments as they can do more damage, and they certainly did for me. It may be something else, but when I saw you had that accident, I did wonder...  Good luck.

[shalyapin]

have you try a medicine which decrease the pressure in your head? starting with simple diuretics? Make sure do not take aspirin for your headaches