so dizzy i can barely work. Neck and face muscle problems.

[lazynewt]

hi I could really do with some help on this as soon i may be in jeapordy of loosing my job due to not being able to work.

This all started one morning when i woke up after a heavy night drinking. I basically woke to complete dizziness and thus had a paniatack. i endedup in hospital with heart palps and fear of dying. Since then (5 months ago) I have managed to stop theaxiety attacks because i now knowi a not going to die and these symptoms will pass.

My routine at the moment is wake up after a bad nights sleep *every night* go to work sit down. Aftr 10 - 20 min of sitting down on the pc I become dizzy and can barely read the text on a computer screen. This happens every 10 mins or so and lasts most of the day... Its quite dabilitating. I go home and have a rally hot bath andam fine for an hour or so.

I have realised this is mainly down to my neck muscles causing problems. You see i have tense Sternocleidomastoid and tense Trapezius. Both sets of muscles really hurt when i press them.....

This problem has got so bad that when i am driving furththan 100 yrds i am in fear of crashing as i can barely see due to th dizziness.

MY QUESTION A PLEA is HAS ANYONE HAD PROBLEMS LIK THIS AND ARE THERE ANY TABLETS ETC I CAN TAKE?

e.g
magnesium...

I continually massage my neck as much as i can as this somewhat helps. I have also just had a nck xray and am awaiting the results. I also have the followin symptoms (i can live with these though but icant do my work if i cant se) :-(

SYMPTOMS
dizziness
mild loss of feeling in right arm
pain under right shoulder blade.
pain in muscles on right side of body.
muscle pain in bowels.
All symptoms are agrivated if i go out for a drink a    drink heavilly (though this may be due to me being extra active when i have had  few.
pain at base of skull

TESTs done
- sigmoid oscopy
- Mri of head ( found a void but was told its not a problem (am getting another one in 2 weeks as symptoms have still persisted))
- blood tests (normal)
- chest xray (fine)
- 24hr urine (fine)
- ultrasound of gallbladder etc as stool is somewhat yellow
- celiac tes (negative but did no eat bread etc for about a month prior to tes doh)
any help really appreciated

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
Without examination,confirmation of a diagnosis is tough,but it sounds like muscle strain leading to spasm and compression of nerves or cervical spondolysis. Cervical spondolysis is due to the age-related degeneration ('wear & tear') of the vertebrae and discs in the neck region.This can cause compression of the nerves and hence pain and tingling sensations.Diagnosis can be confirmed by x-ray neck or MRI spine.

Apply warm compresses on the area and take some over the counter anti-inflammatory pain killer like ibuprofen or diclofenac.Application of topical muscle relaxants will also help. Cervical spondolysis also responds to anti-inflammatory drugs and cervical collars.

If the symptoms persist then pls get it evaluated from an orthopedician
I sincerely advise you to get CT/MRI neck and upper spine done and consult a neurologist and discuss this problem with him.Also it is essential that you correct any posture imbalances that you may have, whether in a sitting posture or in a standing posture. It is also very important to make sure that the pillow you use under your head is the correct size and thickness for your body.Avoid stretching of shoulders and apply warm compresses on the part.More severe cases may need steroid injections.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted.

[lazynewt]

also something i didnt mention is i now occasionally get cold sores (herpes) on my lips as my gf has had this since birth and ive caught it off her.

These problems have been with me approx 4 - 5 months and seem to begettin worse.