Chronic Neck pain with headaches

[hiswife351]

Hello, I hope I'm in the right forum so I'll post my question, if it's not in the right place I aplogize.
I'm asking this quesiton in hopes that I can help my husband.
My husband is 43 and has had neck pain for about 20 years but within the last 10 years much worse and now it's always there. The pain is right at the base of the head in the back just off to the left, it is only in this area. This pain causes constant headaches and sometimes radiates into his jaw and shoulder. He has been taking vicodin and advil around the clock for years but it doesn't do barely anything, he's in pain through out the day but can tolerate it better than nights, at night he pretty much doesn't sleep much, the meds last only about 3 hours.

He has been to numerous doctors, including different neurologists, family doctors, neurosurgeons, no one seems to know what is causing the pain. they have done MRI's, ct scans , they have sent him through physical therapy, have tried different procedures, numbing the nerve in the neck, cortisone shots and nothing seems to work.
The only thing he has in that general area is something called cavernous angioma. It had bled at one time but the neurosurgeon was having him go once a year to be sure it didn't get any bigger but they insist that has nothing to do with his neck pain.
He is in so much pain all the time and no meds seem to work, plus he'd like to cure it not cover it up. Anyone have any suggestions on where to go or what to do? thank you

[hiswife351]

I should also add that the neurosurgeon said he could remove this cavernous angioma but he doesn't think that's what's causing the pain but would try it, but brain surgery that's a HUGE thing when you're not sure.

[remar]

Has your husband ever been to a Chiropractor? It sounds like they have found no bulging or herniated discs so this should be safe for him to do. It's worth a try as long as his Neuro says it's alright.
I would be afraid of brain surgery too if it were me. But maybe this is what's causing the pain after all.  
Sorry I could'nt be of more help to you.

[hiswife351]

Thanks for your response, he has been to a chiropractor before and it didn't do anything.

[remar]

Your very welcome.
Is your husband considering the surgery?

[hiswife351]

No he has not seriously considered it, only because the neurologist doesn't think it's causing his pain even though it's on the same side and right by where his pain is. He says he'll do the surgery but why do something so serious as a brain surgery if your own doctor doesn't think it will work? We're just really frustrated. His primary care doctor said maybe he should consider the medical marijuana, neither of us want that, that's totally out of the question. I just wish we could find a doctor or someone who has some information. He can't sleep so then I can't sleep it's just terrible anymore

[squirtatious]

Id seek out a chiropractic if it were me, I wish u well

[remar]

It sounds like he needs to see another Neuro Dr. I'm really reaching with this, but do you notice your husband grinding his teeth in his sleep? Has he been checked for TMJ?

[coolchill]

I been having neck strain for 3 year now with the headaches and the middle of the back I went got a mri and catscan with dye for my head the nurelogy did not find nothing that was 2008 and 2010 i got a xray of my neck and nothing I just got a real bad neck strain pain and muscle relaxant does not help at all i have real bad headaches due to this tingling im feeling .I went to the emergency room and the doctor said it was not consider a emergency but I told him bout the head aches and the tingling also my blood pressure been up due to the pain can some one please help me im tired of the pain.Im 35 female I did work as a mail handler  but i was fired for the problem Im telling you about.