headache

[escudo]

My brother's been suffering from neck pain radiating to the back of his head. He had undergone MRIs of brain and neck but the findings appeared normal except for straightening of cervical spine secondary to muscle spasm, same findings were found on his EMG - NVC (extremities only), just mild muscle spasm and cervical x-ray shows straightening of cervical spine.

He had been complaining these symptoms everyday for almost 3 months now: pain on the neck radiating to the back of his head, numbing of his head (back portion) and mild numbing of left arm whenever he wakes up. He's got visual disturbances like mild blurring of vision and photosensitivity, he also complains that his eyes feel kind of sleepy everyday. No vomiting, loss of consciousness, hypertension, diabetes noted.

Arcoxia (etoricoxib) had been given and over the counter painkillers, but none seems to respond to alleviate his headache.

We already consulted 3 neurologists unfortunately they can't find any specific cause of it. I suspect that he might have glaucoma but he doesn't manifest the major symptoms of it. I hope someone can relate to this and suggestions and opinions are highly appreciated.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Straightening of cerical spine in itself could be causing muscle spasm and pain. A chiropractor should be able to help with the exercises to relieve muscle spasm.
Other than this it can be ‘benign intracranial hypertension’(BIH). This happens due to impaired CSF absorption. A generalized throbbing headache worst felt in the morning and last thing at night. This headache is generally relieved on standing (consistent with raised intracranial pressure). It is aggravated by straining, coughing or a change in position. This headache is accompanied by various neurological symptoms such as dizziness, numbness, loss of vision, loss of hearing etc, all of which are temporary.
You can consult the neurologist regarding this. Hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, adrenal insufficiency are a few things I would recommend your brother gets investigated for. These can precipitate BIH. A spinal tap is a must both to diagnose the condition and to treat it. Take care!

[selmaS]

Hi, the straightening u mention happens after an injury, and yes a muscle spasm...was ur DB in a MVA...did he suffer from whip lash?

I would get copies of all MRI's and the reports and get a second opinion.....

If his problem is just a muscle spasm, it is not just a pain...it will hurt like heck...and it causes all the muscles to twist and will affect other areas as well.....

Make sure he did not develop a syrinx if he indeed had an injury....and does not have nething else going on...then PT can help...massage of the muscles can  get them back where they need to be.

I must warn u tho, get a second opinion of the MRI's first to be sure there is nothing else going on that the PT could hamper.

Good luck and do keep us posted
"selma"