cronic headache and neck stiffness

[samcrf450]

Here is a little back round on me. I am currently 26.  I was in a car accident in 2001 in which I had a subluxation of C1-C2.  I had servere burning pains in the neck but just minor migraines.  I had C1-2 fused in 2003 and for a year after I had no pain or headaches. Life was great.  I had a child in 2005 and when she was 6 months old I all of a sudden got completely stiff through out my whole body with a horrile headache and nausea.  I went to the ER and they thought it was viral spinal menigitis.  The problem did not go away and later they did a spinal tap and found slight traces of blood.  To make a very long story short they did every test possible in Idaho and then again at UCLA medical center.  They thought the blood was just from blood vessel near my spinal column.  I still have the stiffness but it is only in the neck and I still have severe headaches about 4 times a month.  I am not responding to imitrex injections.  I just got botox injections about a week ago but it is still not working.  What could this be.

[sjcountrygirl]

I wouldn't take no more Imitrex. I couldn't take Topamax either I was having severe stomach pains when I took it.Make a journal of your headaches. Such as what you were doing when they came on,what you ate,the weather,the monthly,etc.document everything.share the info with your doctor. I have several triggers that cause my migraines such as monthly,the weather(big time) and certain foods that contain nitrites. A migraine is a vascular headache in the vessels. Have your blood pressure checked during an episode.Usually a person's BP is elevated with a migraine.try some analgesic cream on your neck. I use Biofreeze when I have a migraine because it helps to constrict the vessels back plus it may help your stiffness. Hope you find some relief I know the feeling of a terrible headache.

[samcrf450]

The thing is I have had about 20 or so CT and MRI's.  I have had a couple of angiograms as well because they thought it could be a hemorrage.  Topamax somewhat worked for me but made me feel real forgetful and clumsy. The doctor had a xray done on my neck because I have titanium and metal in there and he said everything was still holding in place.

[sjcountrygirl]

I get migraines on a regular basis. I take Zomig for this condition. I tried Topamax but I had to stop because of the side effects.I was told by a doctor when I first started taking my migraine medicine if it is a true migraine the Zomig and Imitrex would help which it does within 30 minutes after taking it.I expect they are not migraines but from your injury. i would go back to the doctor and request an MRI and CT scan there may be arthritis set in from your injury.