Short Pressure Headaches

[kj123]

I'm just curious as to what could be the cause of these. I get short bursts of pulsing pressure at the base of my head that only lasts seconds but can be quite severe. I'm sure I grew up with them and can remember times when I've swum underwater and it brings it on and also if I'm laughing harder than usual. It also happens at random times when I'm not sure what the cause is. I have arthritis (that I developed at a very young age) and suffer from a very stiff and sore neck with limited movement and recently an MRI scan has picked up a protruding peg at the top of my spine that is rather close to my brain. The doctors weren't concerned about this for the time being and said just to be aware of balance problems that may or may not develop.
Could it be something to do with my stiff neck?

[kj123]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. They aren't terribly disabling and they are very short lived so they are more of an annoyance if anything, but I was just curious as to the cause. I did suspect it was my neck but wasn't sure why.
I've always assumed that the stiff neck was in relation to my arthritis (juvenile rheumatoid) and the MRI report only suggests mild degenerative changes with the noticable presence of the extended peg. My specialist didn't seem too concerned in regards to the minor issues that the report mentioned and didn't bring up any other possibilities so I haven't had reason to suspect anything else.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

How are you?
Yes your symptom of pulsing pressure at the base of the neck is most likely due to neck stiffness and the presence of osteophyte in the upper cervical region.
I would suggest you to discuss this with your neurologist and if it is very disabling then also the possibility of having it removed.
What is the cause of stiff neck>? Is it arthritis or cervical spondylitis?