Dizziness / Headache

[kcdub]

I have had ongoing problems for the last couple of years.  All on the right side.  It started with a migraine with aura that wouldn't go away and has continued with dizziness.  I have stiffness in the right side of my neck, and quite a bit of pain there.  I have had x-rays, mri's, ct scans, spinal tap, etc (that showed nothing conclusive).  I have some bowel difficulty and ibs since this episode.  I get some relief from chiropractic adjustment in my neck area.  I am on 100 mg of topomax and am also on lexapro.  Since I have been on those medications it has held it somewhat in check.  I also think I may I may have a separated shoulder that I haven't had checked out because of all of my medical debt and the fact my son has medical issues that require him to be carried around a lot.  I fell off my roof about two years prior to my symptoms and got a concussion, whiplash, and that is when I injured my shoulder.  I do have pain in my shoulder also and can't lift weights or anything above my head without getting pain in my neck.  If I go off either of my medications for even a couple of days, I go back to a spinning feeling in my right eye.  My neck pops all the time on the right side and is stiff when I wake up.

I am fairly young and feel like this is somewhat muscle related.  My present neuro, is big drugs and feels like that is the way to treat it.  I am just wondering what I can do to try and figure out the root of the problem, instead of being on meds the rest of my life.  Thanks for any responses in advance.

[RossVegas]

I realize this post is several years old, but wanted to post my response as it may help someone figure out what is wrong with them and help them get the correct help.  I will try to make this quick and to the point.  About 2 years ago I began getting headaches after working out.  It could be after lifting weights or cardio.  It was not intense working out, average exercise for a man in his 40s.  I got a CT scan and went to a neurologist who wasn't sure what was wrong but prescribed nortriptyline.  That medication wasn't the answer.  Made me feel "out of it".  My PCP prescribed fiorinal which helped quite a bit, if taken at the onset of the headache but i still wanted the headaches to stop instead of having to take meds.  BTW, with these headaches, I'd experience dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to bright lights, and bad fatigue.  At their worst, the headaches made me think I was losing my mind.  I would get severe pain on the right side of my head just above my ear and even into my jaw.  I went to a chiropractor, they said my x-rays showed a couple vertebrates that they "believed" we're causing all my headache symptoms.  After about 20 visits to the chiropractor, I stopped going, there was no improvement.  They insisted I keep coming back, but I gave up on them at this point.  Alas.... relief.  One 60 minute massage with a LMT who focused on my back, shoulders, neck, and head and I haven't had a headache in 3 weeks.  Before, I'd get the headaches 3 or 4 times a week.  I have full movement in my neck and shoulders, I now take long deep breathes where I had shallow breathing before.  I didn't realize how muscle tension could cause all my symptoms, but apparently the blood flow was being hindered by the tight muscles.  The morning after the massage, I remember waking up and stretching and actually feeling and hearing the rush of blood into my head.  At that point, I realized it had been years since i'd felt or heard that blood rushing into my head.  All symptoms are gone.  A massage by a LMT will be a once a month thing for me now.  I have worked out several times since the massage and not once have I felt even the beginning of a headache.  Hope this helps some of you.  Bad muscle tension can cause some very odd symptoms, the type that make you think something is seriously wrong.  Hope this helped some of you.

[bob0046]

My husband was recently electrocuted and is expericing some similar symptoms. We are not sure if it was caused from the electroction are from suffering a blow to the back of the head. He has a severe headaches with sharp pains shooting to the jaw and eye area. If he lifts his arms up as to lift or push he has instant neck pain. He says all the time he wishes he had a neck brace ti hold his head up. He has difficulty turning his head. If he does alot of turning and looking he will come down with a headache or sharp pains in his head. We don't know what it is caused from. We will be able to see a neuro soon. Does this sound familiar?
Lori

[kcdub]

Anyone having similar issues or have any ideas about what I should do next to try and help the issue?  Thanks.

[kcdub]

Thanks for the response, but definitely not anxiety.  This has been going on for a long time and I think I had some anxiety in the beginning, but not now.  There is something physically causing my problems.  I am thinking it is something muscle related, but I don't know what is causing the muscles to get out of whack.  It is hard to explain other than, I guess I just know my body.  I have been having a lot of burning neck pain when lifting things which I assume is muscle related.  It makes muscle tighten up.

[suzi-q]

I am a visitor from the anxiety site.  I don't know about the "pain" part of your condition, but a lot of the dizzies and headaches and one side of the body stuff sounds a lot like anxiety.  I see that you are on Lexapro...If that is helping, anxiety may be one of the roots of your problem...Please come over to the Anxiety forum and ask some questions there.  They may be able to help!

[kcdub]

Anyone have any thoughts on this?  Thanks.