Aa
Who else to try
Im so mad. Went to a orthopedic surgeon today to look at my neck. Ask my symptoms, and then pushed on two spots in front of neck and two spots on back and ask if tender. He asked about my brain mri and what it showed. Just tiny scattered areas of white matter signals. Anyways after he felt of me he said Im not the guy to help you. He said i need to see a neuro because it sounds like something going on in the brain, blood flow or something. Ultrasound of Carotid was normal. Blood tests normal. MRI neck normal except small herniated disc C4. Vision test normal. Ear tests normal except stapes spasms. Im trying every thing to get my neck fixed, but it seems theres no one that wants to deal with it. Im sick of going around and one hour my jaw neck and head feel like something is shut off to it feeling wise, pressure feeling, and a minute later I feel good. I cant even get anyone to look at a very hard lump I feel about size of a marble that runs from back of head down left side of neck by the spine. Ortho just said lymph nodes are there and its normal, but he never felt it. Not like that on the other side. Im so frustrated now, I dont know where else to go to??
My Dr said there are many side effects to Neurontin. This may sound crazy, but I think my head may be too heavy for my neck. After the torticollis and chiropractor, my neck was in awkward positions for a long time. One shoulder higher then the other. Its not like that anymore but was 6 months ago. I tried pulling my shoulders down real hard and that relieves all the pressure in my head and jaw. I let go and it shoots right back into my head and jaw. Maybe my neck cant support my head and its scrunching spinal nerves or something. Maybe thats why when I lay down or bend over everything except the ear spasms go away. I think my next move will go back to the physical therapist and ask about neck traction or why doing that to my shoulders makes so much difference.
Hey Josh - I just found this brilliant website - one that I think you would find very useful indeed - explained a hell of alot in a language even I could understand - don't want to print address here as I suspect I could be breaking rules, but if you go into the neurology forum on this site, and look at a question posted today that Jennywren has posted under, you'll find it there. Let me know what you think.
Just re-read your post from yesterday. Wasn't too onto it yesterday - had assumed you were talking about small swellings at the base of your skull & upper neck. The ones that go all the way down the neck are a little different - when I had one recently, osteopath said they indicated there was an infection somewhere in my body and he would not treat me until it went down.
I agree very much with the comment from the poster above about 'meek and mild'. I have learned from my doc's reactions never to mention stuff I have seen on the internet or indicate that I think I know whats wrong with me. With the Neuro, I try to manipulate the conversation a little towards things - with questions mostly. Rather than 'I think it might be this' I try stuff like ' why is it my head gets worse when....?' You need to go well prepared with questions - not answers. Demi is very right about this.
The other thing I wanted to say is this. You have been to three neuros - while its good to get a second opinion, I am finding it beneficial to build a relationship with one, and think maybe thats what you need. I'd say that its quite possible that no Neuro will have answers for you at this point and that only time will tell. I know its hard to have no answers, but maybe you would be far better off if you could it accept this and take the neurontin!. Seriously Josh - just how bad are your symptoms if you can manage without taking it? Are you taking anything at all? Have you tried the Antidepressants? They can really help. Speciallists are not going to take you seriously if you don't follow the treatment - they're just going to get frustrated with you.
I wish I could get my hands on your neurontin - its harder to get here due to funding limitations (different system)- I've waited a year to get to the stage where my neuro will consider prescribing it.
I agree very much with the comment from the poster above about 'meek and mild'. I have learned from my doc's reactions never to mention stuff I have seen on the internet or indicate that I think I know whats wrong with me. With the Neuro, I try to manipulate the conversation a little towards things - with questions mostly. Rather than 'I think it might be this' I try stuff like ' why is it my head gets worse when....?' You need to go well prepared with questions - not answers. Demi is very right about this.
The other thing I wanted to say is this. You have been to three neuros - while its good to get a second opinion, I am finding it beneficial to build a relationship with one, and think maybe thats what you need. I'd say that its quite possible that no Neuro will have answers for you at this point and that only time will tell. I know its hard to have no answers, but maybe you would be far better off if you could it accept this and take the neurontin!. Seriously Josh - just how bad are your symptoms if you can manage without taking it? Are you taking anything at all? Have you tried the Antidepressants? They can really help. Speciallists are not going to take you seriously if you don't follow the treatment - they're just going to get frustrated with you.
I wish I could get my hands on your neurontin - its harder to get here due to funding limitations (different system)- I've waited a year to get to the stage where my neuro will consider prescribing it.
This website has good diagrams of lymph node locations.
http://www.nhlcyberfamily.org/nodes.htm
A Neurologist is not a surgeon.
An Orthopaedist is a surgeon
A Neurosurgeon is a surgeon.
There are surgeries a neurosurgeon will do that an Orthopaedist would never do.
There are surgeries an Orthopaedist will do, that a Neurosurgeon would never do.
There are surgeries some Orthopaedists do, and some Orthopaedist don't, ditto for Neurosurgeons.
Have you tried a Neurosurgeon?
And remember, meek and mild during the appointment definitely makes a difference.
http://www.nhlcyberfamily.org/nodes.htm
A Neurologist is not a surgeon.
An Orthopaedist is a surgeon
A Neurosurgeon is a surgeon.
There are surgeries a neurosurgeon will do that an Orthopaedist would never do.
There are surgeries an Orthopaedist will do, that a Neurosurgeon would never do.
There are surgeries some Orthopaedists do, and some Orthopaedist don't, ditto for Neurosurgeons.
Have you tried a Neurosurgeon?
And remember, meek and mild during the appointment definitely makes a difference.
I don't know Josh - I too did'nt believe in taking Meds to cover up the cause, but I have come to the point where I simply cannot function without them - so basicly I'll take what I can get - won't give up looking for a cause though. I'm not the one to answer any questions about neck cancer etc. The lympth node thing could be identified by an Osteopath - have you seen one?. I do know that they feel different from trigger points in my experience - harder. And the pain when pushed is different- hard to discribe though.
Neurontin Ive never took it. My regular doctor doesnt want me to take it. I dont know, I dont believe in medicene to cover up a problem. I just want to get whatever it is fixed. How can you tell the difference between a lymph node and a trigger point. Do blood tests indicate if the swollen lymph node could be a signal of a neck cancer or something. Like blood tests for white blood cell counts. If its a lymph node it has been there for several months. Then entire length from my hairline down to where the neck and shoulder meet is on the left side where the lumps are, are much harder then the other side. Our orthopaedists must be the same as yours, because he said my neck mri was fairly normal and it just seemed since nothing was there he didnt want to deal with me.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.
