headaches/neck

[Tamik]

OK - I have been dealing with this for about a year..I have neck pain that is also accompanied by massive headaches in my trigeminal nerves.  Started with only massive headaches though -migrane meds did nothing.   My c3 and c4 slide out of position and pinch the nerves.  My doc said this is because my ligaments are stretched and muscles are weak because I have a connective tissue disease (sjogrens).  I have been in PT for 8 months now - little relief - does anyone else have this problem?  It actually took 2 years to figure out this was teh cause - mri's were normal on my neck - it was when I had xrays done where I was looking up and down.  I cannot tip my head back very far.  It also causes ear issues with those nerves being pinched!  It is worse in the morning because of laying to sleep...  The doc gave e vicoden and flexeral for it.  I try to avoid all drugs like that as they reduce my already low blood pressure and make me feel like I am dying.  I am going to start shots in my neck to try to stabilize it.  I was just curious if I am the only one with this problem!  Tami K

[Scottietottie]

Hi Tamik 

I've been bothered with neck pain for the last year. The doc just says it's due to connective tissue inflammation. I haven't had any x-rays on it. I'm seeing a neurologist in October so am wondering whether he'll investigate it further.

I went to 'core stability' physio sessions and came out of them with such bad headaches that I did 5 weeks of a 6 week course and gave up before the 6th session on the physiotherapists advice. Most of the class went on to heavily subsidised classes at a local gym but that wasn't advised for me. Unfortuneately the communication between physio and GP seems pretty patchy.

Would sleeping with a 'collar' help any - or are they just not used any more?

Take care - Scottie 

[Pooh]

Tamik, I have had neck pain for years and years. Sometimes it is so bad I can hardly hold my head up.  The only relief I get with mine is traction.  I have an over the door device I use that is the only thing that helps me.  When I first starting using it I thought "Oh my God, I'm going to hang myself!."     But it really helps.  I sit in it for 30 minutes each day for a week and I'm good for about a month. 

You might want to talk to your neuro about getting a prescription for one.  It won't cure it, but it sure helps. 

Pooh

[Joe S.]

Here is some info on the cervical vertebrae from my web site, www.chakraforce.com
C1   Blood supply to and tissues of head   Headache, Earache, Cold/Flu, Sore Throat
C2   Sinus   Sinusitis
C3   Diaphragm   Chronic Fatigue, Vertigo, Anxiety
C4   Thyroid   Low = (Weight Gain, Cold), High = (Insomnia, Nervous)
C5   Voice CordsHoarse, Sore Throat, Pancreas-crave sweets, PM Headache, Fatigue, Memory Loss, Emotional instability, palpitations
C6   Esophagus   Stomach pain after eating, takes antacids
C7   Liver, Gall Bladder   Headache, Lassitude, Sneezing, Nightmares, Burning Feet

I go to a chiro when this happens, to get them adjusted correctly. I use reflexology to help with the headache / migraine. Carrot juice for the pain levels. And finally, range of motion exercises to help get things moving correctly.

[Joe S.]

Here is part of a chart from my website: www.chakraforce.com
C1   Blood supply to and tissues of head   Headache, Earache, Cold/Flu, Sore Throat
C2   Sinus   Sinusitis
C3   Diaphragm   Chronic Fatigue, Vertigo, Anxiety
C4   Thyroid   Low = (Weight Gain, Cold), High = (Insomnia, Nervous)
C5   Voice Cords   Hoarse, Sore Throat, Pancreas-crave sweets, PM Headache, Fatigue, Memory Loss, Emotional instability, palpitations
C6   Esophagus   Stomach pain after eating, takes antacids
C7   Liver, Gall Bladder   Headache, Lassitude, Sneezing, Nightmares, Burning Feet
I did not see my last post so forgive me if there are two.

[lynnmarie219]

Hi tami,

I have bad headaches that seem to go into the neck area at times. I am on topamax, but am now in the process of possibly having to adjust and change dosages as some of the headaches are coming back.

Some other things I do for relief is that I use cool packs on my head and on the back of my neck which gives me temporary relief and I also go to the chiropractor for adjustments monthly (more often if there is a problem).

I hope you get relief soon!

[pudmott]

Hi Tammi,
I have neck pain too and my c3 & c4 are crushed up together all the time. I often get hedaches and my neck gets really tight. I see a chiropract regularly and get a massage when i can. Also i sleep on a chiropractic pillow which moulds to my neck and i can adjust the height to how i need it. It keeps my neck in alignment. i find this pillow much better than a normal one. i very rarely wake up with a sore neck now.

Pud

[Seeker]

Tamik, the chiro, is a real good recommendation.  But do your home work on choosing one.  You also may want to get an inversion table.  It sure does the job for my wife.  She has migraines neck pain and back and knee problems.  10 minutes on the invertion table makes her feel human again.


Seeker

[Pooh]

Tamik,
We have one of those inversion tables and they work great, as long as you don't suffer from veritgo like I do.

That's why I use the traction collar.   Hubby and daughter both have bad backs and swear by the table.  I tried it once and wound up losing my lunch.  

Pooh

[Tamik]

I have tried chiropractors and I totally believe in them!  However, my relief only lasts a day and I can't go back every day  -as much as I would like to! I can literally feel the life flowing back into my head after he adjusts me!   I also tried traction  -feels great when I am in it, but reverts back to the pain when I am out of it.  Inversion and massage both provide very temporary relief  - topomax made my white blood cell counts go way too low and didn't help with the headaches anyway.   I am seeing my functional medicine doc  (internist, orthepedic, naturalpath all rolled into 1) and am going to try prolotherapy on my neck - he is going to inject an irratant (usually sugar water) into my neck joints and that will cause my body to scar and tighten those up which would then hold c3 and c4 in place.  It is a naturalpathic thing... He is very qualified in this approach. Trust me... I checked him out!   I really do not want surgery and am trying to avoid that.  I do wear a collar sometimes, but do not want to wear it too often as I am trying to build up those muscles. I only wear it when my head is way too heavy for my neck to hold up.... and when driving long distances..   I have to do something I wake up with a headache and face pain everyday.  Vicodin is not the answer I want.  I will let you know if the prolotherapy works. Has anyone else tried that?   I do not let any of this stop me though.  I am still working out at the gym - they have an ab machine that supports your head while doing situps!  I find that excercise helps with the pain - releasing those endorphins!  Tried yoga - way too tough on my neck and I could not do that anymore..  I just walk, and do the weight machines.  I am training for a beginner triatholon and applying to a Ph.D. program as well as working 2 jobs (both teaching online) and running kids!   I refuse to give in!   

[Pooh]

Oh my gosh girl, no wonder you hurt.   I get a pain in my neck just reading all your activities. 

If you need a support group, you have come to right place.  GOOD LUCK with all your endeavors, keep us posted. 

Hugs, Pooh

[pudmott]

Wow Tami you go girl. Love your spirit. Don't let this beastie get you down


Pud