| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/20/2008 9:16:21 AM | Hi , here is the basic story I have chronic pain due to a bad back. Anyways when I got diagnosed with the bad back three years ago. I started getting severe headaches that occur at the base of my skull right side. I spent a very long time being ignored by doctors. I had developed a home remedy by using a soft cervical collar which either stops the pain or makes it worse. Anyways a month ago I fell down a flight of stairs and whacked my head and neck real good. Ever since I have now been getting severe neck pain with the headaches and my right eye has been acting very weird.
It started as a eyelid twitch and then became this weird re-occuring spasm behind my eye. It has since continued to get worse to the point where any light burns my eye and moving my eye to look around burns. It has a constant pressure behind it and it feels like there is a film on it. I can't rub it because that causes a spasm behind it and it causes it to burn. Thankfully it doesn't always burn but when it's bad having my right eye open for longer than a couple seconds burns it. I brought this up with my doctor and she thinks it's only because of the fall that my eye is acting up. Other than saying that she wouldn't listen to me. I have looked all over the net for what it could be and have been unable to find anything. If anybody has any idea of what this could be and how to treat it please let me know. I don't want this to be something I just have to live with. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/20/2008 9:41:04 AM | First off, as bad as what it is, I am glad to hear I am not the only clumsy one about. I seem to make a habit of tripping over my feet and at times my shadow too.
I have to ask if you have been referred to an ophthalmologist and/or a neurologist.
Eye pain is NOT normal and this has been ongoing for approx. a month. You really should consult with a specialist.
I would be careful with your use of a cervical collar. They can actually weaken your neck muscles if used for an extended period of time.
Sounds to me like your GP may have missed the courses in Listening Skills 101/102.
Have you considered searching out another that has better communication skills. You are the one living within your body and therefore know when something is not working properly. I would hate to have my concerns brushed off like I did not know what I was talking about.
I would consult with a chiropractor, massage therapist and a physiotherapist and /or occupational therapist regarding the neck pain. It may be that your back problem has caused muscle tightness in turn causing the headaches. Stretching and excercise may add strength to them, thereby relieving the stress.
Sorry to hear that you are in chronic pain. That is not an easy thing to bear. ALL the more reason you need a GP who takes your distresses seriously.
Good luck with this. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/20/2008 10:46:28 AM | Fast solution for neck pain is cold shower, as cold as you can get it, the longer you are exposed to the water the less you will have. You can try acupuncture or you can get some spiritual healing done, yes it does work. You can go to http://www.freehealing.com/ they will do free spiritual healing for you or you can take free course near your area if available. All it takes is a few minutes to fill out a form for healing request. They will start a healing session within 24 hours usually. I have been getting these healing sessions, so I do know it does work.
Avoid eating cold food and cold water, it will make your back problem worse. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/20/2008 10:51:23 AM | I agree with just about everything Malley says! Except DONOT go to a chiropractor until you talk to a neurologist.
It sounds as if you have some nerve inflammation/damage. Your GP probably didn't do much since you weren't displaying other symptoms other then pain and assumed it was whiplash or strain. He should have definitely listened to you more non the less. You should have gone to a second opinion.
You need to go to a doctor as what you are referring to could be some serious problems that will just worsen. The area you are talking about is a very serious area of the brain you really shouldn't wait on or play with. It would be better to find it is just slight inflammation from a pinched nerve that can be solved with some anti-inflammatories then slow deterioration and inflammation of the optical nerve or something that could result in hemorrhage, loss of sight, or even stoke . Either way you need to be diagnosed. There are tons of things this could be. Until you know, you wont be able to find ways to treat the pain and symptoms you have.
Screw your doctor go to optomitrist/opthalmologist, they will most likely take what is going on more seriously. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/20/2008 11:53:07 AM |
Except DONOT go to a chiropractor until you talk to a neurologist.
You may be correct regarding this.
I find chiropractors to be extremely thorough and quite readily admit when something is outside their realm of healing.
I see one on a fairly regular basis and find that the neck stretching/tugging (technical term  ) performed on me offers relief for my headaches.
I am in no way trying to offer a diagnosis or prognosis for the OP, simply suggestions of what routes I would take.
I do agree , I would see a neurologist and eye specialist first . | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/20/2008 12:18:57 PM | I went to a chiropractor for my back about 4 months after I was diagnosed with my chronic bad back. Which Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis (grade2) which has caused bi lateral foraminal stenosis. In laymans terms is the nerves to my legs are pinched. The chiropractors work on my bad back greatly worsened my condition to the point where I spent most of 2006 bed ridden in too much pain to function. So I don't know whether I just experienced a bad Chiro but I am none the less very hesistant to go see another one.
I do appreciate the idea about a cold shower. But cold doesn't work for me. Spondylosis (osteoarthritis of the spine) in my back doesn't do cold at all. The biggest problem with the eye is that I don't know if I'm going to lose my sight. I had hoped my doctor would ease that fear but she didn't.
I think part of the reason it wasn't addressed last time I saw her was because I went with the agenda of having my pain level reduced. She has always refused to give me anything other than Celebrex. So I have been toughing it out for three years now. The eye trouble really stresses me out and I decided I needed her to give me medication to at least help me sleep. Because of pain and muscle spasms until the past two weeks I was never sleeping more than two to three hours a night for the past three years and that's no joke. The sleeping medication works like a charm and the pain medication that she gave for the day does help a bit. But I kept on saying my eye is freaking me out but she just wouldn't cave and do anything. I see her again on Tuesday and will bring it up again.
I like the idea of saying screw the doctor and just finding a eye doctor. But it doesn't work that way here in Canada. And finding a new doctor is very difficult and it's at least a six month wait to be reffered to a neurologist. I thank you guys for your help and suggestions I do appreciate. I just wish I knew what was causing the eye problem so I could get some relief. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/20/2008 1:39:40 PM |
I like the idea of saying screw the doctor and just finding a eye doctor. But it doesn't work that way here in Canada
First off, I am in Canada as well, just a little farther east than yourself.
Yes, indeed you do need a referral to se a specialist, but the six months will pass whether you persue this or not.
However, for every system that is in place, there is usually a way around it.
If you go to your local emergency room, explaining your condition appears to have worsened, you may be able to see whichever neurologist and/or ophthalmologist that is on call at that time.
I did this with the child of a friend of mine, who was in dire need of pediatric psychiatrist.
He did something while in my care and I trotted him off to the closest emerg.
He was seen immediately for a consult, and the 2 year wait was suddenly shortened to less than 2 weeks.
My point is find a way to make the system work to your benefit.
Surely, finding a new GP in a major city is not that big of an issue.
Check with the local med school and find out if any recent grads have opened up their own practices.
They would welcome the new patients and you have the benefit of someone who has learned the most up to date diagnostic skills.
This is can more beneficial at times then experience.
They as well would not be so rushed for time and be able to listen to your history and accumulation of ailments.
A bit of advice. Write down any questions and concerns you have prior to seeing a doctor.
Sometimes in the rush we tend to forget all of the reasons we went.
BTW when you go to you Tuesday appointment, don't ask, rather tell her you want a referral.
I have returned to my GP after a specialist appointment and requested a referral to a different one. You have to be comfortable and trust whoever you are seeing. It is after all your body. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/24/2008 5:48:43 PM | I used to suffer severe headaches and eye trouble so I visited an opticians who said I needed glasses.
Funny that?
I went to see my doctor a few weeks later (I didn't get the glasses!) and he said I was suffering from stress!
I took the drugs he gave me, and the pains all floated away. The only trouble was that people could shout and scream directly in my face and I'd just smile and then start laughing. (I think I became over-placid!)  | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/26/2008 1:41:31 PM |
I went to a chiropractor for my back about 4 months after I was diagnosed with my chronic bad back. Which Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis (grade2) which has caused bi lateral foraminal stenosis. In laymans terms is the nerves to my legs are pinched. The chiropractors work on my bad back greatly worsened my condition to the point where I spent most of 2006 bed ridden in too much pain to function. So I don't know whether I just experienced a bad Chiro but I am none the less very hesistant to go see another one.
Wow, I am starting to understand now how the medical industry is a bit screwed up there in Canada! Not that it can be any better here! Firstly I have rarely seen a chiropractor actually diagnose these issues. This is something an orthopedics or regular doctor should diagnose, not a chiropractor ..... He also shouldn't be manipulating your back if you have DLS even at a grade 2 which isnt really that bad. Stenosis usually is more a symptom or side effect from DLS. It doesn't necessarily mean you have sciatica or pinched damaged nerves in your sciatic area in your lumbar quadrant but you are at high risk for it. Your symptoms seem more congruent for pinches elsewhere in your back not really your sciatic area. It is bizarre they are putting you on Celebrex. That isn't really for pain more for lowering inflammation. It is usually not prescribed to someone in your condition unless you have rheumatoid or osteoarthritis....I can see why they prescribed it as it may help with inflammation from pinches and bone degradation but you should also be taking pain meds with it since it really isn't much of a pain killer. I find Celebrex can cause stomach problems so it is hard to take with pain meds. However you can take what we call the****ail. Take Ibprophen then a few hours later take tylonol, then after a few hours you can take ibprophen again. Keep fluctuating but don't go past the dosage on the bottles or go over 800-1000 milligrams of ibprophen in one setting. The mixture has been known to help quite a bit for those in pain with nothing else to take. However be careful they are taxing to your stomach and liver but not any worse then say a benzo.
Again I am not a doctor but am in the field, I am in no way diagnosing anything and that is for a specialist to decide, one who actually specializes in problems you are having. You might be able to go to a physical therapist for your DLS but I am not sure how the system in Canada works. All the advice given in the this entire thread is all very good advice! | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/26/2008 4:05:49 PM | It was a Ortho who diagnosed me. He sent me to a very crappy physio for six weeks and they were of no help. The pinching is bad enough that the Ortho advised me that I am a candidate for a lumbar fusion. But the Ortho also advised me a two level fusion would disable me and he thought I was too young for that. I was 29 at the time. I have seen the MRI scans and it indicates a bad case of Bi lateral Foraminal Stenosis at L5 caused by the Anterolisthesis. The pinching is worse to the left leg over the right. Along with Moderate Spondylosis (osteoarthritis of the spine) from L4 through S1. That's the explanation for the Celebrex. The Chiro caused L4 to rupture which it hadn't prior to seeing him. Which explains the increase in pain. I haven't had luck with physio because they don't know what to do about the range of problems. My headaches act up with very little provocation so it makes core strengthening hard to do when I have to stop because of a headache. My doctor is clueless to the cause of the headaches although through research I exactly match the symptoms of Occipital Neuralgia. Which is a pinched nerve at the base of the skull. I'm most likely to have it because of several head and neck injuries as a child and teenager.
I have since seen my doctor and she has given me Baclofen and Clonazepam. My left leg muscles twitch non stop all the way to my foot. It prevents me from sleeping. So the Clonazepam was prescribed for that. The Baclofen has been a minor help to control the muscle spasms.
I can function with the back. But the headaches stop me in my tracks and I have been having the weird eye trouble that my doctor has no idea what it could be. Although the pain and pressure and light sensitivity all match a symptom of Occipital Neuralgia.
Thanks for the advice. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/26/2008 4:45:01 PM | 1) Did you realize words 9 and 10 in your first sentence are chronic pain ? -- Why haven't you seen a specialist yet and truly get your pain accurately rated and treated?
2) Google Med-x Machines -- drx 9000 -- meant to strengthen weak necks like yours through a carefully designed protocol
3) Day before you start that start taking endothil from endothil.com -- it was designed just for this and is one of your best chances of non medicinal long term improvement as far as I am concerned.
4) Start writing letters to their doctors heads and the board of medicine. Head of the clinic -- get yourself noticed.
5) Your 'clumsiness' could be MS. I'd ask the neurologist straight out " Do I have MS? " because its odds are far far higher the more you go north into colder regions. Could explain the eye too. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/26/2008 10:56:27 PM | | Chiropractors that do the rough adjustments can make problems worse. I am a chiropractor. I'm a non-force upper cervical specialist. I have heard there was a feature on my style on Good Morning America 2 days ago. I missed it. The problem with chiropractic is chiropractors. The problem with medicine is medical doctors. A good one can help you a lot and a bad one can really screw you up. If you have high speed internet; go to www.nucca.org. you can watch a 20 minute video, and decide for yourself. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/27/2008 2:43:43 AM | The clumsiness is caused by the nerve compression to the L5 nerve. The whole nerve path is irritated so it causes poor balance. Because your leg isn't meant to have the muscles spasming constantly. So from time to time they'll clench which is quite painful and it has unfortuneatly happened as I was on the stairs.
I have been to Chronic Pain management. I learned a lot about occupational therapy and how to pace things. Their Physio program hurt more than helped. They deal with all sorts of chronic pain and they had very little core strengthening. About half of their exercises would cause sciatica pain.
I by no means will be advertising that I want a fusion surgery. If I can get anything to take the edge off that would be more than satisfactory. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/27/2008 10:59:12 PM | I dunno how it is in CA but here in USA you have the right to A) Have your pain properly assessed and B) Treatment of pain
Chronic pain is on the rise on almost epidemic proportions. Some think it is because of the lack of proper pain control in the beginning. I think it may be they just finally begun to listen to patients rather than let so many go unhelped and end up committing suicide.
A) is usually just a number questionaire. 0 -10 scores
Believe me I know firsthand how physio can hurt more than help -- it is not an exact science which is why I say google the drx 9000 -- it is significantly more advanced.
You are so belted and tied and constricted into a med-x machine that only the short muscles between the vertabrae are isolated -- thus strengthened. It has had very good success. Listen to me -- Find the machines in your area.
PS -- they measure your strength first so they know safely where to start.
Opiods are not the problem. The truth is, and I have read loads of doctors literature including the latest two issues of the Journal of Pain Management today at my hospital's library, and addiction among people on pain meds is the same percentage rate as those who do not use pain meds. This means it is not the meds that cause addiction -- it is the MINDSET of the individual PRIOR to the introduction to the meds.
In clear english: A person who wants to be addicted will be whether or not a dr prescribes them anything. PERIOD. FACT. END OF DISCUSSION.
Opiods are finally being held to the same standard every other treatment is -- the pros MUST outweigh the benefits. It's just that simple -- statistics.
So what I am telling you is to get your butt back into a pain program that prescribes -- Your eye trouble could just be stress and with some proper pain relief and sleep may well go away on its own.
Either way you deserve to be treated like a human being and have proper pain relief. Fight for it -- best to bring family with you. Doesn't hurt to discretely record the session, either.
We even eliminate the suffering of animals! Doesn't that say something about how we should treat our fellow person as well? | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/28/2008 11:12:41 AM | It was a Ortho who diagnosed me. He sent me to a very crappy physio for six weeks and they were of no help. .......
I can function with the back. But the headaches stop me in my tracks and I have been having the weird eye trouble that my doctor has no idea what it could be. Although the pain and pressure and light sensitivity all match a symptom of Occipital Neuralgia.
I wasn't under this impression from prior posts. There is one thing I will say. Firstly, don't always assume stenosis is the cause of pinching. This is more a structural problem that can lead to pinching and inflammation. When you have a structural problem everything you do will be effected due to this and it can create anything from nerve inflammation to muscle atrophy in certain areas. Many of the things you are talking about are for a doctor to diagnose as far as what are pinches, what are irritations and what aren't. I don't know what you mean by chiropractor rupturing something? You mean a disc? I will hand it to you, you have done your research but you are over thinking alot of this. The body is pretty miraculous and can adapt to many things including structural problems and bone degeneration. Doing research is fine and dandy but until you are in the field and see people day in and day out you realize how rare real problems are. Many many minor irritations mimic serious conditions. It is one of the problems with too much information on the web, it can make you over think many things and create paranoia.
Are you overweight? Do you drink enough water? Do you get enough minerals? All these factors are huge when it comes to back problems. Most of your problems seem to be environmental. Things are worsening for good reason, you don't form stenosis/anterolisthesis, you get it after a long period of your spine being in a bad position not just injury but from posture, over exertion etc., as a whole. I have no doubt you are in pain, however pain is a really good thing sometimes. It shows you there is something wrong and is telling you to stop doing things to hurt that bodypart. Using a tens unit and pain meds slow the pain reaction, but maybe it is trying to warn you of something you need to change. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/28/2008 11:15:05 AM | "Question: 50% of all doctors graduated in the bottom half of their class. What do you call them?
Answer: Doctors"
This is funny! SO TRUE! I whole heartedly agree with you ericasdad! It is unfortunate many professionals skew the name of the industries we so readily rely on from doctors, to chiropractors, to nutritionists, even psychiatrists. But usually it isn't the field that is bad, just some of the population in the field. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/28/2008 3:05:36 PM | I didn't want this discussion to be about my back. I'm quite used to it. The point of the thread was the fact that the headaches and neck pain in conjuction with the eye trouble have been very stressful.
I know what caused the Anterolisthesis it was a car accident at age seven. I was hit and thrown and landed on my left side. It wasn't diagnosed at the due to the fact that I had a third grade concussion. So it was overlooked. The Ortho seemed convinced that my condition was trauma enduced. And when I mentioned a car accident he thought that's most likely the culprit. I know that it's the twisted disc (Anterolisthesis) that is compressing the L5. I also know that the bodies protect the disc from further slippage by producing Osteophytes (bone spurs) which further clog the Neura Foramina. One of the ways to keep sane is to do research because if left up to doctors I'd be in the dark with no idea of what's wrong. Research has been a absolute comfort. Significant nerve compression are the words the Ortho used when describing my Anterolisthesis. I don't rhumenate about pain. I don't like talking about it. I have changed my life in accordance with what my limitations are. Including getting a ESL teaching license. I still maintain a sense of humour and make a point to provide support for those less fortunate than me.
I drink tons of water. Maybe more than I should. Tens at this time enduce sciatica pain which make my leg shakes so harshly I can't do it. I own a portable one that I can't use. The pain has been about the same for three years. This isn't a overnight thing. I know inactivity means increased pain which means more inactivity. So I try to be active within what I can handle. At my most I was 5'9 almost 230. I have since gotten down to 180. The Ortho said he'd take care of me when I stop feeling pain. My biggest problem has been my lack of complaining.
I was thinking of printing out the symptoms of Occipital Neuralgia and handing them to my doctor and demanding treatment. Because it exactly matches what I go through. So I have booked another appointment to do that. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 3/29/2008 8:51:44 PM | | My had really bad headaces she got glasses but that didnt help. At the local health clinic they told her she was having migranes. She got really bad so i to her to the emergcy room at an hosipal that had a cat scan machine. We found out she had a brain tumor and a mass on her lung. Lung Caner. The tumor was the size of an large orange she had it remove a week later she is doing real good no head aches and now she is getting radiation treatment. After that she will have the mass on her lung removed. Everthing looks good. Anyway i think i would have a cat scan done on your brain make sure everything up there is ok. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 4/7/2008 7:44:05 AM | | Well I am going to be refered to a Opthamologist for my eye trouble. Because I met a local Opthamalogist here on POF. I listed the trouble I am having with my eyes and she said I should absolutely be referred to see a Opthamalogist. So I see my doctor on Monday for that referral. I printed out her email and will hand it to my doctor. It cuts out the step of having to go to a Optometrist. | |
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| Severe headaches and eye trouble that I think are caused by my neck.
Posted: 4/7/2008 8:36:15 AM | | are you on any blood thinners? sounds like you spent a lot of time in bed due to your pain. you are at a higher risk for blood clots...i would get CT scan and MRI of your brain...make sure it's not an anuerism pushing on your optic nerve! don't want to freak you out, but it's always a possibility. hope you figure this all out and get a good doc to listen. | |
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