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Vertigo and tight neck muscles

Posted , 19 users are following.

billandted
billandted

A few weeks ago my neck muscles became tight for no obvious reason. I didnt think anything of it and though it would just go away but it got worse and upper back muscles became tight also.

A few weeks of this and suddenly one day when I laid on my back to do some physio on my neck everything started spinning. I now have a constant off balance feeling even when still and I can make the spinning occur again when I lay my head down or sit up from laying down. It seems to be worse If I lay on my left side.  

This cant be just a coincidence ive never had either of these things before, can neck muscle tightness cause this vertigo?

 

0 likes, 47 replies

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  • diannalynn
    diannalynn billandted

    Posted

    Yes it can - it's called cervicogenic vertigo. Geez, did it happen with a physiotherapist or were you doing physio on yourself? Curious cause the dr. just referred me to physio. to treat it. On top of everything else - one dr. opinion and a regular GP in the last 2 weeks - I was just told me that's what I have. I have been dx with BBPV before and labyrinthitis - could help you and myself with that but with this - I don't know what to do especially when the Dr's say to me sorry there is nothing they can do for me.

  • marie43202
    marie43202 billandted

    Posted

    I have extremely tight neck muscles and this in turn has caused terrible, daily headaches. Those were my first symptoms, then came the dizziness/vertigo. I have now suffered from this for over a year, and am now just seeing improvement. Had I seen the right doctors/therapy from the get go, I don't think I would have suffered so long. But that is the problem, dizziness can be caused from so many things and it becomes a long journey of trial and error of drugs/therapy, etc. Ultimately, for me, it appears that a combination of nerve block injections for my headaches, physiotherapy of the neck muscles (and I don't mean physiotherapy where the therapist hands you a list of exercises to do at home, I mean the type of therapy where they actually work on you, deep muscle massage), and mind-body awareness exercises. I am also trying out Bowen therapy. Not sure how/why I started with these symptoms but have ruled most things out and believe the root cause for me, is stress. I hope this resolves soon for you as you can drive yourself crazy with, "is it this? is it that?" eek. 

  • eleftherio33095
    eleftherio33095 billandted

    Posted

    To simplify things, you are reporting episodes of vertigo triggered by head movements.  You need to be examined clinically by an ENT physician, preferably one with an interest in neurotology.

    Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

    Clinical Neurophysiologist

    Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • diannalynn
      diannalynn eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Thanks for your advice - I will investigate that specialty in my area - I saw an ENT and he said sorry nothing he can do - try physio. I doubt I will be able to get referred to another specialist since it's very difficult to get anything where I live. I can't even get a CT ordered. Going to try physio and hope for the best 😆

    • patricia62583
      patricia62583 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      hi, firstly i was impressed with your response. I would like some advice if you may,

      I fell 2+ years ago and after falling later in the same day was suffering from headache and sickness, was diagnosed with concussion and whiplash told should be ok in 6 weeks. since I have servere headache and dizziness constantly, plus i fall alot and faint/blackouts i dont remember what has happened upon regaining consiousness.ive had mulitple x rays, mri,and scans only thing that came back was i had white foci matters! but nothing to worry about? and small annular tears at L3-4 and L4-5 with minimal posterior bulging of the discs but with no significant disc herniations. yet i still have lower back pain and numbness in the legs.

      I have fallen so many times i can not exspress my concerns. the falls and blackouts are happening more and recently the last few falls  i got injuries, one i fractured my elmbow the other i have a neck and shoulder injury im awaiting treatment this was in october. ive been refered to a ENT consultant and i had a balance test done that i have BPPV- whiplash this was from the man that did the test, he told me to do the exercises which are for 10days only then stop! im to see my consultant in january 2017. I explained i have already been doing these exercises for over 18months what is 10 days going to do! i still have to see my consultant. my neurologist had diagnosed me with post traumatic vertigo and p/t migraine ive been on anti depressents and other migraine pain killer but nothing works im currently on 300mg lyrica and naproxen. Im not able to work and this is getting tiring.  my question!

      Is this going to stop?

      or

      will i be cured?

      or

      Will i have to be managed throughout my life?

      plus what is really wrong? or is it me I can not beleive this is normal to be left in limbo to what needs answers.

      I look forward to hear from you.

      kind regards

    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 patricia62583

      Posted

      Thank you.  I would like to fill in some gaps if I may.  There is mention of whiplash.  Did you have an accident involving acceleration/deceleration, not necessarily a car accident?

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • patricia62583
      patricia62583 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Thank you for responding I fell, Slipped on decking falling on my back With arms out stretched hitting my head. Do not remember how I got up but do rember the fall. Three hours later being sick and a head ache so said awake for 9 hours as you do with a child then went to bed. Could not see straight or walk without holding onto the wall, sick as room was spinning then I went to the hospital. Been down hill ever since. Hope this helps

       thanks

      pat

    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 patricia62583

      Posted

      If your dizziness is not specifically caused/triggered by changes in head position, then BPPV is not the main cause of your problem. Let me know if this is the case.

      If the above is true, and BPPV is not your main problem, then the previous trauma has had some effect on your balance system (vestibular), which appears to be long term, but not necessarily having to have you have the symptoms.  Has vestibular rehabilitation been discussed?  I am assuming that the exercises that they gave you to do (mentioned in your description) were specific to BPPV and not VR.

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • patricia62583
      patricia62583 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Hi,

      The Ent man said i had BPPV with head movement but he was refering me to the neurologist aswell as the ENT. the exercises were for BPPV plus I have had phsyio for the neck and head for 18 months all is still the same I have had both.its not improving, Its like walking on sponge. with the head i have a  feeling of a cap from the crown to the neck if feels tights and numbness at times giving constant pain and imbalance i zone in and out like a fuzz in a scene. I forget what i was talking about and what i was doing at the time. from the head and neck i struggle to sit this gives me pain in the middle of spine to shoulder blades and burns at presure points. yet I have nothing?

      they checked if its my heart and good news im perfectly healthy in that area. Im not a sickly person and never went to the doctors until i had the fall. yes large in weight but never had issues until now. blood presure is all good.

      im confused to what is the true cause.

    • patricia62583
      patricia62583 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Hi,

      I have just checked I have had vestibular phsyio training for 6 months and they discharged me as there was nothing more to be done. They were impressed that did all requirements but it did not cure the issues I had 2 phsyio and 1 was a specialist in this area.

      hope this helps

    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 patricia62583

      Posted

      With no hearing loss, that rules out labyrinthine concussion.

      You mention buzzing in the left ear.  Endolymphatic hydrops can result after trauma sometimes, leading to symptoms similar to Meniere's disease.  Have you had an audiogram done?

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • patricia62583
      patricia62583 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      hi im not certain i had hearing test done they said that was normal also had air blown in both ears there was a fluctuation on the right ear but nothing worring thats what was said, i had the test with the ENT man with eye  goggles / balance machine and he said my balance was shocking and that  i had BPPV that he could see something going on but nothing to worry about he will refer back to ENT also Neurologist. this is where im at todate.
    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 patricia62583

      Posted

      If we assume that you had the audiogram and it was normal, then we can rule out endolymphatic hydrops, and perhaps also perilymphatic fistula.

      I therefore come back to the white spots found on MRI.  As published by more good friend Adolfo Bronstein based in London:

      "Increased severity of (white matter hyperintensities) in cases of unexplained dizziness suggests that such abnormalities are likely contributory to the development of dizziness. WM lesions may induce dizziness either because patients perceive a degree of objective unsteadiness or by a disconnection syndrome involving vestibular or locomotor areas of the brain"

      If you wish, I can contact your doctor and discuss this with him.  You can send me the contact details privately to me.

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • patricia62583
      patricia62583 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Thank you.

      I have an appointment with ENT and Neurologist in mid January I will speak with them with the results to the ENT area. once ive been i will contact you for you to speak with them.

      i  really apprieciated your help

      be intouch soon thank you

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