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Has anyone been diagnosed with cervicogenic dizziness?

Posted , 11 users are following.

Kikili
Kikili

Can anyone help me understand what causes cervicogenic   dizzines and how to help treat it?  I hav been seeing a chiropractor for four months, but  the dizziness won't go away.  I do have some good days (mostly my days off work).  Does anyone have any advice on things they found helpful in treating this type of dizziness?

0 likes, 31 replies

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  • eleftherio33095
    eleftherio33095 Kikili

    Posted

    Cervicogenic dizziness is a myth and is not believed to exist anymore.  I recommend you see either a neurotologist or an ENT physician with special interest in neurotology to determine the real cause of the dizziness.

    Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

    Clinical Neurophysiologist

    Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • Kikili
      Kikili eleftherio33095

      Posted

      I saw an ent and neurologist, but they were no help. I saw an neurootologist and had vestibular testing done.  I was told I have increased visual dependency and cervicogenic dizziness. My gp had me on valium  and meclizine for 6 months trying to supress my vertigo and dizziness from BPPV, and somehow that  affected my balance, making me feel like I am rocking and bouncing.  I also have dizziness that tends to get worse when my neck is sore or tight, or I touch the top of my scalp. I am doing vetibular therapy that is helping the bouncing to go away, but  I still feel dizzy/naueous.
  • sarah69037
    sarah69037 Kikili

    Posted

    Hi

    i have been suffering with vertigo past year & doctor put it down to labyrinthitis although haven't seen a specialist or had any tests.

    I know when my neck is tight & painful my dizziness & my ears feel worse. My skull & neck feels very sore, tight & cramps up, also my right shoulder cramps up and spasms and the spasms go up my neck & make me dizzy.

    i am a massage therapist & reflexologist and I have been having reflexology past two weeks which I think is helping, also I have been massaging the problem areas myself the last few days and feeling so much better for it, hardly dizzy or sore.

    perhaps a massage with a qualified masseuse could help you & possibly a few sessions of reflexology. 

    • Kikili
      Kikili sarah69037

      Posted

      I have been getting weekly deep tissue/trigger point massages, but they only help for a short time. My rheuatologis started me on steroids a few days ago,but so far I have  not seen any improvement with the pain or dizziness.  The reflexology sounds interesting.  I am going to see if I can find that in my area.
    • sarah69037
      sarah69037 Kikili

      Posted

      Hopefully with time everything will help, Was you given any neck exercises by your gp? My gp gave me a list of exercises to help strengthen my neck which I think has also helped, you can find them online too. Maybe start gently trying to do them.

      Also did you have vestibular rehabilation at all, where a specialist gives you exercises that do make you dizzy but trains your brain to accept it? I'm self learning these due to my gp not really doing much for me & I think my dizziness has improved doing these exercises too. The brainandspine.org.uk has the exercises if you want to take a look, has some interesting things on there.

      Unfortunately it does take time & just need to be patient & take it gently. I've had this problem for a year now & only just feel like I'm beginning to get back to normal so I know how you feel like it's never going to end. Stick with your treatments & try new things to see how they help you. Doctors these days just seem to not care especially with things like dizziness once they know there's nothing serious causing it, so I'm afraid I've found it's more self help that makes you feel better than a doctor can.

    • Kikili
      Kikili sarah69037

      Posted

      My gp didn't give me anything.  My therapist is teaching me ways to stretch my neck to loosen it.  I do gaze stabalization, where I stare at items and move my head back and forth.  It does make me dizzier, but if I don't recover in  minutes, I slow them down.  I also do balance exercises.  I felt like things were getting better, but all of a sudden I feel dizzy/nauseous most of the time.
    • hipchic12
      hipchic12 Kikili

      Posted

      Yeah I have done those gaze and balance tests, I have a few of them and sometimes they did help and sometimes they didn't. Maybe I should get back to doing them again so frustrating and interrupts my daily life dealing with this and I'm sure it does for u too
    • tan_120965
      tan_120965 sarah69037

      Posted

      Hi, Sarah,

      How long do you suffer from neck pain and dizziness? Do you feel better now ? I started with neck pain, muscle spasm on Ist of Mar due to poor posture over the computer over the years, sleeping on tummy, lifting dumbell of 5kg and sit up exercice which may cause it. At firstI suffer the neck pain, headche, sore neck but gradually when all the neck pain subsised, my dizziness continues until now almost one month. there is no issue so much on stabilization because i still can drive myself to work. I went to xray, specialist said that no probelm on the bones structure. I went for massage, acupunture, physio therapy but it show very slow improvement. The dizziness cause interrupt in my life, really frustrating.

  • hipchic12
    hipchic12 Kikili

    Posted

    Hi Kikili, OMG, I was diagnosed with the same thing when I went in to see a chiropractor, and just like you went to the neurologist and had the vestibular testing done. Nothing worked for me. Also, I have on/off days as well, but mostly when I am not in front of the computer I feel much better. I have tried to wear glasses just to see if that would help, but I always feel like I have brain shifts or that my brain is "swimming" so to speak. I never feel right. My dizzy spells have been for 6 years. I am atheletic, work out about 3-4x a week, barely drink or smoke. Can I ask how long this has been going on for you?
    • Kikili
      Kikili hipchic12

      Posted

      I have only had this since October.  I don't know how you have been dealing with this for 6 years.  Tje computer definately makes things worse.  I think that is because of the strain on your neck and back when sitting.  Are you still seeing the chiropractor? 
    • hipchic12
      hipchic12 Kikili

      Posted

      I have had different bouts of dizziness meaning it has definitely varied over the course of 6 yrs, sometimes it's worse sometimes its better. I have gotten all tests under the sun from MRI's to blood work, u name it i have gone thru it... I am currently seeing the chiro again because I sit at a desk job all day so doing the chiro helps relieve my neck and shoulder pain but I don't think my dizziness is related all towards my neck and shoulders being tight, what other things have u been doing to relieve ur dizziness?
    • Kikili
      Kikili hipchic12

      Posted

      My vetibular therapist was a great help last week.  She stretched my neck different ways, and gave me exerises to do at home. She even gives me tricks with household items like shoe strings and tennis balls that I can use to relaxmy neck at home. Last week was a really bad one, dizzy and nauseous most of the week.  After she worked on my neck Monday, I have had very little dizziness this week.  I still feel likr I am bouncing on a trampoline, but that  is easier to handle than non stop diiness.
  • hipchic12
    hipchic12 Kikili

    Posted

    Lately my dizziness has definitely increased using the computer, I'm not on any anxiety meds or any prescriptions at all... on paper I'm completely healthy and everything comes back fine. Doctors haven't ever found out what has caused my dizziness
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