Inner ear and neck problems? Dizzy/balance issues.
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi all. Long story short, my doctor thinks I have an inner ear disorder and I'm seeing an ENT in a few weeks. No major symptoms just feeling off balance but not to the point that I'll fall. Trouble walking in the dark and open spaces, and can't sleep on my left side. Has anyone that's had an inner ear problem also experienced neck problems? Shortly after getting the balance issue I've had sensations in my scalp that sometimes make me dizzy. At first I was told it was chronic sinusitis (since I do have that) but lately I've noticed it's been coming from my neck, too. I raise my eyebrows and feel a pull feeling in my scalp, or like something is moving. It's worse if I hold my head down or to the side. Sometimes things as simple as brushing my hair or scratching my head will trigger it as well. I found a post that said often people have both an inner ear problem and neck problem at the same time. Has anyone experienced this? Thanks all.
0 likes, 7 replies
becky43723 sky87001
Posted
I have been having vertigo and dizziness (and there is a difference) now since around 2007. I've seen the ENT, Neurologist, PCP, Chiropractor, a balance specialist, and a PT. The ENT did tests on my eyes and inner ear (as did the balance specialist), the PT did the Epley Manuever in case it was BPPV, the Neurologist sent me to the ENT and PT for the testing. I finally have been given the dx of Vestibular Migraines. No headache but vertigo instead. The only thing that really helps me when I have a very bad case of vertigo is a chiropractic adjustment. The fact that the adjustment helps me led me to the dx of VM. If I sleep wrong it can bring on a week of vertigo. The longest attack last about 7 days. I go to my chiropractor 2 x a month, more if I'm having a problem. The sooner I get to the chiro the better. Right now I've been to the chiro 4 times in the last two weeks. I work at a computer all day so that posture doesn't help either. Right now I'm having a problem with my right shoulder. My chiro tells me that the only thing he's doing for me is putting movement back in my spine. I just know the adjustments are the only thing that gives me relief.
hmoosey becky43723
Posted
hi becky. i have vestibular migraines too. its been 2 years since the nightmare began. i was so ill, i thought i was dying. i was hospitilized 2x- both times misdiagnosed. i was presenting as a stroke victim. the hospitals did all the big tests. first dx BPPV. second, vestibular nueritis. i was sent to a nuerologist and ENT. the nuerologist was horrible ans said i just may be disabled forever. thats it. no trying to help me. i had to help myself. the ENT was so nice and concerned. based on catscans i had no issues with my bones in my ears. anyway- i was always dizzy. always confused. waiting for the next debilitating episode of vertigo which would last for days and put me in the hospital. i started to remember certain things about having terrible headaches, trouble with noise and light. so many other signs that pointed to VM- i asked my ENT to prescribe a medication to help. i was given norotryptiline. within one day- i said to my husband. i feel like me. my ENT- told me we were going outside her expertise and made me an appointment with the doctor who has saved me. Otolaryngologist -otherwise known an nuero-otology. He has been treating me since. increasing the norotryptiline slowly. i have my life back. work, travel, anything i want to do. i recognize my symptoms now. i recognize when i have a migraine coming. i have silent ones. my right hand goes numb, i get sick, sometimes dizzy. sometimes i pee every 5 minutes. i take meds to try to stop it. the brain fog is gone. i had seen a chiropracter when i was misdiagnosed. it didnt help. what does help is the medication. i will soon be tapering down. look up a dizzy clinic and an ear nose and throat hospital near you. most other doctors get this wrong. you have half the battle, you know you have VM. you can get rid of all these debilitating symptoms with the right meds, the right diet, and learning your triggers. good luck.
rocksolid sky87001
Posted
Have you looked up Occipital Neurolgia? People with it have pain and discomfort in their scalp most of the time. Does your neck feel tight when you turn it left and right at the base of your neck? It sounds like this could be your issue. there is a group on Facebook you could join to get more info about it.
sky87001 rocksolid
Posted
Thank you. Yes, I have looked it up. Seems to be the only possible explanation. But I don't feel tightness at the bottom of my neck when I turn my head. But sometimes I feel a pull feeling there when I move my head. Never experienced head pain though. Does it sound like it could still be occipital neuralgia to you? My bottom two is either that or vestibular migraines. Occipital neuralgia makes more sense to me though.
rocksolid sky87001
Posted
It could be. Go to Facebook and find the occipital neuralgia group and join it. People will be able to offer more advice.
Sgt.lindalee sky87001
Posted
Hi Sky, Having chronic sinus issues can make certain ear problems more likely, such as inflammation, infections & etc...or it can be some other inner ear workings causing this. So there are a few things the ENT will check, he can see in there and actually examine you, to see what may or may not trigger the vertigo & may want more scans to get a dx...BPPV is a common finding, esp. with your hx (it has to do with crystals in your inner ear end up in the wrong place...there are 4 types of positional movements that can help move them back where they belong, most common is the Epley, your Dr can show you how, due to your neck pain I would not advise just trying on your own, yet), it can take a while but, most people have a full recovery ...sometimes vertigo goes away on its own...its common for people with ear issues to start experiencing neck problems...it can be from sleeping in different positions/moving your head using neck muscles more than normal because of pain & etc....it can be related to tension(tingling/crawly/tight feeling in scalp & aches, knots, tightness & etc...in your muscles from your neck, even into your shoulders) heat & massage can help a lot...physiotherapy can help with vertigo & neck issues, too...There are a few different sources of neck pain too that can be unrelated to your ears so it is important to look into that with your DR...You will get a lot of different advice, it is up to YOU, to make an informed decision, with the help of your DR, depending on your diagnosis
IMO..I don't advise chiropractic, EVER in the neck(nor does my DR, even though he uses it for low back pain) esp w/o seeing a DR & having xrays first, if someone were to have osteoporosis, pinched nerves, etc...it would be ill advised to have this done...some people swear by it but, aligning the bones is a temporary fix, some people do get pain relief but, whatever caused them to be that way, will keep recurring...if it is used with strengthening exercises for the supporting muscles, THAT may have some longer lasting effect but, like I said not the neck, & if its not an alignment issue it wont help at all...There are plenty of opinions but, YOURS is the only one that matters & YOU do what is best for YOU...Good Luck, hopefully you get this all sorted out...keep reading as there are lots of options & support, try not to get overwhelmed, see your ENT, get ALL your questions answered & go from there!!BEST WISHES💒🎶🌈🍀☮♾🐾
lana07880 sky87001
Edited
I had vertigo couple of years ago, couldn't sleep on a pillow because of pain. The neurologist recommended a cervical spine MRI and discovered I had discopathy - a disc was touching a bit on my spine nerves. I got bad left ear pain, pain behind the left eye and sensitive face and scalp on my left side. I did 10 physioteraphy sessions with short waves, ultrasounds and electrodes, and 9 months of kinetotherapy. Vertigo and pain resided in the first moneth and I started feeling fully restored after 6 months. You could try that instead of chyro. Most doctors won't recognize the effect your neck has on your head like ears, face and eyes. Oh, and I also see blurry with my left eye in the distance although all my life I had perfect sight. My dad has the same problem and his cervical spine is pretty messed up too. He recently got vertigo and the Traumatology doctor recommended the same procedures as I did.
Chiropractice offers temporar relief, but I really do believe that physiotherapy 2 times a year and weekly cervical exercises are the best solution for cervical spine issues. I also heard about prolotherapy, maybe you want to check that out.