Neck pain / lighheaded

If there was no spinning sensation, then the vestibular system is probably not directly involved here.  Sinus problems or diffuse inflammation comes to mind.  The reference to herpes may be relevant.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Thankyou Diffuse inflammation ??

Like i say I'm sceptical of labyrinthitus diagnosis.

How might it be sinus related? Could the red ring on my cheek be relevant - looks to be right in front of maxillary?

How might herpes be relevant ?

I also have a 'clicking sound' in what feels like my right collar bone area - which I have had for several months - when I lift or rotate a certain way it clicks quite loudly - feels like something is snapping over the bone?

Not sure if it's relevant but seem to be clicking a lot in general.

Herpes may cause the said inflammation (reaction of the body to the invasion, with friendly fire against the body)..

The red ring may be relevant, if no one has said yet what it is.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Could be joint related.  An orthopaedic consult is recommended.  It is not serious.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

I have had a course of antibiotics which seem to make no difference. Amoxicillin.

When I get a herpes flare up my rear thighs burn. This happened the last time. It seemed 'different' tho somehow. I had a 1cm ulcer under the foreskin for about 2 weeks. And maybe irrelevant but at the same time a fairly large spot/swelling on the high inner thigh 1-2cm . All of which has now gone but I have a faint mark/blue scar on my inner thigh.

Also it feels like I'm slightly looking at my nose/cheeks - as if I can see them in my field of vision. Could this be because the there is inflammation?

is it possible it's to do with my blood ?

I have read about 'sticky blood' ? Just need some reassurance.

For this you need to ask a GP and get direct answers.  It is difficult from here to give you all the answers as I am not seeing you.  But I tend to deviate away from a specific vestibular problem from the way you describe your symptoms.

But I can reassure you at least that you are not facing a serious health problem.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Is a second opinion possible where you are?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

I'm now on my third GP - what concerns me is I initially led them down the ears route as when I first went with it I said ' I always have trouble with my ears' and was promptly diagnosed with lab. The other two have towed the same line even though I questioned it. That's a why blood tests were ordered. I must confess I didn't mention the herpes as didn't think was relevant at the time.

Just a quick point I had an outbreak of tiny blisters on my hands about two weeks ago which burst and left tiny brown spots - they have since dissapeared and I put it down to stress. I also seem to have some light sensitivity.

You may have mentioned ears, but without vertigo and/or hearing loss as symptoms, I personally do not understand the diagnosis of labyrinthitis.  

Did you go back to the last GP after the blood test results?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

I had a phone consultation where he told me all the blood tests were fine. I explained that I still felt very spaced out and he said give it time because the viral labrinthitus has to work its way out.

I think when I initially went to the doctor I did use the word 'dizzy' when perhaps I should have used disorientated/spacey/lightheaded.

I did say that I had no ear pain or deafness but when he looked and saw the impacted wax he said it's definitely labyrinthitus.

When I went to have my ears microsucktioned - I explained the situation and the guy (private specialist) said he didn't think it was labyrinthitus and that if it was the wax he would expect improvement with 24 hours or so. That was about 4-5 weeks ago. When he took the wax out I felt no different at all and didn't make a difference to my hearing.

To move forward (on their terms), lets give it the time that they expect, but not more than two weeks. 

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology.

Has it been more than two weeks since the phone call?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

It's been exactly one week but I feel exactly the same.

How could the herpes be causing these symptoms?

One week and no change.  Time to call him/her back and tell them this.  If there is a viral cause that was expected to "wash out", it should have washed out by now at least to some extent.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

What would your best guess be?

Thanks for the help.

My opinion is that you do not have labyrinthitis, nor anythning related directly with the vestibular system.

 

If I've had some blood tests - ecg - medication for anxiety what else could be causing me to be so spaced out all the time ?

It's like living in a dream. Very frightening.

If I did have labyrinthitus would the blood tests have shown a viral infection?

Went today blood pressure very high. Could that be my problem??

It could be.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Doctor has also given me 10mg citalopram to try - what do you think?

I would try it for the recommended period, and we can see.  It does no harm in trying.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Considering I've had blood tests (not sure which)

And an ecg.

Is it likely that it's a heart problem or am I just looking for things now?!

I decided not to take the ssri - I feel like if I can do it without I should.

I have managed to get my blood pressure down significantly.

The swelling/bump I can feel in my neck could that be occipital node ? With nothing flagging on bloods test what would this suggest ?

Seeing a private ENT consultant on Monday.

Feelin very down today. I've had two better weeks where I have got my blood pressure and anxiety right down. Still had the constant spaced out feeling at all times.

Saw a consultant ENT two weeks ago who wasn't too concerned but recommended I had inner ear diognostics and calorics which I am waiting for an appointment.

I went out last night for my girlfriends birthday the resteraunt was very busy and noisey and I struggled - I had three pints or beer.

Today the brain fog/spaced out feeling has been much worse and it has totally put me on the back foot.

I still can't help but worry it's something like and anurysm tumour or heart related. I show the ENT the lump I could feel in my neck but he wasn't to concerned. Any advise?

Well this might be a long shot. I have been trying to accept that it might be anxiety so for the last three weeks or so have tried to relax and deal with things that might be causing me stress. So far no difference whatsoever.

I have noticed that upon wakening my eyes are red/bloodshot this appears to be just the part that's visible when eyes are open - ie the top and bottom parts of eyes are clear. Could this point to anything - I'm getting plenty of sleep and the redness clears after 30 mins or so of wakening.