Weak neck/heavy head, dizzy/woozy feeling - any thoughts?

Hi davrots,

So sorry for the loss of your dad and your recent Diagnosis.

I was interested to read your symptoms which were very similar to mine before I saw my GP several months ago. I had an x ray on my neck and spine, was seen by a rhuematologist and was told I had early osteoarthritis. I didn't dream of anything like that. I receive physiotherapy and still get all of the symptoms you've mentioned. Because I am stooped over a computer all day my physiotherapist said it was very likely to be caused by poor posture. Lately i've been feeling tired and dizzy, My GP prescribed prochlorpetazine for my dizziness. I get good and bad days. AF can cause weakness and dizziness also. I'm not suggesting that you have OA but it might be worth at least checking it out.

Best wishes

Hi davrots,

I hope you’ve found a solution by now and are doing much better. 

I wanted to write anyways because just about everything you described sounds like you might be dealing with a condition called derealization. It’s becomming more and more common amongst people who experience anxiety. The best way I can describe this is that, when you experience a traumatic event (e.g. your dad passing away -I’m so sorry for your loss by the way) your brain almost detached itself from reality as a defense mechanism because these traumatic situations are too much to handle. I’ve experienced this, particularly when I have a lot of stress and anxiety. It feels almost like you’re walking around in a dream - it’s hard to grasp reality and can (in my experience) give you that woozy feeling, as well as affect your vision (almost like a vignette filter has been put on 24/7.)  

As of right now, derealization isn’t very well known about and so there isn’t exactly a cure, but seeing as it’s caused by stress and anxiety, id suggest doing anything you can to relax. Maybe start doing yoga or meditation, anything to relax your mind and body would be of help.

I hope this helps you or someone else experiencing it. Get well soon!

Hi davrots 81, vertigo wrecked my life for many years, I now experience it just very occasionally but nonetheless, it can still floor me literally. If you’ve had the usual round of guesswork diagnoses, maybe it’s time to ask if your head pain feels as though it’s inside or do you have pain in the skull itself ? If the bones are very painful, it sounds similar to mine which also travelled round to the front of my skull causing really violent headache pain.  I also suffered ear pressure, vision disturbance and anxiety attacks as a result. Initially diagnosed as spondilitis, in fact  I’d got a longstanding whiplash injury  which went unnoticed by a host of doctors and consultants for 9 years. I’d been in more than one minor car prang over the previous years but never had any ill effects so never sought medical attention. Instead, unbeknown to myself, a calcium build up was occurring around the damaged areas of my neck and head which finally resulted in severe life changing vertigo. After every diagnosis and treatment possible, and over such a long period of years, I embarked on a plan to return to see any doctor I could every two weeks to insist on trying the next test, or next expert. Woozy, dizzy, room spinning and continuous uncontrolled vomiting were the norm for me. Have you had neck x rays ? Has anyone checked for extra calcium growth on your neck ? Bones regenerate and try to self repair but the new growth can itself cause more problems, as was my main problem. I had to insist a neck x ray be done, my GP sent me in exasperation I think. I was under a consultant who told me about an extreme course of physiotherapy, where this extra bone could be removed through manipulation. Special neck pillows are helpful at night. And very gentle but regular exercises with low repetitions are enough as long as done regularly, and for life. Unfortunately arthritis is also a major cause of dizziness and vertigo, again it’s important to keep moving your neck but nothing sudden. 

Nerve impingement caused by upper cervical subluxation (misalignment) and irritation of the nerve cord caused by "nerd neck" a straightening of the cervical lordosis (curvature) creates autonomic nervous system dysfunction and issues with the vagus nerve. The rhythms in your body are orchestrated by the rhythm of nerve impulses, when you dent in the instruments the orchestra gets out of key. Afib is a possible consequence of this spinal dysfunction, the same with premature ventricular contractions (heart palpitations). With nerves it's quantity of flow and quality of signal (is the signal sufficient and what is the signal? ). Some doctors will be quick to only attribute this to stress and anxiety without recognizing also the mechanical dysfunction. In your neck muscles there are also sensitive nerve complexes such as the SCM which control the sense of head position, when these are irritated it sends all kinds of errant signals to the brain causing vertigo and dizziness. For thing is eliminate inflammatory things... stress, inflammation causing foods, alcohol, smoking as much as practical. Get a standing desk, keep everything at eye level, get up and walk, don't look down at your phone for prolonged periods and start doing lordosis exercises with a towel (look it up). Vitamin B complex, potassium and magnesium will help nerve function and heart rhythm. Consult a naturopathic doctor for the correct levels. Meditation and yoga will strengthen the parasympathetic nervous system. If you want a quick change think modern allopathic medicine if you want it fixed think holistic and naturopathic.

Hi Davrots81, appreciate this is an old post, but on my searching of my symptoms i found your post. Firstly i hope things have improved for you a year on and life is a little easier. In addition to what you mention i have pins and needles in my hands (like cold ice for blood) and back ache (with neck ache), its been going on since Dec 17 and had various tests yet no answers (stress / anxiety seems to be what most people think)......just wondering if you ever found an answer to your problem and if now cured etc - many thanks Bryan