Could This Indicate Vertebral Artery Dissection?
I'm a 27-year-old woman working as a preschool teacher. I occasionally use cannabis, but I don't consume alcohol or engage in any other drug use. Recently, I had an incident that raised concerns about my health. One evening, after taking a hit from my bong (which I mention as it's part of the context), I decided to stretch a bit. While reaching down to pick up a laundry basket full of clothes, I experienced a popping sound in my neck. Almost immediately, I felt a wave of dizziness and quickly made my way to my bed, trying to sit upright. When I adjusted my neck again, I heard another crack, and then the dizziness intensified drastically. I started sweating profusely—my bangs were completely soaked—and I felt almost paralyzed. I considered calling for emergency help, as it felt quite serious, but my phone was out of reach. Thankfully, after a while, the symptoms subsided, although I woke up the next morning with a severe headache on one side of my head. The whole experience lasted around 20 to 30 minutes, during which I struggled to move. My neck has always been prone to cracking, but post-incident, it's become even more noticeable. This episode occurred a couple of months ago, and just a week back, the same thing happened again after another hit from my bong following some yoga practice. Again, I experienced similar unsettling symptoms—once more, my neck cracked, and I was seized by intense vertigo. This time, I sat in my chair for about 20 minutes and sipped some water that was close by, which eventually helped alleviate the symptoms. Additionally, I've been battling a host of unexplained health issues for the last eight years. My history includes recurrent kidney stones (the highest count I've experienced at one time was 12), ovarian cysts, and a notably weak immune system. I’m unsure if these problems could be related to my recent symptoms or pertinent to this situation. While I doubt that the usage of cannabis contributes to this, I’m curious if anyone else has insights on what might be happening or if anyone can offer some suggestions regarding this condition. I'm looking for thoughts or explanations for what's going on with my health.
Answers (1)
3/30/2025, 1:00:41 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’ve been through a concerning experience with episodes of dizziness, neck cracking, and severe headaches. Given your symptoms, it's understandable to be worried, especially regarding the potential for something serious, such as vertebral artery dissection. However, let's clarify a few key points and outline the next steps.
Key Points:
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Symptoms Explanation: The popping sound in your neck followed by dizziness and headaches raises concern, but it's important to note that similar symptoms can stem from various causes, such as muscle strain, cervical spine issues, or even a reaction to strain or stress. Vertebral artery dissection is one possibility, although it's less common.
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Association with Cannabis: While cannabis can affect blood pressure and may have some impact on dizziness or vertigo, it is unlikely to be the sole cause of your symptoms. The connection between your stretching and subsequent symptoms could be more related to neck position or strain.
Next Steps for You:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a daily log of your symptoms, including when they occur, any triggers (like neck movements, stretching, cannabis use), as well as the duration and intensity of dizziness or pain. This can help identify patterns and triggers.
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Neck Care: To alleviate potential strain on your neck:
- Avoid sudden neck movements, especially when stretching or bending.
- Maintain good posture while sitting and standing.
- Consider gentle neck and upper back stretches that do not cause discomfort.
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Hydration and Rest: Staying well-hydrated and ensuring you rest adequately is crucial, especially if you are experiencing headaches or dizziness.
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Evaluate Activity Levels: With your history of kidney stones and ovarian cysts, assess your overall health and physical activity. It may be beneficial to moderate intense exercises and focus on more restorative activities, particularly yoga.
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Seek Professional Evaluation: While you may not want to immediately seek medical help, consider scheduling a visit with a healthcare provider who can conduct a thorough evaluation. Discuss your symptoms, history, and any concerns about your neck and dizziness, as they may suggest imaging or further diagnostic testing to rule out conditions like vertebral artery dissection.
Reassurance:
Understand that while your symptoms are indeed concerning, many people experience similar episodes due to less serious conditions. By taking proactive steps and keeping track of your symptoms, you can better understand what might be going on with your body. Should your symptoms worsen or if new symptoms arise (like fainting, persistent severe headaches, or changes in vision), it’s essential to seek immediate professional help.
Take care, and feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further clarification.
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