Pain in the Neck and Skull Base
At 28 years old, I experienced a neck adjustment five weeks ago, and since then, my condition has drastically changed. Initially, I dealt with significant nausea, dizziness, and a sense of disorientation that lingered for several days. Following that period, I began to suffer from severe pressure in the back of my head and the base of my skull, which feels like an unrelenting squeeze. Additionally, there’s a constant feeling of pressure in my ears, although doctors have assured me they appear completely normal. My left ear is plagued by ringing and intermittent stabbing sensations, and I often have sharp pain in my neck. When I stand for extended periods, my shoulders and shoulder blades start to burn. The symptoms continue to escalate. I have tried numerous pain medications, yet nothing seemed to alleviate my discomfort until I was prescribed gabapentin in the emergency room. I currently take 200mg three times a day to help ease the pain. Both a CT scan and an MRI have returned with normal results, but I remain in distress without any sign of improvement. A different chiropractor has indicated that my C1 to C3 vertebrae are misaligned and continue to shift, leading to pinched nerves. What kind of treatment options are available for this? I feel as though my concerns are being ignored, and I am not receiving a concrete diagnosis or support.
Answers (1)
6/17/2025, 2:30:56 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about your distressing symptoms and the impact they've had on your daily life. The combination of neck pain, pressure in your head, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and other sensations can be concerning, and it’s understandable to seek more support and clarity.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms could be related to cervical spine issues but may also involve nerve irritation or muscle tension.
- Focus on strategies to manage pain and tension while keeping a close eye on your symptoms.
- Consider ways to rebuild a supportive treatment team that addresses your concerns holistically.
Explanation: Neck adjustments can sometimes lead to various symptoms, especially if there’s underlying muscle tension or nerve involvement. The pressure you feel at the base of your skull and the sensation of pressure in your ears could point to muscular strain or nerve compression. The ringing in your ear and the sharp pain could be associated with nerve irritation in your neck. Normal imaging results suggest that there may not be significant structural issues like fractures or tumors, which is reassuring.
Next Steps:
-
Pain Management: Continue with gabapentin as prescribed, and discuss with your healthcare provider any adjustments in dosage or alternative medications that may further alleviate pain.
-
Physical Therapy (PT): Engage a physical therapist who specializes in neck and spine issues. They can help with exercises that strengthen neck muscles, improve alignment, and potentially relieve pressure on nerves. This should be prioritized, as individualized exercises can enhance recovery.
-
Gentle Stretching and Strengthening: Incorporate gentle neck stretches and shoulder exercises to promote mobility and flexibility. Avoid any movements that provoke pain.
-
Posture Awareness: Pay attention to your posture, especially while sitting or working. Ergonomic adjustments to your workspace may alleviate some of the strain on your neck and shoulders.
-
Mind-Body Techniques: Explore methods such as mindfulness, meditation, or relaxation techniques to help manage the psychological stress that often accompanies chronic pain.
-
Re-evaluate Chiropractic Care: If you consider further chiropractic adjustments, ensure that the chiropractor is experienced with your specific symptoms and combines this with a comprehensive understanding of your medical history.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a symptom diary to track patterns in your pain, tension, and any exacerbating factors. This can provide valuable insights for your healthcare team.
If symptoms escalate or you develop new signs, such as weakness, loss of coordination, or severe headaches, please seek urgent care. Your concerns deserve attention, and finding professionals who listen and validate your experiences is crucial. Remember, recovery can take time, and you are not alone in this journey. If you need further assistance, let me know.
Related Questions
Temporary Numbness Episodes: Seeking Guidance
I am a 34-year-old female, standing 165 cm tall and weighing 87 kg, of mixed White and Black heritage. I have been managing narcolepsy with modafinil for the past twelve years, and I’m also addressing depression with a prescribed medication that I've been on for six weeks. I reside in the UK. I’m in search of some advice regarding recent episodes of numbness. While ChatGPT suggests heading to urgent care, I’d prefer to avoid long wait times and the uncertainty of the visit, especially since I am required to arrange care for my young child, as I am parenting solo tonight. On Tuesday, while grocery shopping, I lifted an item off the shelf and unexpectedly experienced a loss of sensation in both of my arms, accompanied by tingling in my fingers. I could still move them with great effort; it felt akin to having a dead arm after a poor sleep position. This episode lasted approximately 30 seconds to a minute, followed by tension in my shoulders, but there were no other notable symptoms. Fast forward to today (Saturday), while chatting at home, I suddenly felt numbness on one side of my jaw. Despite this sensation, I was still able to continue talking. It reminded me of the feeling one gets after receiving dental anesthesia. Like before, it was momentary and resolved after about a minute. I’m inclined to think that I might be pinching nerves or something similar. Is this condition urgent, or would it be more reasonable to reach out to my GP on Monday for a follow-up examination? 🫠
Navigating Pilonidal Cysts During Pregnancy
A 26-year-old woman has been experiencing reoccurrences of pilonidal cysts. After a period of no issues since the age of 23, she encountered two episodes of flare-ups during her pregnancy, specifically at 33 and 37 weeks along. She is seeking insights and experiences from others who have faced similar challenges. Despite consulting multiple healthcare providers, her previous options were limited until the cysts became extremely painful and required drainage. During both episodes, she was prescribed antibiotics. Although a surgical solution to remove the cysts has been suggested, her current pregnancy timeline makes this impossible at the moment. She is wondering if there are any risks to her baby or herself and is particularly interested in effective strategies for managing her discomfort. Can anyone offer guidance or share similar experiences?
Could My Mother Have Suffered a TIA, or Am I Overreacting?
Greetings, I’m seeking guidance regarding my mother. She is 45 years old, stands 160 cm tall, and weighs 60 kg. Recently, while we were in the kitchen together sharing a meal, things took an unusual turn. After finishing our food, as I was about to head to my room, she unexpectedly positioned herself right in front of me. During that moment, she appeared to be staring into space, immobile, and spoke in a strangely mechanical manner. Her facial expressions were almost non-existent, despite the fact that she has never undergone procedures like Botox. We were able to communicate, albeit with her expressing feelings of weakness and mentioning difficulty in moving her eye. Observing closely, I noticed that her eye remained motionless, and she didn’t blink for the entire time I focused on it. Attempting to assist her to a chair so she could sit down proved challenging; she felt unresponsive, almost like handling a stiff object. While her body wasn’t rigid, there was a distinct lack of movement. Her legs remained fixed in place, showing no sign of activity. Approximately a minute elapsed, which felt like an eternity, before she returned to her usual state. She took a seat and reassured me that she was alright. For a brief moment, her face flushed red; it seemed as though she might have been downplaying her condition despite feeling some panic inside. Eventually, she regained full mobility, her facial expressions returned to normal, and everything appeared to be fine. The concern arises from the fact that since receiving her COVID vaccination (our entire family is vaccinated), she and the family have largely lost faith in medical services. Despite my warnings that this could signify a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and potentially indicate an impending stroke, they remain adamant about not seeking medical help. I am determined to take her to a general practitioner on Monday, but as it is now Saturday at 5 PM here in Germany, I’m unsure how to proceed in the meantime. Would it be advisable to administer aspirin (400 mg) to her orally? I am feeling quite anxious about not taking any action at all.
Ongoing Health Issues Following Syncope and Illness
I’d like to share my current situation. I’m a 23-year-old male who generally maintains a healthy lifestyle—regular physical activity, sufficient sleep, and a nutritious diet. However, three weeks ago, I experienced a significant illness starting on November 19th. I struggled with breathing, faced congestion, and dealt with tightness in my chest. In response, I promptly consulted my physician, who prescribed an inhaler (albuterol), a course of prednisone, and an antibiotic. Although I had a childhood history of asthma, it had previously resolved. Thankfully, my condition started to improve within a few days, allowing me to resume normal activities such as visiting the city and attending a concert. The diagnosis revealed that I was suffering from a viral infection caused by two distinct cold viruses. As my medications came to an end that Sunday, I returned to the gym on November 25th after a week's absence. However, while dining out with my family later that day, I suddenly felt an overwhelming dizziness, weakness, and a ringing sensation in my ears. I fainted for under a minute, and before I knew it, an ambulance was summoned, taking me to the emergency room. Upon evaluation, my blood pressure was alarmingly low. In the past, I have experienced fainting two other times—once after taking a standard dose of NyQuil (where I was later cleared in the ER) and another time post-cannabis use. Each incident ended without lasting issues. The doctors performed blood tests and noted only slightly low sodium levels and an elevated white blood cell count, likely due to my recent illness. Other than that, my results appeared normal, and I was discharged with a recommendation to see a cardiologist. Since then, I’ve consulted a cardiologist who is currently conducting further tests, including monitoring my heart and performing an echocardiogram. I am still awaiting results. My blood pressure has generally remained stable, though it spikes at times, which may be attributed to anxiety in medical settings. The cardiologist advised me to avoid caffeine and refrain from exercise for the time being. Following the fainting incident, I have not felt quite like myself. I experience increased dizziness, heightened light sensitivity, occasional ear ringing, and greater awareness of my heartbeat. I find myself fatigued quickly and experiencing various aches, twitching sensations, and unexplained swelling in my left armpit. Additionally, I have an overwhelming feeling of being out of sorts. Beyond the physical symptoms, I am struggling with significant anxiety. This health scare is novel for me, and it feels like my life has come to a standstill. Since my symptoms persist without improvement, I have scheduled an appointment with my primary care physician this Wednesday, which is the soonest I could get in. I would appreciate any insights or advice regarding my situation. I am doing my best to calm myself during this unsettling time.
Strange Painful Bumps on My Throat Post-Tonsillectomy
Greetings, everyone! I’m a 31-year-old female who underwent a tonsillectomy three months back. About a month following the surgery, I noticed the emergence of some whitish, painful bumps on the left side of my throat. Even now, I still experience discomfort when I try to open my mouth widely, and I’m uncertain whether this is a common occurrence post-surgery. I’m not currently on any medication. I would greatly appreciate any insights regarding what these bumps might be or if I should seek medical attention for them.