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Stiffness In Neck, Back, Dizziness, Vomiting. Blood Test Done. Undergoing Physiotherapy. Prescribed Vertigo Medicine. Advise

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Posted on Mon, 29 Apr 2013
Question: Hi,

For last six days I am suffering from below SYMPTOMS:
1) Slight Stiffness in neck and Back and a feeling as if muscles are being stretched and it feels as if muscles are being pulled from the center of my back.
2) Very mild sweet pain on the back of head when I do some movement.
3) Keep feeling dizzy and a feeling to Vomit every time I feel more dizzy.
4) Slight pressure in my right year since yesterday.
5) Sometimes, I keep feeling tingling numbness in my left hand.
6) Pain is not severe.
7) I can move my head both ways but, feel nauseated when it reaches extremes and pressure in back of head.
8) No Fever.

I did not have any accident. But around 8 days Ago I had felt a sudden lock in my neck when I was Yawning lying in bed, and after few movements it went away.
Then 7 days ago, I thought of restarting Yoga after many months, and did Shirshasana.
One day after that I started feeling dizzy and tightness in my back head and also felt that my shoulder muscles feel slight stiffness.
I went to a hospital, and they gave a painkiller injection and referred me to an Orthopedist.
Next day I went to the Orthopedist and he asked me to get some Physiotherapy sessions.
5 Days back I had my first Physiotherapy session where they gave me some electrical nodes massage, some ultrasound thing, some heat lamp and hand massage.
After the session the symptom became more worse, and I even started feeling pain in my neck, but the Physio had already told me that this would happen after first session.
Next day, I had my second session and thing became worse later that day.
So, I went to the hospital again as I constantly have that tightness and dizzy feeling in the back of my head. they consulted my Ortho, and did a blood test. The Blood Test Reports were normal, and they gave me some medicine for vertigo.
Today I again went to my Ortho and he asked me to continue my Physio sessions.
So, I had them again.

The problem is that, I am still having that feeling of dizziness in my back head, and when I turn my head around, I feel more dizzy.

What should I do in this case? I could handle any pain, but this mysterious feeling doesn't let me do anything properly.

Reports:
1) Fever >> No
2) Blood Test Report:
WBC - 7.95
RBC - 4.93
HGB - 15.1
HCT - 43.6
MCH - 30.6
MCV- 88.4
MCHC- 34.6
PLT- 236
Neutrophils-46.5
Lymphocytes - 44.8
Monocytes-5.7
Eosinophils-2.6
Baseophils-0.4

I am just worried, because of all this dizziness, and the time its taking.

Thanks and Regards,
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (1 hour later)
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us.

Neck pain and dizziness that you are having are suggestive of degenerative spondylottic changes of the cervical spine.
X-ray of neck in lateral view or MRI will help in the diagnosis.
As your dizziness at present is more, I advice you not to do cervical exercises at present.
Use cervical collar which helps in immobilization and brings relief from your dizziness.
I also advice you to avoid using pillow and do hot fomatation. These will help in relieving your acute symptoms.
You can use acetaminophen/ibuprofen and muscle relaxants as advised by your doctor to reduce pain and inflammation and to relax the muscles.
Once your episodes of dizziness decreases, the neck exercises are advised to strengthen the neck muscles and prevent the further episodes of dizziness.

Hope this will helps you. Please do write back if you have any additional concerns.

Wishing you good health...

Regards.
Dr Saurabh Gupta.
Orthopaedic surgeon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (4 hours later)
Hi doctor,

I was applying some gel on my neck and back few minutes back, when I noticed I had little swelling on the back of my neck. I din't feel it ever before. Its not paining, but, its there. Its like the muscles have just swollen in that area. I am not sure whats this thing now.
Meanwhile, the pressure in my head has lowered, but, the ears still feel as if they are slightly closed. Also, I feel little strain in my front head as well.
Please suggest.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (12 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting your query again

Slight swelling over back of neck seems to be due to muscle spasm.
Do not worry about this Continue doing hot fomatation and you can apply muscle relaxant gel to releave the muscle spasm.
As you had said that your ear seems to be blocked and there is slight pressure in your ear, your dizziness seems to be combination of cervical and vestbular (inner ear) problem.
I suggest you to follow the advice given for cervical issue. Beside this I advice you to consult an ENT specialist for ear issue. After examination he or she might suggest you vestibular rehabilitation which include balance exercises.

Hope this will helps you.

Wishing you speedy recovery

Regards
Dr Saurabh Gupta
Orthopaedic surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (45 hours later)
Hi Doctor,

I went to an ENT specialist and he performed some Audiogram test and few other tests, and they all came to be normal. But, still I have this feeling. Though its less now(probably because of the medications he gave to me) but, yesterday it was again the same.

Please suggest

Thanks and Regards,
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (7 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX

If audiogram and other test are normal, then the dizziness is due to cervical issue.
Do not worry about this , it will wean off in few days.
I suggest for the following-
Do not lie flat on your back. Prop yourself up slightly to relieve the spinning sensation.
Move slowly to avoid the risk of falling. Take rest. Resting will help prevent attacks of lightheadedness. Do not drive a motor vehicle, operate equipment, or climb on a ladder while you are dizzy. Do not use substances that can affect your circulation, including caffeine, tobacco, alcohol.
Do not sit for prolonged period of time in stressful postures
Do use firm collars while traveling
Do not lift heavy weights on head or back
Do not turn from your body but turn your body moving your feet first
Do turn to one side while getting up from lying down
Do use firm mattress, thin pillow or butterfly shaped pillow
Do not lie flat on your stomach.

Once your episodes of dizziness decreases,start doing neck exercises to strengthen the neck muscles and prevent the further episodes of dizziness.

Follow these advices, it will definitely helps you.

In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Good luck -- I hope things go well!

Regards
Dr Saurabh Gupta
Orthopaedic surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (48 minutes later)
Thank you for the reply doctor,

Should I insist for more tests to my doctor, just to ward off any abnormalities?

Thanks and Regards,
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (58 minutes later)
Hello,

Go for X-ray of neck in lateral view to see the degenerative spondylottic changes of the cervical spine.

Best Wishes

Regards
Dr Saurabh Gupta
Orthopaedic surgeon
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Saurabh Gupta

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 5930 Questions

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Stiffness In Neck, Back, Dizziness, Vomiting. Blood Test Done. Undergoing Physiotherapy. Prescribed Vertigo Medicine. Advise

Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us.

Neck pain and dizziness that you are having are suggestive of degenerative spondylottic changes of the cervical spine.
X-ray of neck in lateral view or MRI will help in the diagnosis.
As your dizziness at present is more, I advice you not to do cervical exercises at present.
Use cervical collar which helps in immobilization and brings relief from your dizziness.
I also advice you to avoid using pillow and do hot fomatation. These will help in relieving your acute symptoms.
You can use acetaminophen/ibuprofen and muscle relaxants as advised by your doctor to reduce pain and inflammation and to relax the muscles.
Once your episodes of dizziness decreases, the neck exercises are advised to strengthen the neck muscles and prevent the further episodes of dizziness.

Hope this will helps you. Please do write back if you have any additional concerns.

Wishing you good health...

Regards.
Dr Saurabh Gupta.
Orthopaedic surgeon.