Suggest Treatment For Headache And Dizziness With History Of Syphilis

Posted on Sat, 30 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 30 Aug 2014 Answered on

Sat, 20 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. Since May of I have had some consistent symptoms. I have had a sore neck on and off headaches often daily as well as sometimes a sense of dizziness. The neck is sore when looking up and down and left and
right. Saw my doctor, he suggested an x ray. Referred to a chiro and then he s been doing treatment for 2 weeks. Not seeing any change and headaches still continue. As an aside, in 2013 I had been diagnosed with syphilis. It was detected in April 2013 but not property treated until XXXXXXX 2013. They tested to ensure that there was no neuro syphyllis. They did a lumbar puncture and it confirmed there was no neuro syphyllis. I did std tests in May and they confirmed there was no issue. I m wondering if I should still be worried about neurosyphyllis. The headaches can be described as feeling like a a tension type headache. The neck pain is daily. I have been going to the gym for the last `15 years. The x ray indicates some degeneration of the neck. I haven't been back to the gym 3 months. I am worried about the headaches are they as sign of something else?

Answered by Dr. Richard Jackson (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

If you have been treated for syphilis and your rpr title is 1:4 or less with negative spinal fluid then you don't have to worry about syphilis. the red flag signs for a dangerous headache are the following:
-systemic signs: fever/chills/cough/diarrhea etc
-neurological signs such as weakness/ numbness tingling/confusion
-new onset headache in someone >50 years old
-onset with maximal pain
-change in pattern from previous headaches

If you have any of these you should see a neurologist. might be a good idea anyways if your headaches are persistent. there are good treatments for all types of headaches. If you think your headaches are truly from muscle them a therapeutic massage would help you more than chiropractors. the one thing to watch out for when treating headaches is rebound headache. a side effect of all pain medicines is headache. alternate use of Tylenol/ibuprofen/alleve/exedrine as these are all different chemicals. use each no more than 3 days a week. they can be used in combination also. hope this helps

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T