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Suggest Treatment For Pain And Pressure In The Head
Question: I have a pain on top of my head which feels like someone is pulling my hair. My head also feel hot where it hurts years ago I experienced a nician flush, it's a little like this. What could it be. I'm 73 and in good health except for a pinched nerve in my neck
Brief Answer:
c2 OR c3 RADICULOPATHY
Detailed Answer:
Good morning. Thank you for your question.
Your symptoms are consistent with what we refer to as ALLODYNIA. That is a term that refers to hypersensitivity of a particular region of the body to relatively innocuous stimulation. The most lilkely explanation of your symptoms is the pinched nerve in the neck such as at the level of C2 or C3.
I believe a good test to get done in order to confirm the theory would be an emg/ncv study.
If I've adequately addressed your concerns could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating to our encounter if you feel my suggestions have helped? Again, many thanks for posing your question.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 18 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
c2 OR c3 RADICULOPATHY
Detailed Answer:
Good morning. Thank you for your question.
Your symptoms are consistent with what we refer to as ALLODYNIA. That is a term that refers to hypersensitivity of a particular region of the body to relatively innocuous stimulation. The most lilkely explanation of your symptoms is the pinched nerve in the neck such as at the level of C2 or C3.
I believe a good test to get done in order to confirm the theory would be an emg/ncv study.
If I've adequately addressed your concerns could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating to our encounter if you feel my suggestions have helped? Again, many thanks for posing your question.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 18 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Do you think this could be some sort of shingles. I had the shingle shot several years ago.Did you get my question about maybe I have shingles in my head
Brief Answer:
If you had the Shingles shot but NOT the shingles then, UNLIKELY
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your follow-up question.
1. I did read in your presentation that you've had the Shingles vaccine applied which I believe is a good idea for your age group.
2. Although each individual and circumstances are different in the population at large..studies showed about a 50% reduction in risk of contacting a Shingles outbreak and 60-65% reduction in the most feared consequence of the infection which is called POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA (PHN). This is the painful aftermath of the skin rash. The rash can be heralded by symptoms of burning pain, stinging, and redness up to several days to a week prior to actual blistering outbreaks but the crown of the head where it seems you're having symptoms is an unusual place to attack. Most occur on the face when the problem strikes above the neck line.
3. If you've had the vaccine within the LAST 5-7 years then, you are theoretically still under protection. If it's been beyond 5 years- you are still protected but it is believed that the percentage risk of getting Shingles and PHN are lower at 20 and 35% respectively. It is currently NOT RECOMMENDED that adults who have been vaccinated get REvaccinated though studies are lacking in this respect. Recall had it used to be said that a tetanus series was for life? Now, over the past 10-15 years recommendations state that Tetanus boosters should be given to all adults every 10 years (did you get yours recently???)...perhaps the same will eventually come about for this vaccine but at present we are still observing a ONE AND DONE rule.
4. If you are unsure of what's going on you can have someone carefully look about your hairline and in the areas you mostly feel the ALLODYNIC symptoms for any evidence of a rash that could be starting to break out. If nothing is found then, you should talk to your doctor about doing some lab work and other tests looking for other causes of your symptoms. As I said originally, if you know that you have a pinched nerve in the neck then, either a CAT or MRI scan of the cervical spine may reveal a compression or pinching by an arthritic disk of a nerve root that serves the area of the head under discussion and this could be the explanation to your discomfort.
5. Bottom line is that if you're within 5 years of having had the Shingles Vaccine your risk of breaking out with a rash is about 50% less than the UNVACCINATED general population above the age 60. But unfortunately, the risk is NOT ZERO. The location of your symptoms is unusual for an attack in the head area and so I would recruit someone's EYES and HANDS to gently check where you are having discomfort for anything that looks like a rash of some sort and if found to see your doctor immediately for a check of things. There are other possibilities for these symptoms your doctor may be able to look into and rule out.
Also, please note that follow-up questions posted during a cycle of consultation can take UP TO 24 hrs. for a response from the time questions or comments are posted on your end. Although immediate or quick turn around times are always striven for- circumstances and volume of questions at hand sometimes cause more waiting time than desired. Your understanding is greatly appreciated as is your confidence in asking your questions.
If I've adequately addressed your concerns could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY being sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating if you feel my suggestions have helped? Again, many thanks for posing your questions and please let me know how your situation pans out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic and others.
This query has utilized a total of 80 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
If you had the Shingles shot but NOT the shingles then, UNLIKELY
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your follow-up question.
1. I did read in your presentation that you've had the Shingles vaccine applied which I believe is a good idea for your age group.
2. Although each individual and circumstances are different in the population at large..studies showed about a 50% reduction in risk of contacting a Shingles outbreak and 60-65% reduction in the most feared consequence of the infection which is called POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA (PHN). This is the painful aftermath of the skin rash. The rash can be heralded by symptoms of burning pain, stinging, and redness up to several days to a week prior to actual blistering outbreaks but the crown of the head where it seems you're having symptoms is an unusual place to attack. Most occur on the face when the problem strikes above the neck line.
3. If you've had the vaccine within the LAST 5-7 years then, you are theoretically still under protection. If it's been beyond 5 years- you are still protected but it is believed that the percentage risk of getting Shingles and PHN are lower at 20 and 35% respectively. It is currently NOT RECOMMENDED that adults who have been vaccinated get REvaccinated though studies are lacking in this respect. Recall had it used to be said that a tetanus series was for life? Now, over the past 10-15 years recommendations state that Tetanus boosters should be given to all adults every 10 years (did you get yours recently???)...perhaps the same will eventually come about for this vaccine but at present we are still observing a ONE AND DONE rule.
4. If you are unsure of what's going on you can have someone carefully look about your hairline and in the areas you mostly feel the ALLODYNIC symptoms for any evidence of a rash that could be starting to break out. If nothing is found then, you should talk to your doctor about doing some lab work and other tests looking for other causes of your symptoms. As I said originally, if you know that you have a pinched nerve in the neck then, either a CAT or MRI scan of the cervical spine may reveal a compression or pinching by an arthritic disk of a nerve root that serves the area of the head under discussion and this could be the explanation to your discomfort.
5. Bottom line is that if you're within 5 years of having had the Shingles Vaccine your risk of breaking out with a rash is about 50% less than the UNVACCINATED general population above the age 60. But unfortunately, the risk is NOT ZERO. The location of your symptoms is unusual for an attack in the head area and so I would recruit someone's EYES and HANDS to gently check where you are having discomfort for anything that looks like a rash of some sort and if found to see your doctor immediately for a check of things. There are other possibilities for these symptoms your doctor may be able to look into and rule out.
Also, please note that follow-up questions posted during a cycle of consultation can take UP TO 24 hrs. for a response from the time questions or comments are posted on your end. Although immediate or quick turn around times are always striven for- circumstances and volume of questions at hand sometimes cause more waiting time than desired. Your understanding is greatly appreciated as is your confidence in asking your questions.
If I've adequately addressed your concerns could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY being sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating if you feel my suggestions have helped? Again, many thanks for posing your questions and please let me know how your situation pans out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic and others.
This query has utilized a total of 80 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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