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What Causes Severe Pain In The Right Side Of The Head And Neck?
Question: My wife has had extreme pain in the right side of her head and neck for the last 5 days.I took her to our local URGENT CARE the second day-The doctor stated it might be a pinched nerve and take extra strength tyenol. It hasn't helped at all-She is in a lot pain. Do you have any suggestions?- XXXX
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. A pinched nerve can lead to very intense pain.
Tylenol is not the most effective medication for that type of pain. However I suspect your doctor also knows that but he has started with Tylenol because at the age of 84 the risk of side effects is higher and he wanted to put safety first.
Since it is not proving to be effective then other alternatives may be considered. The most common first choice are anti-inflammatory over the counter medication like Ibuprofen or Naproxen. They should be used cautiously especially if there are stomach, kidney or high blood pressure issues. Naturally the lower the dose the better.
Other additions which can be made if that is not enough are muscle relaxants like Flexeril and/or medication for neuropathic pain like Pregabalin or Gabapentin.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. A pinched nerve can lead to very intense pain.
Tylenol is not the most effective medication for that type of pain. However I suspect your doctor also knows that but he has started with Tylenol because at the age of 84 the risk of side effects is higher and he wanted to put safety first.
Since it is not proving to be effective then other alternatives may be considered. The most common first choice are anti-inflammatory over the counter medication like Ibuprofen or Naproxen. They should be used cautiously especially if there are stomach, kidney or high blood pressure issues. Naturally the lower the dose the better.
Other additions which can be made if that is not enough are muscle relaxants like Flexeril and/or medication for neuropathic pain like Pregabalin or Gabapentin.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Taka-Since I submitted my wifes medical problem-the following events have happened. I have taken her to her primary doctor.-She had a Cat Scan of her head and a MRI taken-The CAT SCAN showed no problems in her head-which the doctor was concerned about-Have not received results for the MRI yet which was for another problem.I appreciate your response to try and help her problem--The doctor prescribed-CYCLOBENZAPR to help her pain-THANKS AGAIN--- XXXX
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
The fact that the CT is normal is reassuring. The head CT was not done for the pinched nerve, your doctor must have done it to make sure there were no other causes he had missed such as a stroke. So it's good news. I do not know whether it was a MRI of the neck or head, if of the head then it is only to make sure there are issues that the CT has missed (unlikely in my opinion). If of the neck then it should show the situation with her spine and whether there is any nerve pinching which may require surgery in the future (only if she doesn't improve over the weeks).
As for Cyclobenzaprine it is one of the medications I suggested, I wrote the brand name Flexeril, but it is the same drug.
So there are not any additional recommendations, if Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) doesn't help the anti-inflammatory pain killers should be considered. If those are contraindicated or do not work neuropathic pain medication I mentioned. Since every medication may have potential side effects of course they can not be started all at once, but stepwise, adding a new medication only if really necessary.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
The fact that the CT is normal is reassuring. The head CT was not done for the pinched nerve, your doctor must have done it to make sure there were no other causes he had missed such as a stroke. So it's good news. I do not know whether it was a MRI of the neck or head, if of the head then it is only to make sure there are issues that the CT has missed (unlikely in my opinion). If of the neck then it should show the situation with her spine and whether there is any nerve pinching which may require surgery in the future (only if she doesn't improve over the weeks).
As for Cyclobenzaprine it is one of the medications I suggested, I wrote the brand name Flexeril, but it is the same drug.
So there are not any additional recommendations, if Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) doesn't help the anti-inflammatory pain killers should be considered. If those are contraindicated or do not work neuropathic pain medication I mentioned. Since every medication may have potential side effects of course they can not be started all at once, but stepwise, adding a new medication only if really necessary.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
DR. Taki-My wifes Dr. prescribed Cyclobenzapr for her neck and head pain-but hasn't helped-Today her dr. prescribed MEDROL PAK 4MG.-Do you feel it will help?-- XXXX
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the update.
Medrol is an anti-inflammatory drug, although it is a corticosteroid one, unlike the over the counter ones which I mentioned.
It may have some beneficial effects, but personally I would have preferred the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs which I mentioned in my first answer. I thought your doctor didn't prescribe them due to fear of side effects in an elderly patient, but steroids can have just as many if not more side effects. So I would discuss that with your doctor.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the update.
Medrol is an anti-inflammatory drug, although it is a corticosteroid one, unlike the over the counter ones which I mentioned.
It may have some beneficial effects, but personally I would have preferred the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs which I mentioned in my first answer. I thought your doctor didn't prescribe them due to fear of side effects in an elderly patient, but steroids can have just as many if not more side effects. So I would discuss that with your doctor.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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