Weak neck, dizzy, fatigued, heavy head, feel sick

What is your age and sex?

What is your family history?

Have you had any possibale injury to your neck??

I have exactly the same problems as you. Same everything. I have had this since October 2003. I've tried everything and basically given up.  My MRI also showed something with my sinuses.  I was put on nasal sprays and antibiotics which did nothing.  I've tried Valium and Klonopin which help a bit but they are far from a cure. I've tried all the vitamins looking for that magic one to help me.  I've been to all the doctors and specialists.  So far all my tests are fine except the sinuses and I failed the Caloric part of my ENG test.  I've tried Zyvestra and other homeopathic remedies and none seem to help either.  I've been told its Migraine Associated Vertigo (MAV) or Menieres. I've been told it's Anxiety (really? everyday for 8 years? I don't feel anxious). Sometimes when my husband rubs my neck (when I can get him to do it) he will rub a spot that I can't pinpoint but it actually makes me feel a bit better for a while.  One of the worst problems about this illness, besides how horrible I feel, is how no one believes me or takes it serious.  I get the eye rolls and the, "You look fine to me."

So if you or anyone with this horrible syndrome/disease/illness/disorder finds anything that helps.... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know!

 ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

Look into eds (ehlers danlos) or joint hypermobility syndrome & for dizziness, fainting issues look up pots esp if if you think you may have eds/hms . Pots stands for postural orthostatic taccycardia syndrome. There are many things that can happen in the head/neck that dr's don't think possible but due to a fault in our collagen it can in us but they either don't know or don't believe.. Ps tests can and will show normal while you are still...

Wow after reading your mile long post, its alot like me. I'm 16 male and I've been dealing with this too for the past 4 months.

 

Depression, abnormal thinking, anxiety.

 

I moved for the first time in my life about 7 months ago and I used to me a very strong ego confident type of person.

But when I left my friends (unfortunetily) and everything I was at my hole life, I felt my life go to c**p.

 

I'm very spiritual with God and he has helped me deal with alot of stuff, he deffinetily brought me closer to him and dealing with this.

 

I do have to say, people taking mediciene for depression... I have to say, they should ask theirselves 'have I excercised 5 out of 7 days a week with a full sweat going for a hole month'? Well.. When this first started to happen, about a week in. I did a 2 mile bike ride, then I came back, took a shower then relaxed. All of a sudden this peace came back to me and I was like 'Wow.,, Im finnaly back!' But.. After a week has passed and I didnt excercise anymore, it came back.

Me personally, I want to tell all of you that has depression/anxeity for a long time. Is to WORK out and do ALOT of sweat dropping cardio for atleast 4 out of 7 days a week for a hole month. It WILL help you and me, being 16 years old, making 62k a year with my job, Im a I.T. Technition. I'm not a stupid kid and I want you to take my advise.

 ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

Yep same here! Ive been having chronic lower back and neck pain and i havent tried massage therapy, but i was hoping ocupuncture might cure it...but from reading these posts, i guess i shouldnt even waste the money. I started feeling dizzy a few days ago and today felt like throwing up...it sucks!

Im not pregnant, but i read that it could be low blood pressure or anxiety or depression...I also have migranes that I saw a physicial about and he gave me medicine that helped...but i still cant figure out if its all tied in together or not....i need help...if anyone has discoved wat can cure the dizziness and back/neck aches????? Ive been told its because im skinny and tall but im only 5'6"...! And 100 lbs...and 23 so i cant start falling apart now!!! Lol plz help!

Cindy Ambros wrote:

Visting20 wrote:

Wow, I can't believe I made this thread a little over 4 years ago! Sorry I make my posts so long, it's just so hard to describe it in a short post.  I am still experiencing the same problems.... It's gotten really bad as of the last 6-12 months or so, I can't even rememeber.  It's like I've almost gotten used to the feeling, so for a while somewhere during that 4 year time-frame when I wrote this post, there where some times where it wasn't that bad (or I just gotten so used to it that I didn't notice).  But now it's really bad again.  Since I wrote this post, I've been in 2 more car accidents.  Worst part is neither of them where my fault either. 

My neck still feels extremely weak, stiff, and it feels like my neck is too weak to support my head.  From my research, it seems like perhaps it's the SCM muscle that is messed up.  My symptoms still include: foggy head, feeling in a dream like state, dizziness/major balance problems (always bump into things), ear pain on and off and sometimes ear ringing, sinus problems, lower back pain, pain sometimes behind eyes, lower back feels like it's literally "twisted", eye problems - eyes become disoriented feeling causing me to feel more out of it. Sometimes my eyes feel so disoriented that it makes me feel dizzy.  When my neck is feeling extremely weak/stiff, that's when I get all those side effects.  The more weaker or stiff my neck feels, the more I feel those symptoms I listed above.  

I try to self-massage every-day. Hardly helps.  Weird thing is I can feel tingling in my back, and neck area when I do some heavy self messaging around my spine and under my shoulder blades on my back.  I mean like digging my nails in kind of massage, that's the only way I feel it. I'm not sure if the tingling feeling means I'm actually relaxing the muscle and is a good thing, or if it's a bad thing. No idea. Problem is it doesn't really get rid of any my symptoms or make me feel better - it just helps my neck feel SLIGHTLY less stiff, but then in exchange my neck starts to feel more weak instead of stiff.  Guess I just can't win. 

So far I started to see a chiropractor regularly starting about 6 months or so ago.  I told him all my symptoms. He also said he could tell my neck was pretty stiff.  But all he did was adjustments, saying hopefully that should correct the problem.  I ended up doing about probably close to a total of 10 adjustments with the chiropractor and one deep tissue massage, and still wasn't getting any improvement.  The ONLY difference I felt after the adjustment was again a tingling like feeling in either my neck and/or back.  Not sure if that means the adjustment worked and relaxed my muscles, or if it's a bad sign.  So I stopped going. He even said I perhaps should see a neurologist since the adjustments weren't helping. So I did. He didn't pay attention hardly at all when I went to see him, (probably cause I'm a young kid and he's thinking oh whatever you are just imagining it).  He did order an MRI, though. MRI of the cervical spine, and MRI of the brain. (which I assume includes the neck too).  The only thing is he ordered it WITHOUT contrast. Could this make something not show up?  Anyway this is what the results said:

MRI results impression: MRI of brain - Unremarkable MRI of the brain. particularly without acute or chronic intracranial injury. There is a small retention cyst in the inferior aspects of the maxillary sinuses consistent with mild chronic inflammatory changes. The remainder of the para-nasal sinuses and mastoid air cells are clear. 

MRI results impression of Cervical spine: 1.) Minimal, if any, degenerative changes of the C3-4 disk space without evidence of nerve root impingement or cord compression.  2.) Straightening of the cervical curvature, question muscle spasm versus positioning. Clinical correlation is advised.

3.) The remainder of the exam is normal. 

So all he did was give me a muscle relaxant. He wasn't even considered about my sinus problems (my sinuses have gotten so bad that I have post-nasal drip nearly 24-7, causing me to gag and sometimes vomit). Even though the MRI showed something wrong with my sinuses.  The muscle relaxant he gave me was called "Baclofen". Up to 60MG daily. It doesn't seem to help at all.  The ONLY medication that ever helped was clonazepam. (generic for Klonopin).  It helped reduce my symptoms by I'd say about 50%, so where I could live at least some-what normally. The muscle spasms and weakness where greatly reduced by the clonazepam.  But that only lasted for 1-2 months, then it stopped helping.   I still take it, but all it does is help with my anxiety, doesn't provide anymore muscle relaxant effect sadly. The only medication that works, my body builds a tolerance to it without a couple months and now I'm back to where I started..... Sigh.  

So the list of medications, vitamins, and treatments I've tried are:

1. Clonazapem (muscle relaxant). Worked for 2 months then my body became used to it and stopped working. 

2. Baclofen (muscle relaxant).  No noticeable effect at all. It just made me feel almost drunk the first time I took it. Very weird.... Kept trying it for a few weeks, and still no improvement. In fact, a few times it made me feel WORSE (at least I believe, unless something else caused it) since my neck started to feel very very weak, and my best guess is the muscle relaxant caused my neck to become even more weak.

3. Vicodin (prescribed by my dentist for yet another problem, tooth infection). This helped with the pain, but only that. Didn't help reduce muscle weakness or spasms. 

4. Seeing chiropractor for about maybe 10 visits approximatively getting adjustment each time. No improvement really. 

5. Seeing a neurologist who ordered the MRI and gave me Baclofen, and then pretty much just said that was all he could really do. No help there. 

6. Tried the natural herb Valerian root of muscle relaxation. Doesn't work. Tried probably half of all the available over-the counter creams/lotions that help for relieving pain, spasms, etc from the store and NONE of them work. 

7. Tried trying a heat pad for neck. DID NOT WORK AT ALL.  In fact, afterwords when I took it off and went outside, I felt EXTREMELY disoriented, felt like in a dream and that nothing was real.  No idea why that happened.  Perhaps it relaxed my muscle too much, and since my muscles are very weak, perhaps relaxing them is actually a bad idea? 

8. ALL kinds of vitamins, and VERY high quality ones too - no cheap man-made vitamins. Tried taking regullary all these vitamins: a very good B-Complex Vitamin with all the b vitamins, plenty of Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, vitamins for muscle/tissue joint repair and function, and also a multi-vitamins that has all of them from A to Z.  Nothing helped. I thought taking the magnesium/vitamin D/calcium combo would work, but nope, nothing.. So it must be much more complex than a simple lack of vitamins. 

Anyone have any recommendations? Right now all I can think of is seeing perhaps a pain specialist, like someone mentioned earlier in this thread, and perhaps getting one of those anti-inflammatory injections into the neck/back area would help. For all I know I could have major inflammation in my neck/back area, so perhaps those injections are the only way. I mean I don't know what else to try.

What is your age and sex?
What is your family history?
Have you had any possibale injury to your neck??

Cindy , I have the same symptoms than you only thing is I have Chest Cramps ass well, still waiting for my solution ass well but it looks like either a Thyroid problem according to one docter and ankylosing sponilites according to another docter let the check your blood for the second one and let me know. Will let you know as soon as my blood test for Thyroid returns and when I was at the eye specialist to do some more tests for AS.

Chiropractor. keep going. he is actually fixing the problem not treating your symptoms. he cant fix a spine in one visit but to me it all sounds like ur neck is out of adjustment

I have read this post with much interest.  I have an increasing problem like this, plus other issues such as palpitations particularly after eating which I've now linked to possible compression in my neck at the top of my spine.  This is only my theory so treat it with caution, but I feel my neck/spine is being compressed and if it's being compressed then it may restrict blood flow.  Blood contains everything we need to function properly, our nutrients, vitamins, oxygen, iron, proteins, hormones, etc, etc.  How did I reach this conclusion?  After a recent 5 week holiday all my symptoms had disappeared.  So some people thought it might be linked to stress, which I have always batted back because I've suffered stress in the past and I know what it is - so I was convinced it was my diet and intolerances to food as I'm really into nutrition and using food as your medicine.  So, a week after my holiday all symptoms came flooding back with avengence and I noticed my neck was starting to ache again - which is where I got the link.  I had never put my sore, clicking neck as an issue until then.  So, what did I do differently on holiday?  Well, I wasn't working at a computer, I didn't drive, I didn't lie on my side at the TV supporting my head with my hand, I wasn't leaning over a desk supporting my forehead in my hands, and I what's turned out as the biggest saviour is I had a firmer pillow in the accommodation I was staying in.  I have replaced my pillow which has helped significantly - absolutely amazing results.  I can't avoid computer work so I make sure I give myself plenty of breaks.  I'm starting to strengthen my neck as well with gentle exercises and I'm also using inversion therapy which helps release the spine and allows free blood flow (research inversion therapy well before doing).   Prior to this discovery, I was focussing on diet and dietary supplments to sort out my issues but the supplements made it worse and diet didn't change it at all.  About 2 years ago I passed out and bashed the back of my head at the base.  I suffered 6 months of concussion and after that anxiety started to build up and then the other symptoms were in full flow about another 6 months later so maybe I damaged something or weakened my neck - it's just theory.  All my discovery is self-diagnosed and all my self treatments are working.  But here's the caution and the only piece of advice from my posting - EVERYONE will be different as to what's causing their symptoms.  I'm only offering information on what worked for ME so it's not advice to anyone.  I haven't been to a doctor so far about it and I haven't used drugs.  Self diagnoses can be very dangerous, so always make sure you research well and consult a health practitioner.  Good luck to everyone with finding their own solution x

And I should add - I went to a firmer pillow, it worked for a week, but it' wa too firm and I started getting other neck pains and dizziness. So I had go to a different one which has worked well.

I share the frustrations that nearly everyone here is bearing. I've had a similar affliction that started suddenly 9months ago when I felt dizzy and passed out whilst turning to put my bedside light out at night. Since that point I've had "unsteady" episodes fairly frequently and have virtually blacked out spontaneously on about 3 subsequent occasions. In between and currently I feel a "pressure" in my neck and an urge to crick it into place and ongoing (possibly) silent migraines which persist for several days at a time. I have found shopping and supermarkets a real trial where my brain cannot seem to process all the visual data entering the eyes. Trying to walk around during one of these episodes is like trying to move with a gyroscope inside my head resisting changes in direction. I have an instinctive focus that tells me there's something not right with my neck but the "professionals" think otherwise. I suffer no pain (thank god!) just wierd sensations and tinnitus that I never had before. My neck often feels as though there is something soft shoved up the back under my skull.

I have had blood tests, CT scans, vestibular tests, x-rays and seen ENT consultants, physiotherapists and neurologists - all say it's nothing "nasty" and that I have anything from a variation of vertigo, types of migraine, and or anxiety. None of the prescribed medicinal or physical remedies have really touched this and I have to admit that I'm running out of ideas myself. The time spent waiting between appointments is the biggest frustration - not to mention the cost per half hour session if done privately.

It seems that the medics aren't really interested in helping someone solve their problem - just so long as they've covered the things in their manual - no time to do much more!!. The difficulty I find is in trying to express concisely in words the sensations that I feel. They are not feelings or experiences that are "normal". I've also now learnt to stop using the word "dizzy" as they then assume the room is spinning for me - which it isn't.

I like the suggestion above about changing the pillow - I will try that. My next step is to try another physiotherapist who I've heard had treated someone with related symptoms which turned out to be a trapped nerve in the shoulder/neck. Though like everyone else I'd be delighted to learn of anyone having successes...even partial.

I have similar issues, and have recently discovered that my corn allergy has been the cause of my neck pain/dizyness. I suggest you give up ALL corn products for 2 weeks, and see if you feel better. This is very difficult, as corn is used for everything. If you are going to try this, research on the internet what things have corn in them, as you will probably be eating corn products and have no clue.
I have found that all the joints in my body move much better without corn in my system. Hope this helps someone!

Man, it's been almost 5 years since I made this thread/topic.  I am still having the same problems.  Really really don't know what to do.  My balance problems have gotten worse. And I have constant pain in my lower neck. (in addition to the weak neck, memory/foggy head feeling, sinus problems, ear problems, etc).  My balance problems have gotten worse and I have been more recently almost falling when walking up stairs because I almost trip when walking up them.  My balance is really off.  I also tend to just lose my balance sometimes slightly and accidentally bump into something.  And just a few days ago, I was just "brain foggy, out of it, and bad balance problems) that I actually walked straight into a tree bush that has been in my front-yard of my house ever since I lived here.  Yet I just walked straight into it by accident. It was at night, but still, that tree has been there FOREVER, and I know where it's at and to walk around it, yet my foggy head/balance has gotten so bad that I walked right into the tree bush, fell, and fell directly onto a pile of rocks.   Cut my arm open pretty bad.   So this foggy head and balance problems is really starting to get to me... don't know what to even try anymore....

Okay well I can not quite explain how I am feeling. I have been getting these head aches or whatever they're for quite a while now. It has gotten worse this past week. Well lets see if I can put this in words that gives you some type of imagery. Well for one I can not keep my head up for too long or I get the feeling I need to vomit. I can not concentrate for the life of me. A lot of the pain is in one spot on the top right of my neck. A strong pain and spreads a bit across my head. When I turn or move my head, I get so dizzy or a bad feeling similar to it around all of my neck and the side of my head. I do not feel as active any more and my eyes do not always want to be open. It seems to hurt a bit. I can not stay focused at all. I lose what I was doing or what I or someone else was saying fast. So if anyone has had anything like this and you have done something that helped cure it, please let me know. I really need to concentrate on my last year of school. 

I too have most of the symptoms descriped here. Short story. Neck giving me problems for the 5 years. March 2011 I had my thyroid removed due to cancer. The procedure that I had done is called "Radical Neck Discetion". I know that the cancer caused my problems and for years my doctor dissmissed my complaints.

for the last couple of weeks those symptoms came back. I am concerned that cancer is back.

Just letting you know that cancer caused my problems and dont let anyone tell you differently.

Please look into SCM/Levator Scapula/Scalene stifness and ask a simple chiropractor (Who does not twist and turn) to massgae and get rid f the stiffness. I am not a doctor but myself sufferred from these issues and life seems to be hell. Work on getting these mscle loose. Check for any knot on the side of your neck along the ear line downwards and back ot he neck.