Question:
Background Info:
I'm 18 years old. I've had chronic neck pain for 4 years, since I was
14. 5 years ago I had a concussion while skateboarding - I fell from
the top of a half-pipe flat on my back. 6 years after that I started to
get panic attacks, experience lightheadedness, fatigue, etc. It really
sucked. It was so bad I missed 4 months of school because of it. I
eventually found a doctor who could do something about it - a cranial
osteopath (located in Claymont, DE if anyone is interested). After a
couple months of treatment, my fatigue and lightheadedness was pretty
much gone, and life was returning back to normal. And I've had very few
experiences with lightheadedness / panic attacks since. During the
summer after I got fixed I was just a regular kid, no worries. However,
after school started, I began to develop chronic neck pain in October.
I can't remember exactly when the pain started. And I didn't think much
of it either, I figured it would go away. Well, it kept getting more
and more annoying, and I kept wondering more and more if it was really
temporary or not. Well, its been 4 years, and it hasn't stopped. My
entire high school experience has been damn near ruined by my chronic
neck pain - I came in with neck pain, and I'll probably graduate with
neck pain. I've been very close to being kicked out just for missing so
much school / being late due to pain. I still visit my osteopath every
month or so - he doesn't really have an explaination for my neck pain.
He hasn't said "your neck hurts because of this and that," or at least
not in terms that I understand.
Things Now / Symptoms:
I'll start off by describing my neck pain as accurately as possible. It
feels mostly like muscle/ligament/tissue pain. When I'm doing some work
where my head is down (i.e. bookwork), the pain is greatly amplified
over a period of time. It seems to be almost a fatigue type of pain -
imagine having to hold up a gallon of milk straight out in front of you
for a very long period of time - after a while its going to start to
burn. My neck pain is very similar to that. I seem to derive some sort
of relief from cracking my neck - but in reality it doesn't make my
neck feel better, I just seem to have this preconception that it will
help. Laying down definately helps - letting my muscles relax helps the
pain tremendously, most of the time. Stress has a negative effect, but
not necessarily as much as the demands of a stressful life has. i.e.
During the school year, if my neck is hurting, and I have to be
somewhere, I can't lie down to make my neck feel better, I have to get
up and do what I have to do. During the summer, in the same situation I
wouldn't have somewhere to be and I could just lie down so my neck
wouldn't hurt.
Possible Leads:
After all these years, the only clue I'm coming to is this: one of my
cervical vertebrae is enlarged on the left side. It seems to be about
the 3rd or 4th vertebra down. It is quite noticable - anyone can feel
my neck and feel that it is there. It's hard to estimate, but I would
say it protrudes maybe about 1 or 2 centimeters moreso than the other
side. The enlargement feels round and smooth - its not pointy or
anything. But it does seem like it is getting in the way of my muscles
and ligaments. On the right side, if I rub in the same area, it feels
normal - no pain. If I rub on the side with the enlargement, it has
kind of a slow burn feel to it, and I can feel the bone, and my muscles
rubbing up against the bone. Also, my left neck/shoulder muscles are
larger than those on the right side (by about a half inch to an inch)
and I have one isolated ligament/muscle bundle on the left side which
stands out especially clearly when I tense up my neck.
My doctor has said that this is probably a result of the injury, but my
muscles and stuff can adapt to it and it shouldn't be a problem. But
the pain does usually occur or stem from this area, so I'm not too
sure...
If anyone has experienced similar symptoms or could offer me any words
of advice or any directions to pursue, I would be very greatful.
Answer:
You may need to see a different doctor, someone who specializes in problems
like yours. I saw an orthopedic and spine specialist for neck pain that I
had, he diagnosed occipital neuralgia. Occiptal Neuralgia is often a result
of inflammation of the occipital nerve on one side of the head/neck. Often
the problem is triggered by an injury that occured earlier to the neck,
vertebrae may be pressing on the nerve. Your symptoms sound very similar to
mine. The pain is worse from the strain of holding your head, without any
support. It abates somewhat when you lie down, because your neck is
supported. I have to sit in a chair that is high enough in the back for my
to lean back and rest my head. If I have to hold my head up on it's own, I
have more pain, it's always on the left side of my head, radiating up from
the back.
What works for me? Ice packs to reduce inflammation, also numbs the nerve
pain for a while. Prescription medications such as, Lidoderm patches.
Cymbalta, a relatively new Selectrive Serotonin and Norepinephrine Re-uptake
Inhibitor. And Duragesic 25 mcg/hr patches. I take an anti-inflammatory
(NSAID) for arthritis, which also helps. Talk to your doctor about being
refered to someone who specializes in treating chronic neck problems and
pain. I did have a CAT scan done, which showed problems with my cervical
vertebrae. I am not a doctor, and obviously no one can diagnose you over the
internet. But Occipital Neuralgia may be a possibilty, but only an
evaluation by the right doctor can tell you if it is.
