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What Causes Severe Sore Throat, Ear Pain And Headache?

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Posted on Mon, 15 May 2017
Question: spinal tap 24th of april 26th first blood patch.. 30th second blood patch.. the 2nd one finally took n headache went away.. but I had intense pressure in head, ears, behind eyes ear ache, sore throat.. doctor though it was sinus infection put me on antibiotics all that pressure n stuff went away. neurologist said I needed to stop smoking bc of white lesions on my brain.. so I stop 2 weeks ago.. went thru withdrawls.. I've had headache n dizziness for last 3 to 4 days.. it's not a bad headache it's dull.. but gets me
nauseous too. could this still be a spinal headache ? or is this withdrawal from cigarettes or something else.. I have so much going on I don't know what symptoms are to what anymore . I've had a stiff neck too.. not sure if it has anything to do with this all.. just sharing
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not spinal headache

Detailed Answer:
Hello again! I am sorry you still aren't feeling well.

The headache you are experiencing is not related to the spinal tap. Given the description and what you've had to deal recently I would say that it is most probably tension type headache. It is the most common type of primary headache (primary meaning with no identifiable cause) affecting over half of the population at one time or another during their lifetime. It is commonly triggered by stress and anxiety, so your anxiety issues and the recent withdrawal may be playing a role in triggering it, often present among withdrawal symptoms. Increased tension in the neck and scalp muscles is a common feature as well which would account for the neck stiffness.

In terms of management over the counter anti-inflammatory painkillers like Ibuprofen are usually used. Only in chronic cases may preventive treatment with amitryptiline be used.

Let me know if you have other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (2 hours later)
so there's no possible way this could have to do with the leak I had?? yeah the neck stiffness, dizzy, n dull headache is my biggest complaint. I hate it .. it's everyday.. this is the main reason y I got the spinal tap n brain m ri in the first place..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No, not related to the leak.

Detailed Answer:
No there is no reason at all to attribute it to the leak you had. The fact that you had the spinal tap for that symptom only reinforces it. Since the symptoms were already there before the puncture then they were not due to the later leak.

Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Causes Severe Sore Throat, Ear Pain And Headache?

Brief Answer: Not spinal headache Detailed Answer: Hello again! I am sorry you still aren't feeling well. The headache you are experiencing is not related to the spinal tap. Given the description and what you've had to deal recently I would say that it is most probably tension type headache. It is the most common type of primary headache (primary meaning with no identifiable cause) affecting over half of the population at one time or another during their lifetime. It is commonly triggered by stress and anxiety, so your anxiety issues and the recent withdrawal may be playing a role in triggering it, often present among withdrawal symptoms. Increased tension in the neck and scalp muscles is a common feature as well which would account for the neck stiffness. In terms of management over the counter anti-inflammatory painkillers like Ibuprofen are usually used. Only in chronic cases may preventive treatment with amitryptiline be used. Let me know if you have other questions.