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Suffering From Headache, Stiffness In Neck. Having Shoulder Pain And Elbow Pain. Cause?
Question: Hi I have a number of curious symptoms so slightly baffled as to what it could be.
I have been suffering from headaches that are mainly at my right temple and base of head, I also have stiff neck on left side which radiates to shoulder pain and extreme elbow pain down to wrist and hand pain, this has now begun on my right arm as well.
Now and again approx once every couple of days I come over dizzy and nausaious with a slight burning sensation on my left cheek and ear area, I also have a slight ringing in my left ear. I've had general blood tests done and all ok apart from one which came back as increase in inflammation now had tests for arthritis and calcium level awaiting results.
My main worry is the funny turns of dizziness that come over me at the same time as bad arm and head pain.
According to GP it's not a stoke or anything serious. I'm wondering if its something to do with disc or spine as I sometimes get a pain in my neck and mid back
I have been suffering from headaches that are mainly at my right temple and base of head, I also have stiff neck on left side which radiates to shoulder pain and extreme elbow pain down to wrist and hand pain, this has now begun on my right arm as well.
Now and again approx once every couple of days I come over dizzy and nausaious with a slight burning sensation on my left cheek and ear area, I also have a slight ringing in my left ear. I've had general blood tests done and all ok apart from one which came back as increase in inflammation now had tests for arthritis and calcium level awaiting results.
My main worry is the funny turns of dizziness that come over me at the same time as bad arm and head pain.
According to GP it's not a stoke or anything serious. I'm wondering if its something to do with disc or spine as I sometimes get a pain in my neck and mid back
Hi there ~
What you seem to be having is a variant of a common condition called migraine. Any headache can be miserable, but migraines can be disabling. Your pain may be severe, and you may be unusually sensitive to light or noises. You may feel nauseated and even vomit. Migraines typically last four hours or longer if untreated. A variety of drugs have been specifically designed to treat migraines. In addition, some drugs commonly used to treat other conditions also may help relieve or prevent migraines. Medications used to combat migraines fall into two broad categories:
Pain-relieving medications. Also known as acute or abortive treatment, these types of drugs are taken during migraine attacks and are designed to stop symptoms that have already begun.
Preventive medications. These types of drugs are taken regularly, often on a daily basis, to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines.
Choosing a strategy to manage your migraines depends on the frequency and severity of your headaches, the degree of disability your headaches cause, and your other medical conditions.
Some medications aren't recommended if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. Some aren't used for children. Your doctor can help find the right medication for you.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a lovely day!
What you seem to be having is a variant of a common condition called migraine. Any headache can be miserable, but migraines can be disabling. Your pain may be severe, and you may be unusually sensitive to light or noises. You may feel nauseated and even vomit. Migraines typically last four hours or longer if untreated. A variety of drugs have been specifically designed to treat migraines. In addition, some drugs commonly used to treat other conditions also may help relieve or prevent migraines. Medications used to combat migraines fall into two broad categories:
Pain-relieving medications. Also known as acute or abortive treatment, these types of drugs are taken during migraine attacks and are designed to stop symptoms that have already begun.
Preventive medications. These types of drugs are taken regularly, often on a daily basis, to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines.
Choosing a strategy to manage your migraines depends on the frequency and severity of your headaches, the degree of disability your headaches cause, and your other medical conditions.
Some medications aren't recommended if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. Some aren't used for children. Your doctor can help find the right medication for you.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a lovely day!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply perhaps my initial question was a little to vague and having re read it I realise I just concentrated on informing you of headache.
The pain in my arm is quite bad my elbow and wrist are extremely painful and my right arm is also starting to hurt at elbow and wrist. I have stiff neck muscles and am now experiencing pain in most of my joints some worse than others.
My left hip and knee ache which travels down to my foot.
Last night whilst in bed I also experienced what I can only describe as an electric shock that woke me, my bumper body jolted slightly at the same time I experienced a light flash in head that lasted a couple of seconds.
I also get muscle spasms in my arms now and again. I only have my dizzy episodes when I have extreme arm and shoulder pain that's when headache starts and warm sensation on face
I hope this has made things clearer for you and apologise for just concentrating on headache symptoms in my previous question
The pain in my arm is quite bad my elbow and wrist are extremely painful and my right arm is also starting to hurt at elbow and wrist. I have stiff neck muscles and am now experiencing pain in most of my joints some worse than others.
My left hip and knee ache which travels down to my foot.
Last night whilst in bed I also experienced what I can only describe as an electric shock that woke me, my bumper body jolted slightly at the same time I experienced a light flash in head that lasted a couple of seconds.
I also get muscle spasms in my arms now and again. I only have my dizzy episodes when I have extreme arm and shoulder pain that's when headache starts and warm sensation on face
I hope this has made things clearer for you and apologise for just concentrating on headache symptoms in my previous question
Hi there ~
I am glad you clarified your question/s. I am also glad that your pain has been adequately controlled for the prolapsed disc, and hypertension in eyes (I am thinking you are referring to glaucoma) is also adequately controlled, as well as your high lipid levels that is controlled by simvastatin.
I hope the answer on headaches/migraines was adequate. Assuming that I will focus now on the pain elsewhere in your body, and it seems like it is due to somatoform disorder. You also seem to have neuropathy from hypertension or another related condition. The radiating pain in your left leg seems to be due to sciatica, a very common condition that can be taken care of by your pain doctor or your regular doctor with adequate medications. I feel like your weight and the amount of physical activity has a lot to do with your pain problems. I think that you should consult a psychiatrist that can take a complete biopsychosocial history to give you a diagnosis. I would also think that you should have blood work done that includes thyroid function tests, B12 and folate levels. Having supplements, multivitamins and multiminerals will also help in the long run. Antioxidants like omega 3 fatty acids (cod liver oil) and vitamin E are also helpful.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a lovely day!
I am glad you clarified your question/s. I am also glad that your pain has been adequately controlled for the prolapsed disc, and hypertension in eyes (I am thinking you are referring to glaucoma) is also adequately controlled, as well as your high lipid levels that is controlled by simvastatin.
I hope the answer on headaches/migraines was adequate. Assuming that I will focus now on the pain elsewhere in your body, and it seems like it is due to somatoform disorder. You also seem to have neuropathy from hypertension or another related condition. The radiating pain in your left leg seems to be due to sciatica, a very common condition that can be taken care of by your pain doctor or your regular doctor with adequate medications. I feel like your weight and the amount of physical activity has a lot to do with your pain problems. I think that you should consult a psychiatrist that can take a complete biopsychosocial history to give you a diagnosis. I would also think that you should have blood work done that includes thyroid function tests, B12 and folate levels. Having supplements, multivitamins and multiminerals will also help in the long run. Antioxidants like omega 3 fatty acids (cod liver oil) and vitamin E are also helpful.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a lovely day!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you
I have GP appointment tomorrow where I will receive results of blood tests for arthritis and calcium levels it seems GP thinks it may be one of the above, I was wondering if I had a herniated disc as googled symptoms and every similar although I would have to have more than one problem disc as varying symptoms in differing joints. I also thought my thyroid needing checking and will ask GP tomorrow.
Visited Osteopath yesterday and he seemed to think neck and pain pain were causing joint symptoms along with facial burning as nerve could be compressed in neck.
I will ask for blood tests you mentioned and keep in mind what your thoughts are if GP unsure as to what ailment I have.
Just one last quick question, would a compressed nerve in neck give me facial warmth? And also I seem to be in more pain since visiting osteopath any reason for this?
I have GP appointment tomorrow where I will receive results of blood tests for arthritis and calcium levels it seems GP thinks it may be one of the above, I was wondering if I had a herniated disc as googled symptoms and every similar although I would have to have more than one problem disc as varying symptoms in differing joints. I also thought my thyroid needing checking and will ask GP tomorrow.
Visited Osteopath yesterday and he seemed to think neck and pain pain were causing joint symptoms along with facial burning as nerve could be compressed in neck.
I will ask for blood tests you mentioned and keep in mind what your thoughts are if GP unsure as to what ailment I have.
Just one last quick question, would a compressed nerve in neck give me facial warmth? And also I seem to be in more pain since visiting osteopath any reason for this?
Hi there ~
A compressed nerve in the neck will most likely not give you facial warmth. With nerve compression, sometimes pain may be your only symptom. Or you may have other symptoms without pain.
These are some of the more common symptoms of compressed nerves:
Pain in the area of compression, such as the neck or low back
Radiating pain, such as sciatica or radicular pain
Numbness or tingling
"Pins and needles" or a burning sensation (which is your facial warmth)
Weakness, especially with certain activities
Sometimes symptoms worsen when you try certain movements, such as turning your head or straining your neck.
The only reason you might be having more pain since visiting the osteopath is because you were not reassured adequately or your therapeutic relationship with the osteopath is not the best. I am predicting that you are not satisfied with the visit since this person spends very less time on you and does not hear/listen to you.
I hope this helps. Take care and have a lovely day!
A compressed nerve in the neck will most likely not give you facial warmth. With nerve compression, sometimes pain may be your only symptom. Or you may have other symptoms without pain.
These are some of the more common symptoms of compressed nerves:
Pain in the area of compression, such as the neck or low back
Radiating pain, such as sciatica or radicular pain
Numbness or tingling
"Pins and needles" or a burning sensation (which is your facial warmth)
Weakness, especially with certain activities
Sometimes symptoms worsen when you try certain movements, such as turning your head or straining your neck.
The only reason you might be having more pain since visiting the osteopath is because you were not reassured adequately or your therapeutic relationship with the osteopath is not the best. I am predicting that you are not satisfied with the visit since this person spends very less time on you and does not hear/listen to you.
I hope this helps. Take care and have a lovely day!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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