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What Causes Tightness Of Neck And Inability To Walk?

Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014

Question: Hi Doctor, I have been to many doctors with the issues described hereunder. I am doubtful if I have got the correct diagnosis of my problem till date. Request you to kindly go through the same and help me with your advise and opinion. I have given all other details in the attachment submitted LIST OF EXISTING SYMPTOMS (CURRENT) - Tightness of Neck in the Nape Region. Muscle behind the neck just above the shoulder seems swollen (more while working on laptop and less when sleeping). Typically the discomfort is least in morning and increases in the office ( computer job) and peaks in the evening and starts subsiding once I leave office. - Unable to walk with ease (shoes feel slightly heavy). This is especially predominant after lunch and the most worrying symptom. - Feeling of Light headedness while walking (more predominat after lunch) - Stabbing Pains which come and go in the neck quite often (more while walking and working on laptop). But similar pains in shoulder, elbows and back of knees come irregularly once in 2-3 days. - Slight feeling of lump in the throat. - Feeling of slight dryness in the Throat ( not Thirst) especially in the morning. - Slight TINNITUS in the left ear ( low level and plain howling sound) almost continuous except for while I am talking - Some quick pain (drilling pain) just behind the sternum ( once in a while). Pain comes and goes away very fast .. may be in around 2 minutes. This might happen for 4-5 times once in every 2-3 days. - Numbness on the top of head ( scalp) sometimes while in sleep. - I am having a low grade fever for around 3-4 hours in the evenings once in about 5-6 days ( occasionally) . Other Important Factors : - The above symptoms are existing for the last 2 months. - I have completely quit smoking for the last 2 months.(Was smoking10 -15 cigs a day) - I have been away from Liqour also for the last 2 months. - I used to take a Glass of Water with Honey, Lemon and one lobe of Garlic in the morning every day for almost a month. But I stopped the same from a week back - I have a history of a small SYNCOPE event ( for about 30 sec ) in 2008. - I have started a new drug ROSULIP 20 mg ONE month back. (I am already taking Ecosprin-75mg once a day for the last 6 months) - Visited 1 Gastroenterologist, 2 Spine Surgeons (at Apollo & Care), 4 Genl Physicians, One Endocrinologist, One Ayurveda Doctor so far. My own Assessment : My own study/reading from the Net makes me feel that the following should be ruled out : 1) Primary Biliary Cirrhosis 2) Eosophagal Abnormalites (Yeast Infection/ Inflammation or Cancer) 3) Infection of spine due to syphilis ? ( May be 3rd stage ?) 4) Severe Gastric Inflammation /Gastritis / Hyper acidity due to H Pylori infection 5) Any Lung Disorder (emphysema ?) 6) Any Tumour OR Aneurysm in the Brain/Nervous system ?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. The most common causes of the symptoms that you have described are acid reflux and cervical spondylosis. These are common at your age. 2. Smoking and Alcohol is associated with deranged lipid profiles, increased homocysteine levels, decreased cardiorespiratory function. It is good that you have stopped smoking. However it may take up to 5 years to get the full benefit. 3. I do not see any anti-reflux medication or any dietary modifications. These would require 8 to 12 weeks of sustained treatment to bring relief. H. Pylori infection may also be treated by your Gastroenterologist. Neck exercises will help. 4. Your self assessed differential diagnosis can be investigated and ruled out by your Physician. Most of these causes are very rare and hence unlikely. I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (43 minutes later)

Thanks for the reply doctor. I would like a few more clarifications from you. Currently I am taking Pan D in the morning. Doctors also advised Nexpro. But currently I am just using Pan D. DO you think the occasional drilling pain behind the breast bone is due to Heart burn/GERD ? IN such a case do you think the Eosophagus has sustained any damage ? Can we rule out windpipe damage ? As suggested by you my physician has recommneded that I use Sompraz HP Kit for treatment of H Pylori infection. But other doctors advised that was not necesary as the same is not showing any symptoms right now. Pl give me your opinion. My important issue was the Tinnitus in my left ear (almost consistently for the last 10 days which is just like the tuning fork sound - plain and consistent) . This sound is really irritating as I am not used to this earlier. Should that be considered a serious symptom as stated in many of the internet sites. What is your opinion on the same.

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for writing back. 1. Take the Pan D early in the morning half an hour before breakfast. The pain in the chest is most likely to be due to heartburn/GERD. Use Mucaine Gel for a few days to settle this down. It is unlikely that you will have severe food-pipe or windpipe damage. A video laryngoscopy may show signs of chronic acid reflux. Esophagoscopy and Bronchoscopy are invasive investigations and should only be done if there is no relief to maximum medical therapy. 2. There is no harm in taking the Somprax HP Kit. 3. Tinnitus is not a serious symptom in 99% cases. Get a hearing test (PTA and Impedance Audiometry) done. If the tinnitus is pulsatile (vascular), the Carotid plaque may be a possible cause, though it is on the right side. 10-15 day old Tinnitus need not be tested further. 4. You must correct your Vitamin D levels. This may also be a cause for most of your symptoms. Is your diet predominantly vegetarian? Half an hour exposure to the sun will help. I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (7 minutes later)

Thanks a lot doctor. Your inputs were really helpful. I would foolow your advise. I have been taking D-Rise (60K) one per week for the last 6 weeks. I am told that will take care of the Vitamin-D problem. Just one clarification on my very low B-12 levels : Even though I am Non-Veg why my B-12 levels have gone so low ? Any reason that needs to be corrected ? I have started taking Meaxon Plus for B-12 supplement. But after one week, i stopped the same as there is huge acidity in the stomach. Would you advise me to continue this medication or is there any other alternative ? Regards

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for writing back. 1. Cholecaliferol will help increase the Vitamin D levels. 2. B12 deficiency may occur due to many reasons such as lack of exposure to sun light, poor absorption, indigestion, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, alcohol intake, gastritis, acidity, anti-reflux medication, antacids and so on. 3. Though Methycobalamine is a potent form of Vitamin B12, it may not suit everyone. Take Neurobion (B1, B6, B12) Instead. I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar