Dizziness & Vertigo Support Group

Dizziness is the sensation of instability. Vertigo refers to dizziness with a sensation of motion. Vertigo is more likely than other types of dizziness to be associated with nausea, vomiting, or double vision, to occur even when lying down, and to feel better with the eyes closed. If you are a frequent sufferer of dizziness or vertigo, join the group and find support.

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Dizziness & Vertigo Support Group

neck MRI?

arcorman
arcorman
has anyone had a neck MRI to see if there's any connection to their symptoms of dizziness/vertigo/light headedness? I ask because my chiropractor mentioned it to me several visits ago and there seems to be some merit to having one done. I know if I move my neck a certain way or lean with my head back I can feel a tightening or pressure on the left side of my neck, sort of feels like the artery or something, and the gross feeling of dizziness or a sudden pressure can be felt, and it's usually on the left side of my head, which is where the weakness was discovered in the ENG test. My chiropractor explained the network of nerves and muscles that run from your back and shoulders and neck area in relation to the brain and nerves and I can't help but see (or feel) the connection here....part of my usual symptoms are dull aches behind one or both eyes, and it feels like someone is poking their finger into my eyeball. Sometimes the pain develops into a all over headache and sometimes it just stays behind the eye and resolves itself. I'm curious to know if anyone has had a neck MRI and if so, what did it show?
deleted_user
deleted_user
The guy that did my ENS testing, he's a doctor, told me that the dull ache behind my eyes is my eye muscles trying to make sense out of the bad messages being sent by my left ear. Like nystagmus but not observable.
annelind
annelind
Haven't had a neck MRI, but am very interested in finding out more about the cervicogenic dizziness that Glomanaich referred to in another thread.

I did have a PT that discussed the possible connection of structural problems (cranial, jaw, neck) related to pressure points, damage to nerves and chronic dizziness and balance problems.

Hope you'll post with any information you find out about this connection to dizziness. Thanks and take care.
arcorman
arcorman
thanks for all the helpful information! I feel like we're all smaller pieces to the one big puzzle and whatever small part we can bring will help clear this picture up for all of us! At this point I'm trying everything; I'm going to get a neck MRI and then try some acupuncture. I'm cutting back on the chiropractor because I tend to get sick afterwards; not sure if it's due to all the readjustment or the hydro massage table that shakes me up like a snow globe
deleted_user
deleted_user
First off, I hope you can get some relief soon!!! I really try not to tilt my head. Something that simply can send me off.

I've had neck MRIs (the only issues I had with them was that they don't want you to swallow while it's going on...it's crazy, you don't think about swallowing until they tell you not to...LOL). I have a trauma between C4 and C5...we've known about it for years and I've had multiple MRIs. I used to have frequent - very frequent - migraines, but since I've changed my diet, I don't suffer nearly as much (they think because my body isn't swelling when I eat things I'm allergic to or yeast products).

My doc says some of my dizziness could come from the neck, but it isn't the leading cause of my dizziness.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have not had a neck MRI, but it sounds very interesting. I do know there's a neck connection for one of my dizziness problems and I've been trying to research it some more and I haven't found a whole lot. For me the problem seems to be with the sternocleidomastoid, which does have a connection to the inner ear (but a connection I don't understand). I don't really have spinal problems in my neck, but I do know the whole area is so dense with nerves and blood flow that things that seem unrelated can affect each other.

Maybe I should ask my doctor about checking the neck association more closely. And then I can think about how to pay for it...
annelind
annelind
arcorman - about the MRI: Yesterday I went in for testing and I saw a new ENT. He suggested that an MRI be done.

I was a little anxious during the appointment and didn't get a good understanding of why he wanted the MRI. I have a call into the doctor's office to talk to one of the staff to get a better understanding.

I did do a little research on the internet today and got information about MRI and Vestibular Neuritis (which is my diagnosis). The article said that the MRI would show an lesions (where the nerve was damaged) or possibly tumors.

This is my understanding from a very quick skim of the article. Hope my info helps.
kiwichan
kiwichan
Interesting comment about your eyes Peg541. I saw a Behavioral Optometrist, and he said that my brain was working so hard to make sense of what I are seeing that the muscles tensed up and caused them to ache. I had prisms put in my glasses and that helped immensely. I noticed an improvement in my dizziness and headaches almost straight away. My vertigo comes from a neck injury, not my ear, but I think having lots of input from this support group means we have a better chance of finding ways to deal with our symptoms more effectively. I also have different things to ask my Dr when I see him next
kiwichan
kiwichan
Had an MRI done about 4 months after the onset of my vertigo. Great team that day. I had the sensation of being in a centrifuge. Felt like my feet were spinning me in circles while my head held me anchored. Never had that sensation before, but the guys were patient, willing to work slowly and only what I could manage. I promised not to chuck in their beautiful machine LOL.
Just set the pace yourself if you are stressed and it is triggering a bad day for you. It's worth getting it done.