Painful Neck, Sharp Pain in Brain, Pressure Headache

[Kidds]

My wife went back and forward to the GP for 14 months with severe symptoms. When they finally deigned to do a blood test she had a cancer marker in the thousands and it was too late to cure. That’s why I’m highly sceptical that they know what they are doing. Anyway rant over. I’m just entirely peed off with the whole NHS and just don’t trust it, most particularly the GP front end.

Sadly I had pretty much the exact same experience with Mum. It left me very bitter towards the NHS, McMillan and especially her GP.
I regularly hear McMillan adverts on the radio saying how they do everything to go the extra mile, in Mum's case they did absolutely feck all. They were an insult more than anything as was the GP.

Then when I went to them for my own problems they were all as excellent as they could possibly be. Different GP but the treatment and speed of treatment I received was first class.

Don't know if it is luck of the draw or if there is some kind of age cutoff point. It certainly felt like an age thing.

If it is any help there is a private system for MRI scans if you feel it would help, Google will find it if that's the route you feel you must take. Have to admit that paying for an MRI scan is one thing but how and who for interpreting the results is another. I don't know how that bit works.
Paying for a scan is expensive but if it gets you sorted out it must be worth it.
I'm sorry you are going through such crap as I have been there myself and have an idea of where you are at.

 

[DrWazzock]

In A and E awaiting a head scan. They found a gash top of my head where I bashed it. I didn’t think it was serious at the time. One of my eyes isn’t responding to light very well. They thinks it’s post concussive something or other. Very pressurised feeling persists in brain/head. Disconcerting. Some poor old souls here been waiting ages. It’s all very very slow but they are trying their best.

 

[DrWazzock]

Scan took 2 minutes.
Brain fine. They think it’s concussion as a result of the bang on the head. It’s often a delayed effect but should hopefully improve on its own.

 

[Oliveau]

Very best of luck Doc. You are in the right place so I hope they come up with some answers.

 

[Kidds]

That is good news, if nowt else it puts your mind at rest.
Two weeks back my Dad spent 3 days in A&E in a corridor before being sent home so you've done well really.

 

[DrWazzock]

That is good news, if nowt else it puts your mind at rest.
Two weeks back my Dad spent 3 days in A&E in a corridor before being sent home so you've done well really.

I consider myself very fortunate. I was only there for 6 hours, scanned, told things looked OK and sent home with advice. Some folk had been waiting 24 hours. The hold up for them seemed to be shortage of beds on wards to take them and some were in a desparate state.

 

[DrWazzock]

Still feel fairly crap with a dazed feeling, neck and headache but at least a serious brain problem is ruled out. Anyway will just have to give it time. Could be delayed effect of concussion as they said or maybe virus I suppose or knackered neck joints causing problems. Might try a chiropractor to loosen neck and shoulders. On turmeric and cod liver oil for the neck as recommended by the doc. A bit really.

 

[primmiemoo]

Glad you were seen quickly, and you're ok, @DrWazzock . If there's a chance to take up the suggestion upthread of gentle massage over chiropractic (personal experience of chiropractic is they overcomplicate everything), it could really help. So many of us in effect carry the world on our shoulders, which is behind tension and discomfort. How well does Mrs DrW wield the massage oils?

 

[Lili]

Still feel fairly crap with a dazed feeling, neck and headache but at least a serious brain problem is ruled out. Anyway will just have to give it time. Could be delayed effect of concussion as they said or maybe virus I suppose or knackered neck joints causing problems. Might try a chiropractor to loosen neck and shoulders. On turmeric and cod liver oil for the neck as recommended by the doc. A bit really.

I'd recommend a good physiotherapist rather than a chiropractor. They will also give you exercises to do to ease the muscle tension.

 

[ollie989898]

Sadly I had pretty much the exact same experience with Mum. It left me very bitter towards the NHS, McMillan and especially her GP.
I regularly hear McMillan adverts on the radio saying how they do everything to go the extra mile, in Mum's case they did absolutely feck all. They were an insult more than anything as was the GP.

Then when I went to them for my own problems they were all as excellent as they could possibly be. Different GP but the treatment and speed of treatment I received was first class.

Don't know if it is luck of the draw or if there is some kind of age cutoff point. It certainly felt like an age thing.

If it is any help there is a private system for MRI scans if you feel it would help, Google will find it if that's the route you feel you must take. Have to admit that paying for an MRI scan is one thing but how and who for interpreting the results is another. I don't know how that bit works.
Paying for a scan is expensive but if it gets you sorted out it must be worth it.
I'm sorry you are going through such crap as I have been there myself and have an idea of where you are at.

If you were to pay for a scan it would be interpreted by a radiologist right there and then as part of the fee.

 

[DrWazzock]

Still waking at 4am with really bad neck pain, dizziness and quite severe headache. Improves when I get up and move around. Out in the cold today with scarf on but back of neck got very cold and painful with headache and dizziness again as if it’s kind of freezing up through lack of blood flow. Cant really understand it. GP doing blood tests for various things - inflammatory markers or something. I’m only 55. Surely it shouldn’t be like this yet?

 

[serf]

Still waking at 4am with really bad neck pain, dizziness and quite severe headache. Improves when I get up and move around. Out in the cold today with scarf on but back of neck got very cold and painful with headache and dizziness again as if it’s kind of freezing up through lack of blood flow. Cant really understand it. GP doing blood tests for various things - inflammatory markers or something. I’m only 55. Surely it shouldn’t be like this yet?

Nope but it's amazing how some of us go to scrap when you get over 40 esp if you've burnt the candle beforehand...

Folk who have got their health take it for granted and don't appreciate how fortunate they are ...

 

[DrWazzock]

Yeah I used for work outdoors in sub zero temps and never notice it. Now my neck kind of seizes up just for fun even lying in bed in a cold ish room. WTF. Roll on spring time and a bit more global warming.

 

[Kidds]

55? Crikey, I had you down as closer to 70 with all your problems. You are younger than me.
I still think stress is probably playing a part in it, understandably. I have no more an idea of how to cure that than you do but must be a bit of comfort to think is isn't anything more sinister.
A bit of good spering weather and sunshine will do the world of good. Yesterday wasn't bad but today it was bitter outside. It'll come.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Still waking at 4am with really bad neck pain, dizziness and quite severe headache. Improves when I get up and move around. Out in the cold today with scarf on but back of neck got very cold and painful with headache and dizziness again as if it’s kind of freezing up through lack of blood flow. Cant really understand it. GP doing blood tests for various things - inflammatory markers or something. I’m only 55. Surely it shouldn’t be like this yet?

try Alexander technique lessons, they may help

Find a teacher near me | The Definitive Guide to the Alexander Technique

alexandertechnique.co.uk

 

[Old apprentice]

Hope you are feeling better soon take care and keep at them to see if they get to the cause correctly . If in doubt get some privete opinion.

 

[primmiemoo]

Yeah I used for work outdoors in sub zero temps and never notice it. Now my neck kind of seizes up just for fun even lying in bed in a cold ish room. WTF. Roll on spring time and a bit more global warming.

Have you looked into buying a good neck buff to wear when out and about? There's a selection of types, including wool, to keep the warmth where you need it. No long scarf ends to worry about, either.

 

[2wheels]

Have you looked into buying a good neck buff to wear when out and about? There's a selection of types, including wool, to keep the warmth where you need it. No long scarf ends to worry about, either.

yes, even the thin ones for the motorbike do a lot of good.

 

[serf]

55? Crikey

I was quite surprised too I thought maybe early 60s ,
but I know how he feels I've always got pains and it p!sses me off , ppl who have no aches and pains don't know how lucky they are ,

Trouble is taking pain killers can do you harm when you been on them a while and I've managed to wean of them now somehow

 

[Kidds]

I was quite surprised too I thought maybe early 60s ,
but I know how he feels I've always got pains and it p!sses me off , ppl who have no aches and pains don't know how lucky they are ,

Trouble is taking pain killers can do you harm when you been on them a while and I've managed to wean of them now somehow

I think I probably ached more in my early 50's than I do now (60 in a fortnight).
Big part of that is not cutting cabbages any more.