I recently learned that I have an acquired traumatic brain injury. I was also in 2 car wrecks many years ago that may have contributed to symptoms decades later.

I always had migraines but over the years my headaches grew increasing worse. Eventually I started having horrendous occipital headaches and neck pain. Nothing worked. I was eventually diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Hypermobility (EDS), a genetic connective tissue disorder.

I later learned that my C1/C2 had partially dislocated (atlanto axial subluxation) and my head was moving too far to the left and right (cranio cervical instability). A C1/C2 fusion was my only option since it was evident on my MRI that my vertebral artery was being impinged - I was a stroke waiting to happen.

I flew from Texas to Maryland to have the surgery performed by an EDS expert, and I would do it again in a heart beat.

I also found that wearing a hard collar (Aspen Vista ordered from Amazon) helped my symptoms prior to surgery)

I hope you find relief from pain soon! Whatever you decide, the key is finding a specialized neurosurgeon who only performs craniocervical procedures.