[neck]

I desperately need direction & help with severe neck/head/shoulder pain. My online investigation indicates finding a knowledgeable chiropractic neurologist, who'd recommend and can evaluate a standing MRI may be the best course of action.

This excruciating pain began in left shoulder and lower left neck (cerebellum) area. The center of pain moved to other areas of the head, and now has gone into the right shoulder, lower right cerebellum, and neck area - exactly the same areas but on the opposite side as where it began 17 days ago!

I've not fallen nor had any recent injury. I did fall flat on my face while running with my dogs a little over a year ago. Up until then, I'd been in such good health (with only a few sinus infections) that I'd never gotten another doctor when mine died several years ago.

Complicating matters is the fact that I'm visiting in Savannah, GA. I came here to see family friend dentist who attached crown to an implant, with no complications, about five days before I awoke with this awful pain in my neck, shoulder, and head.

The pain was less debilitating when it was focused more in the back and top of my head than when it is located more in the left (and now right) shoulder and neck pain. I slept a little more during the 3-4 days when there was less neck and shoulder pain.

None of the OTC pain meds ease this pain. I am allergic to morphine and all derivatives, can only take a few of the powerful prescribed pain medication. I take no prescribed medication.

Without adequate sleep and all this pain, I am off-balance, cannot bend down, drive, or do much of anything but rest. Holding my head up and keyboarding make me a little sick to my stomach now.

Complicate matters, I was on my way to help family in WV. With this delay, I now have little time left to do all I'd promised there because I must be in MI to care for my only (11 monthw old) grandchild in a little over a week now!

My Humana insurance will only pay for an ER visit while out-of-state. I have never even seen my PCP in FL. After my fall, his nurse saw and referred me for MRI, CT, and to see a neurologist, eye, and ENT specialist. What with never being seen by my PCP, and not being impressed with the specialists I saw, I actually do not have a doctor with whom I could consult.

Since I'm running out of time to consider R&R may eventually help, I believe seeing a good chiropractic neurologist in the Savannah area would be my best choice of action. Any suggestions or insights about doctors and/or treatment facilities from others who have had or know more about this type of pain could be of immense help right now.

[Bannet]

Hi and Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I am so sorry you are going through so much pain. I have given you a link to our Chronic Pain Forum but IMO you should probably call your doctor to see what you should do. Good Luck.


http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum10.html

[Twinkletoes]

I would use a chiro as a last resort.

Have you considered massage therapy? They are so gentle by comparison. I mean, it's your neck for goodness sake. Do you really want it jerked around when it's already in pain?

But I'll admit, I know nothing about a chiropractic neurologist. Perhaps they approach things differently.

Good luck on all your traveling. You are too busy for this to slow you down.

I hope you get some relief very soon.

[vini]

hi I would go to er and ask for an MRI to check for cerebral tonsilar decent this may indicate a spontaneous spinal CFS leak it is very rare so don,t worry, but go to the er to get things checked out your pain would decrease if you lay flat on your back if CSF leak

get to any doc

kind regards Vini

[Jomar]

I wonder if this is spasms due to positioning during the dental visit??
Severe spasms can make you very uncomfortable.
I don't know that a MRI is needed yet.

Perhaps just an evaluation by a expert chiro or even a expert phys therapist although I think the chiro would be cheaper and quicker than many sessions of PT.

You've probably came across information about c1 & c2 adjustments, or upper cervical adjustments... that might be something you need since the fall on or face a yr ago.

I suggest finding a very qualified chiro or get a free evaluation as some offer those ... then see which one you feel is best before making a choice.

some chiro/c1/c2 info links for you -
Chiropractic care info- a good one can help with many symptoms:
http://www.upcspine.com/self.htm
http://www.uppercervical.org/subpag...b/about_faq.php
http://www.spineuniverse.com/index.html
http://www.coloradochiropractic.org/.../glossary.html

[neck]

Thanks for the link to your Chronic Pain Forum. Just wish I had, or knew of a competent doctor or chiropractic neurologist in this Savannah/Hilton Head area...

[neck]

This pain is so intense that I've been afraid of going to a chiro, massage therapist, etc. I've heard a couple of good reports about success with a chiropractic neurologist but he's in CA.

At the rate I'm going, I'll not be able to do any more traveling. I've always been too busy but have gotten a lot done. This pain has slowed me down and been unbelievably debilitating. Thanks for hoping that I'll be able to get some relief very soon.

[Jomar]

If you go for a evaluation visit even with a regular chiropractor they should be able to suggest what the problem might be after taking your history and examining you.

did you do an online search for DC in the area where you are?

here's a few sites that are search able - some even list specialties & training level -
#
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[neck]

Somehow, I've also wondered if this was related to that dental work...
The pain doesn't just make you very uncomfortable, it's excruciating and I'm not sissy, I've been repeatedly found to have a very high pain threshold!

Since I'd had that MRI a little over a year ago, that's what I thought - until I read about the difference between what is discovered when one has this kind of pain and the MRI is done in standing, rather than the more typical laying down one that I'd had.

Finding and getting an evaluation done by a expert chiro has become the big problem. They have apparently become very popular in this Hilton Head/ Savannah area. Starting with an expert phys therapist here (when I'm rarely in this area) didn't seem as good as finding and getting in to see the good chiro.

They are very busy here and far some cheap, but I think you're right about the chances of them doing something to ease the pain quick enough for me to be able to function enough to pack up and drive on (with my two dogs) to WV and MI. Simply must be well enough to get to MI and be able to take care of my Grandson by 10/28... Can't believe I've been like this for 17 days!

I came across a little information about c1 & c2 adjustments and upper cervical adjustments but I hurt so badly when I'm looking at the screen that I don't digest a lot of what I read now... I appreciate that suggestion and will mention that to the chiro. It really sounds like something I've needed since that fall on my face a yr ago.

I'm trying my best to find a very qualified chiro. No one here that I've found offers any kind of free evaluation. Wish I had time to see several, with free consults. May try that when I get back home, would be an great way to determine which one would be best before making a choice.

Thanks for those chiro/c1/c2 info links. After keyboarding this much I can't stand to sit here any longer right now but will read them as soon as I've rested awhile. Thanks so much for your help.

[Jomar]

i understand about the high pain and computer/typing time...

maybe this list w/map will help -
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&n...actors&spell=1
&
http://www.chirodirectory.com/dir/ga/savannah

i should have added when you call ask about experience, level of training & yrs of practice.