Neck pain after VM

[Faith8990]

My VM symptoms started 8/6 with the crushing headache that felt like it was going to end my life. Followed by about 7 doctors who just kept telling me I had a migraine and a LP that wasn't done till 9/11 by basically a 13 year old out of medical school who played a game of operation with the procedure on my spine. Needless to say, I've had the worst luck. I am still recovering but getting better each day and have come leaps and bounds from where I was. My question is about neck pain. I have had ongoing back pain, I believe started with the LP and was caused by it, plus VM. But just had another doc tell me to go to PT and "dig myself out of the whole." Kind of hard to do when you can barely bend over. But what worries me more is the neck pain. I have random bouts of neck pain and I can't link it to anything. I use a tens unit and heat on it and have been doing some light stretching. I have baclofen which helps some and recently found that the old drug cogentin, I had some from a previous health experience, eases it (try it out if you are suffering, can't hurt at this point!) I feel like it's getting worse. Has anyone else experienced bad neck spasms, even up in that region, after VM and in recovery? (Ps I have looked into craniosacral massage. Please don't leave a note.) Its so great to have you guys to lean on, Ive basically lost faith in the medical community. At this point (in the US) I basically wait in pain in a lobby and pay a copay to them so they can walk in for ten minutes and tell me I should be ok, dig myself out of a whole, etc. Think I'll just rely on myself from here on out! thanks guys!

[Lippistix]

Hi there, you say you looked into cranial massage, did you try any sessions? My daughter had bad neck pain, and that sorted it for her too, as well as the violent headaches, sleepless nights, depression etc. She is on her last one this week, that will be the tenth. Just saying! Good luck anyway with your recovery. Xx

[Tupshaw in reply to Lippistix]

Hello. Is your daughter’s neck pain worse now? And does she have any issues with her nerves going down both of her arms and legs? I hate this feeling.

[Lippistix in reply to Tupshaw]

Hi, sorry to hear you are still suffering. My daughters neck pain has pretty much gone completely. The cranial massage worked for her...its the only thing that had any positive effects. I think its important to find an osteopath who understands the VM illness.

[Tupshaw in reply to Lippistix]

Did she have a lot of pressure in her head?

[Planetvix]

I have recurring VM ( mollarets) and each time the recovery is the worst part. There are supplements that can help; magnesium at bed time etc. I go to a chiropractor after because I also get neck pain and headaches. A short session usually shows I am out of alignment due to stiffness and cramps and just one session helps a lot. Plus sleep, tons of immune boosting supplements and gentle exercise and swimming. But I snorkel- specifically because I can hold my head straight otherwise swimming can be a strain on neck. Yes, not really easy to snorkel everywhere! And yoga. Just take it slow. It’s soooooo boring waiting to feel healthy. I feel you! Waking up in pain and exhausted is awful. I think what I am trying to say is do everything but know that the recovery is worse than the attack and it takes time. Your body needs to shed the virus from deep in the nerves. You can try hot cold therapy too to help. Either sauna and plunge pool several times or even just dipping your feet in a hot bowl of water and then cold back and forth about 3 times or more. It really helps to shed the virus. Wishing you all the best xx v

[Faith8990 in reply to Planetvix]

Thank you planetvix!! People have suggested chiropractors to me for years bc of my migraines but I've always veered. Something about the readjustment and such, it just seems like once you go you have to keep going forever. And right now I would be really scared bc i do think this is still part of the virus fighting me. It feels like it is coming directly from where my cervical discs start/end. Like that connection specifically. And almost like it's not just the discs/bones, etc. but it's something under it, connecting it, idk hard to describe. Ive had more issues since I had the LP than before with all of the neck pain and back pain. I swear it made it so much worse! I am slowly working light yoga and some easy walking back in. And I am trying to find a pool. Good call on straining the neck possibly in the pool, I will make sure to be careful with that!! The pain just comes at complete random times and I can't seem to attach it to a cause just besides my body working things out since I got sick. It seems to be getting worse and more frequent though. I am big on supplements and have magnesium. I will make sure to add if back in the rotation! Thanks for the helpful info!

[Mishqueen in reply to Planetvix]

I snorkel everywhere. It's a huge boon to any chronic pain, because swimming is the best thing ever for pain if not for that pesky turning and lifting of the torso. Yes, I'm 10 years into chronic pain and I'm a great swimmer but I still snorkel when I have pain. In the lake, in the public pool, in the private pool...I look silly but no one has ever told me I can't.

[Mishqueen]

Did you try Cranial Osteopathy? It's a different modality than CS, though they are related. CS helped me a little, but CO helped me a lot. I know how it is when everyone tells you what worked for them, so no expectations here but it's worth a shot. I felt a little difference after one appointment, and a big difference after 2 or more. So you should be able to distinguish rather quickly, if it's a very good therapist doing it.

[Tupshaw in reply to Mishqueen]

Hello. I was never diagnosed with Viral Meningitis but I am having some issues. I had a CT, CTA MRI with and without contrast. They said they were all normal. They said my lumbar puncture didn’t say meningitis but it was done three weeks after the onset of symptoms. I still have pressure in my head and I feel unbalanced and stiff neck. Is this normal or they just not finding out what is wrong with me.

[Mishqueen in reply to Tupshaw]

I assume you got the scans because you've already been to a neurologist? I was diagnosed quite late, 2 months in. So my diagnosis was actually the best guess by my neurologist since it was too late to get a positive from a spinal tap (so thankfully, we didn't do one). The farther I got into my symptoms, the more positive my neurologist was of his 'guess'.

I had dizziness so bad I couldn't walk to the bathroom, my head pressure felt like my skull was reforming in a crest, and I was sensitive to the touch from my shoulders up -- even a touch of my hair would make me pass out or dry heave. I had other symptoms as well, but THESE symptoms when away very quickly when my neurologist finally put me on a steroid to stop the inflammation/swelling. Have you taken one yet? Are they willing to consider it if you don't have a diagnosis? (steroids are dangerous, and they don't take prescribing them lightly)

[Tupshaw in reply to Mishqueen]

Thank you so much for responding. Yes I did go to the neurologist. Yes I would be willing to try it but you are correct when I had to take steroids before for something else my body felt horrible. I am currently taking gabapentin. I only take 100 mg. It has helped a little I think. The pressure in my head is what really bothers me. We’re you tired and did you feel weak? And how long did this go on? And are you feeling better now?

[Tupshaw]

Did you have any issues with nerve pain down both of your arms, hand and legs? It seems like my neck is stiffer now then it was before.

[Hidden in reply to Tupshaw]

I thought mine was the flu. The flu progressed into something much more sinister and yes, I did get the limb pain. When I coughed it made it unbearable I would feel like someone was sleg hammering my arms then the pain shot down my leg and this lasted for hours ( arm pain was worse than legs)...Worse is the brain and neck pain associated with VM. I felt my brain was under siege and scared some real permanent damage may be happening. I had to stay medicated these past couple of months. I’m in my second month the nerve pain stopped in the limbs but every morning and at night my head still has that spooky pain, the neck so stiff it’s hard to get comfortable. I was not diagnosed bc I read the LP could make things much worse and figured what could they do? I had antivirals,antibiotics, and pain medication at home. It’s slow going but luckily the worse is behind me. I’ve been up for hours ( I usually get woke up by the migraine and neck pain) into my third hour and have to keep a fisted hand at base of my neck just to tolerate sitting in the chair.

[Tupshaw]

Hello. Just trying to find out what is going on with me. By chance did you have a lot of pressure in your head and wierd pains in your head. I feel off balance too.

Thank you

[Tupshaw]

Hey Faith8990. I am not sure if I have asked you questions before, but I am lost. I am not sure if I even had VM, but all I know is that I need some guidance. I have had MRI's and CTA scans and CT and Lumbar Puncture. Everything was normal on my scans, but the Lumbar Puncture showed that I had blood in my spinal fluid. They said that the blood came from a traumatic tap. I had the LP done over two weeks after the original headache that sent me to the ER. I have seen four neurologists and they now say I have migraines, but these are not migraines. I have terrible neck pain and it seems to have gotten worse not better and that is what scares me. I was just curious if yours got worse after your original headache and how you feel now. Also, I never had a fever only the headache and the chills. Any advice would be appreciated. Oh and I am on Amitriptyline 10 mg. Not sure if it is really helping, but praying does help because I get very depressed. I will say that I am not tired like I use to be. I hope you are doing better.

[AngusOG1 in reply to Tupshaw]

Have you tried the brudzinski’s test?