Neurologist doubts neck pain from migraine

Posted by roseann4z @roseann4z, Jun 7 10:44am

My recent visit to my neurologist a headache expert said she wasn’t sure the pain I experience at the base of my skull is migraine. I know I also have headaches triggered by neck muscles but I’ve read so many accounts of neck & pain in the back of the head being migraine too. She wanted to add a muscle relaxer to my meds but I don’t want another pill. I do have classic migraine with visual aura sometimes but so far Qulipta & Nurtec don’t help much.
Anyone with neck/skull issues? Does chiropractic or acupuncture help, PT?

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highlands1946 | @highlands1946 | Jul 6 10:38am

Yes, my migaines start at the back rt side of my head and with the same muscle pain going up my neck. They ARE related.

Nurtec cost me $500 and had go effect.

Have you tried topamax, one of the many generics on the market. That worked well for me until I stopped it, then I got daily migraines. You have migraines, not headaches.

Get a second opinion, another neurologist or your Internist.

I feel for you.

highlands1946 | @highlands1946 | Jul 6 10:39am

Also, an MRI of brain and cervical might help. I'm in line for those.

roseann4z | @roseann4z | Jul 6 3:50pm

Thank you for your help & advice. I had MRI last year of both & have an appt with new neurologist on October (soonest I could get with this guy who is highly recommended) will keep you posted. Be well!

maryshepard40 | @maryshepard40 | Jul 6 4:29pm

I have head and neck issues. I feel for you. I have had chronic migraines since my last TBI in 2017. I also have cervical dystonia and the discs in my neck are all herniated but none on a nerve thankfully.
Ive had horrid experiences lately with neurologists. Mine left, retired. The one that replaced him is out with a medical issue. I need to get Botox every 3 months for the CD . They also put some in my jaw and forehead. Since im just catching up now they have a fill in neuro I have trouble holding my head up after 2-3 pm. Like I have to lay down. If I try and push through I will get dizzy and have had a fall due to ot.
I will say the Botox helps. The Triptans never worked or 2 migraine meds. They gave me a trial of indomiathin a NSAID that can work on migraines. I think it has helped. I’m waiting for my neurologist to return or see who will be treating me. Im going to talk with my PCP about neuro . They are hard to communicate with.
Pt has helped me a lot . The best is when they actually pull my head. Its sounds weird, not to the inversion bed yet but pt is working on getting me there. The part in the neck can definitely trigger a migraine. I need a second opinion but neurologists are really hard to find in maine . My pt told me many patients go to Boston. I can’t due to insurance. If you can get a second opinion I would. Im going to lean on my PCP as i navigate this mess. She is so good. Neuro is a nightmare ( the office I go to)
Gentle bugs and hope you find answers. You’re not alone.

roseann4z | @roseann4z | Jul 6 7:21pm

Thank you for your experiences. I am going to get a second opinion in October which is the soonest I could get an appointment with the second neurologist. Good luck to you!

mikayla | @mikaylar | Jul 7 8:45am

In reply to @roseann4z "Thank you for your help & advice. I had MRI last year of both & have..." + (show)

If C1,2,3 are misaligned, you could be getting your headaches from that.

bernieboy | @bernieboy | Jul 24 10:56pm

In reply to @sanderson23 "I have chronic migraine as well as significant neck arthritis. I have both head pain and..." + (show)

@sanderson23

I have chronic migraine as well as significant neck arthritis. I have both head pain and neck pain and over the many years I have had migraine it has morphed in location and some of that I suspect is related to the development of the arthritis. This is just some background as an FYI for you.

I was on cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), a muscle relaxer, for a number of years. I took it every night and it helped with sleep, decreased muscle spasm and pain in my neck and shoulders (the shoulder spasm was related to the neck per my doctor). I developed some side effects (chillblains which I have a tendency towards anyway but it made it much worse) or I would still be taking it. This med is helpful in a lot of chronic pain conditions and is used in fibromyalgia too. Unlike some muscle relaxers, it has an effect in the central nervous system, ie/brain. I don't know if that is the one your doc was thinking of or if it is right for you, that is for you to discuss with them as they know your full medical history.

I would say a really good test is what makes the pain at the base of your skull go away? Do you have an acute med for migraine that does work like a triptan? If that makes the skull pain go away it is probably migraine.

It is VERY difficult to parse out neck pain and migraine. The nerves from the upper neck are part of the migraine circuit of nerves--they all connect! So migraine can cause pain in the neck, and pain in the neck can cause migraine!! And it can be so hard to tell.....just when I thought I have it figured out, I don't! I think that some days it is the head, other days the neck, that is the trigger. I have found that the best way to deal with it is to address both. Anything that helps the neck is likely to help the head, and vice versa.

I have tried acupuncture and it didn't help me. I don't think I went to the right provider. It has good evidence behind it and is reasonable to try. Ask your doctor or other folks you know in your area if they have a good acupuncturist they can recommend.

Chiropractor, might be best to avoid. At least anyone who does traditional adjustments, the abrupt movements of the neck. They are not recommended by most doctors, especially neurologists, for the neck. Usually they are ok with people seeing them for their back, but not their neck. Those types of adjustments that move the neck abruptly can cause injury to the vertebral arteries that are right along the spine in the neck. These are 2 of the major arteries to the brain and while this is a rare complication, it can lead to stroke. I know someone who it happened to. Fortunately for him, it was a small stroke. However, I am not your expert, please talk it over with your neurologist or other physician caring for you.

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

Jump to this post

I have headaches & neck pain . My doctor says I'm too old (75) to start getting migraines so I did acupuncture twice but it did not help. They say it can take up to a year for it to work I have my doubts. Anybody taking meds that help without a lot of side effects ? Thanks in advance. Bernie

roseann4z | @roseann4z | Jul 25 2:17pm

I am trying Qulipta with some help. Also have taken myself off my AI cancer meds. Acupuncture did not help me.

mikayla | @mikaylar | Jul 26 8:50am

In reply to @bernieboy "I have headaches & neck pain . My doctor says I'm too old (75) to start..." + (show)

I had neck surgery and it did not help my daily persistent headache but the doctor told me it would not help. Surgery did help my neck. Quilipta and acupuncture useless. In fact, no migraine meds or procedures helped.

bernieboy | @bernieboy | Jul 26 1:42pm

Have you tried Botox ? I had it twice & it did not help but doctor said it can take up to a year to work. I'll try it one more time & hopefully it will help. Good luck let me know if you start getting any relief.

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