@oakbourne Yes. I have the same - Cervical Dystonia. I’ve posted before. Symptoms started shortly after receiving the first “emergency” Covid vaccine from Pfizer (2021). I had just retired and was looking forward to that stage of my life. Have a fantastic and caring Neurologist who heads up the Chase Family Movement & Disorders Clinic in CT. My system is extremely sensitive to meds. Tried several combinations of muscles for Botox injections every 3 months. Took a break in 2024 to try meds: Clonazepam then Carbidopa-Levodopa (usually for Parkinson’s tremors) as a trial. They are supposed to calm the brain, per se, but they don’t stop the continual tightness/pain from the jerking. My head wants me to turn left- any other direction causes tremors. Stress is a major trigger, which is an ironic yet obvious statement. When you have this, you don’t have tolerance for anything. Triggers are everywhere and can cause exhaustion. I try all the tricks, but they don’t always work. Can’t lay on the back of my head (think sleeping or riding in a car).
Have done so much research on the brain, basal ganglia, nervous system, and cells, in general. Have followed several hospitals’ approaches and their research here and abroad.

I may pursue a second opinion from a referred person in Boston. My neurologist is just hoping the doctor could review everything and possibly collaborate on treatments. )I feel like an anomaly)
If Carbidopa-Levodopa is not truly helping, I’m going back to Clonazepam and trying Botox injections to deeper muscles we haven’t tried, as yet.
I’m happy that DBS worked for someone, but I’ve been advised to wait/watch because they don’t feel it’s quite “there” for brain treatment. There is a new procedure which utilizes an ultrasound guided laser treatment that helped a man with terrible hand tremors.
These two procedures are still too new for me; although, I’m discovering that the medical community is “pushing” DBS. I think they could do better. It’s like having a pacemaker in the brain from appearances. (Please know that I am happy it helped someone, though).
It’s discouraging.
For those just starting out, I can share that numerous blood tests and MRIs were done to rule out several major diseases (have good insurance because the blood tests can add up). I’ve had 2 major falls (ice skating/ slipping on a wet tile floor) that impacted my head momentarily. I truly think the COVID shot unearthed something (it does involve nRNA in the brain).
I’ll let you know if going back to Botox w/new muscle involvement helped. Good luck to everyone.