Neck position brings on aura...

Brain and nerves
1

I've had degerative disk disease for years, but I have yet to find a doctor who has heard of my problem or another person who has this happen to them. If I read my phone or a book for a couple minutes I will get dizzy and get an aura.  At the very least my vision will become blurry.  Can anyone relate to this?  Laurie

 

2

Hi Laurie. I've got degenerative disc disease too, had 2 crap (surgeon's term) discs removed at L5 and L4 ie lowest two discs and steel fixation. Still can trigger aura and migraine if I 1. Increase spinal fluid pressure in head eg pullig out weeds, tug of war with puppy etc or 2 getting my head/ spine in wrong angle eg looking up to change light bulb or reaching under a table for a dropped napkin. Just about stopped any Sig reading many years ago, too many headaches. Being careful with my triggers I've got the attacks down to about 1 a month.. Good luck

Duvet

3

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my question. Soon I will have a CAT scan to measure blood flow from neck to head, per my neurologist. Has any doctor told you why this is happening? Wondering if something is pressing on a blood vessel, or as my anesthesiologist who gives me shots thinks, the optic nerve might be being pressed.

4

Hi Laurie i have disc degeneration in my neck too plus slipping of the vertebra and two disc bulges. Can you please explain what your aura involves? I suffer dizziness also and chronic spasms of the neck and shoulder muscles. Sorry your also suffering from pain

5

Hi Laurie -

i can relate. I have had 4 rear impact vehicle collisions, a severe fall that required surgery to my jaw, a broken shoulder, and numerous other falls that have affected a healthy cervical spine.  If I sleep the wrong way, or do too much of the wrong activity my head is killing me.  It affects my sinuses, eyes, ears (ache), occipitals... But if I do any trigger point therapy I can usually relieve some of the pain (short term). I have 24/7 headaches that vary in intensity.  I have run the gammit of migraine and pain management medication but found that my cognitive awareness was affected too.much so I have weaned off everything but  Lyrica. I'm not even sure how much that is helping anymore. I do know there seems to be real connection between cervical and/or lumbar spine issues and severe headaches.  I read an article about SCM (sternoclydomastioid - you may need to look it up) issues and migraines that drew a direct parallel to the symptoms. I am 63 and have had iincreasingly intense and chronic issues for over 29 years, however, I continue my search for the clearer understanding and successful treatment.  I hope your journey goes well.

6

I get the same thing.

7

Allison, thanks so much for responding. When I have an aura I get a little dizzy, then see something like clear lights with jagged zig zag edges blocking parts of what I'm looking at.  If I don't get an exact aura, I'll still see blurriness. Usually if I take an excedrin migraine pill it goes away within 1/2 hour.  I have also noticed before a migraine I experience chills, yawning or irritability.

Laurie

 

8

Hi Bernie.  I appreciate you responding so much. I will look up sternoclydomastoid... I have a feeling it involves TMJ which I've had a lot! I know what you mean about cognitive awareness... I took Topomax and I heard Doctors call it "Dopamax!" (B/c it makes you dumb!  Did you ever have auras with your headaches?

Laurie

9

Hi Kayla.  Thanks so much for responding. Did you ever get any good info or help for this?

Laurie

10

My doctor chalked it up to just being part of the migraines I get, but I get them, even when I don't end up getting a migraine attack. I see them, pretty much all day.