I'm freaked out - Weird pain in back of head/neck for a week

my mom had the same thing a few days back.the right her neck had a sharp throbbing pain out of no where. the doctor diagnosed it as a pinched nerve.

does the pain happen in bursts?

 

If it happened to me, I'd assume back/posture issue.

 

i had a similiar incident a week prior to christmas. i was at lunch at work and remember specifically telling my coworker that my neck was hurting...sort of like a creak in the neck type of pain from sleeping wrong. it was just minor pain at the time. then it got progressively worse that evening. at lunch i could still turn my head both ways. but then, i couldn't even turn it right before i was in major pain.

i thought i'd sleep it off and feel better in the morning. i woke at 4:30 am and now i couldn't move my head left, right, up, or down. it was the scariest moment of my life. i woke up my g/f and told her to take me to the emergency room. i got there at 5:15 and didn't see a doctor until 7 even though NO ONE was in the lobby (but that's another story).

anyhow, the doctor diagnosed a neck sprain and likely due to too much time sitting in front of a computer. gave me some muscle relaxer and pain meds. it took a week to completely go away, but haven't any pain since. i hope that's all you've got too.

 

This really sounds like a pinched nerve. My dad had this happen a few years ago. It isn't an aneurism. My mom had that, as well.

 

Most likely it's either a musculoskeletal issue or possibly a pinched nerve (though doubtful) as many has mentioned. If you start to get vision changes or any sort numbness or tingling then I'd get to the ER asap, but otherwise, I'd stick to the pain meds or anti-inflammatory.

I'm curious to see what the neurologist would say though.

 

Well, during the fall I was having some serious pain in the front and right side of my head and neck. I felt throbbing pain and I had a headahce for like a month straight. Nothing I took helped. I thought I was going to die. Finally I went to the doctor and she pressed where my neck and shoulder meet and it hurt like hell. Anyway, it was tension headaches and she gave me muscle relaxers and prescription ibuprofen. She also recommended physical therapy, but I was too busy. Now i'm fine. I'll probably have to go get physical therapy eventually.

 

that sucks man...hope you find out soon. nothing worse than worrying about your body like that.

 

does it hurt regardless if you're moving or stationary? i was only hurting when i tried to move, especially just trying to sit up from laying down.

i remember the ride to the ER. every bump and turn was downright painful.

 

Ice pack in a towel, apply to the area (base of neck), and it will shrink the nerve that is pinched... ice 10 minutes, off 10, ice 15, off 10, ice 20 minutes repeat every hour you can... and take less ibuprofen if you can, it melts your stomach lining eventually. You can take a natural muscle relaxer like valerian root as well... from a whole foods, or GNC.



DO NOT go with a suggested surgery if it comes up... seek a good therapist/chiropractor, and treat it with ice and slight adjustments.


Avoid a knife... IF it's a pinched nerve.


Otherwise, do get diagnosed.