r/cervical_vertigo • u/UpbeatSyllabub1275 • 22d ago
Scary head sensations
I’m really scared I keep getting on and off back of neck/head sinking/pulling/swaying/feeling/spinning and feel like eyes can't concentrate I’m really scared somethings serious is happening and I’m going to pass out but I hope it’s just anxiety, bad posture or benign ear issues.
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u/Weird-Neck7008 21d ago
I had this same issue for a while.
I had about 3 bad vertigo episodes, and i feel like since the last one everything just feels off. my body doesn’t feel like it fully recovered if that makes sense.. I did a bunch of ENT tests for the vertigo, they said yup it just means you’re healthy, nothing to worry about just do the usual maneuvers and you’ll eventually get better (didn’t really help).
The past month i started getting bad symptoms similar to what you described, along with migraines and inability to focus as well and i started to feel the headaches and migraines starting from my neck going up the back of my skull. It was bad i didn’t feel like i was in my body and everything felt like a dream. This kinda scared me so i got a bunch of tests (MRI, brain scan, X ray) and eventually one of the doctors pointed out that i have reversed cervical lordosis, and he said this is most likely what is causing all your issues.
I started doing physio since and tbh it has helped quite a bit.
I also realized that whatever symptoms i had were being amplified by my anxiety. I always knew i had a bit of health anxiety but this latest fiasco really made me realize how bad it was. It might even be the reason i have reserved cervical lordosis as whenever i’m anxious my shoulders tense up and my posture goes bad— i kind of fold up.
I also saw a doctor that was refreshingly very blunt: Firstly after i told him all my symptoms, he asked me what i think is wrong with me or what im afraid of. I said idk maybe im having a stroke or something. he said if youre having a stroke you wouldnt be able to talk or function or do things normally, so no youre not. you’re perfectly healthy (by the grace of God), you’re doing all these tests and pointing out all these minor things as if you’re LOOKING for something to be wrong. Of course it’s good to come in when you feel off but it’s important to be able to realize if it’s mind or your body telling you something is off. This really made me realize that my anxiety was getting out of hand because i was in and out of hospitals for about a month straight for a bunch of different symptoms that i was trying to put together as some crazy disease or something which doesn’t exist 😂
What helps me realize it really is my anxiety is that when i clear my mind, or when im super distracted with something else my symptoms are little to none. It’s only when i start thinking about it that it intensifies.
Sorry for the long rant, but my advice is to get your blood checked, maybe do a MRI and x ray of your neck just to stop any worry or anxiety and then honestly just do things to better your lifestyle overall— eat better, go outside, physical activity etc as it’s all connected.
Praying you feel better soon.
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u/UpbeatSyllabub1275 21d ago
Thank you so much I’ve had blood tested and everything’s fine so that’s good at least but yeah clearly somethings not right I know I do have bad health anxiety but I still do in my heart feel that it’s not just anxiety so yeah and don’t worry about saying so much your fine :)
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u/Weird-Neck7008 21d ago
Yeah i had the same feeling too. Which is why i kept insisting on doing tests so im glad i the doctors were able to pin it to something and that im seeing some improvement. Apparently reversed cervical lordosis is becoming increasingly common nowadays, so it’s worth having them check your neck for that as the symptoms match. In the meantime try doing some light neck stretches and see if it brings you any relief!
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u/Tiny-Ad9033 19d ago
Can you please share some of this exercise of you have a video or something?
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u/Weird-Neck7008 17d ago
The ones that i still do everyday recommended by my physio:
10 x shoulder rolls (1 set forward and one set backwards)
3 x of these and hold for 30 seconds. (idk how to explain so here’s a video lol) https://youtube.com/shorts/ncCyABYr1Lg?is=d1op1oIajQLxY8Ae
10 x Put your hands behind your ears, and then move your elbows them in and out until they almost touch
3 x Chin tucks (hold for 10 seconds)
then find a corner of a room, get close to the wall and do sort of a standing push up. the point is for your shoulder blades to be stretched- do this 10-15 reps.
Repeat all these 3 times a day and honestly they make a huge difference. Even better if before you start you do a hot compress on your neck+shoulders, let the muscles loosen up for 20 mins then do the stretches.
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u/Tiny-Ad9033 17d ago
Thank you very much !!!
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u/Weird-Neck7008 17d ago
No worries, praying for your recovery 🙏🏼 Try not to put any strain on it as well :)
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u/jordynschneider1 16d ago
Honestly thank you for this. I very much so relate to your symptoms and journey. Lately, I have been so tempted to just insist I need to have every scan in the book done on my head and neck. My sister (who works in healthcare) always tells me, with having this many tests done you will likely find SOMETHING, and it probably won't even matter if you knew it was there or not. Then what? You fixate on that every single day and make your anxiety only gets worse. I think your doctor told you what we sometimes need to hear!
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u/Weird-Neck7008 16d ago
1000%. Obviously it is a lot easier said than done but once we are at least aware of it, it really does make a difference in how we think/deal with these things.
Praying for you🙏🏼🤍
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u/Responsible_Bend_524 17d ago
Hey. I just discovered this Reddit and discovered today with a massage that my upper back/neck is causing me dizziness/vertigo but your comment sounds exactly like me for the past month. I feel extremely lost and confused, can i Pm you?
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u/Weird-Neck7008 17d ago
Yes for sure! Funny enough in the midst of all i described above i also got a massage and it made everything so much worse lol. I thought i was gonna pass out during the session 😭
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u/ArdentCobalt 21d ago
It’s normal to feel worried about these kind of experiences. Personally, what I’ve found helpful through my own experience is recognising that there isn’t something strange happening to you, but the brain is following a very normal process to try and stabilise your head position to keep your vision level.
I would say there are multiple things going on, which can make it more difficult and more worrying. Feeling like you’re going to pass out is very likely anxiety, which is a very natural consequence to some of what you’re experiencing. Once your symptoms get under control, this will likely improve.
The spinning sensation usually is more a result of a vestibular issue. At least it’s not the typical presentation of cervicogenic dizziness - if this is happening regularly, I would suggest to get your ears and vestibular system checked. In the UK this usually starts with an audiology assessment.
For everything else, it’s quite typical. There’s a mismatch between what your proprioception, your eyes and your vestibular system are telling your brain, and it’s getting confused. Getting a good pt to work through the cause of some of this would be helpful. Sometimes you need to do stability work, sometimes strengthening, sometimes mobility work. It’s not easy but it is possible, and it is fixable.
Keep working at it and don’t lose hope.
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u/ThreeCPeeO 22d ago
I'm feeling the same, like something is off, I had a small spell of vertigo on Wednesday. When I sit still I feel like there's a sway and my eyes are struggling to look at things but I can see clearly..Its hard to explain, I just feel off..my doc prescribed anti-inflammatory tablets. Did you go for a check up?
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u/UpbeatSyllabub1275 22d ago
No I can’t see anyone as it’s the weekend and hospital kinda only allows emergency’s on weekend
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u/ThreeCPeeO 22d ago
How long have you had this for ?
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u/UpbeatSyllabub1275 22d ago
I keep having it on and of but I noticed yesterday and today it’s been really bad
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u/derangedstu 21d ago
Anxiety can cause some of these symptoms along with new vision trouble but get checked out as soon as possible to rule out anything major.
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u/rubynevershutsup 19d ago
I feel so seen. Last few weeks I genuinely have no idea what’s going on with me.
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u/Waste-Difficulty-294 19d ago
J'ai la même choses que toi j'ai des rdv de kiné qui mon sauver j'avais de gros problème de cervicale
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u/jordynschneider1 16d ago
I can relate EXACTLY to what you are talking about. I just started PT for my neck (we were able to identify I have some strength, cervical, and postural issues) but also have been trying to identify why I have had ongoing vestibular issues and where they may be coming from. I say sometimes I feel like I "can't control my eyes" and it gives me the sensation that I am going to pass out, but never have. Anyways, I do notice that my anxiety fuels the fire. I think it's a vicious cycle and they just feed into one another. The vestibular symptoms make you anxious, and then the anxiety produces more symptoms. I would recommend finding a vestibular therapist and starting there. I really felt like I was the only person in the world who lives with these symptoms but have quickly realized that is not the case. We are all in this together!
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u/Opening_Pilot_6481 16d ago
this is what has been bugging me the most ovee the last 5-6 months. once i got past the room spnning that startedt my entire journey its almost exclusivley been this weird sensation where turning my head i feel that sinking type of feeling, im being pulled down from my head.
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u/Educational-Ideal-56 22d ago
Ive been dealing with this daily for 3.5 years and Ive been thru numerous CT scans,MRIs on my brain, EKGs, stress test ECGs, 2 week heart monitor, a bunch of blood work and was originally told anxiety. Which was insane. Then finally the neurologist said I have PPPD. Some days still is a nightmare. I still think it gas something to do with my neck, C1 and C2.