Newly diagnosed
Long story but I will condense as much as possible. 12 years or so ago, I was diagnosed and treated for cervical migraines that gave me neck pain that radiated to left eye. Was treated with pain med, muscle relaxer and ibuprofen. It worked well and after a few years the pain went away. The doctor has since retired.
This year I was at work and suddenly I felt all the visual symptoms hit me along with mild headache, neck pain, ringing in ear etc. I didn't know what was going on
I have been to 7 or 8 different doctors including optometrist and chiropractors.
No doctor had any answers
Finally , after many test, mri s(4 months later)a neurologist said u have migraines.
The only resemblance it had to my previous experience was the neck pain and occasional left eye pain.
The wild visual crop I get was almost unexplainable until recently. It's almost like i look through a Kaleidescape, without the colors, when it's at its worse. Other times items can vibrate and occasionally it feels like my brain vibrates similar to when a barber holds clippers next to yours skull trimming around your ears.
I do get some dull aches behind eyes though
None of the medicines seem to work so far. Some of them sedate me so much I can't function. I would really like to see a different doctor if anyone knows one in middle Tn area
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey with us. It's not uncommon to have our migraine patterns and symptoms can change over time, mine sure have. I don't believe there is an official diagnosis of "cervical" migraine, so good to hear you have an actual diagnosis. Neck pain can be a symptom of a migraine attack and and/or trigger one - I've experienced both. Visual aura can be disturbing and scary to say the least. About 25-30% of people with migraine experience visual aura. Let me share this link with you on it; https://migraine.com/migraine-symptoms/visual-aura
You're on the right track trying to find a doctor who is educated in treating migraine disease. Here's the thing, general neurologists may be fine doctors but have a hard time being experts in one area because they treat many conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and more. A true migraine/headache disease doctor treats migraine and headache all day, every day and have additional certification in headache medicine not all general neurologists have. Here is more information on how these doctors are different and how to find one;
https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist/
https://migraine.com/living-migraine/neurologist-vs-specialist
https://migraine.com/living-migraine/change-thoughts-new-care
If you have more questions, we're here for you! I'm sending you pain free wishes, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com Team
Thanks for the reply and info
My original diagnosis of cervical diagnosis of cervical migraine was from a medical doctor. He explained it as my neck muscles for whatever reason were tightening up compressing on one of the cranial nerves that fed behind my left eye. Made sense to me especially since the meds he gave me, especially muscle relaxer,, made the pain go away. May not have been an actual migraine diagnoses though. Idk. Lol
I do know and I left this out in my original post, the only relief I have gotten in the last 7 months is when I goto the chiropractor and get a neck adjustment and decompression. It doesn't last for many days but the meds they give me have not really worked at all. I do appreciate the advice
I like how tuned in your are to your symptoms and what does and doesn't work for you. As we each try to solve our migraine condition- it's a unique journey that can take years of trial and error. In the end, there is no cure for migraine so it then becomes about managing it the best we can. Sounds like you've figured a lot out by paying attention to which treatment approaches work. Very logical. Thank you for sharing! Warmly- Holly -migraine.com team.
