Desperately Seeking An Answer

[Dee9919]

I am praying that someone has had a similar experience with a conclusive diagnosis. I have a previous c-spine injury from many years ago that I somehow aggravated again, probably with exercise. It has become more painful over the course of the past two years. My doctor, of course first prescribed muscle relaxers, etc., and then send me for a neck x-ray and CT scan. Both indicated arthritis in my neck.  The pain continued so he then sent me to a neurosurgeon. A nerve study was conducted and old injuries impacting the nerves were discovered in my neck and in my back. He recommended physical therapy which relieved the pain for a period of time. What has continued to be a puzzling problem, however, and has increased over the course of time is that along with the numbness in a hand or foot when I am sleeping, I now feel as though my heart is pounding when I wake up. My pulse is racing, I am having episodes of night sweats, and I feel as though I need to breathe extra deeply. I am tired all of the time. I am experiencing some difficulty remembering things during the day. My blood pressure has increased and I am now on blood pressure medication. I have asked my spouse if I snore and he has indicated that I don't. Analytically, I am wondering if the neck injury and night time symptoms are related. I am exhausted, foggy headed, and worried about my blood pressure which is now up and down like a roller coaster. I would appreciate any related experiences and input. Thank you.

[Gio77Italy]

from the way you describe it it sounds impossible for that type of injury to give you those symptoms. moreover it should have caused the symptoms at the time and then regress, not the other way around.

In my opinion something totally distinct is happening to you. if you include lack of memory (short memory?) and brain fog then it rules out cervical injury completely.

I had similar symptoms which I believe started after some sort of infection viral or whatever. at some stage it affected my heart too, slowing down the heart beat at night, it would get better after a couple of hours being up in the morning. did you check your heart beat rate?

what type of nerve study was conducted? what type of impact on the nerves? it would take a pretty large spinal disc herniation to cause that.

did you have full blood count? when did it all begin, except for the pain in the neck? do you remember anything unusual preceding the symptoms?

[neeters1960]

I had the same symptoms, due to Menopause! if you are in your 40 or 50's, that could be it, along with possible low thyroid and adrenal issues. I would go see a hormone doctor that specializes in bio-identicals and he can definitely test your hormones and thyroid.  I went through hell feeling like you did for a year until I saw one, now I take a dessicated thyroid pill and some hormone creams, very small dose, but I have no pains or stiffness, no more debilitating fatigue and soon will be back at work. I am 51

[Red_Star]

Labile hypertension (fluctuating hypertension) may be due to hyperthyroidism, renovascular hypertension, seizure disorder, migraine, alcohol withdrawal, carcinoid syndrome, panic disorder, baroreflex failure, or drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, or clozapine. Considering your history of neck injury, baroreflex failure is the most likely diagnosis.

From the Rare Diseases Network website..

"What is Baroreflex Failure?

Baroreflex Failure is a rare disorder characterized by change of blood pressure with episodes of severe hypertension (high blood pressure).  There can be increased heart rate during stress and hypotension (low blood pressure) with normal or reduced heart rate during rest.

Symptoms may include:

Headache
Excessive sweating
Extremely high or volatile blood pressure and heart rate with spikes in blood pressure in response to stress, with periods of normal or even low blood pressure during rest.
Heart rate that does not respond to medications intended to improve it

Note that Baroreflex Failure may resemble another rare disorder called pheochromocytoma, a catecholamine-secreting tumor.

What causes Baroreflex Failure?

Possible causes may include:

Surgery and radiation for cancer of the throat
Injury to glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves (nerves involved in sensing blood pressure)
Cell loss on both sides in the nuclei of the solitary tract (NTS, a column of cells located in the medulla) in the setting of a degenerative neurologic disease of the brain.
For many patients, the cause of Baroreflex Failure is not known.

How is Baroreflex Failure diagnosed?

Baroreflex Failure resembles other more common disorders, so its diagnosis is challenging.

In addition to asking detailed questions about the patient’s health and family history, the physician will conduct a physical examination, which will include checking blood pressure and heart rate in specific circumstances, such as during daily activity and with medication challenges.

What is the treatment for Baroreflex Failure?

Treatment for Baroreflex Failure involves medications to control blood pressure and heart rate and to reduce stress."