Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
First of all, I would like to reassure you that your symptoms and investigations do not suggest any serious neurological problem. This is because your neurological examination by two neurologists are normal, and MRI of brain and spine have also been normal.
Your symptoms are most likely related to peripheral nervous system involvement. This includes a labyrinthine or vestibular dysfunction, causing dizziness, imbalance, nausea, etc. Involvement of the nerves in the neck could cause neck pain, stiffness, restricted neck movements, pain and sensations down the spine, etc.
As of now, you require symptomatic treatment, including betahistine for relief of dizziness and vertigo, pregabalin or gabapentin to relieve the neuropathic pain, etc.
You would also benefit from physiotherapy, including gait and balance training, vestibular adaptation exercises.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant neurologist
Patient replied :
So is the labyrinthine or vestibular dysfunction a separate illness from the muscle movements in my neck? I feel that because of my neck muscles that are moving and shaking they are causing the imbalance that I feel?
Just last week I got a cold and had a lot of congestion. At one point I blew my nose and felt like everything moved which worsened everything. Why could have this worsened my symptoms?
Thank you for getting back with more details.
Neck problem and labyrinthine/vestibular problems are two separate illnesses, but both would contribute to your sense of imbalance and dizziness. so, I agree with you on that aspect.
Cough, cold, and upper respiratory infection are known to worsen vestibular functions, so, your current worsening can be explained.
However, as I mentioned earlier that these are not serious illness and would improve with treatment as advised earlier.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)