Dear Dr. Joshua,
I have been experiencing very severe pain starting in my neck, and radiating across my shoulder, down my arm and into my thumb. This started just before Christmas. I have been seeing my Chiropoactor who suggests that I have a “C6 impingement”, but based on my pain level, he suggested I go to the Doc. and get a MRI to see the soft tissue that his x rays can’t see. THe x rays (by the way) show silght disc degeneration, both the Chiro and MD agree upon this. Both also agree that a MRI is needed. MRI is scheduled for the 25th. However, I seem to have a new symptom popping up, of corse AFTER the MD apointment. I have been waking up in the middle of the night with a spinning senstion. I can only compare it to drinking way too much back in college. When I sit upright it seems to get a bit better, then goes away once I am standing. The only medication that I am taking is 800mg. motrin, i do not believe this to be a side effect. THough it is worse while lieing down, it seems to pop up periodically during the day, suddenly, the room is spinning. Again standing, walking around seems to make it go away. Is this a likely symptom related to my neck, or is this a whole new unrelated issue in your opinion? I am just wondering if this is a cause for major concern or if it can wait until my follow -up after the MRI to mention to the Doc.

Doctor Joshua’s Answer:

The spinning sensation is not related to C6 impingement (although your radiating pain may well be - good thing you’re getting that MRI done). Dizziness can be neck muscle tension related, but a spinning sensation is unlikely to be that. Spinning sensation, i.e. vertigo, is often inner ear related, and rarely can be caused by brain (cerebellum) stroke. If it comes and goes, it’s probably not a stroke, but it still needs to be evaluated. The most common reason for vertigo is benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV), which just means that it is not life or health threatening, and it’s related to the position one’s head is in, and it’s caused by calcification in the inner ear and can be cured with positional training.

I recommend that you see the doctor - a diagnosis is needed before treatment suggestions can be made.