Expert: John Quackenbush DC - 3/17/2010

Question
QUESTION: I was rear-ended two times within a year and a half. I never went to the emergency room. For almost two years now, I have bouts of dizziness. I had extensive tests done on my ears, an MRI of the brain and neck. They said it showed nothing. I have extreme pain in my shoulders and neck. I had Botox in the neck muscles with no relief. Recently, I had 3 very large needles inserted into the neck muscles. Still no relief. I am wondering if the pain is causing this dizziness? The only thing that seems to help is Celebrex and alot of it. And now that isn't working. Could it be from imflammation? At this point I'm living day to day because I can't drive or work. I never know when I'm gonna get the dizziness. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

ANSWER: Lauren,

I am sorry to learn of your situation. You did not mention Chiropractic so I am assuming that you have not seen a doctor of Chiropractic.

First and foremost it is my opinion and my sincere wish that you get to a competent Chiropractor in your area as soon as humanly possible.

I can almost guarantee that the trauma you have suffered has caused what is known as a Subluxation which means one or more of your neck vertebrae ( and possibly your upper and mid back) are out of place and pinching nerves in your neck. I further opine, since your MRI is negative, that most of your dizziness (if not all of your all of your dizziness) is coming from the pinched nerves I am speaking of.The same goes for your neck pain and stiffness of your neck muscles.

I am willing to bet a side effect of Celebrex is dizziness...look it up it will amaze you. This Celebrex is doing nothing but numbing the signals your body is trying to send you. That is like pouring oil on a fire..it will smoke and even choke out a fire until it catches and then watch out you think it's bad now..just continue on the path you are on now and the dizziness and pain you are experiencing will be like a walk in the park in comparison.

I absolutely feel it was egregious for your medical doctor not to at least mention that you have a chiropractic examination.

I sincerely hope you seek care with a Chiropractor. Good luck.

Dr John Q Quackenbush
Phoenix Chiropractor   

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have been seeing a Chiropractor for many years. I had the MRI done for them. I took the films to them and they saw nothing. They were the ones who sent me to the other doctor whom gave me the Botox injections. I noticed that when I went to the Chiropractor the neck seem to get worse. The adjustments used to help, but not now. Also, can a pinched nerve be seen on an MRI? I wait till I get dizzy before I take the Celebrex. Do you still think it makes me dizzy? Thanks so much for your great input!!

ANSWER: Lauren,

It may be that your chiropractor does not possess the skills you require for your adjustments. Also since this is a different problem you will need to be on a chiropractic program and not just an occasional adjustment that used to work in the past.

You might find a new chiropractor who is neurologically advanced at www.lifechangingcare.com

Forget the Botox injections if they were going to work for you they would have already worked. Oh yeah did I mention that botox is derived from the organism that causes botulism!

MRI is better used to see the condition of the disc tissue and the idea that you can see a pinched nerve on a MRI is a tricky one some you can see and some you cannot. The Diagnosis of a pinched nerve is derived from several avenues such as history, exam, X ray in combination not just one source such as MRI

I understand the Celebrex is a necessary evil but it is not treating the root cause of your dizziness and only masks the true problem which has to be comming from a brain based situation, the inner ear and the pinched nerves in your neck and more than likely a combination of all three. So again Google Ce;ebrex and get educated on the side effects of Celebrex and any other medications you may be taking now and in the future.

Hope this helps answer your questions.

John Q Quackenbush
Phoenix Chiropractor
www.drqdc.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I started taking Celebrex in 1999. I had a total hip replacement. I never had any side effects from taking it. This dizziness came from out of nowhere. I can go for days/weeks without taking it. I have extreme pain in my shoulder and what I was asking is could the dizziness be coming from the pain running up to my neck and face? I had in depth hearing tests. The specialists told me it wasn't coming from the inner/middle ear. So I assume the only thing left is a pinched nerve?

Answer
Lauren,

It is possible to have dizziness from pinched nerves. Please et checked by a chiropractor.

John Quackenbush

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