What causes brainstem pressure symptoms and thinking issues?

Hello doctor,

I have problems with clear thinking. When I am in the wrong position, there will be tension in my shoulders and arms, and in my facial muscles, but also I cannot think clearly anymore. It is like a blackout. When I bend my head forward for a few seconds, my body reacts with sweating and rapid breathing.

My chiropractor thinks it has to do with the absence of lordosis in my neck. When I bend my neck forward, there will be pressure on the brainstem. The result is a fight or flight reaction. My symptoms are a headache between my ears and above in my neck, and an earache after an hour of thinking. So I have not been able to do my job for nearly two years. I have trouble with clear thinking.

The biggest problem is that sometimes I feel muscle tension in my shoulders, arms, and hands, and in my face. In that case, my consciousness is impaired. I visited a neurologist, but she could not explain it. Can you help me?

Of note, when I was 12, I broke my nose. My current medications are Paroxetine 10 mg twice a week and Ibuprofen and Paracetamol. Some weeks ago, I had an MRI of the cervical spine, and it showed spondylosis at C4-C5. No significant neural foraminal bony stenosis was seen.

Degenerative changes in the atlantoaxial joint. I also had an MRI of the cerebrum that showed no relevant findings for comparison. Current research concerns an MRI of the cerebrum according to standard protocol.

The results were as follows:

1. There were some punctiform supratentorial white matter abnormalities, a specific but most likely on the basis of microangiopathy.
2. These are not striking for the age.
3. Normal aspect of the basal nuclei, brainstem, and the cerebellum.
4. Normal grey/white matter differentiation and gyri/sulci pattern. Slim/slender ventricular system and peripheral liquor areas.

Results of the MRI of the cervical spine were:

1. Modic-2 endplate changes around the anterior intervertebral spaces C4-C5.
2. Degenerative changes of the atlantoaxial joint, with known osteophytes, in accordance with the CT CWK from 2007. C2-C3: Free from significance.
3. C3-C4: Uncovertebral disc disease and osteoarthritis.
4. Combined bony and discogenic narrowing of C3-C4 neuroforamen left, possibly with the involvement of root C4 left.
5. No significant spinal canal stenosis. C4-C5: Disc disease with posterior bulging. Uncovertebral osteoarthritis.
6. Combined bony and discogenic neuroforamen C4-C5 on each side, possibly with the involvement of root C5 on each side. Mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis with reduced liquor signal around the myelum, but with no obvious compression.
7. C5-C6: Disc disease with posterior bulging. Uncovertebral osteoarthritis. Combined bony and discogenic narrowing of the C5-C6 neuroforamen on each side, possibly with the involvement of root C6 on each side.
8. C6-C7: Disc disease with posterior bulging. Uncovertebral osteoarthritis.
9. Combined bony/discogenic neuroforamen C6-C7 on each side, possibly with the involvement of root C7 on each side. C7-T1: No abnormalities of any significance.
10. Conclusion: Intracerebral are free from abnormalities of any significance. Degenerative disorders of the cervical spine, however, are not considered significant when there is no significant spinal canal stenosis or demonstrable cord compression. I have attached all the reports for your reference.

Please guide.

Thank you doctor,

My chiropractor thinks there is also a problem with the CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) flow as a result of kyphosis and osteophytes. He feels that should be the cause of the headaches. What do you think about that? Could you explain the relation between tightened neck muscles and brain fog?

Please reply.

Thank you doctor,

One thing I do not yet understand. If I bend my neck (a few seconds is enough), I immediately get muscle pain in my neck. That pain draws to my shoulders and arms. I also feel hot and start to sweat. My breathing and my heartbeat also go up and I get dizzy. All these things within half a minute. I am having these symptoms for the past eight years. When I use a neck collar, these complaints are much less. When I stretch my neck through traction, the pain disappears. Does this not indicate pressure on a nerve root, or pressure on the brainstem? I read on the Internet that a well-known neurosurgeon says that a combination of kyphosis and flexion causes pressure on the nervous system and leads to neurological complaints. If so, is it next to medication and physiotherapy? Perhaps is it useful to continue with neck traction? Please give your suggestions.

Thank you for the reply doctor,

My neurologist does not want to give me the tablet Tolperisone. I think she does not want to give me any medicine. Do you know an alternative medicine that I can but in my country? I am now trying CBD 9(Cannabidiol) oil, but it seems to help a little. The tension in my shoulders and arms is gone now, but not in my neck.

Please help.