Question
Hello,
I am writing to you in hopes of finding some assistance with an ongoing medical problem that I have been having off and on since 2005.  I have seen numerous medical specialists, but no one can seem to pinpoint my problem.  First of all, I have a herniated disc at c4-5 level impinging on the cervical cord.  I also have a disc herniation compressing on the left side of the cervical cord at C5-6.  There is also mild central spondylotic annular disc change at c6-7.  There is mild reversal of the lower cervical lordosis.  My last cervical MRI was 12/1/06.  

The first problem with this started in 2005.  I was getting blurred, almost double vision when I turned my neck to the right, and sometime when bending my head backward.  The vision would stay blurred  for sometimes a few seconds, sometimes a minute.  That lasted for several months and eventually subsided.  I had MRI/MRA of the brain which was normal.  I had a MRA of the carotid artery which only revealed minimal plaque in the left carotid artery.  I had an ENG to test problems with the inner ear, that was also normal

Currently, I am having a spacey, lightheaded feeling. One time I turned my neck to the right while bending down and got dizzy.  Today I was resting with my head tilted back.  When I got up, I felt lightheaded as if the blood was rushing to my head. I am feeling a tightness in the left side of my neck and shoulder.  I am also having stiffness from my neck down to my lower back, with sometimes numbness into my both arms and legs.  At times, my vision seems to be blurrier than usual.    

My question is are the herniated discs somehow reducing blood flow to my brain?  What treatment, if any, can be done for this?  I do not want surgery if that can be avoided.  Are there any additional medical tests that you would recommend?  I appreciate whatever help you can give me.  I抳e become very frustrated at this point.  

Answer
Wow, I thought these questions would be easier to answer than this! :)

Okay, let's start with your discs.  I've never seen a correlation between them and vision.  Vision occurs in the head, and not in the neck.  You have issues for sure there, but it's not the cause of the vision loss.  I would recommend a spine trainer, like the posture pump, I'd buy it on ebay, if I were you.

It's not your ear, it's not your blood, it's not a tumor.  That leaves blood pressure, called orthostatic hypertension, and something that connects all the way down to your butt, because that's weird, too.  Have you been checked for meningitis?  that would cause some of the issues you are having. I have to admit, though, I'm really just spitballing here, throwing out some ideas.  My specialty is in other areas.  I would also look into the EPLEY maneuver, but that's more for benign vertigo.  I would have you check out these as options, and run them by your health professional... without an exam, again, I'm just brainstorming here.  Hope this answer helps.