Sternocleidomastoid Muscle?

So I've had some serious T since last July. I have gone to numerous ENTs. Most have diagnosed this as Menires. It is accompanied with severe daily headaches and dizziness (however, no vertigo). Well, steroids cleared it up the first few times, but it came back. This last time steroids did not even touch it. I started taking Lipoflavnoids, and found they work really well for the T. But the headaches and neck pain are still there. More recently I realized the pain was coming from right below my ears to the back of my neck (physical pain). I went to my ENT yesterday. He is referring me to a Neurologist. He touched a spot on the base of my skull that hurt bad. He says he thinks it could be either a really strained sternocleidomastoid muscle or pinched nerve. I am waiting on the neurologist to call me to set up CT scans etc. In the meantime, I've noticed my hands and legs have become a little numb (sometimes falling asleep). This has been causing me to panic. The not knowing part. I know most of my symptoms can be caused by Sternocleidomastoid muscle being strained, but it also says that wouldn't cause T. Just crackling noises (which I have heard, and am glad that I read that ha). Just curious if anyone else has had this issue. Just looking for some comfort until I get some answers. Thanks.

 

If you find an answer, please do share! I seem to be experiencing the same symptoms.
Ear fullness
Fingertips going numb
Tinnitus
Sterno muscle makes T louder
Etc. Etc.
The doctors are basically treating it as if I was listening to music really loud that caused hearing loss. I say, "What music? I was sleeping when it all happened."
Anyways, if you find some relief, please do share!
Ricardo

 

@Gin please let us know how you're doing. I have the exact same symptoms you do!! Would love to hear! Thanks!

 

Well, I am now doing physical therapy 3xs a week. It has helped with my neck soreness tremendously. I was taking a 25mg diuretic to manage my Menires and it about drove me insane. I had tingling and pins/needle feeling all over my body. My hands and legs were falling asleep constantly. I developed chills/night sweats to the point I thought I was having seizures. Involuntarily shaking. At one point I even called the EMT to my house one night. Recently my neurologist told me to stop taking the Diuretic and within days it was gone. Wow I thought the T was bad. But that was nothing compared to the other stuff. Anyway, My T has lessened greatly now that I am taking 3 Lipflavnoids a day. I hear it early in the morning but not as loud. It is usually unnoticeable by noon, but back at night around 10pm or so. But still not as loud. I have done tons of Menires testing they are pretty sure that is what I have. I have a consultation with a specialist on Friday, regarding treatment and test results. Some days are better than other. Especially with the balance etc. I am on a streak of 3 good days physically this week. I am just blessed that we figured out the diuretic caused all of these other things. Whew! It was scary.

 

Just wondering what testing you had done for Meniere's. I have the same symptoms as you. They are telling me that they don't think that I have Meniere's now, but I think I do. Thanks

 

Some therapy sites say that the sternocleidomastoid muscles has involvement with physical tinnitus - at least 20% of the time. Trigger points in the sternal branch of the SCM can cause deep pain around the eyes, headaches behind the ear, at the top of the head, and over the eye and interfere with processes almost anywhere (60) in all - from lumber spine to shoulders and up. They may cause pain in the pharynx (throat) and the tongue when swallowing, giving you a sore throat. They may also contribute to temporomandibular joint (jaw) pain along with the muscles of mastication. It is also possible for the pain to be referred downward to the top of the sternum.

https://julstromethod.com/julie-donnelly-notes/tinnitus-causes/