Strange "crackling" sounds/sensation at the base o

I have been experiencing some worrisome "crackling" sounds and sensations in my head - more specifically at the base of my skull. I've had x-rays taken of my cervical spine, but they appeared normal.

I "hear" or experience this sound whenever I move my head (up, down, left and right).

I can't say that it is painful, just worrisome.

At first I thought it was arthritis or a denerated disc, but the x-rays show that my cervical spine is normal.

Could this be related to blood vessels or cerebral spinal fluid?

If you have any information or suggestions, please help.

Please, only serious replies would be appreciated.

Thanks.

The cracking sound is produced by the sudden release of gases from the cushioning fluid between the cervical vertebrae as the vertebrae are being pulled away from one another (spinal decompression). I can make the same sound if I forcefully bend my neck in one direction or another. Some people are better at this than others. Chiropractic doctors do this to their patients all the time.

Thank you Hoseclamps, but the sound that I'm hearing is not a "cracking" sound - it is a "crackling" sound. It can be compared to the sound of "Pop Rocks" but at the base of my skull.

I have the same sensation. I have asked doctors for years what it is and they just smile and say "I don't know"?
I would love to find out what it is. sometimes my daughter can hear it if she is close to me.
It is the weirdest sensation. It only happens sometimes in my life. I don't think it's stress?
Any answers?

Hi rainbow,
I've asked my husband to put his ear up to the base of my skull to see if he also hears the sound...and he does.

I find it so disturbing because it worries me that it might be something more serious. I get a "heavy head" feeling - like my head is too heavy for my neck to support it. I also get a feeling of nausea on days when I have the sound/sensation all day long.

I have a feeling that it's related to anxiety/stress. Maybe it's worse on days when my upper back and neck muscles are tense due to stress etc...

I really wish that doctor's were more helpful....

I have had this noise in my neck since a whiplash injury 13 years ago. It feels and sounds like gravel, in fact the x-ray reports a spondylosis of the cervical spine. I attribute this to being rear-ended while 6 mos pregnant by a man who reported driving at least 45 mph. Off and on, I have numbness and tingling in my lower arms and a weakness. I used to worry about dropping my babies because of it. I was diagonsed with carpal tunnel, but I never believed that one. I knew the deal.

Today I watched 'mystery illness' and learned about a woman who was having bleeding in her cervical spine that simulated the same symptoms. I'm not a hypochondriac, but I if there is a surgery out there that can prevent stroke or paralysis in the long term, I should keep pushing my physicians to find a cause for my discomfort.

I pop way too many Advil for my age and have too many headaches to ignore what might be going on. People with chronic pain don't want to be seen as weak or complaining, plus we get used to it. Every day stuff that we ignore and move on. But there may be a bigger picture that we are denying.

I work in health care. Our physicians will pursue as hard as we are willing to pursue. If you think there is something wrong with you, that what you are experiencing is 'not normal' then push on... find a new doctor if you must, but find an explanation or treatment plan that makes sense for you. I know that I will.

I am having the exact same problem! It's driving me nuts! Sometimes I wonder if it has to do with the fact that my neck hurts pretty much daily and when I turn left, right, up or down, it crackles! And it does sound like pop rocks! I have yet to see a doctor about it. However, reading the replies, it doesn't seem worth it since most people are getting the same answer, nothing!

milliondollarbaby wrote:

I have been experiencing some worrisome "crackling" sounds and sensations in my head - more specifically at the base of my skull. I've had x-rays taken of my cervical spine, but they appeared normal. I "hear" or experience this sound whenever I move my head (up, down, left and right). I can't say that it is painful, just worrisome. At first I thought it was arthritis or a denerated disc, but the x-rays show that my cervical spine is normal. Could this be related to blood vessels or cerebral spinal fluid? If you have any information or suggestions, please help. Please, only serious replies would be appreciated. Thanks   Did you find this post useful? 5 3 Posted: 06/01/09 - 14:20   Guest Guest   I've had this same problem for years. It happens for me when I am walking usually. Definitely reminds me of a Pop Rocks sensation (that is how I found this post as a matter of fact). Frustrating that I can't find a definitive answer or two . Maybe it's never been fully diagnosed?   Did you find this post useful? 5 3   MY NAVIGATOR   Unanswered posts   Newsletter   Subscribe to FREE monthly SteadyHealth.com newsletter. Name: Email address: I agree with SteadyHealth.com Terms and Conditions SteadyHealth Community Home » Disorders » Disorders   You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum

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