Inflammation of Carotid artery and neck pain

[SBBugg]

About six months ago my left neck began to hurt and I noticed what I thought was a lump there. I went to a head and neck specialist and he said that I had inflammtion of my Carotid artery(Carotidynia).  The lump, I guess, was just the bifurcation of my artery that was swollen. The doctor told me to take an anti-inflammatory(ibuprophen) for 2 weeks. The pain finally diminished, but about a month later it started in my right neck. The pain now runs all the way down my neck and into my shoulder and right chest a bit.  It especially hurts if I apply pressure to my pulse(Carotid artery).  It feels like inflammed nerves or something. So, I went back to another doctor and he gave the same diagnosis. He said unfortunatley the cause is unknown. Now I am on a stronger anti-inflammatory. I just want to know the cause so it won't come back. I also got blood work and a head and neck xray completed, but am still waiting for results. Has anyone ever had this?  Any similar symptoms?  Should I be more concerned? Thanks

[odd]

I have the same thing going on, just about 2 days ago i had an intense pain in the right side of my neck over my carotid artery and then the next day i felt a lump which caused me to believe it was swollen.  The lump is still there and the pain is too, i haven't been to a specialist just my family doctor who told me arteries don't get inflammed.  Then i saw this website and realized that he must have been wrong, anyway i know what you are experiencing and it is no fun!

[SBBugg]

My doctors said that it is just the outer lining of the artery that is inflammed.( nothing to do with the inside).  I have been on anti-inflammatories for 3 weeks now and it still hurts. Does yours hurt worse when you press on your pulse?  Let me know if you find out anything else about this condition.

[mst2]

I just had this happen to me.  It began about 3 weeks ago and come on rather suddenly.  I am now on prescription strength Motrin.  I am interested in knowing your results.

Thank you,

mst2

[tina6884]

I had the same thing about a year ago. My internist placed me on steroids, antibiotics, pain meds, and cough med. All my symptoms were pain over my left carotid artery, I had a cough that was almost constent, I could hardley turn my head, I could not lie in bed on my left side, you could look at my neck and see my pulse pounding, I had pain from my ears all the way down my shoulder. I first went to a nurse practioner who said it was all my ears and to take mucinex. I did so but continued to get orse which is when I seen my internist. She was flipping out about how bad it was and wanted me in the hospital, I refused and did meds. I was on steroids for 30 days. I have been fine until now. My symptoms started again yesterday and I go see my internist this week. SO maybe you should find an internist and good luck I think it is more serious then some doctors are acting. Hope this helps.

[lauren81]

Hi everyone.

Has anyone had a thryoid check? My Dad (age 53), also went through this about 2 years ago. However, his GP is an amazing guy, and sent him for some blood tests and scans. It turns out that he had "nodules" (cysts) on his thryoid, which were causing his neck to swell and inflame everything around it. He also had trouble swallowing sometimes, and coughed alot (especially when laying down.) As his were, usually these nodules are benign, but do have to be removed if they're causing breathing troubles. He made it through the surgery fine. He does still have some nodules on the other side of his thyroid, but they haven't grown & aren't causing problems, so they will just stay there. I'm not saying that any of you have nodules, but if the steroids aren't helping, or it keeps coming back, etc., I would say that going to an endocrinologist wouldn't be an over-reaction.Hope that helped.

[meades]

This same thing has been going on for almost a year now for me. I just turned 40 (male). A few months ago I went to my Primary Doctor and he said my Right Carotid Artery was inflamed. It is very painful to the touch and almost throbs with heartbeat. He wrote a script for a low dose of prednisone. The pain almost always goes away within a two week period, whether I take something or not, but I am very concerned as to why this is happening and if here is something else I need to address with my Doctor. I am in good health otherwise. Is this something I now have to just live with???

[keebe]

I was diagnosed in Oct., 2008 with caratidinia and given steroids and antibitics.  It helped.  BUT  my concern is that 2 months later, i went to my doctor with a cough that I just cannot control and now pain on the opposite side exactly like the right side and he tells me I have it again, on the other side.   I THOUGHT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RARE???????   so how did it come back so soon and now on the opposite side?  I refuse to go back to reg. dr., he can refer me to another doctor.   wanted to tell you I sweat like a lizard at night and sometimes during the day.   My eyes have also gotten really inflammed and itchy, and soar?  I don't know .  I am a healthy 45 yr old, 5 7 and weigh within my range.  sorry that you feel like ****.  I hope you will know where to go from here and let us all know.

[mrswhatacop]

OMG, just came from the dr. with the same thing, he told me to take Aleve 3 times a day....I also have a bad cough and was diagnosed today with high blood pressure and asthma....what in the heck is going on.......I am quite frightened......he did an EKG just to rule out a heart attack and some blood work, said it was routine testing but I wonder?!?!?!

[meades]

Follow up...

So $$$$'s later and the Doctors still do not know what is causing me to have these pains so often. The only thing they have said is that most people get this once, maybe twice, during their lifetime and never again. Usually treated with over the counter Ibuprofen to help with the inflammation. I have it this four times in the past year and they just don't know why. I hope I have had the last episode already. Blood work shows slightly high sugars and CT shows nothing. Go figure.

[babs0261]

check for lymph nodes, floating lymph nodes due to sinus and throat irritation, also I had aprocedure done a radiofrequency procedure on facet joints, cleared my problem right up.  If you have inflamation (inflammation) with your facet joints it could be the cause

[babs0261]

go to A pain specialist, (anesthesiologist-pain dr) and search into facet treatment, with radiofrequency, this helps with disc trouble, facte trouble, and all other causes of pain in neck.  It is very beneficial to those in chronic pain and meds do not help.  I have multiple disc herniations, impingement etc and now after I had this procedure done I am pain free.  You can have this procedure done to avoid certain surgeries.  Refer to Dr Gorfine website in Palm Beach, FLorida.  

[swtcountrynana45]

ok I went to chiropractor had my neck poped and then by time i got home my eyes were blooded shot and i couldnt stand neck pain was so bad went to the dr and they had to send me to eye dr i had Uveitius in my eyes (eye inflamation (inflammation))in both eyes and had to wear neck brace . couldnt stand for my head to sit on my neck . so now im wondering if the neck being pop is what is causing the eye inflamtion. my neck is still killing me been dealing with this for 2 yrs and i cant seem to get any Dr to believe me. this all started when i got my neck popped. has this every happened to anyone else. they cant seem to get my inflamtion to go away in my eyes. im feel like im at a dead in.

[cheslighty]

im experiencing the same thing, but no cough really, i do have pain in my mid-back that started about a week or two ago, then i woke up one morning and had a pain on the artery on my right side. It specifically hurts when i look straight up then turn to the right....I also feel discomfort going into my right check, i though it was tonsilitus, but i did a light workout and stretched alot, im  hoping that helps........by all the posts this seem to be kinda comon,......has anyone had the condition worsen????

[Cricket23]

I was just diagnosed last week with the same thing.  Horrible pain.  I also had a massive ear infection on top of it.  I have put together symptoms and realize I have had this a long time.  I though it was my neck where I have a herniated disc.  On 30 days of steroids, pain meds and sleeping pills.  At least I have a compassionate ENT who diagnosed it straight off.  I swear he knew before the placed a hand on me.  I had been mentioning the swelling just below my jaw and behind my ear for what seems like forever and it was just ignored.  I read that it may take up to 2 years on steroids to completely clear.  All I know is this sucks, sorry but it does.  I know you guys understand.  

[BobbyToes]

I could say "Ditto" to all of the above; however, in addition to the swelling on the right side of my neck and the pain/sensitivity, I also have had this huge, loud pulsing in my head.  Large doses of Ibuprofen have lessened the pulsing, but it is unnerving and wearing me out.  I'm waiting for the results of blood work to determine if I need Prednisone, but don't want to go on it if I can help it.  Will the Ibuprofen do the same thing?  When does the neck pain stop and the swelling go down?

[capecliff]

Went golfing on Sun. felt fine, that evening my neck on the left side started getting sore, at first I thought I pulled a muscle, next day extreme pain on left side carotid area, felt like I had a massive swolen gland, but none there.  I went to a NP she thought pulled muscle, I mentioned maybe parathyroid? so she did blood work, nothing there but pain got worse, so today I went back and a different NP along with a Dr. They examined me and diagnosed as Arteritis.  She is sending me for a neck ultrasound this week... my pain ranges from a 2/3 to 8/9 out of 10, at the low range it's tough to pinpoint, at it's worse, it is intense from below ear to just above collar bone.  Tylenol or advil does give good relief, but not total, she is putting me on Naprosyn 500mg 2x day.
I'm M 42 non smoker, active... Freakin me out.  She did say it's rather common, extremely painful, and tough to diagnose specifically, only rule out other things and treat... I feel ya'lls pain...literally.  

[cw896]

Me too.  Mine started when I was approx. 40 y.o.  Currently 48 y.o. female, non-smoker. not overweight. Interesting to note that another individual who posted at this site also has slightly elevated blood sugar.  Went to the ER, MD gave steroids to take.  Another Dr. recommended  Ibuprofin for the pain and swelling.Will go long periods with no problems.  Most current episode started 2 days and I also have a bad cough.  It was interesting to note that others have that same commonality.  I also experience great fatigue when the pain starts. Pain is in neck, jaw, ear, and temple areas. Had an ultrasound done on both the caratid arteries and no plaquing was evident. Very concerning.  This is the first time I found anything specific about Carotidynia.

[oldbiker66]

My husband has been having constant headache pain for over 2 months--the doctor diagnosed him with carotid artery inflammation and we have been searching for more answers for which we're not having a lot of luck. Our primary care physican says he has only seen two cases of this and has prescribed anti inflammatories which haven't helped a lot other than make him nauseus. He has sweating episodes, cold extremeties also and wondering if anyone else is experiencing this at all?  He's tried sleeping with different pillows at night for some relief, but nothing seems to help. We are thinking of going to Mayo (which is only 40 minutes away) to see if we can get some answers. Has anyone else been there yet?  
He has no cough either that some of you others have mentioned--ear ache, head ache, pulsing, and nausea but there just doesn't seem to be any answers.

[mellowguy]

I dealt with recurring carotid pain for years before discovering that in my case it was actually a form of migraine. If I catch it in the first couple of minutes, two Excedrin may work. If I wait too long, the Excedrin won't work. Then a single dose of Imitrex eliminates it within an hour. It is miraculous!

[angel1970]

my husband was diagnosed about a month ago with inflammation of his carotid artery on his left side he was prescribed anti-inflamatorys and told by our family doctor that this was rare a couple of days ago he started to have pain on his right side sore throat burning up at night called our doctor they put him on anti inflammatorys again if this is so rare how  has he got it in both sides of his neck and from what i have been checking out on the web inflammation of the atery could mean plaque build up he also gets headaches that last for days  has anyone out there got a definite diagnosis because i am worried my husband could have a stroke or heart attack

[bope77]

hello out there,, please i need help to this,, i discovered a small ballike inflammation on my left side of the neck at about 3 years though it wasnt hurting then,, went to a gp and he told me its just a normal inflammation i wondered then,,,,normal inflammation?? after 3 years i i discovered another on the right side which doesnt take up to 3 weeks before it started paining me and to worsen it the former one on the right side of the neck started paining me as well all i have been given by my doctor is diclofenac,, but it isnt working especially now that i am having the burning pain on all my neck and recently i have been having my pulse and almost most part of my body palpitating so loud and fast even to me hearing especially at the back of my neck....please help me what is this,,, im confused and cry over this sometimes because this is the first time in my lifei would be having problem with my health,.....help me,,,,,,

[AmyE77]

Hi, I am a 31 yr old female and also have severe neck pain on the right side of my neck in the carotid area for 3 days now.  It radiates into my jaw, shoulder and right arm. I went to Emergency room yesterday where they did several back,chest & neck xrays and also a carotid doppler. They said there were no tears or blockage in my carotid artery and all xrays and blood work came back fine. They sent me home with a diagnosis of Arthritis and a script for motrin and vicodin. There is no visible inflammation on my neck but the pain is unbeleivable! It seems to worsen when Im up moving around (as when my heart rate increases) its like i can feel my pulse in that area and its painful. I didnt know that arthritis in the neck would cause you to feel pain when your heart rate increases. Im terrified that they missed something in the tests they ran. The pain has worsened and it does not go away with prescription motrin.

[Vishal29]

Hi, like you all i am experiencing the same pain in my back neck (Left side) and its been now seven years.....Initially, it started from vertigo and now i get the pain and the vertigo as well. This vertigo can last for about 1hr and it happens to me generally every morning. I went to doctors and till now nobody had been able to diagnose the real problem.
Can any help me? Its a real hell.....

Thanks in advance

[Phrogflyer]

I am on my second bout of the inflamed carotid artery syndrome (2 years to the month apart).  I have looked into it and there is no definitive diagosis for cause.  The common belief is a viral infection.  Since I get hayfever in spring and use Flonase and that drug can cause upper respritory infection, I have to wonder if drug promotes the problem.  In any case as uncomfortable as it can be, it isn't fatal and only lasts a week or so wtih anti-inflamatories.  Good luck all.

[insgod]

Last week it started with my right shoulder feeling tight and sore. By Friday morning I was in severe pain and my neck was swollen.  Sounds crazy, but if I touched the carotid artery it got much worse.  I went to the doctor Friday afternoon and he said there was inflammation around the carotid artery. I was/am also suffering from extreme anxiety, something I've never had a problem with. He put me on Celebrex (anti-inflammatory for my neck and gave me Zoloft and Xanax for the anxiety.  I've been sick much more often in the last six months, probably due to a horrible work environment (new boss).  My doctor didn't know how or why my neck has suddenly swollen.  But it worries me a lot and my husband is really concerned.  I feel like my healthy is spinning out of control.  I'm still having severe neck pain and my should is still pretty stiff.  I wish someone could tell me exactly what's happening and why.

[Greta62]

I had a cat scan and some other ex-rays done about 6 months ago. Every since then I have pain in my right side artery in my neck area. It only comes on when I am active, such as walking or lifting etc. I also get it on my left side but not as strong. There is not any swelling just pain. I have not gone to the doctors yet. But it does worry me.

[Grandmom411]

Recently I have been having LEFT carotid pain, some dizziness and temporory memory loss that comes and goes. I haven't told my doctor yet but I will at my September appt.
A few years ago, during my every 3 months check-up, my internal MD heard the noise in my arteries (with a stethoscope) called a "burit" which is an abnormal sound). He ordered a corotid doppler test.  From the results of that he ordered a MRA...(this one is of the carotid arteries) He told me that the report reveiled that I had blockage in both carotid arteries of about 75%. After that, a yearly MRA was done.  In the early part of 2007, I began to complain to him of hearing my heart beat loudly behind my RIGHT ear drum, inside my head. He gave me a nasal decongestant.  That did not help at all.  The POUNDING inside my head behind the  RIGHT ear drum continued all that year and was VERY annoying. When my yearly MRA was done in Nov. 2007.  The radiologist reported "no stenosis".  I thought that was strange....but I had been praying for God to heal me, and I accepted that I was "healed".  I soon began to have severe dizzy spells for a short period.  My RIGHT eye would loose its vision by becoming distorted for about 5 min. then clear up.  This is called "amaurosis fugax". When I reported this to my doctor, he said I had to go see a vascular surgeon ASAP.  I was so close to having a life threatening stroke!!!  Jan 31, 2008. A carotid doppler was done. The vascular surgeon said my RIGHT carotid was 97% occluded and I needed to have the endarterectomy right away. (Left carotid was around 76% occluded)  Feb. 6, 2008, that surgery was done.  There has not been any more blurred vision, vertigo nor a heart beat, heard inside my head since.  I have wondered if its time for me to have the LEFT endarterectomy done. High cholesterol can and will clog your major arteries. It has happened to me. I have an excellent internal medicine doctor who takes good care of my health.  I hope this will keep any of you from having a terrible stroke!  Get a carotid doppler done!!! .

[coho503]

I saw an ENT today for severe left neck pain. It is worse when I am standing, and radiates up to the cheek and down my left shoulder and into my left arm. The doctor said the carotid artery was inflamed and prescribed a nine day course of prednisone.  I  started the prednisone tonight along with 3 advil and the pain is already much, much better. My doctor told me that there is an 80% chance this treatment will resolve the problem, but there was a 20% chance that  it might return and I might need another course of prednisone.  The little bit of reading I have done so far seem to point to a viral cause.  This may sound crazy, but have any of you guys had dental work, or teeth cleaning around the time of the onset of your neck pain? I know there has been some link between  dental work and heart disease- just a crazy thought.

[jasarzi2]

about 2 years ago i noticed the swelling in my neck.  i had recently lost a significant amount of weight and honestly thought maybe it had always been there i just didnt notice it because i was so heavy.  so after my dr checked it out she sent me to a surgeon and they both agreed it was a swollen lymph node and wanted me to get a CT scan and possibly a needle biopsy.  i had the CT scan done and it showed 2 growths, when i went in for the needle biopsy i was overcome with emotion, the needle etc and couldnt handle the procedure.  so i unfortunately avoided the dr and didnt mention it when i would go.  it didnt get larger but its always been uncomfortable.  this past month i went to the dr for a physical and she felt the lump and wanted me to go to an ENT.  being i've maintained my weightloss and will be 33 this year i want to take better care of my body so i went to the ENT.  like alot of you she told me that "its just how youre made"  nothing to worry about and just take a motrin 3xs a day and you'll be fine.  i'm sure the look on my face was priceless but she quickly got the idea that i wasnt impressed with take a motrin and you'll be fine.  after asking more questions she then told me that the motrin wont cause the swelling to go down but will help with the pain.  well i do care about the pain but definitely want to know more about the cause of this and treatment so it can go down.  i will definitely keep you posted on any info i get.  i am going for another CT scan this thursday and hope the results will determine if its a node or the artery

[riz001]

i am having the same pain in my neck and it goes to my eye and into my shoulder . vision is blurry in right eye and i have 20/20 vision . if i push on my eye or neck it hurts but it kinda goes away alittle i haven't been to anyone yet but it does cause a migrane it went away but its back after about a month

[Greta62]

I went to the family doctor at last about my pain in my neck. Again it mainly comes on when I am active like walking. He too said it was nothing to do with my pulse and put me on Celebrex for inflammation. He said to get some exrays done on my neck. I told him I would rather wait but the pills do not help the pain at all. I am on Diovan for heart  and Metoprolol also Levothyroxin (levothyroxine) for Thyroid. I can not believe there is so many of us with it and can not find out what it is. Please keep us posted if any results. Thanks

[cynden]

I went to my ENT this morning and she told me NOT to touch my carotid artery any further because it makes the pain worse. I do agree because many times I touch it and sometimes the pain becomes a throbbing sensation after I touch it. I believe I got the problem right after I had my teeth cleaned six months ago and I believe I obtained a bacteria infection of some sort and further it has developed into inflammation of my carotid artery. THe doctor says that eventually it will go away but it may take a long time and that meanwhile pain medication should be taken as needed. I took an antibiotic a few months ago and it went away briefly but came back so I know that antibiotics may not cure it at all.  I am going to stick it out and see what happens and hopefully I won't have to resort to steroids to cure it all completely.

[coughphx]

I have not experienced much pain, but started coughing in May and experienced extremely dry mouth.  Each visit they diagnosed (or tried) something different.  Allergies, post nasal drip, acid reflux, virul pneumonia etc., etc., etc.  Was put on antibiotics for 14 days, lost 15 pounds, got somewhat better, but cough did not go away.  About 2 weeks ago I started feeling like something was in the side of my neck and when I talked a lot or raised my voice at all, I could feel it and it felt like a round ball in the left side of my neck.  It's not so much painful, but I become hoarse and start coughing.  Dr. has referred me to ENT after CT of lungs and bloodwork came back all okay.  He suspects a nodule on my tracheal tube.  I cough so much at night, I don't sleep more than 20 - 30 minutes at a time as I wake up choking.   I see ENT on Tuesday.  When I push on area of neck below my jaw, pain shoots up to my ear (ear ache almost daily), and shoots down my throat.  The last 2 days I have been experiencing severe headaches and also worry about stroke.  No one seems to be overly concerned with all of this over the last 4 months, except me.  I have had a total of 5 visits with 2 different doctors with no results.  Hope to find answers soon.

[ryan26319]

I have had inflammation of the carotid artery for 3 yrs. now and have been to 6 different doctors.  Two of them said carotidynia and prescribed neurotin which takes the pain away but doesn't help the inflammation plus you have to have liver tests done periodically when you're on that. Now I have an appointment with a vascular surgeon and hope he has some answers since I'm worried mainly about the swelling.  It's worse when my heart rate increases or if I touch it too much.  The pain radiates up to my ear and eye.  I've had so many allergy problems in my life and wonder if it's not from a viral infection.  So many of you have these same symptoms I have.  One ENT told me it was just a kink in my artery and to "just live with it"!!!  I'm looking forward to the appt. with the vascular guy.

[Coco209]

Interesting thread......I've been to 16 Doctors and I still don't have a diagnosis but this is what I got.  Before the onset, I had both an upper respiratory infection that caused me shortness of breath and a lot of dental work.....onlay on back molar that took them 5 weeks to get it right.

Started as a strange strangulating sensation in my throat and then the sensation of an object in my throat.  11 months later, it has now progressed to pain from my jaw to my clavicle.  It radiates down my left side to my breast.  When the carotid artery is pressed, it almost makes me want to throw up.  There is nothing apparent on MRI's or CAT scans.  Artery looks and feels fine.  They've been treating me for Superior Laryngeal Neuralgia with Lyrica and a nerve block but I've had no success.  They discovered a Thyroid Nodule on my left side with imaging so I'm having that looked at but the Endo suggested Carotidynia as a possiblility.  This is the second time Doctors have thrown this term at me.  I also have hoarsness, cough, weird to swallow at times, dry throat and shortness of breath with exercise and on occasion.  I started taking Motrin 4 x 3 times per day as an experiment to see if I get any relief.  It's creepy and I want it to end!!!!!!!  Otherwise, I'm very healthy.  This "thing" has also caused me extreme anxiety, insomnia, and casting a shadow on my life.

[Bunibleu]

I have had reoccuring short sharp jabbing pains in my left carotid for some time now but worse lately. No knot or other symptoms but right at the pulse point and very painful. Will come and go for quite some time before going away and then returning...Has anyone else had this without the swelling or other symptoms??  I am 60 with a strong history of heart disease, controlled cholesterol and normal results of last carotid doppler test a couple of years ago.  Please share any ideas.
Thanks for any input.   Buni from KY

[betty1939]

I have had headpressure headaches for 3 months that started from viral infection. Then about two weeks ago I had that same strangulation feeling in my neck and now my right carotid artery is buldging. I went to the ENT and he said that it's due to the headpressure headaches that I've been having. He said nothing to worry about. However, I plan to see a neurologist this monday and see what he says about it. I have been to two general practicioner doctors, one ENT, and atleast 4 neurologists since the head pressure headaches started. No one seems to understand why I'm having them, only that it started out viral. It not only ruined my summer but is ruining my life. I have become anxious and am on anti-anxiety meds, pain meds and now a sleep aid. Before this I was very healthy and hardly ever got a cold. I jogged 3 to 4 times a week and worked out 2-3 times a week. Now I can't even walk fast or do hardly anything due to chronic headpressure headache and now my neck hurts too, which feels like a nerve constantly being pinched. The lump on my neck, I was told was my carotid artery. I feel your pain!

[Coco209]

I'd be interested to know what they discover with you.  I don't get head aches but the nerve running next to my Carotid Artery is definently involved.  It has also made all the muscles in my neck extremely tight.  I'm in Physical Therapy now to loosen the muscles in my neck and upper torso.  Motrin experiment added no relief so I'm now taking Lyrica and Cymbalta for pain.  So far, I am not impressed with results.  I also power walked 5-9 miles per day.  I only go on the weekeneds now with my husband as my neck muscles get so tight that it makes me wheeze and the nerve irritates my vocal cords.  Yes, it is a nerve being pinched, compressed or something and it's the creepiest feeling ever.  I can't believe I have endured it this long!!!  My normally half dead BP is through the roof.....I wonder if months of pain and anxiety could be the reason :)?

[joonbugg]

Entire year 1998 was insanely stressful - job-related.  In 1999, I almost had neck surgery due to the great suffering for one year - they said I had 3 herniated cervical discs.  Funny thing happened, May 1999 I was fired and 10 days later my neck popped in the middle of the night and all the pain went away entirely.  Miracle!

A stressful periord started-up about 3 years later and my neck "gave out" on me again but went away after several months.

Another stressful period started-up about 3 years later; awful radiating neck pain returned but went away a few months later.

About a week ago my neck started hurting again; now beginning to radiate down my left arm as usual and causing some numbness and tingling in left arm.  I believe I lifted something heavy I don't recall or some underlying stress is attacking me again.

HERE'S THE DEAL...yesterday this weird pain & swelling appeared around my left carotid artery.  I have been under some stress (and on a low-carb diet for the last three weeks - maybe some influence there also!) but I can't help but think this "painful left carotid" thing is just another symptom due to my "pinched cervical discs" or just plain old "stress."  

I participated in this blog to draw attention to two-2 possibly viable reasons for this issue:  (1) painful and/or inflammed carotid area may be due to herniated cervical discs - with physical cause and/or stress cause alone, and (2) from my other readings I have gathered that some individuals on low-carb diets have some carotid "experiences."

I usually don't take anything for the neck pain stuff but after reading this blog and some contemplation; I believe I'll try some ibuprofen, drink alot of water, ...and eat a piece of cake.

[fluffgirl73]

I have just discovered a lump on my carotid pulse area, it's not painful at all, my GP is referring me to an ENT specialist but only as routine, I am female age 35, he said he would be very surprised if it is anything sinister, but I am very worried about this.

[2legs2]

i have had this pain off  and on for over 5 years. when this first happened ,i told  my doctor and he just dismissed it because i already  had an ekg that came back normal. he now  ignors my complaints and talks about other things., i don't think he has any idea what this is. i have stopped telling him about my pain and just put up with it until it goes away.

[dterra]

I feel better knowing I am not alone with this pain in the neck.  It started about 3 years ago on the left side..  At the time I had several sudden loss of vision episodes in my left eye that lasted 5 to 10 minutes over a 3 month period.  I have had non stop ringing in my left ear for the past 3 years too.  Just this past week I had a new experience with a helicopter like sound in my head behind my left ear.  A few nights later it went to the right ear but nothing since then.  Heart palpataions several times in the last year.  Went on Crestar 10 mg 2 years ago and got that issue under control.  I am otherwise the picture of health as I eat right and work out.  I am 52 but feel much younger.  Untill I read what I just wrote.  Geez....Had a CT scan last year that showed a blockage of .3 which is good.  Had a MRI of the brain that came out clear.  Had a EKG that looked good too.  So what's wrong?  Not sure what road to take now.  I guess live with it but I can't help worrying about it which is not good either.  Best of luck to all of you.        

[tenac]

I have had pain for 12 years.  This pain is in the carotid artery area of the neck and in the cheek / upper right dental area.  I also get occasional pain in the back of the neck.  I get a lot of inflamation (inflammation) now...under my right arm...my neck...my cheek  even down to my entrie right side inflamation (inflammation) increases depending on what I eat.  I am currently taking Omega 3 supplements, magnesium, and vit B and am feeling better w/the inflamation (inflammation) subsiding.  I have had such a long road..with this pain...living with it.  I've had tried many RX and couldn't handle the stuff....the Omega's are really working well....do a google search and read up on balancing omega 3 to omega 6's.  It is an entire new concept to control inflamation (inflammation) & keep your sugar not spiking as well as lower your cholesterol.. I am taking cinamin caps and there is a lot of good studies done to back it up.....keep stuying, tina

[mom2makinlee]

Wow this is an amazing thread and I am glad I stumbled upon it because I was starting to think I had something really bad.  

Mine started with neck pain, shoulder pain.  Then started to get headaches up on side of my head and face behind one eye and causing blurred vision.  Then all of a sudden I started to have a burning feeling from my collar bone to right under my ear and sometimes my ear would burn.  At first I thought it was nerve pain but it feels so deep that I was concerned it could be something else.  I too have swelling episodes, it only swells a little though on the side of my neck.

I will mention this to my doctor next time I see him and see what he thinks...thank you all!  

[janjan70]

I ended up in E.R. cpl wks ago with sharp jabbing pain in left scapula.  I'm70, so was concerned it was a symptom of heart probs.  I was in E.R. 4.5 hrs and all kinds of tests were ran and I was being observe all that time.  Sent home with 'non-cardac pain'  Since then am having dizzy spells, S.O.B. What feels like asthma, and, at diferent times, one or both carotid arteries are painful and burn /sting...sometimes radiating to base of skull to c. spine.  My rt arm sometimes hurs and burns from shldr to fingertips.  Get cold extremities, headache, nausea, most of the time.After reading these posts, I think I may have nerve or disc impingement of c.spine.  I had cardio workup in January and evrything was near perfect. My lymph glands have been swollen for months.  I do have an Asymptomatic Brain Tumor in left back occipital area, but it's not been a problem at all, and has been there for nearly 20 years neurosurgeon says.  My BP goes up & down like a rollercoaster, I can feel it, and know when it's happening.  That's the part that bothers me !  If I make it thro the wkend, I wll be going to my neurosurgeon who's keeping eye on Ependymoma.  I guess there's a possibility it could've started growing.  But I have pain at bottom left skull/c.spine all time.  That could point to a Migrainal Syndrome.  So much pain, so many choices !!!!  Anyone any thoughts???  hanks Jan

[Josie22]

Pain in the artery can probably be relieved with 800mg of Vit E a day since it takes the pain out of my varicose veins--each day.

Two 1000mg tabs of Vit C with each meal (Linus Paulings study) with help with inflamation (inflammation) urinary problems and aging.

EDTA is a compably inexpensive way to clear the blood vessels throughout the body of plaque and heavy metals by tying them up and excreting them from the body. They claim it only takes a few weeks with the liquid and a few months with the oral pills.  Do an internet search on EDTA and read about it.

[zip23]

I had an inflamed carotid artery about 4 times, each time it lasted about 2 weeks.  However, I noticed it occured a couple of times after eating things with peanuts or peanut butter, within 20 minutes in one case.  So I quit eating peanuts or peanut butter and now I have no symptoms.  Seems like an odd coincidence but not eating peanuts is a small price to pay.

Doctors tend to say that it occurs on the outside (not inside) of the carotid artery; how do they know?  I would recommend that anyone with this symptom get a "high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein" test to see if they have arterial inflammation.  If so, treatment by Statins will take care of it and reduce cholesterol, and as a byproduct will reduce your probabilty of heart attack or stroke by about 50% per the JUPITER statin study.

[Frankenater]

I'm 52, in great shape and so far, no illnesses such as high BP or CV diseases...other types that come with age. Now, here in Aug., I had similar. Vertigo, tightness of the neck, slightly elevated glucose. Doc just gave me meds for vertigo, but that's just a Band-Aid for a much larger wound, ya know. I didn't take the med. I've had unsual muscle strains since.

I thought I had strained my neck from sleeping, but it is related to the vertigo. This has happened twice. Left side. I've taken some anti-biotics, and NSAIDs along with another anti-inflammatory.

Here's what I found in common. I went to Ft. Benning, GA. Twice it has happened over there. Second time, I was there at Ft. Benning  8 hours. ONLY 8 hours. (I just went to pick up my daughter.). The other things I could find in common didn't make sense, except eating at the PX. food court. Same choice both times. Some kind of chicken wrap.

Perhaps location or food choices we may have in common? This scared the HLL out of me the first time it happened. Now, I'm used to it and sometimes I think it's gone but in reality, it is just not as intense.

[Frankenater]

Perhaps I should also add that the first time it lasted 6 weeks. Gone until I went back in Oct. Going on my third week. No telling what it may be, but hopefully, there's not going to be any long term effects.

I did notice when I take an anti-histimine, it seems to subside. I WANT A CURE! LOL

[Frankenater]

Well, all the dizziness came to an end Dec 7, 2008. Exactly 42 days after it started, just like the first time. I have been free for 7 days!! This time, I won't make the joke of saying I miss it.

I still have a little carotid artery pain, but it is very difficult to say if it is the muscles around it because of previous neck problems. I used Zyrtec and Motrin for the past 2 weeks.

It had to be something I picked up from the fastfood court at the PX in Ft. Benning, GA.

Now, I'm afraid to get any fastfood.

[lorrgeno]

Wow. About 10 yrs ago I woke up and had a pain in the left side of my neck that was unbearable. I couldn't move my head without agonizing pain. well, it turned out it was my carotid artery.  The pain came and went for a few wks. I had a cat scan done and there was something a small growth, a cyst, nothing they could really figure out on it. My Dr sent me to an ear nose and throat Dr. He told me something very interesting that at the time made no sense. He said that this kind of pain and  small lump could be related to RA.
I had blood work done about 5 yrs before that did point to changes in my immune system but nothing specific.  In 2001 I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis..and immune disorder much like RA in the way it effects ones body and joints. I'm wondering if any of you here had a Dr make the connection between the pain in the artery and an auto immune disease?
I looked this up recently because I'm starting to get the pain back again...nothing as bad as it used to be but enough to make me go on the internet and research it.
I'm amazed there are many of you here with the same problem.

[riz001]

just checking back the pain did go away for a little while but is back about 2wks now i went to an ear nose and throat dr that would be a (hoof and mouth dr) which is sending me to get a cat scan w contrast who thinks it is a pinched nerve in the neck?????? i 'll  keep you posted

[Bananas]

Hello,
     I had this thing with the inflamation (inflammation) in my neck about 3 yrs ago.
I was told my carotid artery was inflamed. I took strong insaids drugs and steroids. thankfully it went away.

     However its back out of no where. Also in the last 3 yrs i have put together a list of every time I was sick and any allergic reactions I have had.  And Im headed to the Doctor, because I believe that I may have Lupus or some disorder.

    People with Lupus suffer from the same inflamation (inflammation). I have inflamation (inflammation) in my joints in my hands. It feels like burning. Ive also had trouble with my lungs, and that is another symptom of Lupus. Also I have red like patches on my cheeks that look like another symptom of Lupus. I was told 3 yrs ago that I had Irritable Bowel Symdrome, and stomach trouble is one of the main things wrong with people that suffer with the Lupus disease.

If I were you I would start looking back, at previous sickness or stuff you never told your Doctor and see if you have any of the symptoms for autoimmune disorders, (I may have spelled that wrong).

I hope your inflamation (inflammation) goes away  quickly. God Speed.

[riz001]

hello i did not understand the call for the cat scan so i went back to my family doc and she exlpained . there are nerves that run through the face and down the carotid artery .the cat scan w contrast is to see if there is some type of mass or something pushing on the nerve . the one thing that seems to work some is a shot of toradol 2cc .the pills don't seem to the trick but the injection helps . it is an anti-inflamitory . i can still feel the pain in my neck but not so much in my eye .she also had put me on neurontin to see if it helps w the nerve pain . will keep posting until i find out what is going on...

[kidzxpress]

I too have been experiencing this pain, since october of 2004, when my son had kawasaki, It comes on every 3 months like clockwork.  I have had blood work, ct scans, doppler ultrasound, and all have turned up normal.  I finally went to a endocrin, thought it was my thyroid for sure, he ruled it out with additional blood work and a ultrasound, and sent me to a cardiologist.  I had a echo and ekg done, both came back abnormal, they said my ejection fraction is 35% (the overall heart muscle is weak)  they started me on accupril, but since I already have low blood pressure, I cannot tolerate the medicine.  The cardiologist suspects thoracic outlet syndrome, I was treated for it in Nov 2007, had surgery, the doctor tried releasing it through the shoulder when he repaired the bicep, but the symptoms presist.  I now go on the 21st of this month to see the cardiologist again, in the mean time, my GP told me to take one baby asprin every 6 hours, and it does stop the pain after about a day.  And yes, I do have the chronic cough and headaches as well.  

[DCLee]

I too had carotid artery inflamation (inflammation). I am a nurse and when I statred hurting in my left neck and down my left arm I totally freaked out because I knew that was symptoms of a heart attack.I did have a cough. I did not feel bad ...just a constant cough with a lot of sinus drainage. I am healthy and do not take any prescriptions drugs. Ever seen anyone healthy on prescription drugs? I wanted to take the natural approach instead of using steriods that decrease your immune system even more. Since the cause was inflamation (inflammation) I had learned about Monavie... the acai' berry in school where I am studying to be a doctor of natural health. Monavie puts the body  back in balance and addresses inflammation of the body better than anything I have found. It took about three days to get myself back to normal. I hope this helps
Make it a great day!

[tinkerbell1105]

I'm not trying to scare anyone, by any means, but go see a Vascular Surgeon and get an ultrasound of your carotids.  I am barely 40 years old, nearly below weight, worked out several times a week... a month ago I had 3 T.I.A.s (mini-strokes) in one day.  Turns out I have a 100% blockage in my right internal carotid artery that can not be operated on due to the 100% blockage.  If it were less, they could operate - but they can't.  So, don't wait until your carotid is completely closed off, like mine.  I was lucky.  I was told I had a 50/50 chance of surviving when I had my T.I.A.s and I came out on the "good" side of that percentage, thankfully.  I'm still praying it resolves itself, however, and that I don't have a major stroke.  Don't wait!  Make sure you don't have a dissected or blocked artery!  I still have these headaches and my VS says it's due to inflammation and that this is actually how a lot of these carotid artery blockages are found - from headaches.  Good luck!  Hopefully it's not that - but definitely be sure to rule it out!

[GI_Mom]

Hello;  My name is G.I.Mom (yes I am in the military).  For the past 3 days I have been experiencing extreme pain in the left side of my neck.  I have experienced this before several times on the right side (feeling a nodule in my neck but resolved itself within a few days).  Well I saw a doctor today who said it could be "Carotidynia" and wants me to see an ENT doctor next week.  I have read the comments previous to mine and YES I too have had itchy eyes and I have just begun with a slight cough.  I am in the medical field so we tend to diagnose ourselves...LOL  This is frightening to me.  I also suffer from bruxism and I thought maybe I strained my neck during sleep or maybe I was getting an ear infection because I have been fighting a cold recently.  My doctor told me to take Aleve 2x a day along with Zantac 150 twice a day for 2 weeks.  He also gave me a presciption for a stronger pain killer if I needed it.  He said if the pain gets too bad - go to the ER and they will image your neck.   Holy ****!  I am only 43 years old.  If anyone else has had further testing - please place a comment here.  

[Ali187]

I too have had carotid artery inflammationon my right side of my neck 3 years ago. It went away but now has returned just yesterday. Pain and swelling is worse below my jaw, down to my collar bone. And a headache and slight eye pain above right eye.
I too am just getting over a type of sinus cold and have had a severe cough especially at night; Keeping me awake.
I was interested in what Bananas posted on Dec 17 about Lupus. Last fall I started having joint pain in my elbows, one knee and sometimes wrists. It has been severe but just took Motrin or Tylenol for pain, and heat pad. I also have  symptoms of IBS though I never have told my Dr I try to watch what I eat and causes me to have a reaction. I am going to research more on Lupus.
Thanks for the info.

[facu0001]

CHECK THIS OUT

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1818881

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0689/is_n1_v39/ai_15654108

[laurelwood]

Thanks so much for all of your comments.  I too, have been experiencing neck pain, swelling, and a swooshing sound in my head.  Thus far my doc has ordered blood work and a chest xray which were both normal.  I am now scheduled for a CAT scan.   I am predicting an inflammed carotid or perhaps a blockage of the left carotid.  Hopefully it can be detected and treated.  My 50th birthday is just around the corner but I am not ready to fall to pieces yet!!

[erik35]

I took a kinesiology education + mobilization some 10 years ago to be able to treat my injured back myself when needed. I have since learned a lot about the body/mind complex that are us (have a lot more to learn still of course). But I can say that the neck is very intricate and sensitive area, if a vertebrae or scull bone is the slightest wrong it will create problems. I think it really needs a good therapist that can read the language of the body to see what bone should be adjusted and how. And if you don't like the "hard" chiropractic adjustments one can do the same job with slow mobilization with little movement and force.
Another thing I don't think any of you have considered is the chakras. It sounds new-age but they are a reality, they can be dysfunctional just like the rest of the body and therefore they also needs attention. Find someone that can see or feel them and know how to adjust them.
And the blood of course. Have you checked homocystein levels? Homocystein can damage the vessels.
ak_erik***@****

[soycracker]

The worst part of all this is how slow the system is. I sometimes wish i could just check into the Mayo clinic for a week of every possible testing. Instead it's skeptical doctors and negative tests spread out over months, even years. What a waste of time. I hate when the weekend comes around because I know that I have NO WAY to reach a doctor unless I go to the ER again and make a fool out off myself in the eyes of my family yet again.

There are such things as headaches and anxiety – and we know the difference between that and the stuff we're getting. Head pain, chronic head pain, coupled with weird, tender swelling in the carotid artery or sternocleidomastoid is not any easy thing to shrug off. It can literally drive you crazy. When everyone says it's anxiety, yeah, the anxiety that comes from horrible undiagnosed symptoms that are real.

The medical establishment is like anything else, if you don't fit into a neat little box you're penalized. Doctors want to get you in and out, collect their money. Once you get a negative test or a diagnosis of anxiety they right you off, next thing you know, there you are again at home, worrying, palpating that bulge in your neck into it's tender and red in an effort to NOT find it. So you walk around wondering when it's going to give you a stroke or bleed out into your neck. Coughing up pieces of food and slowly going mad. Just lying down for hours...waiting until your next doctor's appt.

***** big time.

I guess deep down i know it probably won't hurt me...but that logic doesn't help when it feels like a fatal, ominous pressure in one of your body's biggest most important arteries.

[Sugie1938]

I have had pain on both right and left neck from ear to shoulder, left is worse. It almost like the glands are sore.My doctor does not think its heart related,but doesn't know what is causing it. I have had chest pain for 3 months, had a CT with the dye, showing nothing. I am having a bone scan next week because of pain on chest and rib area, and because the doctor has no other ideas. I have the neck pain,which is very scarry, and a heavy feeling in middle of chest, and not feeling good. Does anyone think this is the carotid artery? Any help is appreciated. .

[Zebo]

In May of this year I turned 31---It all went downhill from there!!  My grandfather passed away after mom and me came back from Disney for Mother's day and my birthday celebration.  Anyway, I guess the stress decided to target my neck.  I thought at first I just had a stiff neck, but it wouldn' go away.  My pain felt like rubberband stretching tight across my left cheekbone down to my neck area.  I felt my heartbeat even without touching it.  OUCH!!  Everyone at work said just deal with it and basically SHUT UP and it'll go away.  Well, after going to three doctors and being told I have this so called rare and fluky thing --CAROTIDYNIA--I still get told to just not think about it and it'll go away, like I'm just being a big baby.  Well after reading about all you guys stories, I have to say THANK YOU!!  Knowing I'm not alone is very comforting!!

[brokendancer]

I found this posting site after searching the internet trying to find out if i was going to drop over dead any minute! Yes, that sounds extreme, but wow, when you have this kind of pain in your neck, and everything throbs...well you start to wonder when the big heart attack is coming for you. I know you all understand what i mean after reading these posts.

I have extreme pain in both sides of my neck around the arteries. They throb so much that you can see my necklace jumping around!  this has been going on for almost a year now. My dr. gave me "water pills"... that did nothing to help. I am on pain pills now 3x day, still no relief, just getting goofy...
Pain runs clear up my neck on both sides to my jaw, and into my ears. I have lost most of my hearing ablility. But ever once in a while, a large pop will happen in my ears, and i can hear a little better, then it is gone again. I hear high pitched ringing all the time. Suffer from extreme headaches, pain in  eyes.  A big blood vessel burst in my eye, had to have that tended to...
I found out that I  have high blood pressure since this started. Had a cough so bad for 6 months that i thought i had cancer.... turned out the blood pressure medicine causes some people to cough! Dr took me off of blood pressure meds, NO MORE COUGHING! What a relief, as I could not sleep or function due to chronic coughing  and with neck throbbing...well life was just a nightmare. ...BUT... I worry about my blood pressure.. this is a new thing, he is "watching my blood pressure"?  WELL, I AM WATCHING IT TOO DOC ! AND IT IS MAKING ME NERVOUS...
Exercise is rough, makes it throb very bad and I get dizzy... Stress or anger makes it throb worse...much worse...geez...
I am planning on asking for more tests from my dr. (he does not seem to listen very well to my complaints about my neck throbbing pain).
In the mean time, I also try a product called "activ on". It comes in a big roll on tube and you can carry it with you.  I buy mine in walgreens... it lasts a long time..It is for backaches, knees etc. but i have found that rubbing it on my neck area does relieve some of the pain... I don't smell too pretty...lol... but I feel better...maybe someone that loves the ben gay smell will come along...lol...sigh...
Hey we have to keep our sense of humor don't we? That is about all that is left at the end of a long day of pain...I know i am too young to be going through all of this stuff... I still have a lot of life to go live so I hope that this goes away soon...or at least some day...until then...TO ALL OF YOU THAT ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME THING, I WISH YOU THE BEST... I HOPE THAT SOMEDAY SOME DR. FIGURES OUT WHAT IS GOING ON AND BRINGS SOME RELIEF OUR WAY... GOD BLESS TO ALL OF YOU :)

[imnotalone]

I hate to hear that there are many people out there feeling this pain, but I have to say that I am glad that I have found this site and now know that the pain that I am feeling is not just in my head - no pun intended.  I have had this pain on and off for the past five years.  Every doctor that I have seen has given me this very perplexed look when I tried to explain the pain.  I would tell them that the pain feels as though it is directly along my carotid artery, they tell me that you cannot sense pain in your arteries.  I explained that I had this feeling that there might be some type of blockage building up and that I would like to have it checked, I was again told that that was something that I would not be able to feel.  Ultimately, I was sent to get a bunch of test done, CT scan, xrays, etc. to the tune of $7,500 (thank goodness I have insurance) to find out that they found nothing and that the pain is probably due to stress - whatever.  Anyway, the pain has now returned and I realize that I am under a great deal of stress right now, so my question to all of you is; have you noticed that, perhaps you are experiencing more stress in your lives while feeling this pain?  I look forward to hearing any input.  
Thanks and best of luck to all of us.

[carrollce]

I know you all may think I am nuts for suggesting this to all you you with neck pain or have been diagnosed with artery inflammation but there is a strange syndrome caused by what they call "trigger points" in the small muscles and ligaments that support the neck. These muscles cause all sorts of problems that don't even seem remotely connected. Such as pains down into your chest, shoulder, back, head, etc. Perhaps it is worth a try to Google "trigger points and their treatment" and you will see all sorts of resources and articles to see if any of these match your symptoms. I know that my neck hurts quite a bit at times and I can squeeze (not too hard tough) the little muscles toward the front of your neck and you will feel some strange sensations in your head that are not even remotedly connected to where you are touching!  Amazing stuff.  Anyway, check it out and see if it would be worth going in a different direction since you have not been having much luck with the traditional medical area.

[rileyandsue1]

I recently had surgery, and cannot take any anti-inflamitory meds. I have the same conditions in my left neck. If any of you have any suggestions that I can run by my doctor, that would be great. Thanks.

[JustaskMed]

I have had the same condition in the past about 3 or 4 different times.  I've had it occur on each side of my neck.  I was also told it was an inflammation of the carotid artery.  My doctor called it "pleuresy" of the artery - meaning the lining of the artery was swollen and inflammed.  I think I was given heavy doses of antibiotics for those times, but can't remember for sure whether or not he had me take any steriods.  All this occurred about 7 or 8 years ago.

Now I'm 48.  I was diagnosed with MS just two years ago, which they said I've actually had for most of my life, but it is just now starting to act up a lot.  I just started having the same carotid artery pain on the right side of my neck this past Tuesday.  I'm going to the doctor for it today.  I'm now beginning to wonder if it has something to do with my MS.  Has anyone else here been diagnosed with MS?  I don't want to scare anybody, but MS can cause a multitude of symptoms and it isn't until a major attack occurs that it is usually diagnosed.  

What first brought it to the attention of my doctors was that I came down with optic neuritis - my right eye started getting blurry and eventually to the point that I lost my vision in my right eye.  I was put on intravenous steriods - very heavy dosage - for one hour a day, seven days.  I finally started getting vision in my right eye again in a few days, but it took a year for my eye to completely heal.  One of the first things mentioned to me when I was seeing an opthalmalogist for the blurry eye was MS.  Apparently this is a common indicator of the disease.  Of course I had to go through a bunch of MRI's and eventually a spinal tap before it was fully diagnosed, but the result was definitely MS and I've been having trouble from it ever since.

The first few times I had the carotid artery inflammation it was thought to be due to sinus infection or something like that.  Now I was just beginning to wonder if it all has to do with my MS all along, especially since here I am getting it again.

[papatia]

I have just been diagnosed with carotidynia and its on the left side of my neck under my jaw, it hurts to sneeze, blow my nose and swallowing. Mostly blowing my nose.. Its pressure in my neck and I am really scared about this. I am on Alieve and its not helping. It seems to hurt more at night when I am resting.  I have to get some kind of artery check and thyroid check to see if there are nodules or something. I dont feel healthy and I am worried about it.

[zenbillionaire]

I've also just developed a painful inflammation of my right carotid artery. I came across this discussion in search of a possible diagnosis, coming up with the same results everyone else has (thanks to all for posting your experiences).

Coincident with this symptom I have symmetric peripheral neuropathy involving both feet and lower legs. Three years ago I experienced 'sudden deafness' in my right ear which was verified by an audiologist and diagnosed as incurable nerve damage. After doing some personal research I tried a one week course of prednisone, which resolved the problem and restored the hearing in that ear to 60% of normal, to the displeasure of my EMT, who told me thought the whole thing was in my head. I declined to point out that his analysis was fairly superficial; of course the whole thing was in my head, that happens to be where the ear is located on most people.

For the past 6 months I've been experiencing muscle spasms in my feet legs and left arm. I have developed a numbness involving my left arm and the distal side of my left hand.

I have ruled out diabetes through glucose monitoring. I have ruled out B12 deficiency through challenge.

Since I don't have medical insurance that would cover the costs of a complete lab work up for MS, and since MS is an incurable degenerative auto-immune disorder, I haven't bothered with a professional diagnosis. My personal opinion is that I have MS. I'm currently researching Low Dose Naltrexone (LND) therapy for the condition. Those with a similar complex of symptoms might consider looking at:

http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/#What_is_low_dose_naltrexone

[Mrgrita]

I've had this pain off and on over the years in my right carotid artery, and it’s much more pronounced than my left. I also have a couple of dissections (small tears on the inside wall of an artery) that have healed themselves, in various main arteries and an existing aneurysm that is being monitored. In Jan 09 it appeared in an MRI/MRA that the aneurysm had grown, so I underwent an angiogram so the surgeon could see for sure. I ended up with a new dissection in my right carotid artery, caused by the catheter and was in the hospital for a week and on blood thinners for a month. I was not completely under anesthesia for the surgery and I felt when the dissection occurred. It's the same type of pain I get periodically.

I asked my neurologist about the fact that I get this pain and the way my right carotid artery is so pronounced and he had nothing to offer. What he did tell me, is that my arterial walls are very sensitive, more so than an average persons, and that I need to make sure my blood pressure stays low. A rise in blood pressure could cause a rupture.

Some additional facts about me:
I get migraines and have since I was 12. I weight train regularly (4-6 days a week) and ride a bike. I work as a computer programmer, so I spend a good amount of time straining my neck. I’ve found that when I lift a little too heavy, don’t sit perfectly aligned or eat anything that raises my blood pressure (such as high sodium foods), the pain worsens. I’ve been tracking what I eat, my exercise routine, how much sleep I get and other things I do and have found patterns. You may want to try this and if you’ve never had a neck MRI with contrast dye, you may want to consider it.

[BIGZED]

Hey. Its amazing! I did a google on "neck artery pain" and this post came up as number one. Here is my two cents worth, presented in rambling form.

1. I have had a lower head/neck pain, left side, on and off since 1994. It comes and goes. Why, I am yet to work out. Analgesics don't necessarily bring immediate relief.

2. I am 61 now and have had an international life style and change of residence from Europe to Australia to USA in this time frame. Stress? Yes of course but direct correlation with the pain, I am not sure about.

3. The pain comes and goes of its own accord and as the years pass I have become more atuned to its comings and goings. Its always in the same general area, somewhere from behind the left ear to the shoulder just left of where the neck meets the torso, sometimes very local and sometimes a little spread out over this area with pockets of localised intensity. Sometimes I can feel a small lump present behind and below my left ear (there is no such lump on the other side). After the pain has gone I have no such lump.

4. My pain attacks rarely last more than 24 hours with a few hours of really heavy stuff. I always feel it coming on and if its really bad, it is almost intolerable for some minutes/hours during the episode. The pain arrives anywhere from weekly to 3 monthly. I never react to the pain in advance with Ibuprofen but will take 3 at peak pain.

I find that, after the pain commences, thoughts about certain subjects ( matter of concern and problem) seem to exacerbate the pain. Also the idea of eating certain foods causes a feeling of revulsion and nausea, there appears to be a hypersensitivity to certain foods.

When you eat something you normally enjoy, the pleasure of chewing and tasting seems also to be diminished.

5. The really surprising thing is that I also fully experience the moment the pain leaves, its like a wave of well being comes over me and seems to wash the pain away in minutes or less. I am yet to establish how and why the pain relief happens.

6. Here are some pain amelioration techniques that I have discovered to work for me.

a) Whilst sitting, gently press your thumb slightly upwards into your head at the low point above your nose at the base of the forehead. Move your thumb around a little to find the most effective pressure point for yourself. This pressing gives such a soporific effect (other pain goes away) during your pressing, 1 minute, 10 minutes or however long.

b) Also apply pressure with thumb or finger onto the boney area on the left of your nose where it becomes the cheek. Same effect.

c) Apply upward pressure above the left eyesocket just below the eyebrow with your thumb. You have to discover for yourself exactly where and how much pressure to apply. Again same efect, other pain goes away while you do this and seems to stay away for a little while afterwards.

d) I have discovered another pressure point a few inches down from the mid-point of the left shoulder on the upper back. Press in there with a finger, the stronger you press the better the pain relief. In the right place and right pressure the main pain goes away completely - until you stop but it seems to have an improving effect.

d) Forced burping helps

e) Finally here is an unusual one. I pinch some skin on the left side of my stomach just below the ribcage and tug it outwards and hold it there. It gives immediate relief to my headache. DOmthis while sitting, standing or lying down.

I started this typing while my headache was severe and it has moderately abated - but its still there.

Well, I hope these words are of help to someone, please respond with your experiences and thanks for reading and sharing.

[Tak1988]

Did anybody pass away from this! No offence but im having the same problem and im scared to die.

[ozzy22911]

I was told in 03 I had cancer thyroid, I had them removed, shortly after that The pain in my neck was so bad I would vomit, The doctors put me on STRONG pain meds now after 7 years decided carotid inflammation he could not justify the pain med, I walked in his clinic a healthy women left with cancer and a drug dependency,, and now they want me to have cortisone shot near the caodid. Scares the f out of me, They said if was from "radiation over exposures. Any help out there?

[KansasCity]

My dad is 74 and has been experiencing pain in the left neck for voer a month now.  The pain acts as a severe charley horse in his neck.  It can also suddenly start when he is not even eating.  He has had 2 scopes on his throat, a CT scan, and MRI.  All come out fine.  He can only drink liquids, as eating solid foods causes too much pain.  He can only sit up to sleep.  He has been in the hospital for 4 days, and still no answers.  The only pain medicine that takes the edge off is morphine.  The dr's seem to think it might be an infammed nerve that runs next to the carotid artery.  One dr even told him he thought it was arthritis of horid bone.

[rumbelina]

I am experiencing major pressure behind my eyes, and when touching the right side of my neck, by the carotid artery, it just about sends me through the roof.  I too am tired of going to doctors and hearing the same old s@#$!  

I would like to know if anyone has a Dr. House in the house?