Men seem to carry tension in the neck and shoulder area. With that being said, I experience some of what you describe as well. I have had a previous neck injury and I am sure that some of what I am experiencing is arthritis. Other times, its stress.
Right now for instance, the last 3 weeks I've had a pain in the neck. Comes and goes but if I look down and to my right, the pain runs down my neck on the left side and then to the middle of my left shoulder blade.
Sometimes I experience headaches from this injury and if I can pop my neck, it normally goes away in a minute if not an instant.
Have you ever damaged your neck? Been in a car wreck? Have you seen a doctor about this? Might be worth having some xrays or something to see if there is structural damage. If so, that would explain everything.
I have had no injuries to my neck.
I just went to the Dr. about my neck about a month ago or more, and he said it's probably all from stress. He was not concerned one bit.
So, now that it has came back, in a different form, I feel like it would be a waste of money to go.
I had an x-ray this June on my lower back, and it showed nothing but an extra vertebrae (which is more common than you think), and with insurance it cost me $300.
I just don't want to waste money ya know?
But, if it doesn't get better in the next week or so, I will go back for reassurance.
I'm fixing to get a massage by my brother in a few minutes. Hes a licensed massage therapist. Hope it helps.
What I've noticed is that when I'm doing something physical, I don't feel pain or discomfort.
But when I'm doing nothing, like sitting or just standing up it comes back.
Sounds just like muscle tension? Shortened muscles maybe?
I'm still battling this tension stuff in my shoulders and neck. I don't even know if its tension or muscles spasms.
I went to the Dr. the other day, and told him I do NOT feel anxious.
He thinks it could be just getting older. I'm 32. But that's not OLD!!! C'mon! lol.
He said it could be a little bit of arthritis, but my sister things it's NOT arthritis, b/c she said typically patients with arthritis that she sees are older and it's usually starts in their knees, elbos, feet, hands etc. Not just the back, neck and shoulder blades.
I hate it. =/
Obviously I don't know what this is and I'm nearly twice your age, but I have this problem all the time from disc problems. They probably came from an auto accident many years ago. You might want to see someone who specializes in sports medicine who can watch how you move and see if your described poor posture is creating strain on your neck or if something in the way you move or lift weights is causing this. As humans age, the discs always get worn down, but most people don't notice. Some do. The reason I'm thinking this is the sound your neck is making. Because you're young, this can be fixed with something like physical therapy, but something better that teaches you how to move in a way that doesn't stress the cervical spine. Prevention is the best medicine, and what I've learned as I've gotten old is that exercise is great but also causes a lot of injuries, so it's best to learn while young how to move and stretch properly. Peace, C.
Thanks for writing Paxiled.
I don't believe i have any disc issues. But, I really believe this is some sort of anxiety response?
I have had a history of bad posture you could say. I slouch all the time when on the computer editing.
I'm also a filmmaker, professionally, so 4 times a week at least I'm operating a video camera.
So, it could be some wear and tear from this, but I point more to the bad posture than anything.
However, the reason why I think it's anxiety and not arthritis, A. my sister who's a nurse says I'm too young to have arthritis, and usually the neck and shoulders is the last place to get arthritis. I'd usually get it in my knees, elbows, hands or feet first. That is at least her experience with her patients.
I've ready some online forums where people with GAD can get these pains for weeks, months etc.
One guy was told by many Doctors that it was either anxiety, arthritis, or fibromyalgia. Come to find out, it was all GAD. He took lexapro and xanax and it all went away.
His symptoms sounded a lot like mine. Mine feels a lot like strain. As I'm typing this, holding my arms up to the keyboard, both shoulder blades are feeling sore, like I'm working it out the muscles too much.
When I do a slow shoulder shrug to stretch, I get relief after hearing havoc in there. lol. But it sounds more like muscles that are tight crunching and expanding. B/c if I shoulder shrug a second time, it doesnt make that noise again for a while.
I think muscles are constantly just tightening and not releasing.
I can say that in the past 2 months I've had this issue, it started mostly in the base of my skull/top of neck and into my actual head, wrapping around my entire head, even effecting my nasal muscle areas.
Now it's just moved down to my shoulders mostly and some lower neck.
To me, that just tells me it's muscle spasms moving around, and not arthritis or anything serious.
I just have to stop worrying about it. I keep having nightmares at night about it. Last night I had a dream that I had these gross boils all over my upper back, it was an awful dream. lol.
Then the other night I had a dream that I was urinating blood.
You can't tell me this is NOT anxiety related? lol. What came first though, the chicken or the egg... that is the million dollar question. ;)
My name is Vickie and I just became a CL over in the Substance Forum.
I happen to end up over here Reading in this Community. I find that all of you are so caring and sharing on here.
I wanted to chime in on this one. I do not suffer with Anxiety issues but when I went c/t from 2 meds that were prescribe like Methadone & Klons, I also added illegal Adderral to the mess (do not have adhd). Anyway, about 3 yrs ago when I went c/t I came on here an learned alot and have been doing so.
My Anxiety was on the Moon and it was SO bad. I Never experienced anything like it and it went on for months and months while by Brain/Body adjusted back from the removal of these stims. SO during my research I had found a few things that did help with the Muscle Aches, Anxiety and I have Cardiovascular disease. I still use this to this day when I feel a bit Anxious. I get this from a natural source called Wellness Resources. It is Called "Muscle-Mag" and "Relax-Mag". There are all kinds of different Magnesium and they have put these together to work. I will also take them with some D-3 oil. Makes me calm down and relax a bit while it does relax them muscles. I use it at night only and it will help me sleep to.
After reading this post..Cnote I got tested for Fibro and I did not have it. He explained all the symptoms and I have to agree with Paxiled here. Even if we are not Drs it does not sound like you have that. Also Diet & Exercise plays a big role on ones Brain/Body. Swimming would be really good for your aches and pains right now.
Maybe if YOU can re-directed your thinking about this for awhile then you might feel better too. I know it is so hard not to be able to get any answers. I still suffer from a issue and Drs just give me the run around. I do wish you the best and I think you are to young to have all the things you think you have..Hugs! Take some deep breaths and maybe do some good old Stretches and Soak in the tub with some Epsom salt. This should make you feel so much better, even if it is just for a short time. I also would go lay under a heating blanket when I got Back aches or Neck aches and so forth. That feels so good. going from a hot pad to a cold pad and back and fourth should help too. Well I do wish you the best. I guess I will go back over to my own area and leave this to the ones who know about Anxiety. I just thought I would give you some of my own experience and input.
Bless U