Carotid Artery Pain / Neck

[Zoey75]

Recently I have been experiencing pain on the right side of my neck, in what feels to be my carotid artery.  The pain is a very sharp pain that only last a couple of seconds, and starts up every 15-20 seconds.  This can last about a minute or two, and then sometimes even longer.  I'm worried about some type of carotid artery disease?  Is this something I should go right to the dr's about?  I had my blood pressure taken yesterday and is was 126/73.

[Islandchip]

I was diagnosed with Carotidynia, which is a pain syndrome 7 years ago. My neurologist informed me that I had likely contracted it through a viral infection. I also have a lump on right carotid artery. Over the years my neurologists prescribed many muscle relaxers, steroids, beta blockers and pain killers but they never worked and they gave me an ulcer and multiple stomach bleeds. Ask your doctor to send you to a neurologist! My pain started with a year long ice pick like stabbing ear ache that traveled, so I thought, to my carotid artery. My neurologist explained that the pain was actually travelling from my carotid artery up to my ear like a vine travelling up a wall. He explained that the nerves are sensitive and they travel up the right side of my head during an episode. Three years after being initially diagnosed I now get debilitating migraines. The fact of the matter is that there is little information on this pain syndrome and relief can be hit or miss. Two neurologists and an ear nose and throat specialist diagnosed me after a year of suffering unbelievable pain. Take charge of your health and follow up with a specialist. All the best. Take care.

[thompsonhm]

Just got back from my dr. with the left side neck pain. He said it was inflammation in the carotid  artery wall. He gave me a muscle relaxer and said to use Tylenol for the inflammation and wet heat compresses. Condition is called carotidynia or 'carotid pain.

[BigBadLulu]

My partner...51 yr old white female...has been having the same painful sensations.  To be on the safe side, she's going to start taking an 81mg aspirin daily.  COULDN'T HURT!!!  =¶

[creed30]

Try seeing a Hematologist. It could be that your lymph nodes are swollen. This could explain pain in neck and pain in abdomen. See mesenteric adenitis.

[Nosretep]

It's 2am and I'm up trying to find something to ease this pain. It has been coming and going for three days now. I am on Hypertension and Bad Cholesterol medication and I am 35Years of age. Is this normal?

[TerriR]

When I was 47 my doctor just happened to hear a bruit, sent me for an ultrasound, then an MRI.  I was 90% blocked in the left carotid artery.  They did surgery and cut and reconnected the artery.  Almost three years later, same thing, but this time it's the external carotid artery, 100% blocked.  No surgery this time.  I do have pain in the neck. Thought it was the scar tissue from the past surgery.  If you are not sure about anything, please get it checked.  If you're lucky, you will have some kind of symptom.  Don't ignore them!