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.

[achillea]

One-sided carotid pain can be caused by a number of things, but when no abnormality of the artery can be found, it is worthwhile to think of a condition called carotidynia or 'carotid pain.'

I've had it, and in my case, it was a variant of migraine, strange as that may seem, and migraine treatment took care of it.  Here is more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotidynia

Of course, the term can be googled for much more explanation.

[tendof]

hullo  there am in my mid 20z experiencing  same neck pain   and shoulder pain that switches  from one  side to the other . i was  so worried i had no idea  what to do .. i tried some anti bacterial and painkillers like pelox and zerodol. it helped for a while but later  failed
untill  i sat and asked my self who the greatest doctor was  and it was JESUS  so i knelt down and rebuked  all the illnes in my body  to go in HIS name  i commanded sickness out  and i  feel so much better now and really hopeful

[Flycaster305]

I'd suggest you refer to Ed34's post of August 16, and insist on a cath procedure if you think your carotids are blocked.  The procedure is difinitive, recorded, and you can review the images/findings.  I've had the test because of my many heart blockage issues, and I have a 40% blockage in both carotid arteries, not even close to needing a procedure.

I'd recommend you have a cath if you think your carotid arteries are blocked, and if the results are negative, back off and look at other issues.  If they are blocked, you have no idea how invasive the procedure is to clear them until you experience it.
  

[sufish]

Dismissive docs -- Seriously.  They create an incentive to withhold any info about prior diagnosis of depression or anxiety or meds, b/c the minute you mention it, they stop listening to symptomology.  I even had a doc paraphrase my symptoms and timing to suggest it related solely to my meds. Even when I corrected him, he got more dismissive and I could practically see him stamping me as "emotional" in his mind.  I'm tired of docs using these issues as a means of discounting my own statement of my experiences. I would think I'm the expert about what is happening in my body and if it's new or not. Sure they're the experts about analyzing the symptoms, but for their analysis to be correct, they have to be applying their expertise to the right symptoms!  As someone with an investigative background, I am shocked any doctor would be so quick to jump to conclusions and then selectively hear or tweak the information to support their theory!  Sloppy.  ANd worse, Dangerous!

I, however, have been very lucky to find a main doc, an internist, who does listen.  She has now taken over coordinating a number of tests (cardiologist, opthalmologist, neurologist), etc., and finding referrals to people who will listen.  Even those who might not have given me as much time if i walked in on my own or with a less proactive internist, they at least listen to her.  Someone also mentioned that there are health care advocates you can get to assist you in coordinating/advocating.  I am not sure if they are nurses or if this is covered, but I happened to have found an "advocate" in my primary doc/internist who is coordinating and advocating.   Good luck with your health problems!

[Cat_Silver]

I haven't had any pain in the carotid area of my neck in a couple of weeks. In answer to your question, I had a MRI and bone scan, neck down, in 2005. They showed only mild osteoarthritis. My spine at the base of my neck has been sore for a few years. The spinal column feels compressed at that point. I'm thinking Cranial Sacral.

[ed34]

"Even if one is somewhat blocked, sufficient blood supply remains"

Not in everyone, some patients seem to suffer a variety of symptoms. The big issue here isn't whether there is enough blood anyway, the big issue is the possibility of stroke. When a Carotid artery becomes diseased, the risk of stroke increases dramatically.
Has anyone looked for arthritic problems in the vertebrae in your neck area?