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

[cmax251]

I have similar symptoms also. I think it has been actually been going on for a couple of years.  Kept feeling something was off on my neck but didn't really think it was a lump in my throat, just an uncomfortable feeling, sometimes achey.  Went to a nose throat fellow who looked in and said everything was fine.  However, this year, my ear on the side has started plugging and I have been getting pain under my jaw and an ache down my neck, even to the top of my shoulder. Finally went to a walk in clinic and the doctor felt my neck and said my cartoid artery was swollen.  I am going for an ultra sound tomorrow.   When I asked the GP what they did about a swollen cartoid, he said that they generally just "watched it". One thing I  have noticed is that the symptoms come and go. Does anyone else have this experience.  Sometimes it feels swollen and aches and other times there are no symptoms.  One thing I have noticed, is that hot drinks (or maybe coffee) seem to set it off.  I must say tho, that I haven't experienced the type of pain that some people of described thankfully, and hopefully I won't.  A little nervous about the ultra sound.

[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.

[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.

[porterj7]

Hi there, been many years, but incase someone is reading. I'm the same as Coco209 Had a bad virus (maybe covid 3/2020) lost weight, very active, 54 yr old female when it started, now 56, and still there. left side only! Just finished Omicron Covid and the artery starting hurting more. Now I have more Acid reflux feeling on one side only, full throat, with difficultly swallowing, same side, carotid artery puffy and pulsing strong, earache, odd sinus feeling, fullness, raspy throat at times, dry cough, headache, blurry vision, achy eyes. Thought it was lymph glands, HNT dr says, Carotid artery pain, do labs, ESR and CRP, all in range. MRI scheduled. after reading all these posts over all these years, I see I'm not alone!!

[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.

[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!!! .

[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!

[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.

[NonnieInTN]

I also have pain in my neck along the carotid mainly on the right side. As a person who had a successful gastric bypass 12 years ago, I also had the whooshing sound in my ears.  I saw a fabulous ENT about my sinuses and mentioned the whooshing sound that was driving me insane since it happened with every breath.  He looked in my ears and quickly stated that I had a common condition that is found frequently in patients with rapid weight loss, stretched Eustachian tubes.  He stated that he could place tubes in my ears to help with the whooshing, which we did at that same appointment.  I left that appointment with the irritating sound gone after 5 years of it driving me insane.

Have not had the sore neck along the carotid checked yet as it was not a problem at the time of this particular ENT appt.

[NonnieInTN]

I also have pain in my neck along the carotid mainly on the right side. As a person who had a successful gastric bypass 12 years ago, I also had the whooshing sound in my ears.  I saw a fabulous ENT about my sinuses and mentioned the whooshing sound that was driving me insane since it happened with every breath.  He looked in my ears and quickly stated that I had a common condition that is found frequently in patients with rapid weight loss, stretched Eustachian tubes.  He stated that he could place tubes in my ears to help with the whooshing, which we did at that same appointment.  I left that appointment with the irritating sound gone after 5 years of it driving me insane.

Have not had the sore neck along the carotid checked yet as it was not a problem at the time of this particular ENT appt.

[Ashbrook84]

I had such things happen and ended up having pseudo tumor cerebri. Diagnosed by lumbar puncture. Spinal fluid was double the norm.

[Ashbrook84]

Everyone with high bp and sweating and lumps in neck should be screened for a rare net called paraganglioma.  I just had an abdominal one removed , but they can occur in the head and neck also. Specifically the carotid (cbt) just on the off chance.

[La_Owl]

I found that if you lay on your right side and get a good sized feather pillow and place it tightly against your chest and somewhat under your chin and lay your left arm up on top of the pillow it helps ease the pain somewhat. (at least enough to allow you to sleep.)  I also found that taking a large tube sock and filling it with dry uncooked rice that's then microwaved really seems to ease the pain when used in conjunction with the feather pillow. I don't know why it works but it does.

I hope this helps anyone else.  

[Angeleyes6899]

Yes. I had some dental work done 6 days ago have been in severe pain right side of neck and shoulder and back, A lot of swelling also. My voice has been horse for  2 days. The pain is so unbarable, The dentist was having problems with getting the right side of my upper right numb.  Help someone

[Janerodgerspetty]

A related discussion, What do I have was started.

[Patmandooface]

I have the pain and pressure on the right side of neck and it is an inflamed carotid artery. This started a few days after I started an "all natural" detox (the 7 day cleaner). I AM NOT CLAIMING ANY PROOF THESE TWO THINGS ARE RELATED. However, it is the only thing done out of the usual routine, and at 27 years old I'd like to believe I'm in good health. I just switched in January from cardio to weight lifting so I'm fearful of developing any type of hernias or arterial bulges. Yet, I haven't lifted for a week and a few days before I started taking the detox. I am hoping it is just a reaction to all the different roots, extracts, herbs, etc in the detox pills. When I first googled the symptoms I damn near gave myself a panic attack but after reading these comments, I took some Ibuprofen and calmed the hell down. Hopefully this won't require a doc visit and will go away.

[ColoradoDawter]

A new meaning to pain... huh.... that is putting things lightly in my eyes. I've had this pulsating annoyance, pain on the right side of my neck, dizzy, blurred vision, and a "whooshing" sound in my right ear. Some tests are not good enough to tell you everything going on, one test might tell you nothing and your Doctor may dismiss everything, especially if you have other health problems.

My situation is a bit unique, to say the least.... I've had Gastric Bypass, that ended very bad and I almost died, with being admitted to 4 Hospitals, in a Nursing Home (21 yrs. old at this time).

So, now I know I have Carotid Artery Disease, but all my blood work is "normal" including cholesterol, thyroid.... yeah, impossible?

ENT refuses to see me, since they know this is Carotid Artery Diease and my Primary Care Provider, is/does nothing in regards to this matter. I found out I have this issue, after going to several different ERs and finding competent Doctors. My blockage is at 50% which Doctors refuse to do anything about until it reaches 75% and/or more. But still not taking my age into account, which does "worry" them, nothing is still being done.. Oh yeah, I am now 28 yrs. old.

I've had a lot of scares and then some... I am tired of going to all these appts. and doing more research than these, so-called Professionals and getting turned down by them and just having to suffer through all this pain and discomfort, so i wait patiently until I have a Heart Attack or Stroke, whichever comes first to get Doctors into gear.

[KILLYBING]

you must see a GP

[foodwatcher]

right side pinched at this spot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotidynia
cant take it propranolol for BP-anxiety-it made my right side numbish-face to neck
throat is tightened-speech -get out of breath-larangeal nerve?
caffeine sensitivity-BP skyrockets--CYP1A2 deficiecny? other P450 deficiecnies?cant break down drugs like propranolol-ambien-caffeine
head pressure-feels wierd--xanax helps--the tightness of everything
any ideas?what kinds of drs are smart enough to handle all of this?

[candyflower]

I would go see an internal medicine doctor.  Some theories about Carotidynia are:  It is caused by migraines or after infections.  I would speak to an internal med doctor and get it checked to make sure you dont have some circulatory problems.

[Lipstick39]

Did you talk to your Endo?  I am hypo and take the same RX. Feeling pain in my neck. Going to Endo tomorrow! Any info you could share would be helpful.

[BABYTA]

I, HAVE THE SAME...DR, SAID NOT TO RUB OR TOUCH THE ARTERY AS IT WILL BOTTOM OUT THE BLOOD PRESSURE. I'VE HAD THIS FOR 1 WK AND IT GIVES PAIN A NEW MEANING. JUST RECOVERING FROM PNEUMONIA AND I THINK THE TWO MAY HAVE A COMMON BOND ??? I'M, 69, FEMALE IN GOOD HEALTH/FIT, ACTIVE.....I, COULD JUST CRY IF IT WOULD HELP. I, READ THAT DAILY STRETCHING IS GOOD FOR IT. I'M USING A CANE BECAUSE I'M SO DIZZY...DR, DOES NOT SEEM AT ALL CONCERNED, SAID THAT HE HAS HAD IT. USE MOIST HEAT AND TAKE TYLENOL IS MY RX...GOOD LUCK

[HSS56]

Hi, I recently discovered the same issue, but havent seen a doctor, and I'm very sure I know the cause. If you carry heavy things, such as bags or whatever even just in your hand to often or long periods of time, it cause tenderness to the entire side of your neck. I've been trying to carry less weight in my bookbag, which is a shoulder bag, and switch to the other shoulder every now and then. This technique works quite well, oh and if you crack your neck within ONE hour prior to waking up or earlier, You'll experience that pain also, because it's to early to crack your neck because the muscles haven't quite stretched out, so it causes swelling. I hope this is helpful to you!

[gabesun]

U are doing  good job. Also have aches in my right neck. i take raw honey morning and night aches go away and whenever i stop taking honey i feel aches again. I asked a in a pharmaceutical store was told it could b as a result of blood shortage

[Bassmamma]

This sounds like Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Which I have been diagnosed with.  Steroids will get rid of the inflammation but watch out for Temporal Arteritis or giant cell arterisis which sometimes accompanies it.Tthese usually happen in people over 50 years old.  I have the ball swellings in the neck above the collar bone too.  the arteries at the back of my head and temples were sore and I am having a Temporal Artery Biopsy to see if it is TA, although it doesn't always show up. I have severe neck pain which settles on steroids but the arterial pain continued hence the extra investigation.  Both my parents had this and Polymyalgia so I think it may be gene related.  they don't know what causes it but stress, or post operation or injury somtimes trigers them.  A CAT scan will show arterial damage if any. Good luck.