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

[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?