Neck Pain - 6 weeks - Undiagnosed.

[pinkbluepurple]

*I am 19 years old, and in college, I believe I hurt my neck because of a heavy backpack. I am 90 pounds, obviously under weight. I have had no previous problems with my neck or back.

January 30th- I started getting a stiff neck, afew days later I started getting shoulder pain, a week later the neck pain subsided to my right side of my neck, and was only stiff, not painful. The shoulder pain moved directly into my rotator cuff of my right shoulder, and remained there for approx. 2 weeks. Eventually the shoulder pain decreased, was getting pains in my collar bone, had 2-3 days of no pain, only the stiffness in my right side of my neck.

Feb. 25 - March 10th (almost 2 weeks) - Started getting neck pain, which has now progressed into extreme pain. Physical therapist said my range of motion in my neck is abnormal for my age.  

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-I have gone to the emergency room 3 times, they said it was my trap. muscle in my back, and it would heal. One doctor suggested a chiropractor, the other suggested physical therapy. One doctor took x-rays of my shoulder, there is nothing broken in my shoulder.

all 3 doctors suggested rest, ice, and pills - said I would get better in afew days.

-I have gone to my family doctor, he said my shoulder pain was from over-use and it will heal in the summer.

-I have gone to a physical therapist. He said he believes my problem is a combination of joints in my neck, nerves, and muscles. He believed the pain is coming from my C2 C3 C4 joints in my spine, and the pain in that area of my neck explains the shoulder pain.

-I am taking approx. 4-6 tylenol a day, I have tried naproxen, I have also tried muscle relaxers.

-I have tried heat, Ice, massage, creams, acupuncture, a cervical neck collar, gentle neck stretches.

-The pain is worse when I am laying on my pillow, when I wake up in the morning, and when I sit. The pain gets so bad I end up sleeping around 6-7pm, and waking up around 4-6am. I have lost my appetite, I do not want to move when I am in severe pain.

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Question:

Basically, I just want to know if I could have injured a disk in my neck - I don't believe it is a pinched nerve, because my hands are not numb or tingling.

I have two doctor appointments today, I a hoping I will be given an MRI in the future, but I believe doctors are reluctant to do that because of my age, they think there is nothing seriously wrong, even though I am in excruciating pain.

[pinkbluepurple]

Thank you for the reply,

Yesterday, the doctor perscibed me tylonal 2, and a pain pill to take before sleeping, he also wants me to see a "rehab" specialist.

I also noticed yesterday, my neck pain slightly subsided for the first time in 2 weeks, and it seems to be better today aswell, although I am still sore and my right sholder is still painful.

Physical therapist said I either unlocked a joint in my neck, or a disk moved off a nerve. He said hopefully the neck pain will not return, and my muscle spasms in my shoulder and upper back will either unlock and calm down or they will remain this way, attempting to protect my neck from something that is still wrong.


I am unsure why I haven't been given an MRI yet, I guess they want to wait until I have had the pain for a longer period of time.

I am hoping the neck pain will stay away, at least until I can see a specialist, because it is extremely disabling since I am in college and it makes it hard to study.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Back pain worse when sitting or lying down and feels better with movement is usually caused by ankylosing spondylitis. This is a genetic condition. Medicines, physiotherapy, exercises and drugs to suppress immunity are the mainstay of treatment.
A back pain that is worse on lying down or felt mainly on lying down can also be due to a tumor within the spinal cord. A neurological examination can pinpoint the site. A CT scan or a MRI will be surely required.
It could also just be weak bone, low Vit D or low calcium, severe anemia. Hence get this checked too.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!