Suggest Remedy For Tightness And Numbness In Side Of Neck

Posted on Mon, 29 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 Answered on

Mon, 27 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I was eating my lunch salad and got a sudden tightness and numbness in the left side of my neck--above the shoulder and up to the chin. I stopped eating and made sure my pulse was OK, and massaged the muscle in my neck, which is now sore. Never had anything like this before. I am female, 68. What do you think?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Better to visit a medical centre

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. The causes could be various ranging from stress, lipid profile fluctuations, blood pressure fluctuations, etc.

But here is my advise:

+Get an EKG at your earliest convenience
+Get your lipid profile checked immediately
+Get your blood pressure monitored
+Cardiac enzymes

I think you need to try to get to a medical centre at your earliest convenience, because we need to rule out the more serious conditions. But such a presentation can at times also occur due to stress (physical or emotional) and a few other factors that are not serious. Could you manage to visit a medical centre anytime soon?

I hope you find my response helpful. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (45 minutes later)

Have my health insurance in place but still working on my prescription insurance. Do plan on make a visit to a new doctor soon, as I have recently moved, so will be sure to ask for the recommended tests. It's been a few hours now and I am feeling OK, and there sure has been plenty of stress in my life recently as I go through a divorce. It's tough at my age. I have alerted family, but think I will put off the medical center visit for a bit.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please try to check in with a doctor some time this week

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

I completely understand the high levels of stress you are experiencing, especially with a divorce during this phase of your life and it is indeed unfortunate. But please do consider scheduling a doctors visit some time soon as I wouldn't want you to neglect your health just because you have other important things to deal with right now, your health is equally as important ma'am.

Please do re-consider.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar