Suggest Treatment For Pain And Stiffness At The Back Of Neck

Posted on Thu, 5 May 2016

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

Thu, 5 May 2016 Answered on

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : 1. pain and stiffness , back of neck, 2. face is flushed and finger tips cool to cold, pain has increased more each day for the past week. Has been getting harder and harder to do much of anything. I have started taking some Loratadine thinking it is allergy related

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please tell a few details:

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

I understand your serious concerns and I shall try to address them well here,however,please tell me some additional details for the same-

1)Do you have accompanying fever,vomiting,headache,drowsiness or impairment of consciousness?
2)How did this neck stiffness start-suddenly or gradually?
3)Do you have any symptoms in arms or hands-tingling?numbness?
4)Do you have any known medical illness?

I shall be glad to have you in follow-up with details so that I can answer this well further.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

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

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (13 hours later)

1. My temperature is up a little, no vomiting, slight headache, no impairment of consciousness.
2. The stiffness and pain has gradually increased over the past week.
3. No tingling or numbness, it does hurt when I swallow.
4. I do not have any known illnesses.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cervical X-ray

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up and providing further details.

Though,as the pain and stiffness have gradually progressed,it does not appear to be indicative of a serious vascular pathology.Further,mild fever no impairment in senses or seizure-goes against CNS infection.

So,in historical perspective,this is probably severe Tension type headache.However,considering stiffness in neck,I would suggest you to get a cervical spine X-ray done.

Meanwhile,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine like naproxen or etoricoxib can be taken twice a day after meals for 5 days and observe for the response.Simultaneously, amitriptyline 10 mg once a day at bedtime can be started.It will hopefully bring improvement.

Please get back to me after cervical X-ray is done.

PLEASE TAKE MEDICINES ONLY UNDER A PHYSICIAN'S GUIDANCE.

Hope that helps.If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

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