What Causes Pain From Temple To Neck And Collarbone?

Posted on Wed, 27 Aug 2014

Question: I have had significant, debilitating neck pain for 6 weeks. Pain runs from temple, through ear (very painful) down neck all the way to collarbone creating a lot of pain in the front of my neck. I also have pain at base of skull and occasional pain in the back of the skull. All right sided. In addition to pain I have been experiencing bouts of vertigo and have experienced significant pain and dizzyness when I look up, though it is not constant. My physical therapist believes I need to have my arteries checked in case of a dissection, but my primary thinks at 32 I am too young. I take tylenol3 and XXXXXXX for relief, which is typically 2 hours if at all. I am significantly overweight, slightly elevated BP and cholesterol. Pain started after rough housing in pool with niece. Please help!

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get xray and MRI scan done.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have read your query.

From your history, I would like to advise you to get xray of cervical spine done and MRI scan of cervical spine done and send me the report.

I want to see the present condition of your vertebrae, intervertebral space, cervical nerves and surrounding soft tissues.

Till then you should apply hard cervical collar with chin support.

Take aceclofenac+thiocolchicoside, pregabalin, by prescription of your doctor.

Try to avoid physical exercise, weightlifting as much as you can.

Have balanced diet including fruits in it.

Have regular morning B.P check up done and take your cardiac medication regularly.

Thanks.

Dr.Singh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (14 hours later)

Hello, i do not take any cardiac medication at this time. I went to ER last night because of pain and they checked heart because neck pain radiates. My bp was 133/90. Ok, i was not given any scans besides a chest xray which was normal. The Dr. Prescribed percocet for pain and a 15 day course of prednsone. I explained to him that my pain allbegan in my ear and has never relented, just spread. He is concerned about temporal arteritis as i have many of the symptoms and an elevated esr. I know this disease typically does not happen to people my age, but he is concerned. I took percocet last night and while it relaxed my neck, it did not touch the pain in the ear. What could this pain be?

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Get E.N.T check up done along with.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the query again.

Temporal arteritis almost always occurs in people over age 50.

Main sign and symptoms are-Throbbing headache on one side of the head or the back of the head, tenderness when touching the scalp, excessive sweating, fever, jaw pain that comes and goes or occurs when chewing etc.

Beside rise of E.S.R, I don't thing you have any of these symptoms mentioned above, that is why I advise you to get MRI scan cervical spine and brain done and send me the report.

If you have already started prednisone then please do not stop or alter its dose with prescription of doctor. You can have tablet cinnarizine for vertigo by prescription of your local doctor.

I also advise you to get E.N.T check up by doctor for ear pain.

I hope it helps.

Thanks.

Dr.Singh.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (47 hours later)

Hi, i wanted to follow up again. Ive been on prednisone 60 mg as prescribed at the ER. Some of the pain has settled and i feel like I can describe it well today. Ive been having pain and pressure in the back of my skull, its worse upon waking. Everytime i lay back to put my head down i get a bit of a head rush and get dizzy. Last night while sleeping, my dog cried out and i turned quickly to the left to help her. This caused pain in my ear (significant) all the way down my neck that took 30 minutes to relax. I still have some pain in the front of my nevk, but over the last several days its primarily in the back of my head Im waiting for a follow up at the dr wednesday. Could this some type of intercranial pressure issue or chiari or anything like that? Im very scared, and would appreciate any info. Im pushing to try to get an MRI, but the Dr.s really arent listening. Help!.

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do not scare.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the response my friend.

It is good that prednisone 60 mg is helping you.

One thing I would like to say is that, you should try to avoid jerky movements as much as you can. Wear cervical collar with chin support whole of the day.

To rule out increase intracranial pressure and chiari, MRI scan is mendatory.

In patients with increase pressure following symptoms can occur-

Behavior changes

Decreased consciousness

Headache

Lethargy

Neurological symptoms, including weakness, numbness, eye movement problems, and double vision

Seizures

Vomiting.

You have not given any history as above.

Chiari malfornmation is also not fitting into your diagnosis.

So you should not be scared about that, but you definitely need MRI scan.

You doctor may advise you MRI scan after completing course of prednisone of about 14 days, if symptoms do not subside.

You must follow instructions of your local doctor also because he is physical examining you along with prescribing the medicines.

I hope it helps.

Thanks.

Dr.Singh.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (15 minutes later)

Thank you, that takes away much of the fear. I guess im just constantly trying to figure out what could causing pain in the neck constantly, when it all started in my ear 8 weeks ago, with what i assumed to be a ear infection but was not. Can it really all just be muscular pain or could it be something more serious? Is there a readon the prednisone is helping?

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It could be diagnosed only after investigations.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the response again my friend.

Myfriend it could be anything, but in my opinion it is muscular pain but involvement of ear is something that you should also kept in mind, that is why I previously advise you E.N.T check up.

Xray cervical spine will tell you whole story.

Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid, which is used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions.

You should believe in god and trust your doctor and follow his advise properly.

I hope it helps.

Thanks.

Dr.Singh.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T