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What Causes Pain That Radiates From Neck To Shoulders And Head?

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Posted on Mon, 27 Jul 2015
Question: Hi. My name is XXXXXXX I've had muscle fatigue for years and was checked for MS and some other things, all negative. My doctor told me he thought it was Fibromyalgia, and that it may be related to my depression. I refused to believe it, and carried on a normal life since that time. However, 6-8 months ago, I noticed stiffness and soreness on one side of my neck, which ha s progressed to both sides and the back of my neck and down into and across my shoulders, and it hurts to turn my head. It's not in the bones or joints. The pain feels like it's right in the muscles. Could it actually be Fibromyalgia?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
several key points.

Detailed Answer:
Fibromyalgia has to not have anything wrong with the person by definition. They have to be entirely normal. If someone gives symptoms that fit with a definite pattern of abnormality, it doesn't fit with fibromyalgia.
So.... Nerves come out of the spine in the neck and go in particular directions. If someone has pain in a classic pattern of a nerve, they one would look for something affecting the nerve. Lyme, syphillis, even an autoimmune disease can affect single nerves. structural problems (disk disease) is over 10 times more common than all other underlying diseases as causes or tumors or growths compressing a nerve (happens, really really rare--disk, trauma or a bony protuberance hitting a nerve are the common causes). A bony or disk abnormality hits a particular nerve and the pain goes in the direction of the nerve. Imaging studies or nerve function studies can pinpoint where the problem is. sometimes it can be surgically helped. Often muscle relaxants are quite helpful. Physical therapy to help mobility and the support of the surrounding muscles is also often helpful. Or... can be a pulled muscle in which case anti-inflammatories, even over the counter ones, are also really helpful and it's really temporary if it is a pulled muscle.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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What Causes Pain That Radiates From Neck To Shoulders And Head?

Brief Answer: several key points. Detailed Answer: Fibromyalgia has to not have anything wrong with the person by definition. They have to be entirely normal. If someone gives symptoms that fit with a definite pattern of abnormality, it doesn't fit with fibromyalgia. So.... Nerves come out of the spine in the neck and go in particular directions. If someone has pain in a classic pattern of a nerve, they one would look for something affecting the nerve. Lyme, syphillis, even an autoimmune disease can affect single nerves. structural problems (disk disease) is over 10 times more common than all other underlying diseases as causes or tumors or growths compressing a nerve (happens, really really rare--disk, trauma or a bony protuberance hitting a nerve are the common causes). A bony or disk abnormality hits a particular nerve and the pain goes in the direction of the nerve. Imaging studies or nerve function studies can pinpoint where the problem is. sometimes it can be surgically helped. Often muscle relaxants are quite helpful. Physical therapy to help mobility and the support of the surrounding muscles is also often helpful. Or... can be a pulled muscle in which case anti-inflammatories, even over the counter ones, are also really helpful and it's really temporary if it is a pulled muscle.