HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Palpitations,headaches And Tightness In Neck After Quitting Smoking?

Posted on Thu, 31 Jul 2014

Question: i have been having this issue for almost 3 weeks now and need some help. i have been having what seems like sinus issues along with a racing heart, tightness in my neck mainly on the left side and warm to the touch but the tightness has been in both sides. had an ekg everything was fine. i lost 9lbs in 3 weeks have had some slight headaches, ear pain that comes and goes and they feel light i am in high altitude but im not, also some pain in my right jaw. what could this be? i also stopped smoking ecigs about 3 days before all this started. and my blood pressure has been 138-155 over 75-99

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux, Eustachian tube catarrh

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query. I will try my best to help you with this problem.

Before starting to answer this query, I need to know few things which are not clearly mentioned in you history:

1. How many cigarettes were you smoking per day, before you actually quit?
2. Do you get any discharge from the nose, any sneezing episodes, nasal stuffiness?
3. Have you got any blood tests done? Just trying know the haemoglobin content in the body?

After going through the history, I am of the opinion that you could be having multiple issues related to ear, nose and the throat. But, before narrowing on to the actual cause, I would like to know about the above requested details.

Awaiting for your response...

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

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

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (34 hours later)

I was smoking about 1 pack a day but it was the electronic cigs. And yes I do have some discharge it's mainly clear though. I go tomorrow for blood work. I have always had really bad acid reflux also I take dexilant for this problem. I have been also have cramps in my right leg. i am trying not to get all worked up about this cause i know anxiety can cause some of these feelings but i am not one to be sick especially not for this long. i dont know if this will help but i also started a new job and we use a solvent called methyl ethyl ketone and i dont know if that could be causing some of these problems! i can deal with these symptoms i just dont want there to be something seriously wrong causing them. high blood pressure runs in my family lately my blood pressure has been 140/89-95

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stop Dexilant...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

I would suggest you to stop Dexilant. It is known to cause chest tightness, unexplained fever, bodyache, etc. Request your doctor to change the medicine.

Secondly, the BP is slightly on the higher side; may be stress induced. Regular exercises and diet modifications would suffice.

The chemical you are exposed may also be causing allergy. Use some protective masks.

Finally, keep me informed about the blood report.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

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

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

i have been on dexilant for about a year now could that still be an issue? i am thinking it could be tmj because i had have it before. is it possible? for it to cause all those symptoms minus the chest discomfort? it seems like it getting better also when i get up none of the symptoms are there even the blood pressure is more normal. i will write back when i have my blood tests

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please keep me informed after blood tests...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

1. If you are taking Dexilant since a year, it may not be related to the present condition. I presumed so, because there was no mention of the duration of taking this medicine in your query.

2. Apart from Eustachian tube related problems, even, TMJ dysfunction can also cause pain, tinnitus, fullness in the ear, difficulty in chewing the food, headache and myo-facial spasms. In a typical situation, the pain usually worsens during the night time. This can be confirmed, only after examination of the ear.

3. If the blood pressure is normal in the absence of pain or other symptoms; indicates that it is either anxiety related or pain induced.

Please keep me informed, after you get your blood tests done.

Good luck

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad