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What Causes Pain In The Left Side Of The Neck?
Over the past nine months or so I have had this stinging pain on the left side of my neck near my thyroid gland. At first, the pain would come and then go, but lately it has been more constant. I do not observe any swelling or redness in the area but just a stinging sensation. I do notice that I clear my throat more often but I don t have difficulty swallowing or speaking. Coincidentally, the pain started at about the same time that I suffered a rotator cuff injury in my left shoulder. So I started thinking I might have a pinched nerve in my neck that might be causing the pain. I also thought it might be thyroid nodule enlargement or maybe something with my pharnyx. Any thoughts? Going to my primary care physician Thursday.
posted on
Sat, 23 Jul 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 5 Sep 2019
Answered on
Fri, 6 Sep 2019
Last reviewed on
Hi,
It is possible that the stinging is related to the nerves in the area, nerve-related pain is called neuralgia. Trauma to a nerve (such as pinched nerve) is one cause of neuralgia but there are different other causes as well.
Other causes include diabetes, low vitamin b12 or folate, abnormal B6, thyroid disease, a side effect of medication, infection, autoimmune disease etc.
In some persons, the exact cause is not known. If it continues or worsens then you should be seen.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
It is possible that the stinging is related to the nerves in the area, nerve-related pain is called neuralgia. Trauma to a nerve (such as pinched nerve) is one cause of neuralgia but there are different other causes as well.
Other causes include diabetes, low vitamin b12 or folate, abnormal B6, thyroid disease, a side effect of medication, infection, autoimmune disease etc.
In some persons, the exact cause is not known. If it continues or worsens then you should be seen.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
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