Unexplained pain

[Squeemy]

I have been having unexplained pain in my right clavicle region, shoulder & up the right side of my neck for months. Sometimes I get an ear ache in that side also. i am of coarse worrying its something sinister as I dont know why pain would just be there for no reason. Its just a dull ache, sometimes can be a sharp stab. When i breath in occasionally I get a cold sensation up that side of my neck & it can feel like something's in my throat. I have had a chest xray about a year ago which came back ok. Also had a couple ultrasounds on my clavicle/ neck region which came back showing a small cyst on my thyroid. The doctor said these are normal & will probably go on its own. i am however thinking they must be missing something as why is this dull ache there? Its been there for months now.

Does anyone else get this? Can it be anxiety related? How long is it normal t feel pain for?

[kconnors]

Hello,

As I always start most of my postings, I will say that I am not a medical professional, but, if you have been told that you had a small cyst on the thyroid a year ago, I would suggest that you consider getting it checked again. Even if the cyst comes and goes, it might be a symptom that your thyroid is having intermittent issues (from my personal experience, these intermittent episodes are the worse because by the time the testing and interpretation get done, the symptom is gone so people may think that you are overreacting). For most cysts/nodules, your doc is right  . . .usually surveillance but surveillance does mean checking on a schedule in order to notice any changes. So, bottom line, check back with your doctor to make sure that no further intervention is needed. As for anxiety causing your symptoms, well, I have learned that anxiety can cause any number of symptoms depending on the individual's triggers . . . have you been to see a therapist to develop management strategies for anxiety or to determine whether anxiety is the root cause? Let us know how things go for you . . .take care, kc

[whitney213]

I've never experienced cold feelings, but I have gotten pain in my shoulders, back, neck, cheek, and temple. My pain comes from tension that my anxiety causes. I clench up without realizing it and also clench my jaw in my sleep. I've actually ruined two fillings by clenching my jaw. When I'm having high anxiety I try and do a self check, I think about if I'm clenching and if I am I try and take a few deep breaths to relax. I also have a massage ball that I keep close because it helps me work out knots in my upper arms and shoulders. I don't know if you're experiencing the same kind of anxiety tension, but maybe a self check will help? I hope it gets better.

[katinac73]

I've got awful pain in my back, neck, jaw and shoulders for six weeks now. It's joined by fatigue, dizziness  nausea and anxiety. Comes on for a few hours at a time or all day.

[kconnors]

Hi katinac73,

Welcome to the group . . . so sorry to hear about your issues with pain which is so debilitating . . .. have you been checked over by a med professional to ensure that you have not done something to your muscles . . . . was there anything that started your symptoms? Let us know if you think that we might be able to help . . .take care, kc

[katinac73]

Hi kconnors.

I've suffered from sensitive trigger points in my back muscles most of my adult life (39 now) but the last 7 weeks I've been getting this awful dull widespread back, neck and jaw pain along with nausea and anxiety. Heats alleviates the pain somewhat. I've been to the ER and GP who tested me for many things, all negative. Included an ECG on my heart and various viruses and rheumatic inflammation. Nothing showed.
Valium seems to help somewhat and I've always been susceptible to anxiety. I've checked out GAD symptoms and it all seems to fit.
I just wish it would stop. The pain comes when I'm anxious for sure but sometimes it seems to come out of nowhere too. Oh yeah and waking up at 4am every day no matter how early I go to bed. It's crap and I just need a break from it!

[kconnors]

Hi . . .

Not sure if this is appropriate to your situation, but there has been research completed of the interconnection between anxiety/depression and fibromyalgia . . . it may be worth asking your doctor about but be prepared that many doctors are leery about fibromyalgia because often it is a diagnosis by exclusion . . . if there is no other reason for the symptoms, then the docs might consider fibromyalgia . . . .I had a colleague who did receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (this was back about 15 years) and she found that with meds to control the physical symptoms of fibromyalgia (primarily pain) that she had less anxiety . . . which I could see . . . fibromyalgia has an impact on the nervous system which causes overstimulation which causes anxiety and when there is no relief causes depression . . .

What you say is true . . . it is crap . . . I have had sleep issues because of anxiety and the lack of sleep or poor sleep just makes the anxiety worse . . . . I also know what you mean that you just want it to stop . . . but, please do not stop advocating on your own behalf or if you have someone as family or friend who can keep after healthcare providers to consider diagnoses such as fibromyalgia . . . . I don't know you, but you seem to have a pretty close match between anxiety and your symptoms over an extended period of time, so I would agree that I think the anxiety is causing most if not all of your grief . . . please keep in touch because I am sure there are many of us, myself included, who would like to lend support to you and learn from your experiences . . . .take care, kc