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Hi, Doctor. For About A Week Now, Have Symptoms On

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Posted on Thu, 23 Jun 2022
Question: Hi, doctor. For about a week now, have symptoms on left side of shoulder pain, neck pain esp at base of the neck and when really bad, feels like an earache going on. Tried heat on it and it gets worse. Ice also seems to do nothing. Just wanted to ask u what this may be.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. David J Girardi (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
A few thoughts here!!!

Detailed Answer:
Good morning, this is Dr. David G.

Thank you for the question and I certainly hope I can help here. I am trying to put together the exact location and consider the various structures involved here. Not too many things will create pain in all of those areas. The STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID muscle is located here and connects the region under the ear, runs down through the neck and connects the to the clavicle. Now this type of pain would be worsened or changed with rotation of the neck, so I am not sure if that is a component here as well or not. There are number of nerves that exit the cervical spine in this area and that can produce similar symptoms. I see you tried heat and ice without much benefit here. One thought might be to try some ibuprofen or even OTC diclofenac gel. If this is muscular it really may be helpful in alleviating the pain. You did mention this has been ongoing for a week or so, so that does really eliminate a lot of things, cardiac issues are really low here especially with that length of time, although of there is any shortness of breath or change in the pattern I do always recommend getting checked by your doctor. I do highly suspect this is musculoskeletal entirely here.

Not sure if that provides any insight or not. Please feel free to reach back out with other questions or follow up comments.
Dr. David G - Emergency and Family Medicine
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. David J Girardi (2 days later)
Hi, doctor. Just one quick follow up question and thank u so much for your answer. Having been under extra stress past few months coupled with anxiety, just wondering if this could have a part in these particular symptoms as described above. Thank u again.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. David J Girardi (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
YES

Detailed Answer:
And stress and anxiety are a big inciting factor here, the elevated levels of stress hormones caused by stress and anxiety do make you more prone to muscle contraction pain much more intense and from your history I can not imagine that not playing a factor here.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. David J Girardi

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 204 Questions

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Hi, Doctor. For About A Week Now, Have Symptoms On

Brief Answer: A few thoughts here!!! Detailed Answer: Good morning, this is Dr. David G. Thank you for the question and I certainly hope I can help here. I am trying to put together the exact location and consider the various structures involved here. Not too many things will create pain in all of those areas. The STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID muscle is located here and connects the region under the ear, runs down through the neck and connects the to the clavicle. Now this type of pain would be worsened or changed with rotation of the neck, so I am not sure if that is a component here as well or not. There are number of nerves that exit the cervical spine in this area and that can produce similar symptoms. I see you tried heat and ice without much benefit here. One thought might be to try some ibuprofen or even OTC diclofenac gel. If this is muscular it really may be helpful in alleviating the pain. You did mention this has been ongoing for a week or so, so that does really eliminate a lot of things, cardiac issues are really low here especially with that length of time, although of there is any shortness of breath or change in the pattern I do always recommend getting checked by your doctor. I do highly suspect this is musculoskeletal entirely here. Not sure if that provides any insight or not. Please feel free to reach back out with other questions or follow up comments. Dr. David G - Emergency and Family Medicine