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Suggest Treatment For Severe Neck Pain, Chest Pain And Tingling Sensation In Arm
Question: I have severe neck pain since 6 years.it gives me breath shortage, heavy head and eyes,tmj related problems(tooth grinding,jaw clinching) , chest pains ,arm tinglings,numbness(left side) ..had my CT scan done which came normal,X-ray showed some inflamation in C4 .had my heart test ecg and eco)done 5 years ago,everything came normal(except premature complex in ecg)..i am having my mri done for head on this jan6th..I am so confused that what can be the reason of my pain ..should I be worried about anything severe happening to me? also my job includes a lot of lifting and also I use to sit on computer for long periods
Brief Answer:
Cervical spine condition should be evaluated further.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
The reason of your symptoms seems to arise from your neck ( cervical spinal cord ), since there is distribution of tingling and numbness in your arm and chest.
Affected upper cervical levels could give rise to headaches.
TMJ symptoms are not a common finding in cervical spine disease and need a separate evaluation by your Doctor, the same about heart condition.
This is supported also by abnormal x-rays findings.
Conditions that may affect your cervical spine include degenerative spine disease, herniated disc disease, inflammatory process of the cervical spine ( discitis ), syringomielia.
Since CT scan didn't show any mass, tumors of the spine are excluded.
The key point to a correct diagnosis is to have first a neurological examination and tests guided by neurological findings, so I recommend you to consult a Neurologist.
In my opinion, besides head MRI, you should have a cervical MRI done.
The treatment differs according to diagnosis.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Take care.
Cervical spine condition should be evaluated further.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
The reason of your symptoms seems to arise from your neck ( cervical spinal cord ), since there is distribution of tingling and numbness in your arm and chest.
Affected upper cervical levels could give rise to headaches.
TMJ symptoms are not a common finding in cervical spine disease and need a separate evaluation by your Doctor, the same about heart condition.
This is supported also by abnormal x-rays findings.
Conditions that may affect your cervical spine include degenerative spine disease, herniated disc disease, inflammatory process of the cervical spine ( discitis ), syringomielia.
Since CT scan didn't show any mass, tumors of the spine are excluded.
The key point to a correct diagnosis is to have first a neurological examination and tests guided by neurological findings, so I recommend you to consult a Neurologist.
In my opinion, besides head MRI, you should have a cervical MRI done.
The treatment differs according to diagnosis.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Sorry I forgot to mention that I had a fracture on my collar bone too which is fine now but I can still feel it coming out between my shoulder and neck.and Just a general question that if my heart test (Eco) was fine which was done 5 years ago of same concern,will I be needing another one for chest pain? This chest pain is normally felt outside of my chest which seem to be mostly nerve pain which then goes to my arms and hand( along with pinches and tingling )
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being on follow up.
The collar bone that you refer was the left one?
Trauma to this region could damage nerves that supply your arm ad part of the chest (brachial plexus injury).
About the heart issues, my personal opinion is that is not the heart that is causing your symptoms because of your age and previous examination.
I still think that the key to a correct diagnosis and further examinations is a throughout neurological examination.
If damage to brachial plexus is suspected, nerve conduction study is needed as well.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being on follow up.
The collar bone that you refer was the left one?
Trauma to this region could damage nerves that supply your arm ad part of the chest (brachial plexus injury).
About the heart issues, my personal opinion is that is not the heart that is causing your symptoms because of your age and previous examination.
I still think that the key to a correct diagnosis and further examinations is a throughout neurological examination.
If damage to brachial plexus is suspected, nerve conduction study is needed as well.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Actually that was the right one ,but my phsio therapist said that it could be the injury which is causing pain,and does MRI show the nerve damage which CT scan would not show? Thanks
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
In this case, the injury can be located at your cervical spine, not the brachial plexus.
MRI is superior to CT scan especially in showing soft tissues (muscles, nerves, spinal cord, vessels and ligaments) damage.
In my opinion, the situation and the diagnosis will be more clear after a cervical spine MRI imaging.
Best regards.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
In this case, the injury can be located at your cervical spine, not the brachial plexus.
MRI is superior to CT scan especially in showing soft tissues (muscles, nerves, spinal cord, vessels and ligaments) damage.
In my opinion, the situation and the diagnosis will be more clear after a cervical spine MRI imaging.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thanks dr , and last thing is that how severe can it be? Because the treatment will be really slow within these days because most of the doctors are on minimum 2 weeks holidays,do you think I should seek emergency ? And also do I have to take off from my job which includes lot of lifting?
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
I don't see any need to rush to emergency for now.
However, if there will be worsening of symptoms, you may seek medical evaluation and treatment to improve them.
The situation and treatment ways should be clear after the examinations mentioned above.
Avoiding stressful physical activity, instead is mandatory in your case.
Do get back to me if you have further questions.
Best regards.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
I don't see any need to rush to emergency for now.
However, if there will be worsening of symptoms, you may seek medical evaluation and treatment to improve them.
The situation and treatment ways should be clear after the examinations mentioned above.
Avoiding stressful physical activity, instead is mandatory in your case.
Do get back to me if you have further questions.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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