What Causes Left-sided Neck Pain At Night?

Posted on Thu, 16 Jun 2016

Question: I have been having pain on the left side of my neck. I will be going to a new doctor on tommarrow. I been going to a clinic the last few months and was given meloxicam, gamapentin , and tramadol over the course of treatment. But was not pleased wirh side effects. I have had tests done and there was no sign of lupus or arthritis. Over the counter anti inflammatory meds don't seem to work. The pain come and goes. Mostly at night. I usually rub with onI ment and it helps a little. Any suggestions I could talk over with the doctor.

Answered by Dr. Anil Parth Desai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hi I would recommend the following.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mam,

Thank you for choosing HCM. I did review your concern. It seems that the neck pain has been bothering you a lot.

The causes of one sided neck pain can be many. It can arise from a bone source due to inflammation or arthritis, a nerve source due to irritation as it comes out of spinal cord, due to some sort of swelling or a soft tissue pain. It could also be a referred pain from the chest if it is more on the shoulder on left side than the neck and an ECG may be needed but the chances of it are very low.

The better approach would be to get some tests done so that we rule out the common conditions. This includes initially to go ahead with a physical examination where the doctor does certain tests to see if its of nerve origin or not. Then depending on the result a xray and a MRI of the neck is needed to see the local anatomy of bones, soft tissues and nerves or any deep seated swelling.

Also let the doctor know if you have noticed swelling or pain in any other part of body or had any injury over the neck recently. Or if you had fever, weight loss recently.

I hope this helps.
Kindly let me know if you have any other concerns or questions.
Wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Dr Parth Desai.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Anil Parth Desai (7 minutes later)

Ok thanks. I have had no fever or weight loss.

Answered by Dr. Anil Parth Desai (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi I would recommend the following

Detailed Answer:
Dear mam,

thank you for your response. Does the neck pain move forward on to the shoulder or arms? And is there a similiar pain in any other part of the body? Do you feel any tingling or numbness in your arms and hands especially on the right side?

Awaiting your reply.
Sincerly,
Dr Parth Desai.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Anil Parth Desai (19 minutes later)

No just the side of my neck up under left ear. .no tingling. Or numbness. No pain on right side.

Answered by Dr. Anil Parth Desai (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi I would recommend the following.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mam,

Thank you for your reply.

It seems that your pain is less likely from a nerve root compression cause.

Since it is close to the left ear in the neck, another possibility of such a pain can be a referred pain from teeth problems on left side. A dental examination to look for caries in teeth and infection should be done to rule out if there is anything wrong there if not already done so.
Rest you should go ahead as what the examining doctor has to order for testing the cause of the neck pain, including laboratory results and imaging (xray or mri).

I hope this helps ma'm.
Let me know if there are any other concerns or questions.
Wish you all the very best.
Sincerely,
DR Parth Desai

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Anil Parth Desai (17 hours later)

Hello. Went to doctor today he prescribed me Naproxen 500 mg twice a day. And tizanidine 4 mg he said to take it at night he said I could take one or two. I had good blood work tests that he reviewed. He informed me to try these for a week and if it didn't work he would do x-rays ,mri next. Do I need to take both tonight or just the muscle relaxer since it's late in the evening?

I also got two shots today.

Answered by Dr. Anil Parth Desai (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
hi i would recommend following.

Detailed Answer:
Dear ma'm,
You can take both the tablets tonight. There is no problem in that. I think this is a right way to go. If the pain does not go radiology tests are needed. It is good to hear your labs are normal.

Which shots did you receive?
Let me know if you have any concern?

Hopefully your pain will go away in a week.
Sincerely,
Dr parth desai
Which tes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Anil Parth Desai (12 hours later)

I got trodol and cortisone shot. I think lm saying it right. I know cortisone. They both sting . I got them I'm the. buttock. I woke up with a slight headache and neck still sorta hurts but I slept good. I know the pain is not going away in one night. He told me to give it a week. Is it safe to take the Naproxen and muscle relaxer for a week . If it works should the pain ease up in a week time. Is ok to still use my heating pad. It usually gives me some,relief and what about muscle rub I have some heat rub .

Answered by Dr. Anil Parth Desai (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi I would recommend the following.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mam,
Thank you for your reply.

Yes it is fine to take naproxen and the relaxant tizanidine for a week together. It will reduce the pain and spasm if there is any neck sprain around the area and assist in movement. Heating pad if it works for you is good, but ensure to use a cloth between the pad surface and skin so that you do not suffer any burns.

Muscle rub may be needed only if there is muscle stiffness even after oral muscle relaxant. Cortisone shot will also help reduce inflammation.

Also I would recommend slow but steady neck muscle exercises. You can rotate your head in all the ways like up-down, sideways and round rotations but do it very slowly and only as much as you can. Please DO not over exert. This will help speedy recovering and good muscle strength.

If Naproxen causes some gastric pain or acidity do take Omeprazole 40 mg 1 tablet before breakfast.

I hope this works and your neck is fine in a week.
Let me know if you have any more concerns mam.
Wish you all the very best.
Sincerely,

Dr Parth Desai

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Anil Parth Desai (1 hour later)

One more question. The Naproxen only saidtake one twice a day. It didnt say a time frame.So how many hours apart should I take it?

Answered by Dr. Anil Parth Desai (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
hi i would recommend the following

Detailed Answer:
Dear mam,

Thank you for your query. Ideally it should be spaced10- 12 hours apart and to be taken either 30 minutes before food or 1 hour after food to ensure proper absorption.

I hope this helps mam.

Let me know if you have any more concerns.
Wish you the very best.
Sincerely,

Dr Parth Desai

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Anil Parth Desai (1 hour later)

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Anil Parth Desai (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi I would recommend the following.

Detailed Answer:
You are more than welcome mam.

Let me know if you have any more concerns.
Wish you the very best.
Sincerely,

Dr Parth Desai

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar