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What Causes Severe Pain In Neck And Jaw Upon Breathing?

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Posted on Tue, 10 May 2016
Question: Since yesterday, painful to breath. Only shallow breaths, deeper breaths are excruciating in neck and jaw, most painful and uncomfortable when lay down. Basically need to elevate neck, meaning stand or sit upright, to breath. Condition has worsened.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (59 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Get done chest x ray.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
By your history and description, possibility of pleuritic pain is more.
Most common cause for pleurisy is lung infection (pneumonia).
And pneumonia can also cause shallow breaths.
And in old age (72 years), lung infection is common. And you are also worsening.
So better to first get done chest x ray to rule out pneumonia.
You may need broad spectrum antibiotic like levofloxacin or azithromycin.
Please let me know if you are smoker or not.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (45 minutes later)
Have not smoked at all in several months. Don't I need a referral to get a chest x-ray? who from? The shallow breaths are due to the pain, I can take deeper breaths but it hurts, when the lungs get to a certain fullness, the pain that represent as pressure in the neck and head, is extreme. And cannot lay down at all, pain is too much, can't breathe, must immediately sit up.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, you need a referral from your GP.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, you will need referral from your GP.
And for treatment also, you need to consult your GP because antibiotics and other supportive drugs are prescribed medicines.
Prescription is must to get them.
So better to consult your GP and discuss all these. Get referral for chest x ray.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15003 Questions

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What Causes Severe Pain In Neck And Jaw Upon Breathing?

Brief Answer: Get done chest x ray. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your concern. By your history and description, possibility of pleuritic pain is more. Most common cause for pleurisy is lung infection (pneumonia). And pneumonia can also cause shallow breaths. And in old age (72 years), lung infection is common. And you are also worsening. So better to first get done chest x ray to rule out pneumonia. You may need broad spectrum antibiotic like levofloxacin or azithromycin. Please let me know if you are smoker or not. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.