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What Causes Weird Sensation In Head And Restricted Movement In Neck After Working Out?
Question: Two wednesdays ago, after working out I turned my head and felt a weird sensation where I couldn't move my neck. The next day I was very stiff and sore but was fine by saturday. On sunday, I spent the entire day vacuuming my in ground pool which was a long period of looking down. On monday, about a half hour after I woke, my neck became very stiff again but worse this time. I couldn't lean my head back or to either side. The pain is strong on the back to the right of my neck. The pain also extends to my right shoulder and that arm, though hasn't limited use of it. I also have what feels like a lymph node and right above my collar bone (I'm not sure if this is the artery or not) there is a small, fixed lump that is hard. My doctor said that my muscles are just very, very tight due to physical excursion and stress but I am very worried about a vertebral artery dissection, which my doctor immediately dismissed. My anxiety is really setting in. I should also add that I get a splitting headache up the side and back of my head. I do get tingly in my hands but I don't know if that is anxiety or not.
Brief Answer:
I don't think is an artery dissection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
A vertebral artery dissection is accompanied by stroke-like symptoms such decreased conscious level, difficulty maintaining equilibrium, vision problems, arms, legs weakness, so, I think it's not your case.
In addition, the vertebral arteries cannot be felt by touch, because they are located deep in neck into bone structures of vertebral column.
What you feel by touching is most probably a spasmed muscle.
I agree with your Doctor's opinion, your symptoms are related most likely to strained muscles.
In my opinion, you should follow your Doctor's advice about treatment, Diazepam acts as muscle relaxer together with heat pad and as an antianxiety drug too, so can improve muscles strained and your anxiety-related headache.
Aleve ( Naproxen) is a Nonsteroid antiinflamatory drug, so is okay to use in your case aiming to improve neck and arm pain.
In addition, if you were my patient, I would recommend the use of a soft cervical collar during the day for about two weeks and avoiding prolonged physical activity for a couple of weeks.
Keep following up with your Doctor.
Hope this helps. If you have further questions and clarifications, feel free to ask, if not, you can close the conversation and rate the answer.
Wishing you good health.
I don't think is an artery dissection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
A vertebral artery dissection is accompanied by stroke-like symptoms such decreased conscious level, difficulty maintaining equilibrium, vision problems, arms, legs weakness, so, I think it's not your case.
In addition, the vertebral arteries cannot be felt by touch, because they are located deep in neck into bone structures of vertebral column.
What you feel by touching is most probably a spasmed muscle.
I agree with your Doctor's opinion, your symptoms are related most likely to strained muscles.
In my opinion, you should follow your Doctor's advice about treatment, Diazepam acts as muscle relaxer together with heat pad and as an antianxiety drug too, so can improve muscles strained and your anxiety-related headache.
Aleve ( Naproxen) is a Nonsteroid antiinflamatory drug, so is okay to use in your case aiming to improve neck and arm pain.
In addition, if you were my patient, I would recommend the use of a soft cervical collar during the day for about two weeks and avoiding prolonged physical activity for a couple of weeks.
Keep following up with your Doctor.
Hope this helps. If you have further questions and clarifications, feel free to ask, if not, you can close the conversation and rate the answer.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I'm not sure if you got my follow-up question but I will repeat.
I do have stroke-like symptoms such as feeling fatigued and like I'm not all here. My hands tingle and there's tension under my left eye, but I don't know if that has to do with my anxiety and the fact that I have been laying around for days. Do you have any recommendations as a way to ease my anxiety and paranoia?
I do have stroke-like symptoms such as feeling fatigued and like I'm not all here. My hands tingle and there's tension under my left eye, but I don't know if that has to do with my anxiety and the fact that I have been laying around for days. Do you have any recommendations as a way to ease my anxiety and paranoia?
Brief Answer:
Symptoms more related to anxiety than stroke.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
In my opinion, your symptoms are most probably related to anxiety than stroke.
Stroke symptoms of vertebrobasilar system I mentioned before.
A simple and cheap way to ease your mind is to have done an Echo Doppler of cervical blood vessels.
This should be discussed with your treating Doctor.
Hope I helped you. Best regards.
Symptoms more related to anxiety than stroke.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
In my opinion, your symptoms are most probably related to anxiety than stroke.
Stroke symptoms of vertebrobasilar system I mentioned before.
A simple and cheap way to ease your mind is to have done an Echo Doppler of cervical blood vessels.
This should be discussed with your treating Doctor.
Hope I helped you. Best regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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