Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Discomfort In Neck?
Question: I am having a problem with my neck, and it has been going on for 6 years. It seems to come and go, and for awhile it felt like it was gone. However, recently it has come back and is very annoying. I have been to multiple doctors and they don't seem to care enough to help me figure out what it is. So far all I have been able to conclude is that I have a thyroid disease (Hashimotos), but the problem with my neck is still there. HELP!
Brief Answer:
Please provide more information
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for using Healthcare Magic. I would like to help you but you need to explain what exactly your neck problem is. Are you having pain? If so, what is the pain like (sharp, burning, achy, etc), anything seem to make it worse or better?What seems to stimulate it? etc
Do you have muscle weakness, stiffness, numbness, difficulties chewing, swallowing, turning your head, etc? Have you had an injury? Does it have any pattern of occurrence (eg, always in the morning, etc). Have you tried any medicine including over the counter treatments for it?
Please describe in detail all aspects of your neck problem. With more information I may be able to help you with it. Thank you.
Please provide more information
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for using Healthcare Magic. I would like to help you but you need to explain what exactly your neck problem is. Are you having pain? If so, what is the pain like (sharp, burning, achy, etc), anything seem to make it worse or better?What seems to stimulate it? etc
Do you have muscle weakness, stiffness, numbness, difficulties chewing, swallowing, turning your head, etc? Have you had an injury? Does it have any pattern of occurrence (eg, always in the morning, etc). Have you tried any medicine including over the counter treatments for it?
Please describe in detail all aspects of your neck problem. With more information I may be able to help you with it. Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
There is no pain associated with my neck problem. However I feel I need to explain more clearly what the problem is exactly. It started about 6 years ago as a sensation that a lump was stuck in my throat. After a few months my jaw started to click, like my jaw is somewhat misaligned. After 6 years of having this problem, it hasn't gotten any better, and appears to have gotten worse. If I wiggle my XXXXXXX apple back and forth, it kind of feels like it is grinding on something, it doesn't feel comfortable. I know that I shouldn't be wiggling it back and forth, but it is just something I have discovered.
Anyway, my neck feeling does seem to get better or worse, however the cause of this is still unknown to me. Maybe it's stress or sleep, but for the most part it seems to be random. I get about 7-8 hours of sleep each day, and I am not to stressed.
I sometimes have difficulty swallowing, but most of the time it is fine. I find that I have alot of mucus in my throat, and I have to clear it alot. If I put my finger just under my jaw on the left side, and press slightly hard, it seems to make it easier to clear this mucus out of my throat.
I have not had an injury, and their is no significant pattern.
I went to my GP who said it might be TMJ (because of the jaw clicking), he advised me to go to a Oral Surgeon. Oral Surgeon said it wasn't TMJ, and that I likely have a thyroid issue. GP confirmed that I have a thyroid issue and advised me to see an endocronologist. Saw endocronologist and am now on taking 75mcg levothyroxine once a day in the morning (have been taking this medication for 3 + years now). The problem stated still persists and doesn't seem to have gotten better. On a side not, my gp, endocronologist, and a general surgeon (my gp advised me to see about throat problem) have all given me ultrasounds on my neck and found that I have small nodules on it that have not gone away.
Endocronologist told me I have hashimoto's disease.
I am just very confused, I have this problem, and out of it I find that I have hashimotos disease. Maybe they are related, but so far it seems like they are not because my treatment for my thyroid problem has not resolved my throat issues, or my jaw clicking issues.
I also have heartburn somewhat frequently, which has not gone away after trying prilosec otc.
So to sum it all up, I have been to a GP, Oral Surgeon, General Surgeon, Endocronologist about these issues, and the only conclusion I have been able to find is that I have a thyroid disease and my neck still has this feeling in it, and my jaw clicks. When I move my XXXXXXX apple back and forth it feels like it is grinding/clicking on something. Also, when I breath in and out with my mouth open, my breathing is somewhat raspy.
Sorry if this is confusing for you to read. I have alot on my mind about these issues and it is hard to get into words clearly. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks, XXXXXXX Weiss
Anyway, my neck feeling does seem to get better or worse, however the cause of this is still unknown to me. Maybe it's stress or sleep, but for the most part it seems to be random. I get about 7-8 hours of sleep each day, and I am not to stressed.
I sometimes have difficulty swallowing, but most of the time it is fine. I find that I have alot of mucus in my throat, and I have to clear it alot. If I put my finger just under my jaw on the left side, and press slightly hard, it seems to make it easier to clear this mucus out of my throat.
I have not had an injury, and their is no significant pattern.
I went to my GP who said it might be TMJ (because of the jaw clicking), he advised me to go to a Oral Surgeon. Oral Surgeon said it wasn't TMJ, and that I likely have a thyroid issue. GP confirmed that I have a thyroid issue and advised me to see an endocronologist. Saw endocronologist and am now on taking 75mcg levothyroxine once a day in the morning (have been taking this medication for 3 + years now). The problem stated still persists and doesn't seem to have gotten better. On a side not, my gp, endocronologist, and a general surgeon (my gp advised me to see about throat problem) have all given me ultrasounds on my neck and found that I have small nodules on it that have not gone away.
Endocronologist told me I have hashimoto's disease.
I am just very confused, I have this problem, and out of it I find that I have hashimotos disease. Maybe they are related, but so far it seems like they are not because my treatment for my thyroid problem has not resolved my throat issues, or my jaw clicking issues.
I also have heartburn somewhat frequently, which has not gone away after trying prilosec otc.
So to sum it all up, I have been to a GP, Oral Surgeon, General Surgeon, Endocronologist about these issues, and the only conclusion I have been able to find is that I have a thyroid disease and my neck still has this feeling in it, and my jaw clicks. When I move my XXXXXXX apple back and forth it feels like it is grinding/clicking on something. Also, when I breath in and out with my mouth open, my breathing is somewhat raspy.
Sorry if this is confusing for you to read. I have alot on my mind about these issues and it is hard to get into words clearly. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks, XXXXXXX Weiss
Brief Answer:
Consider a laryngoscopy and endoscopy.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the further information. I agree that the Hashimoto's is probably not related, but I am not clear where the nodules in your neck are. Are they on the thyroid? A sensation of a lump in the throat is often due to anxiety. It is kind of like a muscle spasm of the esophagus. Heartburn is reflux of acid up into the esophagus. The acid could get sucked into the upper respiratory tract and cause inflammation of the vocal cords and a raspy sound when breathing through your mouth. Excess mucus in the throat could also result from this. Swallowing difficulties could also result from an esophagus problem. It is possible you have developed a swelling or lesion around your larynx or esophagus, perhaps related to the acid reflux. What I would recommend at this point is a visit with an ear, nose, and throat specialist for a complete laryngoscopy. What they can do is put a scope into your throat and have a direct look inside the voicebox and see if there is inflammation or swelling, or a problem with the vocal cords. The next examination I would consider would be an upper endoscopy. This is done by a gastroenterologist. A scope is put into your esophagus to look at the inside of it for evidence of acid reflux and structural abnormalities that may be causing your symptoms. There are sometimes abnormal connections between the trachea and esophagus that can cause unusual symptoms. I am not sure about the clicking. Were xrays done of your temporomandibular joint? This still would be my first thought. It may be a separate problem. But be sure to mention it to the specialists that you see. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have further questions.
Consider a laryngoscopy and endoscopy.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the further information. I agree that the Hashimoto's is probably not related, but I am not clear where the nodules in your neck are. Are they on the thyroid? A sensation of a lump in the throat is often due to anxiety. It is kind of like a muscle spasm of the esophagus. Heartburn is reflux of acid up into the esophagus. The acid could get sucked into the upper respiratory tract and cause inflammation of the vocal cords and a raspy sound when breathing through your mouth. Excess mucus in the throat could also result from this. Swallowing difficulties could also result from an esophagus problem. It is possible you have developed a swelling or lesion around your larynx or esophagus, perhaps related to the acid reflux. What I would recommend at this point is a visit with an ear, nose, and throat specialist for a complete laryngoscopy. What they can do is put a scope into your throat and have a direct look inside the voicebox and see if there is inflammation or swelling, or a problem with the vocal cords. The next examination I would consider would be an upper endoscopy. This is done by a gastroenterologist. A scope is put into your esophagus to look at the inside of it for evidence of acid reflux and structural abnormalities that may be causing your symptoms. There are sometimes abnormal connections between the trachea and esophagus that can cause unusual symptoms. I am not sure about the clicking. Were xrays done of your temporomandibular joint? This still would be my first thought. It may be a separate problem. But be sure to mention it to the specialists that you see. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have further questions.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
