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What Causes Pain And Tightness In The Neck?

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Posted on Wed, 9 Nov 2016
Question: Hi, my name is XXXXXXX I am 32 years old. I have a lot of symptoms:
1. My neck gets tight with a little pain every 5-10 minutes, and I have to crack or pop it one way or the other. I feel much better after I do that, but I have to breathe deeply for a minute to feel okay again, but in 5-10 more minutes, it happens again.
2. Same thing happens with my lower back, except less frequently. I don't know if I have to breathe deeply as long or at all after that.
3. I have a cough that won't go away. I've had this for ages. Honey doesn't seem to work. I just took some mucinex about an hour ago, and that seems to have helped.
4. I constantly get mucus in my throat. I hate swallowing it after I cough it up. Everyone in my family thinks it's nasty, and they hate it. The mucinex has helped with that, too.
5. I feel like I have to move a ton because my legs, arms, muscles, etc., feel (I can't think of the right word, so I'll try to explain as best I can) sore, tingly, ??? I have to exercise almost every day, but what I hate is HOW I have to exercise. I have to do insane moves to get loosened up and feel somewhat unstressed and free: A - Fling my arms around like a maniac. B - Kick my legs up in the air like I'm doing karate. C - Do abnormal jumping jacks (extend my arms past each other when bringing my hands up). D - When I'm running, bring my knees up as high as I can.

I look plain foolish and I would really like to get these things resolved.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

1-2. These are not dangerous symptoms and are regular aches and pains associated with the body. There is nothing to be concerned about here. This will resolve on its own with time.

3. You should get a chest X-ray to assess this cough further.

4. You should get a CT scan of the sinuses to assess this further, to rule out sinusitis.

5. This might be akathisia, sometimes caused by anxiety or by antipsychotic medication. Consider lowering the antipsychotic dose.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (23 hours later)
1 & 2 - I've had the back problem for years. It's not "normal." The neck one isn't "normal" either. They will NOT resolve on their own.
3. Thank you.
4. Thank you.
5. I'm not on any anxiety or anti-psychotic medications right now. I just told you meds that I have been on in the past. The only "mind" med I'm on right now is Clomipramine for OCD.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
I'm not sure where you are quoting "normal" from. I never used that word.

The body occasionally has brief pains that self-resolve with minor adjustments such as moving your neck or back. There are no medications or surgical interventions to treat what you are describing for the brief neck and lower back pains.

If you are not on an antipsychotic, then this symptom is a somatic symptom of anxiety, possibly even a compulsive manifestation of OCD. I would talk with your doctor about raising the clomipramine dose.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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What Causes Pain And Tightness In The Neck?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. 1-2. These are not dangerous symptoms and are regular aches and pains associated with the body. There is nothing to be concerned about here. This will resolve on its own with time. 3. You should get a chest X-ray to assess this cough further. 4. You should get a CT scan of the sinuses to assess this further, to rule out sinusitis. 5. This might be akathisia, sometimes caused by anxiety or by antipsychotic medication. Consider lowering the antipsychotic dose. Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers