It took ten months of constant pain in my neck, seven doctor visits, four of which were specialists, a brain MRI and a thyroid ultrasound to finally sitting in the ENT's chair for him to see the bulge on the right side of my neck and diagnosed it as Carotidynia. Even after hearing how painful this was and my concern that it might be chronic he sent me home to use Ibuprofen. Well that does not work. I began to research and focused on lowering inflammation which led me to DIAMATACEOUS EARTH - FOOD GRADE. SUCCESS!!! It began lowering my pain in seven days and three weeks later my pain hangs out around a 1-1.5. It is still there but I haven't had any flares and what use to be days of living with pain between 7 and 9, is now quite manageable. I will keep researching and asking questions and would like for this to completely heal and go away.
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I was recently diagnosed with carotiynia and I have the same symptoms. Right side neck, ear, jaw hinge, eye and upper base of skull on a bad day. All on the right side. I was actually relived with this diagnosis because Web MD had me thinking I had cancer or other worse condition. Heavy ibuprophen for 10 days cleared it up followed by an "as needed" dose. Earlier this week I had a deviated septum surgery and could not take ibuprofen prior to surgery. Few days before the surgery carotidynia returned. Now aside from recovering from the surgery the carotidynia is now adding to my discomfort. Pain Meds for surgurey recovery help but only cover it up. I need my 2400mg of ibuprofen each day to address those symptoms but can't take it until 2 weeks has passed. I am quite sure stress and fatigue are what causes my condition to flare up.
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I have this. My doctor doesn't believe me. I currently have it the worst ever. I'm considering going to the hospital cuz my doctor thinks I'm making it up. Ugh
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Unfortunately, you have to see a prescriber who has actually heard of this to get the diagnosis. A saw several before the second ENT diagnosed it. He told me there is no treatment for it. So glad to have found this site so I know there is hope.
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I am a 62 year old female who was diagnosed with Carotidynia two weeks ago. That was after four months of antibiotics (six courses), multiple doctors, CTs, ultrasound, dentist, two ENTs and two airway scopes. Mine is post infection (haha probably viral). I had all of the symptoms described in above posts, but not all at the same time or the same intensity as they would ebb and then increase. Adding to my pain were the sympathetic head tilts and nods and smiles from the doctors who hadn't a clue. I always had the very tender neck and swelling and a feeling of swallowing around a lump on that side. Also earaches, headaches, jaw pain, head pressure and hearing loss. I would wake up feeling mild symptoms but as the day went on they would intensify and I am always more tired than is usual for me. I am still active playing court sports, biking and walking and these do increase the pain but I push myself to stay active. I do not believe that stress plays a significant in my carotidynia as I am retired and "living the life" truly. I plan to try the NSAIDS and go from there. THANKS so much to everyone who has taken the time to post here......it makes me feel like I am in this alone or crazy. I will post if I find something that alleviates my symptoms.
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I've had this for over six months. I haven't been able to turn my neck in that time. I have to keep my head slightly down, probably ruining my neck. I've had scans etc, nothing found. The pain is constant and unbearable. I get rough skin along sides of my throat along carotids.
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Dear Guest you sound just like me.. I have bilateral carotidynia..before it was diagnosed I tried Augmentin and Prednisone to no avail.I have a great ENT in Boston who figured it out and I awaiting his final report for what medicine might help me. Radiates in my right ear,tender and swollen on both sides,extreme fatigue and slight rash on one side of my waist..thought I t was poison ivy but it could be a mild outbreak of shingles..I am a 57 year old athletic woman but boy this has knocked me down!Hope all find some form of relief!
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My neck was sore over the summer for like two months then it finally went away. Now it’s been about two weeks that it came back. Tender on the right side and painful to turn to the right. If I apply pressure on that area it doesn’t hurt as bad to turn head. In the mornings it’s not as sore but as the day goes by it gets more painful. When I turn my head to the right it feels like something is pulling. I’ve been trying ice to heat but doesn’t really help. Going to try Advil for a week and see if it helps if not I will make appointment.
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I am a 52 year old female and actually work in a Neurology office. I had my first migraine at 50 about six months after hitting menopause. I have had two previous disc fusions in my neck as well. My first migraine was in my neck, with all neck muscles in full spasm. I did not have another migraine for about a year after that but most recently, I had an episode in which I had to be transported to the ER. I do not have severe pain associated with my migraines but more a tension type headache with a lot of neck spasm. The next morning, it felt like I had been hit in the left side of my neck and jaw with a baseball bat. The pain was in my ear, jaw, teeth and neck, on the left side. I had an injection of Botox into the TM joint on the left first and later had to have one on the right. The pain has continued in my left neck, jaw and ear area. I have now been diagnosed with carotidynia as this is most common in migraine patients. I started on 800 mg of Ibuprofen today but have not had a lot of relief. My next option is to take my Norco 7.5/325 that I take for severe pain.
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Only problem I see with taking all that Ibuprofen is the health risks extended usage can cause. Keep a check on that.
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I have symptoms nearly identical to yours with no diagnosis. One symptom, not mentioned much is aneurisms on the scalp and neck following small arteries, sores that do not bleed, and several weeks to heal actually into months. Doctors whether GP or specialists seem not to look any farther than generalized tests which all come back negative or normal I know certain blood tests have not been done. I would appreciate any thoughts
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