How to manage cervical pain?

Question

Hi doctor,

Last night, I started experiencing tightness in my upper left chest area, just below my armpit. This sensation extended up my left side, through my throat and cheek, and to the top of my head. It persisted throughout the night. This morning, I woke up feeling a little better, but my face and throat felt numb, and the inside of my cheek and tongue felt swollen. The tightness is starting up again today, though it is not as severe as last night, and it is mostly concentrated in my throat. I also have tinnitus, and when this tightness occurs, my tinnitus worsens significantly.

Additionally, my left arm occasionally feels numb and cold, particularly in my pinkie and ring fingers. I have a history of neck pain, and I have previously experienced pain in my upper left chest and back. The numbness in my left arm has been present for many years; it began after a weightlifting injury. I am wondering what this might be and whether I should go to the hospital.

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

This is most likely due to cervical pain caused by nerve compression in the spine. You should get an X-ray of the cervical spine, including both anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views, and you may need further imaging with an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). After the X-ray, you need to visit a physiotherapist and an orthopedist. In the meantime, you can take vitamin supplements (which contain Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, and other vitamins) once a day, as it is a nerve vitamin. If this is not helpful, you may need to take Pregabalin 75 mg at bedtime, which is a nerve stabilizer.

However, it is advisable to visit a hospital and have an EKG (electrocardiogram) done to rule out a cardiac cause, although that seems less likely. If you can get the EKG done somewhere, you can also upload it here.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.