Shooting neck pain when I exercise

[Cheyne90]

Hi Dr Steve

Basically i've been having this problem every now and then when i run or do strenuous exercise i occasionally get a shooting pain either in the left side of my neck (near the Charotid Artery) or sometimes a bit lower. What is this likely to be im 19 and pretty fit and have a pretty decent diet.

[sr71blackbird]

If I were you Cheyne, I'd go to a doctor before you do too many more exercises, just in case. Just to make sure its like a muscle rather than a clogged artery, especially if you are getting any dizzyness.

[MC Pee Pants]

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[Dr Steve]

Hi Dr Steve

Basically i've been having this problem every now and then when i run or do strenuous exercise i occasionally get a shooting pain either in the left side of my neck (near the Charotid Artery) or sometimes a bit lower. What is this likely to be im 19 and pretty fit and have a pretty decent diet.

Pain at the Carotid artery is called "carotidynia" and is usually thought to be an inflammatory condition rather than an exercise-induced condition. There are a lot of other structures near the carotid, though.

I found quite a few people on the internet who complained of the same symptoms you have, but could not find a single mention of exercise induced carotidynia in the medical literature. This means it's infrequent enough that it hasn't hit anyone's radar screen yet, or that it's something else masking as carotid pain.

What you may be experiencing is exercise-induced scalenus syndrome. This is caused by obstruction of the large artery going to the arms by an enlarged muscle or a misplaced rib. This is treatable, but surgically. I'd expect numbness and fatigue in the affected limb as well, that should resolve with rest.

I'd talk to my primary care provider about this just to make sure we're not missing something important.

your pal,



steve

(Let me know how it transpires!)