Tight common cartiod arteries (I think?)

[RickG16]

On Tuesday (4 days ago) I spent a five hours in a seated position when travelling by road. When I got back home, I felt a little short of breath (needing to take deep breaths every now and then, rather than meaning breathing fast), and also felt a tightness in the lower left part of my neck. Almost a throbbing which I can feel every now and then .

 

From photos of the anatomy, I can see this is where one of the common cartiod arteries is. I thought this, and my light headednedd / shortness of breath might be down to a blood / heart problem.

 

Since then, I have been to the doctor. My blood pressure is fine and so is the oxygen levels in my blood. He also listened to the artery I mentioned with a stethoscope and said it was fine (I assume he was listening to the blood flow, or I think a lack of 'swirling' is a good thing). I have also had an ECG in the last month which was also fine.

 

Day 4 of the problem now, and I don't know if I should just continue to try and ignore it?

 

FYI I am 34 years old, never experienced heart problems etc.... don't drink a lot and smoke very occassionally. Exercise every day and have good diet.

 

Any ideas?

 

Cheers 

 

 

Edited March 10, 2018 by RickG16

[Sheryl]

Can you clarify the "little short of breath (needing to take deep breaths every now and then rather than meaning breathing fast)"??

 

Shortness of breath by definition means feeling like you have trouble catching your breath - as if you had just run up several flights of stairs, , for example. Shortness of breath (except when there is obvious temporary cause) is always a significant symptom and requires careful investigation. However I am nto at all sure that this is what you are describing.  Simply needing to take an occasional deep breath can be nothing more than being tired.

 

The neck tightness may be muscle spasm. Nothing at all to do with your carotid arteries. Exercise usually  helps, google exercises for tight neck or see https://www.self.com/gallery/stretches-relieve-sore-neck-sitting-all-day 

Avoid any exercises that produce actual pain, a stretching sensation is fine.

[RickG16]

Hi Sheryl,

 

Thanks for the reply. It feels almost like a tightening, flickering in my neck that makes me feel I'm not getting enough air, and then I need to take a deep breath. So maybe shortness of breath is the wrong description. 

 

It doesn't feel like a tight neck in the sense of a tight muscle - the position on the neck is right at the bottom, front left, almost the start of my chest.

 

Although I exercise a lot, I also sit down a lot for desk work looking at a computer screen. I have found over the past few days that sitting and looking at a computer makes it worse.

 

I have been working a lot recently and have decided to take the rest of today and tomorrow off to rest properly. 

[RickG16]

Hi again Sheryl - a better description than a deep breath might be a gasp, every now and then. 

 

Anyway, I will try and leave the computer alone until Monday and see if that helps! 

Edited March 10, 2018 by RickG16

[scubascuba3]

Humidity has been high the last few days, i do a lot of exercise and have noticed it. Slight light headeness when getting up quickly which i don't usually get. Again I'm betting on it being weather related

[RickG16]

Today I almost had a panic attack, heavy breathing and felt my chest tighten. Went back to the hospital, as before; ECG OK, blood pressure OK, oxygen level in blood OK. 

 

I want to know if there is any way they can check for the blockage of this cartoid artery. So far he has just checked me with a stethoscope. I can feel it pulsating, pumping etc every 30 seconds or so.............. anyone experienced anything like this?

[Sheryl]

A Doppler ultrasound will show blood flow through the carotid artery.  Neurologists can do this. Whether you can persuade one to do so is another matter, as what you describe does not sound like  a problem there, not would such be at all common in someone your age.

 

 I assure you, it is not blocked - you would have a major stroke if so.

 

If I follow your story correctly all this business about the carotid artery stems from having looked up online and found out that this blood vessel is in the area where you have the neck tightness, and it may be that you are simply excessively conscious of this area now. But if you want to be certain, see a neurologist and explain that you are feeling pulsations in the neck and want a carotid doppler.

 

 

[RickG16]

18 hours ago, Sheryl said:

A Doppler ultrasound will show blood flow through the carotid artery.  Neurologists can do this. Whether you can persuade one to do so is another matter, as what you describe does not sound like  a problem there, not would such be at all common in someone your age.

 

 I assure you, it is not blocked - you would have a major stroke if so.

 

If I follow your story correctly all this business about the carotid artery stems from having looked up online and found out that this blood vessel is in the area where you have the neck tightness, and it may be that you are simply excessively conscious of this area now. But if you want to be certain, see a neurologist and explain that you are feeling pulsations in the neck and want a carotid doppler.

 

 

Thanks, I will see a neurologist but have to wait until the 21st.

 

What I can feel is not normal, it has increased over the past five days. 

 

It is not muscular pain, it is like a throbbing from inside. 

 

From what I have read (from reputed sources online), there are degrees of blockage. A major blockage could lead to catastrophic events like you say. But even if it is over 50 per cent, apparently that can still be cause for surgery.

 

Either way, I am now a little  anxious having to wait over a week to see the right guy. 

[Sheryl]

Where do you live that you have to wait a week to see a neurologist?

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[RickG16]

Koh Phangan - so I would have to go to Koh Samui.  That waiting time was given to me by the hospital in Samui I was originally referred to, but I am having a ring around today and seeing if there are others I can go to sooner. 

[Sheryl]

I would recommend you go to Surat Thani instead. Try Taksin hospital there.

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[RickG16]

32 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I would recommend you go to Surat Thani instead. Try Taksin hospital there.

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Just spoken to the government hospital. They can do ultrasound, and a neurologist will be there on Thursday.

 

I can go tomorrow morning and a regular GP will also be able to order an ultrasound - but the question is will he have the necessary expertise to analyse the results properly?

 

Not sure whether to wait until Thursday.. whatever it is isn't getting any better. What do you think Sheryl?

[Sheryl]

I doubt GP can do this. I also think you could probably see a neurologist tomorrow if you go to Surat.

 

For abnormal pulsation i tbe neck aneurysm more likely than blockage..

 

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[RickG16]

4 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I doubt GP can do this. I also think you could probably see a neurologist tomorrow if you go to Surat.

 

For abnormal pulsation i tbe neck aneurysm more likely than blockage..

 

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OK thanks - can they also check for an aneurysm with an ultrasound? How serious is an aneurysm?

[RickG16]

I'm going to Surat tomorrow.  5am boat. If they find something I will be glad I went, and if they don't I know I've been being a baby. Just in case it is muscle related, will go for a neck massage tonight and see if that makes a difference.

[partington]

If there is even the slightest chance of an aneurysm the very last thing you want is someone vigorously manipulating the area!

 

Don't have the massage.

[Sheryl]

Absolutely!

 

No massage until after the doppler study. If that is clear then indeed likely muscular and massage will be fine, but wait for that.

[RickG16]

Ultrasound report below. Obviously happy that there is no sign of aneurysm or disease etc.

 

This was looked at by the radiologist who conducted the ultra sound and made the report - it hasn't been seen by a neck doctor or neurologist as they were all booked up at Surat Thani hospital on that day and not possible to make telephone appointments there.

 

The problem still remains and has got worse over the past week - any suggestions? Should I take this ultrasound report and go to find a neurologist / neck doctor?

Edited March 14, 2018 by RickG16

[Sheryl]

No need to see a neurologist. Your coronary arteries, as suspected, are fine.

 

A "neck doctor" would be an orthopedic specialist.

 

If I were you I would try exercises, heat and massage first. And above all, stop stressing about this.

[RickG16]

5 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

No need to see a neurologist. Your coronary arteries, as suspected, are fine.

 

A "neck doctor" would be an orthopedic specialist.

 

If I were you I would try exercises, heat and massage first. And above all, stop stressing about this.

Yup I'm more than happy to try the above. I'm not the kind of person to sit around worrying, but this has been bugging me throughout the day.

 

Just wondered if there are any meds, anti-inflammatories which might help?

 

Guess I will give it another week and the problem is still present try an orthapedic / muscle doctor. It really doesn't feel like muscle pain but I guess the ultrasound doesn't lie. 

[Sheryl]

Antinflamamatories (NSAIDs) may indeed help if you have no contraindications to them.