[rameyd]

Hello,
I have never posted on an internet site about being sick or anything before, usually because I am skeptical of random answers online, as they tend to just create more stress for me by offering such a broad range of possible illnesses.
I was adopted, but no prior family history was reported to the doctors for any diseases, cancer or anything else like that in my birth family--just to get that out of the way for now.
I have been to see one doctor and one neurologist about this situation (the doctor didn't have a clear answer and the neurologist seemed more puzzled than anything, offering me nothing but a muscle relaxer which I should add only makes me drowsy, but doesn't make the feeling go completely away), but right now I am living overseas so it is a bit hard for me to communicate with the doctors and neurologists, so I decided to seek some advice online or at least see if anyone here has experienced this before.
The feeling I am having began almost 2 weeks ago, and I cannot remember if I lifted something heavy or did something to pull or pinch a nerve in my neck, but the symptoms I am having exclude any pain. It's simply the left side of my neck in a small area (almost directly where you would check for the pulse of a person with your fingers) is tingling like the feeling of a foot or hand "falling asleep." The neurologist just did a few physical tests with my arms and neck, and his fingers pressing different points in my neck, none of which were painful or uncomfortable, so he seemed to be baffled by the situation, which made me feel I should seek advice before I make my return visit.
The only previous condition that I could possibly think of that might be semi-related, if at all, is the fact that when I had a physical maybe 3 or 4 years ago the doctor told me my thyroid was right on the borderline of being hyperactive, but it was still performing "normally." The tingling feeling I am having now is intermittent, but it lasts throughout the day, and does not effect my sleeping. It's worse when I'm sitting down, as I do when I use the computer, and the feeling is intensely magnified when I turn my head to the right (which leads me to go with the pinched nerve, but I am no doctor). When I turn my head the feeling seems to be a bit lower, almost directly above the collarbone in an area that I would say is halfway between my neck and shoulder.
I know I probably typed too much for anyone to read, but the strange feeling is really puzzling. I can't find any similar stories online, because all of the other stories involve pain or the tingling is so extreme that it effects daily activity. Mine has no pain, does not inhibit regular activity and doesn't really seem to present itself when I am upright or moving around. I know stressing and focusing on these things can amplify the feeling, or more frequent notice of the feeling, so I am just wondering if anyone out there can tell me something I should share with the neurologist and doctor in a few days when I go back for a re-check, since the condition hasn't improved. Any advice on what to tell them to potentially check for, or a suggestion to get them heading in the right direction would really be appreciated! Thank you very much~

Dave

[watsonsh]

Hi Dave,

Thought I would offer you a suggestion. It sounds more biomechanical based on your description so I am not sure it has to do with your thyroid.

My first thought based on your symptoms is that you might be describing TOS or Thoracic OUtlet syndrome. Your collarbone description kind of pointed me there. It could be that the nerves that come off your cervical spine and form into what is called the brachial plexus is being squeezed between your scalene muscle or the brachial plexus is getting compressed between the collar bone and the first rib.

I have TOS and got my from listing heavy objects. Usually TOS is accompanied by tingling in the pinky finger and next finger up. You did not mention that however. I never had that either so mine was atypical.

I would try to google some stretches for your sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscle and gently try to stretch them. You could also try the stretching with alternating heat and ice.

Does any particluar muscle feel spasmed? Do you feel any pain between your shoulder blades?

It does sound biomecahnical like soething is pinched or a muscle is in spasm and is pinching a nerve. That often happens and it becomes a vicious circle between the nerve and the muscle with the nerve getting pinched and overfiring and then the muscle spsming tighter to try to protect the nerve.

Could also be that the sternocleidomastoid muscle is spasmed and it putting pressure on C2 and C3. POr perhaps the subocciptal muscle is in spasm. I think both c2 and c3 innervate the neck which could account for your tingling there. Try to google c2 and c3 and some stetches for the subocciptal.

Hope this helsp. I'll check back later to see if you posted anything.

[rameyd]

Thanks for the informative response. I actually did some stretching and stuff yesterday and it isn't acting up so far today. My followup appointment is scheduled for tomorrow at the doctor so I will mention to him some of the suggestions you pointed out, and hopefully everything will be figured out.

To answer your questions, there is no pain between the shoulderblades and actually no pain anywhere, the whole situation hasn't been accompanied by pain at all. Also, there is no tingling in my fingers whatsoever. I will post another reply after I visit the doctor tomorrow, but thanks a lot for the information!

[Kim030927]

Maybe your doctor would do an MRI. At one time I had a herniated disk in my neck and it was not painful. I do not know if this can cause the tingling you are talking about though.

Originally Posted by rameyd

Hello,
I have never posted on an internet site about being sick or anything before, usually because I am skeptical of random answers online, as they tend to just create more stress for me by offering such a broad range of possible illnesses.
I was adopted, but no prior family history was reported to the doctors for any diseases, cancer or anything else like that in my birth family--just to get that out of the way for now.
I have been to see one doctor and one neurologist about this situation (the doctor didn't have a clear answer and the neurologist seemed more puzzled than anything, offering me nothing but a muscle relaxer which I should add only makes me drowsy, but doesn't make the feeling go completely away), but right now I am living overseas so it is a bit hard for me to communicate with the doctors and neurologists, so I decided to seek some advice online or at least see if anyone here has experienced this before.
The feeling I am having began almost 2 weeks ago, and I cannot remember if I lifted something heavy or did something to pull or pinch a nerve in my neck, but the symptoms I am having exclude any pain. It's simply the left side of my neck in a small area (almost directly where you would check for the pulse of a person with your fingers) is tingling like the feeling of a foot or hand "falling asleep." The neurologist just did a few physical tests with my arms and neck, and his fingers pressing different points in my neck, none of which were painful or uncomfortable, so he seemed to be baffled by the situation, which made me feel I should seek advice before I make my return visit.
The only previous condition that I could possibly think of that might be semi-related, if at all, is the fact that when I had a physical maybe 3 or 4 years ago the doctor told me my thyroid was right on the borderline of being hyperactive, but it was still performing "normally." The tingling feeling I am having now is intermittent, but it lasts throughout the day, and does not effect my sleeping. It's worse when I'm sitting down, as I do when I use the computer, and the feeling is intensely magnified when I turn my head to the right (which leads me to go with the pinched nerve, but I am no doctor). When I turn my head the feeling seems to be a bit lower, almost directly above the collarbone in an area that I would say is halfway between my neck and shoulder.
I know I probably typed too much for anyone to read, but the strange feeling is really puzzling. I can't find any similar stories online, because all of the other stories involve pain or the tingling is so extreme that it effects daily activity. Mine has no pain, does not inhibit regular activity and doesn't really seem to present itself when I am upright or moving around. I know stressing and focusing on these things can amplify the feeling, or more frequent notice of the feeling, so I am just wondering if anyone out there can tell me something I should share with the neurologist and doctor in a few days when I go back for a re-check, since the condition hasn't improved. Any advice on what to tell them to potentially check for, or a suggestion to get them heading in the right direction would really be appreciated! Thank you very much~

Dave