Question: Constant neck pain... meds, posture, diabetes?
Answer:
Full Question:
I am a Type I diabetic with no particular complications of that disease. However in the past 6 weeks I've developed a constant pain (feels like pressure that hurts upon moving the area) in the back left side (occipital) area and left side of the neck. It is always worse as the day progresses and relieved when I am prone. I first noticed a neck ache that started within a day or so of taking the flu shot so I rationalized that it was probably a side effect. However since then it has recurred frequently until it is now a constant daily persistent feeling that may be most intense in the neck or the back of the head but always on the left side and always worse on movement. It is not tender to the touch and I do not have other symptoms such as nausea or vomiting or other headache symptoms. I have no history of headaches at all. My question is does the location give a clue as to whether it may be caused by medications (I take a few...) or my terrible posture, or something related to my diabetes perhaps? Any suggestions or advice would be welcome! Thank you so much! Molly
Answer:
Dear Molly;
Posture or cervical structural problems can contribute most often to neck symptoms; diabetic amyotrophy can also do this sometimes. I don't think medications would be a culprit. Don't know how the flu shot might or might not be involved.
Good luck,
Teri Robert and John Claude Krusz
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Published April 17, 2006
