Insane neck pain

Hi everyone, I’ve been dealing with severe neck pain for several months now.

I’ve been into fitness for about six years, and during heavy lifts, I’ve picked up quite a few injuries. Between pull-ups and deadlifts, I think my neck took a beating; I’ve also dealt with issues in my knees and shoulders.

Lately, though, there’s this strange pain where I can’t even breathe through my mouth without this "sternothyroid" area (image: https://www.google.com/search?q=neck...unknown:) hurting intensely, like it's trying to push its way out. My head feels incredibly heavy, and I’m experiencing weakness, memory lapses, and poor concentration. Sleep is difficult, and sometimes the veins in my neck down to my traps pulse so hard it feels like everything is clogged.

The back of my neck is so stiff and painful that when I start warming up at the gym and rotate my head, I get dizzy, which has never happened before. Around this time last year, I was involved in an altercation and suffered a mild concussion. A few months ago, I was also stung by a bee on the back of my neck and had to go to the ER because of an allergic reaction. Could these incidents be connected?

I’ve also noticed I’m sweating excessively. My forehead gets incredibly greasy, especially in this heat. I thought it might be the coffee, but I don't drink much—just two large mugs with three small spoonfuls of black coffee a day. I train 3-4 times a week and hit the sauna once a week for four sets of 10-15 minutes, using menthol crystals to help detox and clear my sinuses.

What are your thoughts? I'm worried this might be something serious. While the bone injuries make sense given how much I push myself with weights, this other part is starting to scare me. I also spend a lot of time sitting at my computer during the day, usually with pretty poor posture.
Two weeks ago, I saw a female chiropractor. I hoped she could adjust my neck, but since I didn't have any imaging yet, she just worked on my back. She told me to come back with scans before we tackle the neck.

Should I see a neurologist, or should I get an MRI, X-ray, or CT scan? My current doctor is just a temporary replacement, and honestly, she seems completely out of touch. When I mentioned I take > as a supplement, she looked at me like she had no idea what I was talking about. It feels like she’s disinterested and just waiting to clock out...

Ask your primary care physician for a referral to get a full blood panel, liver function tests, and thyroid screening. Once those results are in hand, we’ll actually have a roadmap.

In the meantime, ditch the saunas—this "detox" thing is a total myth. Your liver and kidneys handle the heavy lifting of filtering out waste perfectly fine without you needing to bake yourself alive. Once the thyroid labs come back clear, then you can decide if hitting the sauna is worth it. Also, skip the chiropractor; they don't cure anything, they just aggressively stretch you out for temporary relief.
Keep an eye on your blood pressure a few times a day. Use that data to decide if you need to cut back on the coffee or dial down the intensity of your workouts. On a rest day, if you take some magnesium and aspirin, does it actually help, or is there no change? Are you on any steroids?

First, I appreciate the response. 👍

I was thinking along those lines—reaching out to my primary care physician to request some blood work. My blood pressure stays steady, and honestly, the sauna is great for me. I don't plan on cutting it out unless a test shows something concerning. It improves my circulation, clears up my skin, and makes me feel lighter. Plus, it helps with joint pain.

Chiropractic care has been a huge help with my lower back. I don't wake up feeling "heavy," like I have an axe lodged in my spine. After doing pull-ups for a week, I actually felt like I was floating at first because that lower back ache had vanished.

My workout intensity is pretty standard, nothing extreme. I hit it 3-4 times a week: one day is push-ups and dips, then two days later I do pull-ups and lower back exercises, followed by a leg day with squats. Each session includes a couple of one-minute plank sets. On other days, I either do cardio, like jump rope, or hit the sauna.

I don't use steroids, nor have I ever. As far as supplements go, I just take Zinc and Magnesium. I used protein powder for a very short period a long time ago, but I stopped; that was at least 4 or 5 years ago.

Look, I already laid out exactly what you need to do—get a CBC, liver function tests, and have someone check your thyroid—along with what you should avoid. You completely ignored the first part and only responded to the second half, lol.
If that tightness in your throat and neck, along with the heavy sweating, has only been happening for the last three weeks, then fine, whatever; it’s been brutal weather everywhere lately. But you still haven't answered whether you're experiencing those specific symptoms, or if taking an Advil or magnesium on a day off actually helps.

steelwalker26 said:Alright, I gave you a list of what to do (blood work, liver panels, thyroid check) and what to avoid, but you only addressed the latter, lol.
If your throat was tightening and your neck felt constricted while you were sweating heavily just within the last three weeks, then never mind; everyone's been struggling with this heatwave. You didn't answer whether you have the same symptoms, nor if taking an Advil or magnesium on a day off helps.

My apologies, I forgot to mention—I take magnesium, but not Advil or aspirin.

It isn't a huge distinction; I have been sweating excessively for at least two or three years now.

Upon further reflection, my neck actually feels tight much more often than that. It is just that the pulsing sensation in my veins has only surfaced in the last four or five months.

Why would you think pull-ups would hurt your neck? I'm talking about standard pull-ups; to me, they seem like an exercise that's way less likely to cause injury compared to heavy weightlifting at the gym.

Raymond Robinson6 said:Why would you think pull-ups hurt the neck? I’m talking about standard pull-ups; they seem much safer than heavy weightlifting.

I'm just guessing, honestly. Back when I was at my peak in 2014, I was doing sets with 90 to 110 pounds, and that puts massive strain on the body.

I suspect those heavy deadlifts did most of the damage. My legs were always a bit weak, and since I'm quite tall, I’d often sacrifice my posture just to move a heavier plate. It was like trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

Now that I think about it, the military press was another issue. I used to arch my back and strain my neck while pressing around 135 to 145 pounds for 4x4.

Between the deadlifts and the presses, both my lower back and my neck took the hit.

Youthful arrogance leads to mistakes. Looking back, I see it now...

You definitely need to get a solid checkup from a doctor first.
I mean, they really need to look at you from head to toe—literally.

That’s the only way you can actually decide if you need any specific diagnostic work, whether that’s an X-ray, ultrasound, a CT scan, or maybe an MRI, plus some bloodwork. Once you have those results in hand, then you can figure out what the next steps should be.

It might turn out to be something manageable, like just applying a topical NSAID (think Voltaren gel or similar stuff) to the sore spots, maybe taking a muscle relaxant for a few days (like some diazepam tablets), and just tweaking your form or how you approach your workouts.

But honestly, you always have to rule out the heavy-duty stuff—you've got to make sure there isn't a more serious condition lurking that requires a much more aggressive treatment plan.🤔

velvetmoose9 said:You absolutely need a thorough medical evaluation.
From top to bottom—literally.

Only then can you decide on necessary diagnostic testing (X-ray, Ultrasound, CT, or MRI?), lab work, and subsequent steps based on those results.

It might just require some local NSAIDs (like Voltaren gel or Luboreta) applied to the painful areas, perhaps a few days of muscle relaxants (like Diazepam tablets), and adjusting your exercise form or routine itself.

However, you must always rule out (meaning, confirm the absence of) more serious conditions that demand aggressive treatment.🤔

Thanks for the reply. If I'm not mistaken, you're a doctor, right?

Honestly, I feel sick from all of this. I'm 24, yet I feel like an old man.

My memory, my strength, my energy—everything is gone.

I should probably mention that I suffer from chronic insomnia. I go to bed around 11 PM, but it takes me over an hour and a half to fall asleep, and then I don't wake up until 10 or 11 AM feeling like a zombie.

And I don't drink or smoke.

I'll try to schedule an appointment with my primary care physician tomorrow. What's your advice on how to be clear and concise, and which specific tests should I ask to be referred for?

Go see a doctor and hold off on training until you know what's actually going on. If I were in your shoes, I’d ditch the crazy heavy lifting for a bit. If you really feel the need to move, maybe stick to bodyweight stuff; those street workout guys are incredibly strong and built, and I doubt you'll wreck your joints as much as you would with heavy weights. My doctor mentioned during my scan that the gym can be a real hazard, especially when people force movements or use bad form, which just leads to injury.

If you're in Washington, D.C., I know Diagnostic 2000 often has discounts on MRIs, so it ends up being $267 for a single segment scan. They have a General Electric open MRI machine and they get you in and out fast.

Raymond Robinson6 said:Go see a doctor and hold off on training until you have a diagnosis. If I were in your shoes, I would ditch the heavy weights and crazy routines for now. If you feel the urge to move, bodyweight exercises might be better. Street workout athletes are incredibly strong and built well without destroying their joints like heavy lifting can do. My doctor mentioned during my imaging that gym culture can be risky; forcing movements or using poor form often leads to injury.

I am not training at all right now, and the weights have been cleared out of my space for quite some time.

Raymond Robinson6 said:If you're based in Washington, D.C., I know Diagnostic 2000 often runs discounts on MRIs. It works out to about $267 per segment. They use a General Electric semi-open machine, so the process is quite efficient.

I'm from Indianapolis.

I'm not even sure if booking a private MRI is a wise move. Some doctors have warned me that many private clinics use questionable equipment. There's a risk they just rush through the scan and claim nothing was found when it actually was.

I'll wait to see what the Mayo Clinic says and what they send my way first.

When you're dealing with someone feeling totally wiped out, it actually makes sense to run more than just the standard lab panel—you know, the basic stuff like electrolytes, creatinine, urea, liver enzymes, CK, LDH, or a full urinalysis. To get a real idea of what's going on, I'd suggest adding TSH, FT4, iron, and ferritin to the mix right from the jump.

By the way, even if they're offering some decent discounts, DG2000 might not be the most reliable spot if you're looking specifically for MRI diagnostics. ☕
And honestly, it’s probably better to head over to a diagnostic center only after you've seen a doctor who can actually tell you what needs to be checked and which specific imaging method is the way to go.

velvetmoose9 said:General fatigue suggests that a basic metabolic panel—including electrolytes, creatinine, urea, CK, LDH, liver enzymes, glucose, and a urinalysis—isn't enough. To get a clear picture, you should also start with TSH, FT4, iron, and ferritin levels. It's like checking the fuel gauge when the engine is stalling; you have to look deeper.

Even with potential discounts, DG2000 might not be the best choice for MRI diagnostics. It’s like choosing a budget airline when you really need a reliable long-haul flight. ☕
It makes sense to head over to Diagnostic 2000. Afterward. A physician conducts an evaluation to determine exactly what needs to be imaged and which specific method is most appropriate.

There will be quite a lot to unpack then.

Should I tell my doctor exactly what I’ve shared here in plain English—neck pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and insomnia—or do I need to use specific medical terminology? It is like describing a faulty engine to a mechanic versus reading from a manual.

Look, I get it, the intentions behind 👍 are definitely in the right place, but let’s be real—there are plenty of other outpatient clinics out there offering diagnostic services.
And honestly, I’ll just say it again: you really have to know exactly what you’re looking for and which imaging method is actually going to get you the right answers.

That initial "plan" had me heading in for an X-ray as if I’d broken my arm, which felt totally off to me as a layperson—and sure enough, it was a complete waste of time.
Do you happen to know how hard it is to find a new primary care doctor who will actually follow through with referrals? I'm really looking for someone who will give me a thorough, top-to-bottom checkup. Does anyone have a recommendation? I feel like I won't get anything accomplished with my current doctor; from our very first meeting, I had to fight just to get her attention. All I wanted was a referral to an orthopedic specialist so I could explain my situation, but instead, she just handed me some generic exercises and said, "take some pills when it hurts." 🤦She acts so strange that I honestly feel uncomfortable going back to see her now.

steelwalker26 said:Ask your primary care physician for a referral for a full blood panel, liver function tests, and thyroid screenings. Once you have those results in hand, we can actually figure out what we're looking at.

velvetmoose9 said:General fatigue points toward needing basic lab work—CBC, metabolic panel, urea, creatinine, electrolytes, CK, LDH, liver enzymes, glucose, and a urinalysis—plus TSH, FT4, iron, and ferritin to start with.

nimblemoose2 said:It’s going to be a massive list then...

No, it won't. Those two above are giving you the exact same advice, just phrased differently. It all boils down to one single blood draw to get things moving. Describe your symptoms to your doctor and ask for those tests.

Raymond Robinson6 said:Do you happen to know how hard it is to find a new primary care doctor lately?

Anyone know?

Raymond Robinson6 said:Anyone know?

To sounded more like a rhetorical question to me.🤷 Realistically, you’ll have to call up the specific clinics you're interested in and just ask. Some are fully booked and won't take new patients, some are at capacity but might squeeze you in if you push, and others take anyone. If you want actual recommendations, you need to specify your location; there are entire threads dedicated to that exact topic.
In general, I think it’s more efficient to give your primary care doctor a full list of every single symptom—write them down beforehand—and see what they suggest, rather than immediately hunting for a specialist.

Update: I saw my doctor today. She handed me two referrals; one for a cervical spine X-ray and another regarding hyperhidrosis, specifically requesting blood work for FT4, FT3, TSH, and anti-TPO.

This aligns with what you and I have been discussing, doesn't it?