#1 ·
I was wondering if anyone here has dealt with something similar,
About a week ago, I started feeling pain on the left side of my neck along the muscle. It eventually swelled slightly and seemed to spread toward my thyroid area (just below the Adam's apple on both sides).
Two days later, the pain moved to the base of my skull where the neck muscles meet the head, and it started radiating down the left side of my neck toward my chest, specifically near the junction of my collarbone and sternum. I also developed a fever of about 100°F. My doctor suggested taking Tylenol to bring the fever down, keeping the area warm and protected from drafts, and using some Deep Relief massage gel.
To be honest, it still hurts. I started using the gel yesterday, so I guess we'll see if it actually helps. The pain is significant enough that it limits my movement, especially when using my left arm to lift things, push, or even just turn over in bed. The worst spots are at the base of my skull, the left side of my chest—roughly where the left pectoral meets the sternum—and the left neck muscles.
What could this be? Could it just be from catching a chill? Can inflammation like this cause a fever?
I should mention that I tend to sweat quite a bit naturally, and sometimes my undershirt stays damp against my skin because I don't always have the chance to change it. 😢 I'm 35. It feels a bit early for rheumatoid issues, doesn't it?!)
In the photo, I've used an arrow to point out a tendon that looks pretty tense and prominent compared to the other side, and I've circled the areas where the pain is most intense.
Looking at the front view of the photo, it almost looks like the left side has shifted down a bit because of this.
Please help if you can, for God's sake! 🙂 Thanks!


About a week ago, I started feeling pain on the left side of my neck along the muscle. It eventually swelled slightly and seemed to spread toward my thyroid area (just below the Adam's apple on both sides).
Two days later, the pain moved to the base of my skull where the neck muscles meet the head, and it started radiating down the left side of my neck toward my chest, specifically near the junction of my collarbone and sternum. I also developed a fever of about 100°F. My doctor suggested taking Tylenol to bring the fever down, keeping the area warm and protected from drafts, and using some Deep Relief massage gel.
To be honest, it still hurts. I started using the gel yesterday, so I guess we'll see if it actually helps. The pain is significant enough that it limits my movement, especially when using my left arm to lift things, push, or even just turn over in bed. The worst spots are at the base of my skull, the left side of my chest—roughly where the left pectoral meets the sternum—and the left neck muscles.
What could this be? Could it just be from catching a chill? Can inflammation like this cause a fever?
I should mention that I tend to sweat quite a bit naturally, and sometimes my undershirt stays damp against my skin because I don't always have the chance to change it. 😢 I'm 35. It feels a bit early for rheumatoid issues, doesn't it?!)
In the photo, I've used an arrow to point out a tendon that looks pretty tense and prominent compared to the other side, and I've circled the areas where the pain is most intense.
Looking at the front view of the photo, it almost looks like the left side has shifted down a bit because of this.
Please help if you can, for God's sake! 🙂 Thanks!

