Question
QUESTION: Rusty, I have been having sharp pain in my neck and is tender to the touch, between my shoulders and head for about a couple of months, which is getting worse with time. For the last couple of weeks now the pain has been raditating down my right arm and occasionaly down my left arm with numbness and tingling @ times. Now it seems like alot of my joints hurts (knees, lower back especially) I have a headache almost everyday. I have tried ibuprofen and tylenol and it eases it but doesnt go away. I havent been to the doctor due to a very high insurance deductible, do you have any idea what this could be?

ANSWER: Kelly,

Except for the lower back and knees the symptoms you describe point to a problem in the disc between the cervical vertabra in your neck between C6 and C7. Pressure on the nerves here will cause pain in your neck and pain with numbness radiating down your arms. It can also cause you to have headaches.

The joint pain in your knees and back can be caused by to many thing to mention.

Rusty

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok Rusty, I went to the E.R on Saturday night. After I asked you the question I got really dizzy, lightheaded & nausea and really tired. They did bloodwork & said everything was normal. Now I am still have all of the above mentioned but my stomach hurts and after I eat anything it really hurts, even is tender to the touch. I am so tired I even either fell asleep in the bathtub or passed out, I just remeber being really dizzy then my husband waking me up. By the way I am 30 year old female. Not sure what to do now?

Answer
Kelly,

Sorry to take so long getting back to you. I was out of town for a few days.

It sounds like you have a virus on top of all your other symptoms.

An intestinal virus will not show up on any test and it will make all of your other symptoms worse while it works its way through your system.

It has been several days since the new symptoms started if they have not dissipated then you need to see a doctor right away.

The other symptoms can only be diagnosed by seeing a doctor. It takes time and sometimes many tests to diagnose joint related problems.

I hope you are able to find the answers you need soon.

Rusty