To demand a referral?

[JP1985]

Basically I have had a sore neck since just after Christmas. Some days it is not that bad and some days it's spreads to my collar bone, chest and shoulder blade. It is usually worse at night and makes it difficult to sleep. Between that and a 1 year old I am exhausted.

On two occasions after I had drank alcohol I noticed my throat felt like it was closing up. I randomly googled it and one of the top posts was about Lymphoma and also mentioned neck pain. Now I'm not a hypochondriac but made me think that maybe my neck pain was more than just a stiff neck (not Lymphoma but something that could need medical attention) so I made an appointment with the doctor. It took me 12 days to be seen.

She referred me for blood tests but said it was more like muscular after a small feel of my neck and asking me to raise my arm.

I went for the blood tests and the receptionist rang me to say that some of the results had come back abnormal (CRP and ESR) and the doctor would like to speak to me. This was last Friday. They didn't have any appointments for a while again so suggested a telephone appointment tomorrow. The receptionist then told me it wasn't urgent as the Doctor had made a note to say that my abnormal results were "sore throat related". I never had a sore throat so confused why they have put this.

I asked whether I could see the doctor instead but because it is not an emergency there is a two week wait for an appointment.

My neck is still really sore and as I type, when I breathe in my collar bone also hurts.

I think the doctor will just try and fob me off tomorrow. Can I demand a referral for an x ray or something? It's been 6 weeks now and I am so drained with it! Surely there must be something going on with it being so long?!

[TurnipCake]

Well, you can get a raised CRP after pretty much anything (cold, significant infection, inflammatory disease etc). An x-ray will tell you the bony structures aren't affected but not much else.

What are your expectations with further investigations or treatment, see if the GP agrees and if they don't, ask them to explain why.

[JP1985]

I don't really know tbh. I just feel that 6 weeks is such a long time for it to be so sore and to be nothing? Even just being lay down hurts whereas I would have thought muscular would be more when you move around...maybe I am wrong I don't know. I'm just frustrated I guess and wish I knew what was wrong as I am not sleeping and then falling asleep during the day which isn't great.

[TurnipCake]

I had musculoskeletal problems with my back which took a good few months to get over, even when I was stationary so you have my sympathies

If they're happy they've excluded anything sinister, do they have a physio service they could refer you to? Waiting times are probably long though

[measles64]

Does your surgery have emergency appointments?? I would take the telephone referral and explain how you are feeling. It could be as simple as sleeping awkwardly, where are you sleeping during the day, flat on a bed, or dozing in a chair?

[measles64]

By the way, the drinking alcohol and throat closing up, I would be looking at acid reflux, it would also give you some of the other symptoms you have mentioned. It is possible to have two ailments going at the same time.

[picklemepopcorn]

I'd try a chiropractor with the neck shoulder thing. It helped me no end. The bones can get compressed and squidge the nerves and muscles. I had pain in the space between my collarbone and shoulder, it all needed stretching out. It's great now.

[PopcornBits]

I had a sore armpit for the last 3 weeks it got bad and extended down into my breast and I had a burning pain. Went for a breast exam because like you I worried it was something more. It's not.
She thinks it's muscular and so far it hasn't stopped annoying me.
Do you think you might have inflammation in the ligaments/muscles/nerves? Have you tried the diclofenac gel you can rub onto the affected area? I assume normal painkillers aren't doing anything.
I suspect the doctor will either refer you or won't, and if he doesn't then he might give you pain relief.
Physio might be a good option, or you could have a disc problem.

Good luck

[measles64]

Getting physio in my area is a long waiting list, so I would probably find a private one, ask around for recommendations. Hubby went for physio once, the man listened to his symptoms and told him to contact DR. asap. He gave him a letter to take. gp`s do listen to experts before us.