 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / January 2006Strange neck pain-any thoughts?
Hi Gang! I am having some type of strange neck pain, and am wondering if any of you have had anything similar or have any thoughts/suggestions on how best to deal with this or treat it? For 2-3 days now I have had a very sore and stiff neck. I can turn my head to the right with a slight sensation of something pulling, but can't turn my head to the left at all without quite severe pain and a feeling like something is pulling all the way down my left side of my back from my neck down to my waistline. Very strange. Now sure whether it is better to ice it or use heat, and have taken some aspirin which seems to do nothing. I did take some vicodin yesterday, just so I could get a bit of relief and a bit of sleep, but am wondering what else I might try. Not sure if this is RA related or not. I suspect it might be, because my RA has been wildly flaring for the last week or so and my fingers and hands are so tender and swollen because of it. Anyone ever had anything like this before? If so, what worked best for you and how long did it take to clear up??? Thanks! Donna G I get this occasionally when I am flaring Donna. Make sure you do slow range of motion each day stopping just before the pain. Don't lose that range. if you can ice without tensing up try that. If the tension is contributing to the problem then try gentle heat. The key though is to again try to get the RA under control - I know easier said than done. A physiotherapist would be very helpful in reducing the inflammation in that area as well if you could. Don't know what I would do without that wonderful ultrasound tool. Sometimes it just goes away by itself - so just hope. Good luck, Kelly > Hi Gang! > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Donna G i've had similar stuff, sometimes muscular in origin and sometimes caused by stuff being all out of alignment. i'm with kelly, very gentle stretching and some gentle massage is the place to start. i find it's good to stretch my neck a bit in the shower with warm water beating down on the muscles. if you don't improve in a few days, pt and professional massage are good.  SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare 2006-01-16, Responding to Newsgroup Spambuster... > Hi Gang! > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Anyone ever had anything like this before? If so, what worked best for > you and how long did it take to clear up??? Might not be anything like the same thing, but FWIW, I have a strained "something" in my back hidden somewhere behind my shoulderblade. When this starts "tweaking", it can set off a pain in my neck that can then end up as a coldish stringy knot, that then seems to drag my scalp into the "game" too. On a bad day, I can't turn my head properly without feeling as if somebody is trying to ram a broom handle into my shoulder via my neck tissues. Not fun! Elaine has noticed a clear ridge of swelling across the back of my neck when this sets in too. Gentle heat, and light massage, usually relieve the "knock-on" pains, and once the "extras" have been settled, I can usually get things comfortable enough for the originating "tweak" to settle back too. I've no "solution" to this, and so far have just learned to live with it and try not to set it off too often. :( Hope this helps a bit. Mike@N.UK Signature---- * MikesBrain+WebStuff @ http://tinyurl.com/5ayqt - Schauen Sie immer auf der hellen Seite des Lebens! :) Hear Hear guys!...... Sometimes combining heat and ice and the gentle stretch motions help. If you can get down into a tub sometime soaking the back and neck area helps too..... Some years ago, I had similar problem with my back. I could not bend forward with out great difficulty and a pulling sensation. After about a week of this, I realized that I was getting a draft on my back when I slept. When I fixed this, the problem went away. This is one of the reasons I use an extra blanket and keep my self almost too warm at night. I find that cold causes me to really stiffen up. I have also had an occasional problem with my neck when I slept in an odd position (or fell asleep watching TV) or if I used a pillow which was too thick. I now use one of those "space foam" pillows which is thicker at the top and bottom edges and a bit hollow in the middle. It seems to support my head in a more natural position. > Hi Gang! > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > I could get a bit of relief and a bit of sleep, but am wondering what > else I might try. Not sure if this is RA related or not. I suspect it 2006-01-17, Responding to Norman... > Some years ago, I had similar problem with my back. I > could not bend forward with out great difficulty and a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > warm at night. I find that cold causes me to really > stiffen up. Yup. This worked for me too, though I took to wearing a T-shirt that closed the draught-gap around my neck, and was long enough to cover my back. Hmmm... Maybe thats where the old night-shirt idea came from! Makes sense I suppose, in those old unheated bedrooms of old. Maybe a 4-poster bed with curtains could have some old forgotten benefits waiting to be re-discovered? > I have also had an occasional problem with my neck when I > slept in an odd position (or fell asleep watching TV) or > if I used a pillow which was too thick. I now use one of > those "space foam" pillows which is thicker at the top and > bottom edges and a bit hollow in the middle. It seems to > support my head in a more natural position. Based on your experience here, I'm thinking one of these may "upgrade" my nocturnal recumbent posture. Do you find this pillow "breathes" like a normal one? From what I recall about foam pillows, my ear got overheated. :( Are the new ones any better? Mike@N.UK Signature---- * MikesBrain+WebStuff @ http://tinyurl.com/5ayqt - Schauen Sie immer auf der hellen Seite des Lebens! :) Old nightshirts, sleep caps, unheated bedrooms, hot bricks at foot of bed......wait, that's going back toooooo far. I wasn't even born yet ;-) Nanny > 2006-01-17, Responding to Norman... >> Some years ago, I had similar problem with my back. I [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Mike@N.UK > 2006-01-17, Responding to Norman... > > Some years ago, I had similar problem with my back. I [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Yup. This worked for me too, though I took to wearing a > T-shirt that closed the draught-gap around my neck, and was I wrap the pillow in a towel and it seems to help. <snip> > Do you find this pillow "breathes" like a normal one? > > From what I recall about foam pillows, my ear got > overheated. :( Are the new ones any better? > > Mike@N.UK Thanks you guys for all of the input, it has been most helpful! You guys may be right, I many times sleep with my bedroom window cracked and perhaps the cold air blowing on me during the night has impacted my neck and back. So, last night I closed the window and had it warmer in my room. That did seem to make a difference. I also have been using warm, moist compresses every 20-30 minutes or so or standing under the hot shower and letting that hot water hit the spots that are so tender and slightly swollen. Both things seem to loosen things up enough for me to work on ROM to some degree. Last night got really bad, as the neck and back were spasming so much, that it started to feel like it was then creeping into my side and hampering my breathing somewhat. I took some motrin, did some more hot compresses and finally was able to get comfortable enough to fall asleep for a bit. This is truly the strangest thing I have ever dealt with and wow, so uncomfortable. I really sympathise with those of you who have chronic neck and back issues to deal with all the time!!! Norman, I think I might consider looking into one of those special types of pillows to see if that might help me as well. Sure do appreciate you all taking the time to share your experiences and methods of treatments!!! BTW, Mike, you description sounded right on the money as to what I was feeling. The pain was most prominent at my neck and "behind" or at my shoulder blade and then felt like a rope was pulling from those points straight down to my waist! Very strange. Slight swelling at the neck area. I plan to continue the hot compresses, ROM exercises, etc and hopefully things will be back to normal in the next few days! BTW, are any of you familiar with a book called "treating your neck" or something similar by someone named McKenzie? A friend of mine recommended this book and am wondering if any of you are familiar with it or have any input on it at all? Thanks all! Donna G 2006-01-18, Responding to Newsgroup Spambuster... [...] > BTW, Mike, you description sounded right on the money as to what I was > feeling. The pain was most prominent at my neck and "behind" or at my > shoulder blade and then felt like a rope was pulling from those points > straight down to my waist! Very strange. Slight swelling at the neck > area. Curiously enough, just after posting, I got a pain that felt as if I was developing an abcess in my lower jaw, back tooth area, on one side only. It was only while rubbing my neck that I discovered a small "zone" near my throat which, if pressed, triggered the abcess-like pain, a pain in my jaw joint, AND a pain in my neck that ran down to my shoulder, again, on one side only. Most weird! It could be a slight gland swelling I suppose, and considering that each year we have yet another super-bug variation to fight off, maybe some pains are actually based on this kind of thing? Mind you, with arthritis, how the **** are you supposed to be able to tell the difference? :( I've just pressed that "zone" again while writing this. OWWWW! I'm off to get a vitamin-C tablet! Mike@N.UK Signature---- * MikesBrain+WebStuff @ http://tinyurl.com/5ayqt - Schauen Sie immer auf der hellen Seite des Lebens! :) Mike,I've been having some problems with the neck,shoulders,outside upper arm muscles,and jaw joint also,(hear a grinding noise in it).started with the left jaw joint,hurt so much I could barely chew or open my mouth.I had and xray of my sinuses and had to open my mouth wide open,so I figured that was the cause.Then I reached for something to my left and got a pain in my left neck,pain will go up into my head at times.I got an xray of the neck and it showed disruptive discs 3-4 and 5-6,I just recently had an MRI of the neck and am waiting for the results.I've had pain in my upper (between the shoulders and elbow area) off and on for quite awhile,but it is real bad now,I can't sleep on my sides,makes it worse,where I can barely raise my arms it hurts so bad.I do have RA,and I have elbow,wrists,and finger problems,sometimes I wonder if alot of the pain in those areas are coming from the neck.My daughter has RSD in her thumb which gives her a lot of pain and inflamation and will go into her hand,she gets Stellate blocks in the gangleon (spelling?)nerve in her neck.she can watch the swelling go down in her thumb and had and ofcourse the pain goes away after them.I agree with you,when you have arthritis how you suppose to tell the difference,makes you wonder. 2006-01-18, Responding to Carolj52@webtv.net... > Mike,I've been having some problems with the neck,shoulders,outside > upper arm muscles,and jaw joint also,(hear a grinding noise in [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > ofcourse the pain goes away after them.I agree with you,when you have > arthritis how you suppose to tell the difference,makes you wonder. I used to get a kind of grinding, a bit like over-worn cartledge, in my jaw, but I put this down to certain stresses I was under at the time. Stress gone, so went the "grinding". I still get hints of it when my shoulder plays up though, and when everything "gangs up" and I get a locked neck, the sound from my upper neck joints is not pleasant. :( I have RSI in my (left) thumb too, but this was from too many hours on console games. D'OH! Tends to affect more of my left hand than I'd have expected it to, but I suppose this will happen when on part of a collective of muscles/tendons is affected, the strain is thrown over onto others. The bit you mentioned about raising your arms. This reminds me of the couple of times I managed to induce fibrositis in a couple of muscles, tearing a fibre or two. I still can't quite get my head around how such a small injury can affect so many parts of the body so much, and so painfully. I'm SURE I had secondary strains from the lockups and pain reactions. Again though, how the **** can one tell which is the injury, and which is the symptom? :( I suppose the good news is that the chances of having a collection of pains subside all in one go, as the original injury settles down/heals, is more likely than might be hoped for? Light exercise, good food, massage, and quality tea! Can't beat a decent cup of tea! :) Mike@N.UK Signature---- * MikesBrain+WebStuff @ http://tinyurl.com/5ayqt - Schauen Sie immer auf der hellen Seite des Lebens! :) Mike,I talked to my GP's nurse today about the MRI and the report said mild degenerative changes,also a broad disc bulge at the C 5-6.I didn't talk to the doc so don't know for sure if that is what's causing the pain.I'm seeing my RD next Wed.and will bring the films to him for his opinion. You're right about stress,I can't seem to get away from it,and I know it plays a huge part in this RA.My daughter called me this afternoon and their dog of 11 years had died.Was such a nice dog.so you can guess how my day went.Also,I caught myself clenching my teeth off and on,so I would imagine this jaw thing has something to do with being uptight. You're right about the tea,and can't beat a good cup of coffee also..:-) Carol 2006-01-19, Responding to Carolj52@webtv.net... > Mike,I talked to my GP's nurse today about the MRI and the > report said mild degenerative changes,also a broad disc > bulge at the C 5-6.I didn't talk to the doc so don't know > for sure if that is what's causing the pain.I'm seeing my > RD next Wed.and will bring the films to him for his > opinion. Fingers crossed its going to be easily treatable once its clear what needs attention. :( > You're right about stress,I can't seem to get away from > it,and I know it plays a huge part in this RA.My daughter > called me this afternoon and their dog of 11 years had > died.Was such a nice dog.so you can guess how my day > went. Yup. It takes time to grow a scar, which is about all you can do with these situations. Hopefully it was peaceful and without pain. > Also,I caught myself clenching my teeth off and on,so > I would imagine this jaw thing has something to do with > being uptight. You're right about the tea,and can't beat a > good cup of coffee also..:-) Carol I find mid-afternoon is the best time for coffee for me. If you really wanna pep it up a bit, safely, have an apple about the same time. Apparently apples have quite an effective "wake-up" effect, and don't load you up with caffine. Mike@N.UK Signature---- * MikesBrain+WebStuff @ http://tinyurl.com/5ayqt - Schauen Sie immer auf der hellen Seite des Lebens! :) On really cold nights, I put a sleeping bag on the bed and sleep in that. It keeps the warn air in and the cold air out, and I usually have less stiffness in the morning. 2006-01-19, Responding to Norman... > On really cold nights, I put a sleeping bag on the bed and > sleep in that. It keeps the warn air in and the cold air > out, and I usually have less stiffness in the morning. Damn! Good idea! I wish I could do something like this, but I'm all over the place at night, and never could get used to sleeping bags when I was a kid out on my dad's "mountain adventures". (Saw some glorious countryside though!) Mike@N.UK Signature---- * MikesBrain+WebStuff @ http://tinyurl.com/5ayqt - Schauen Sie immer auf der hellen Seite des Lebens! :) Norman, now that's an idea I've never thought of! I'm warm enough without a sleeping bag; however, your saying it helps with the morning stiffness is what got my attention :-) Nanny > On really cold nights, I put a sleeping bag on the bed and sleep in that. > It keeps the warn air in and the cold air out, and I usually have less > stiffness in the morning. >Norman, now that's an idea I've never thought of! I'm warm enough without a >sleeping bag; however, your saying it helps with the morning stiffness is >what got my attention :-) Nanny >> On really cold nights, I put a sleeping bag on the bed and sleep in that. >> It keeps the warn air in and the cold air out, and I usually have less >> stiffness in the morning. Believe it or not. I have much less stiffness in my hands and wrists if I ice them before bed. Thumper |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.