Neck Pain

widget
widget Member Posts: 22
edited 3. Jan 2011, 16:16 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all

Happy New Year.

I have had a painful neck since Christmas. This is a new joint pain for me (I have RA). I wish I could take my head off to be honest and rest it by the side of me!. The pain is uncomfortbale and I am a bit fed up of taking anti inflammatories & painkillers. I am due at the hospital in a fortnight and will mention the pain then as this is a new joint.

Could this be to do with the RA?

Anyone have any ideas on how I can minimise the pain?

Any ideas would be most appreciated.

Widget

Comments

  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I have OA in my neck...and I dont think its as bad as as yours but its sore at times....I find a wheat bag around my neck or soaking in a bath and really getting down into the water and letting that lap around your neck helps ..I know you are fed up with tablets but what about anti inflam. creams like ibroprufon or diclofenic cream???
    Love
    Hileena
  • alarkra
    alarkra Member Posts: 213
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Widget!

    Sorry that you have a poorly neck. I've had neck stiffness in the past due to my RA. I found that, the same as Hileena, a hot wheat-bag and bath can help ease the pain. I wouldn't recommend the anti-inflammatory creams if you are already taking anti-inflams in your meds, I personally always fear of ODing if I were to use them!

    I personally also found that just a gentle neck rub (no pressing on anything, just a literal slow rub across where it ached most) using some simple moisturiser helped ease the tension a little bit (not always). If you can get someone you trust to do it who won't be too rough, it may be relaxing for you. Hope it feels a little better soon. xx
  • kevinwittering
    kevinwittering Member Posts: 15
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I get neck pain every day and used to use things like Deep Heat or Ralgex. This did give relief.

    Nowadays I use a product called " Uddermint ", it is used by farmers for mastitis in cows, it works much better than the things you buy from the chemist and it works out cheaper, costs about £17 but it is a 500ml tube. Can buy it from any good agricultural supplier and the people in the shop will probably tell you how effective it is.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,884
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I get neck pain too.

    I beleive you have to take the meds and rest as much as poss and hope it goes off - it usually does for me.

    I also avoid anything that makes it worse such as computers!!! or the kids' DS thingies!!

    Get your sleeping postition right if you can and definietkly mention it to the rheumy.

    I also use ice and alternate with wheatbags when things are really bad x:(

    Love

    Toni xx
  • alarkra
    alarkra Member Posts: 213
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    I also avoid anything that makes it worse such as computers!!! or the kids' DS thingies!!

    Ha! Toni, you have hit the nail on the head for my weakness! When I was at my worst an unable to move, I had my DS which I would play on until the shooting pain down my arms was unbearable, but it was a stupid pain I put myself through in order to entertain myself for an hour!! Not the best plan I've ever had, wouldn't recommend it, and now that I'm a little better I don't play on it as much - 1/2 hour at a time - so that I don't induce the pain! :P :lol::wink:
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Widget,

    Sorry to hear that you are suffering so much. I cannot add much to the advice that you have already been given but may be a scarf or soft neck collar could help until you see your Rheumy.

    I hope it is a little easier today,

    Lv, Ix
  • widget
    widget Member Posts: 22
    edited 3. Jan 2011, 08:44
    Thanks for all your comments. Most appreciated.

    I am quite frightened with this pain to be honest, the not knowing how it will affect me long term,work etc. I love to read but even that is a struggle at the moment.

    Living on my own with no 'friends' is hard enough but then when RA is thrown into its a harder game to play.

    Lesley aka Widget
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Pain is scary at times, no matter how attuned we are to living with it, it can stil catch one unawares and make one fretful. I rarely have trouble with my neck, so I cannot offer any practical tips but how about propping your book up on a lap tray or a cushion or summat similar? I bought my Mum a little beanbag book prop for Christmas, which I hope she will use. Take your pain dullers too - they take the edge off which helps. I wish you well and I hope it feels better soon. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,884
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    alarkra wrote:
    frogmorton wrote:
    I also avoid anything that makes it worse such as computers!!! or the kids' DS thingies!!

    Ha! Toni, you have hit the nail on the head for my weakness! When I was at my worst an unable to move, I had my DS which I would play on until the shooting pain down my arms was unbearable, but it was a stupid pain I put myself through in order to entertain myself for an hour!! Not the best plan I've ever had, wouldn't recommend it, and now that I'm a little better I don't play on it as much - 1/2 hour at a time - so that I don't induce the pain! :P :lol::wink:


    Gotcha!!!!

    They are just soooooo addictive - I cracked prof leton in 5 days this time x:lol: x:oops:
  • alarkra
    alarkra Member Posts: 213
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    alarkra wrote:
    frogmorton wrote:
    I also avoid anything that makes it worse such as computers!!! or the kids' DS thingies!!

    Ha! Toni, you have hit the nail on the head for my weakness! When I was at my worst an unable to move, I had my DS which I would play on until the shooting pain down my arms was unbearable, but it was a stupid pain I put myself through in order to entertain myself for an hour!! Not the best plan I've ever had, wouldn't recommend it, and now that I'm a little better I don't play on it as much - 1/2 hour at a time - so that I don't induce the pain! :P :lol::wink:


    Gotcha!!!!

    They are just soooooo addictive - I cracked prof leton in 5 days this time x:lol: x:oops:

    Haha! It's the Lego games which have been my vice, simply because they are the only games which I can actually complete without loosing my temper! Indiana Jones and Batman have been my two all-time favourites! :wink::lol::))