New here

annross28

Hi, I have just 'found' this forum. I am looking to see what help there might be for arthritis in the neck. I wake up evey morning with a headache which can be just sore ranging to a migraine. I can only take so many painkillers...... most affect my stomach badly so I can't take any during the night. I work as a gardener/housekeeper which can be quite stressful on my neck depending on what needs doing but I cannot give this up as it is the only job in my area. I do try deep heat and biofreeze which sometimes work but they are a bit messy as I have to put it in my hair too! Does anyone have any ideas to relieve symptoms 'on the go', exercises or collars etc. I don't sleep well so try to sleep sitting up when I can. I'm 50 but have suffered with this (unbeknown to me for years) I don't want to go back to the Doc as they just seem to want to give me more tablets...........
Thanks for reading. x

suzygirl

Hi and welcome. I have cervical spondylosis and can empathise. You need a good pillow to help support the neck, whilst asleep. I find heat helps me, a hot water bottle, but you can buy heat patches that do the same job for on the go. I also use the migraine forehead strips as they contain leventhal which helps relax the muscles.

I take amitryptyline at night to help relax the muscles to enable me to sleep. I hope this helps, others will be along shortly with tips.

valval

go back to gp and ask to be sent to physio they can give you a set of exercises that help get rid of the muscle spasams work a treat (when you get right physio) good luck (use ice on mine as last resort was told to by gp alternated with wheat bag) val

tjt6768

Just wanted to welcome you aboard the arthritic train

Hope that today is a good one

bubbadog

Welcome AnnRoss to Arthritis Care, hope you enjoy the forum and look forward to reading your threads in the future.

Rosycheeks

Hi

Sometimes I have the same problem waking up with headaches and neck pain. I tried all the usual gels and copious amounts of pain killers but what I really found helpful was a mini tens machine. Its an all in one little unit that I just stick on the back of my neck and can go about my business

xx

tillytop

Hello and welcome from me too.

You mention Deep Heat etc but I wonder if you have tried an anti-inflammatory gel on your neck to see if that helps any without upsetting your stomach. You can buy various makes over the counter but my GP prescribes Piroxicam Gel for me and I do find it helps. It is less messy (and marginally less smelly) than some of the others I have tried - although I do refer to it as my "dead fish gel" which should give you a bit of a clue as to the "fragrance"

Like Suzygirl, I have also used the cold "migraine" patches but have found that it is not a good idea to leave them on too long (ie overnight) because they can bring me out in a very sore rash.

Val mentioned physio and I have certainly found that helped me, so it might be worth seeing if you can get a referral.

Tillyxxx

Heather65

Hi im new here to joined not long ago i have cv and have trouble sleeping im on different meds but finding the right ones for you can be difficult its trial and error

Heather65

i forgot to say im going to physio and also the chiropractor which helps ,im off to the hospital next week so might get some more answers fingers crossed x