Neck Arthritis

emsjane

Hi all,

I've had arthritis in my neck for at least 13 years, mainly on the left side.

The last few months it's been getting worse and lately I've been getting pain in my left shoulder and if I sit slouched in one position for a while it starts to hurt and when I sit up and straighten my shoulders my left on clicks.

Now I'm getting pain all along the tops of both my shoulders so much that it's keeping my awake at night! It feels like the muscles/tendons are all being strained.

Does anyone suffer with anything similar? It's really getting me down, I don't need this on top of all the other joints that are agony!!!

stickywicket

Maybe you should ask your doc to refer you to a pbhysio for some specific shoulder exercises, emsjane. Hunching up against pain in one area does often result in pain in another. Keep those muscles strong

suzygirl

SW has given you good advice. I have arthritis and disk problems in my neck. I find all the muscles get tight and go into spasm and cause headaches. I have to take muscle relaxants at times and tablets for nerve pain. The physio gave me a course of acupuncture which really helped with pain and movement. I was also given exercise to help with range of movement to keep everything mobile.

Ask your gp to refer you. Lots can be done to help you.

Take care

justinbarrow

I suffer from regular neck pain also and know how bad it can be when the muscles tense right up, its awful especially why you have other pains to deal with. Hope you feel better with it soon and that it starts to ease off

emsjane

Thanks everyone. I was thinking of going to the GP as my Rheumy appointment isn't till January. But I wondered if he would be reluctant to do anything as I'm under the rheumatologist!?

suzygirl

You could phone the rheumy nurse in the meantime for advice. I would speak to the gp they can at least send you to physio, although so can the rheumy nurse. January seems a while to wait if you are in a lot of pain.

stickywicket

The GP can't change your DMARDS or anti-tnfs, emsjane, but he can, and should, refer you to a physio. In the meantime, why not check out Arthritis Care's booklet on Healthy Living? It certainly has exercises in so I expect it has shoulder exercises.