Neck pain, headaches and mental health

PetiteN

Hi there,

I was just wondering if other people had experienced a real decline in their mental health particularly when experiencing bad neck pain? (which is obviously close to the head, brain).

I've experienced short bouts of depression on and off over the years, whenever things have been quite difficult, but I've always managed it, been able to carry on and manage the ups and downs. I imagine that alot of people here can relate to that.
Many years ago I tried antidepressants, but they made me feel alot worse.

But over the last few months, my mental health has really deteriorated, and I'm wondering if it's associated to the almost constant severe neck pain, and related headaches, that I have, that have also been ongoing relentlessly for six months.

I've been trying everything I can think of, I'm on a very healthy diet, no alcohol, exercise- when I can, pacing myself, lots of relaxing baths, I've paid for acupuncture, massage therapy, to the point I'm quite skint now, but I'm still in so much pain, quite low and very anxious.

For the first time at work (I've had them at home before during the last few months) I had a panic attack :-( The irony is that I work in mental health care and ive tried all of the interventions I know, except counselling, which I would struggle to pay for. (NHS only offer CBT).

Sorry for the rant, I'm really quite fed up of everything, and find it very hard dealing with this every day living on my own.

I'm waiting for an appt at the pain clinic regarding my neck (I can't take pain meds as I'm allergic to them).

I've always been so resilient, but my quality of life has been really so bad for months, and I guess I have to carry that alone, every day, as friends and family who only see you from time to time really don't understand.

Sorry about the epic rant!

x

stickywicket

It isn'tan epic rant, PetiteN. It isn't even a rant, just an explanation of why you are currently feeling so sad and isolated. And no wonder. You have struggled long and hard against the pain and limitations of arthritis and have tried every which way to try to improve your lot.

I don't know if the depression is due to your neck pain. It might well be. Neck pain is horrible and debilitating and, yes, it does mess with one's head but then so does chronic pain elsewhere.

I wish I could help. All I can suggest is that calling our Helplines might. And keep talking to us because at least we understand. ((()))

daffy2

No need to apologise, that's one of the ways the forum can help, by providing a sympathetic ear. I'm not sure that the location of the pain is necessarily particularly relevant in causing your depression , as just the fact of dealing/living with constant pain does nothing to improve one's mental state! It's unfortunate if anti-depressants are not an option for you, as several forum members have had occasion to find them helpful, either to get over a bad patch or on a more long-term basis. Is there any reason not to take up the NHS option re CBT? My sister, who is so not into counselling, therapy etc gave in to pressure from her GP and family and much to her surprise found it helpful, as has a similarly doubtful friend.
In some respects I imagine that your field of work adds to your difficulties - 'physician heal thyself' and all that - and having a panic attack at work must have been horrid for you.I am sorry that I cannot offer any solutions but I do sympathise with the situation you are in. I too struggle with depression, had bad experiences with anti-depressants, and live alone. Due to a back problem I have had neck and head pain frequently over the years but not felt it made any low mental state worse of itself, but getting tired from the pain did make any low patches much harder to deal with.
Keep posting - the combination of getting things off your chest and the support and encouragement from other forum members can be a real help.

daffy2

Sticky and I were obviously channelling the same thoughts, but she got there first! Hence the similar replies. Wishing you a better day tomorrow - or at least one free of a panic attack.

theresak

I'm so sorry you are feeling so low - not surprising after months of debilitating pain. I have no idea if the depression specifically links to head and neck pain, but constant pain anywhere would be enough to make even the strongest person feel down.

I can't really add to what Sticky and Daffy have said, but just wanted to offer support. I'm not sure where your health authority is, but counselling is still offered on the NHS where I am. It's generally six sessions which are given, in the local surgery.

PetiteN

Thankyou both, it definitely does help to just share sometimes. :-)

I think you're probably both absolutely right about any form of chronic pain potentially affecting your mood. That made me think actually, perhaps it's more that I just dislike neck/head alot more than other types of pain, and find it harder to deal with.

That's a good point about your 'physician heal thyself' comment...I guess I do feel under pressure to help myself more, and I pick up on a 'well you work in mental health, you'll know how to heal yourself' view from friends and family. They've even said it. But really we all need support sometimes..

Re: the CBT, I'm a psychotherapist myself, and I know the benefits, and limitations of it, I use it with clients, and I guess I feel I need something different, so I will just have to perhaps find a way to fund private therapy.
I'm glad to hear it's helped some people on here, it can definitely be useful for some.

I've just had a bsth and its eased the neck pain a little, result! So I'm off to bed.

Thankyou both for your supportive replies :-)

stickywicket

Just a quick thought as my battery's low. No idea why I didn't think of this before. I used to sometimes wake up with migrainy type headaches due entirely to the RA /OA in my neck. A shaped memory foam pillow has made it a thing of the past. When I had it I had to use a soft, orthopaedic neck brace to cure it. I got it from orthotics. This might be of no use to you but I thought it worth mentioning.

TrishaW

I've had neck pain for many, many years and I must say that out of all my 'pains', it was in a way the most dehabilitating and depressing.

I also spent a fortune on therapies-osteopath, physio, traction, ultrasound,reflexology,massage etc etc.

I've also worked with patients in healthcare for 36 years 9specialist nurse), and it's so hard to keep your head in a comfy position etc and not grimace!!! Unfortuntely I've now recently retired on ill health grounds.

I know it sounds improbable, but after 15 years of unrelenting pain (that also radiated down my arm and into my chest) I tried a mctimoney chiropractor. It felt like she wasn't actually doing much at all (very subtle , no manipulation) but on the 3rd session the pain miraculously diminished by about 90%!!!

That was 20 years ago, and my neck remains managable but only if i'm very careful.

I always sleep on a shaped memory foam pillow (expensive one about £70 but lasts years) I take it on holiday, to friends etc and it's my 'essential' item.

I always sit face on to friends, the tv etc.

I never 'look up', so sit at the back in the middle at the cinema, have a tv positioned level to my eyes at home. Wall mounted tvs are a nightmare. Also I love historic buildings but never look up at the ceilings!

I avoid heavy bags, coats, scarves, necklaces etc.

If I get this wrong it brings the pain back. For instance I've been in pain again for the last 2 weeks as a friend sat next to me and I turned my head to chat for about 20 minutes...I'm typing this with heat pads, hot water bottles round my neck and upper back muscles.

I really feel for you and hope things improve.

Trisha

dreamdaisy

I've been in pain for over nineteen years. Thankfully I have now forgotten what pain-free felt like which makes some aspects of this malarkey easier but depression is a factor - why wouldn't it be? Despite doing all the right things to treat my conditions the sheer relentlessness of the pain pulls me down.

I plunged into depression when my OA was diagnosed in 2011. I went to see my GP because I realised I wasn't able to haul myself out of that hole and she cheerfully prescribed me Citalopram. I planned to take it for around three months until I had sorted myself out but my rheumatologist was of the opinion that I should stay on them, her reasoning being that if I was stronger mentally I would be better able to cope. Four years on I still take a small daily dose - I notice if I miss a couple of days.

I never told my mother about this - she was firmly in the 'pull your socks up' brigade which would not have been of any help whatsoever. DD

stickywicket

TrishaW wrote:

I never 'look up', so sit at the back in the middle at the cinema, have a tv positioned level to my eyes at home. Wall mounted tvs are a nightmare. Also I love historic buildings but never look up at the ceilings!

Interesting that you mention all that TrishaW because you've made me realise that I do it, too, but subconsciously. I do neck exercises daily but still find that turning it constantly (as in talking to people on different sides at parties) is not at all good.

PetiteN

Thankyou all, there's some really great points there.

I'm definitely going to look into getting a special pillow for my neck, and if a chiropractor is appropriate for me (I might ask my consultant) I'm really interested in giving that a go too.

I do try and protect my neck, but reading your responses and sharing how you manage, perhaps I need to be even more careful.

Living independently I am often lifting things, carrying heavy bags of shopping etc...

I've woken up today in less pain thankfully, its still there in my neck, but its manageable, so hoping it remains bearable today!

I hope you all have a good day x

stickywicket

I'm glad your pain has eased off a bit today. It mightn't last but every bit of relief is good, isn't it?

Yes, like TrishaW I take my shaped memory foam pillow everywhere including my son's in Los Angeles. That's how much it matters to me.

Another thing that comes to mind is never, ever, hold the phone between your ear and shoulder. That, too, is a recipe for disaster.

Slosh

I'm another sufferer with severe neck pain and don't have a lot to add to the goid advice you have been given.
Have you had an MRI of your neck? If not it might be worth requesting one to see if this picks up anything and after you have had that done and the results then ask for a physio referral, or see a chiropractor if you prefer but my GP does not rate these. I say after in case there is any pressure being put on your spinal nerve/cord as if this is the case you will need advice as to exercise. Although I do all the "sensible" things already mentioned, I also do daily physio prescribed neck exercises to maintain what flexibility I have in my neck and to help manage the pain a little. I find a hot wheat pack can also be useful but never put anything cold on your neck as it can cause you to faint. Also think about seating as a high backed chair with support may also help.

I have had counselling, are there any organisations in your area that you can self refer to?

Sorry this is so long but hope ypu find some relief soon, both physical and mental/emotional.

PetiteN

I'm going to look into the special pillow today.
Do you both have the contoured shaped ones? Or just the rectangular memory foam pillows? I had a quick look online last night and there seem to be quite a few different types of pillows.

Thanks for the good advice Slosh, sorry you suffer too, I last had an MRI of my neck in February after a particularly bad episode of pain where I nearly went to a&e I was in such a state.
The results showed alot of damage of the c1 and c2 vertebrae and inflammation, but they said 'nothing dangerous'. Since then I really haven't had much advice or support specifically about my neck, so I intend to make it the focus of my next Rheum appointment.

Yeah, there are two local lower cost organisations that offer counselling, but I work for one of them (I'm a counsellor/therapist) and the other I used to work for, it's ironic really :-) So my only option is to pay to see a private counsellor really. I definitely do need an outlet though.

I really do appreciate all the advice and support you've all given me, I'm sure just talking on here alone has helped a bit, so thankyou for that.

stickywicket

I do think the 'aloneness' feeling makes everything ten times worse and it's one of the big pluses of the forum that we can just be there for each other.

I always use one of the contoured memory foam pillows. You're supposed to use the larger end down if you sleep on your side and the smaller one if you sleep on your back. I have, occasionally, used the plain memory foam ones when someone has provided one and I've forgotten mine. I've got away with it but wouldn't dream of using one permanently. The contoured ones do support the neck and that's what I need.

dreamdaisy

Although I don't have neck troubles I have sleep ones. Earlier this year we invested in a new bed and my husband - much to my surprise - bought me a Tempur memory foam pillow, in the traditional shape. This now goes everywhere with me if we're going to be away from home, even for only one night.

I broke my upper left humerus in January last year and was unable to drive let alone shop so I turned to on-line supermarket shopping: I still use it for the heavier things such as bottles and tins because someone else does all the heavy lifting for me. We have to make changes to help us cope and sometimes it's hard for us to see what we could do because we're in the middle of it all - have you had a look at the thread at the top of this board? I cannot remember its proper name but it contains suggestions from members about things we can do to make life easier which you might find interesting. DD

Boomer13

Ah neck pain and it's headaches. What a horrible thing it is. You have my empathy and I agree with the others a memory foam neck pillow is an essential. I haven't had luck with physical therapy for my neck and I don't do chiropractic adjustments having had bad experiences in the past. I used to use a neck brace for short periods which provides some relief. Heat is soothing. Mostly, it's a beastly place to have severe pain and no wonder you find your mental health deteriorating if you can't take any pain relief :horror-movie:. Your GP can't find anything you can tolerate?

Take care of yourself.

PetiteN

Thankyou stickywicket, I know the ones you mean, I'm going to order one and give it a go.
I've also ordered another wheat bag hot pack.
Pain is manageable today.

:-)

PetiteN

Boomer13 wrote:

Ah neck pain and it's headaches. What a horrible thing it is. You have my empathy and I agree with the others a memory foam neck pillow is an essential. I haven't had luck with physical therapy for my neck and I don't do chiropractic adjustments having had bad experiences in the past. I used to use a neck brace for short periods which provides some relief. Heat is soothing. Mostly, it's a beastly place to have severe pain and no wonder you find your mental health deteriorating if you can't take any pain relief :horror-movie:. Your GP can't find anything you can tolerate?

Take care of yourself.[/quote)

Hi Boomer13,

Yes, this episode of severe neck pain has been going on for months, I think it's probably the sheer length of time with little to no respite from it that's impacted my mood so much.
And also getting GP, Drs etc to appreciate exactly how much pain I'm in has been a battle too which has been disappointing and frustrating I guess.

No, I'm allergic to all painkillers except paracetamol which doesn't touch the pain... And ive had to stop taking nsaids due to stomach ulcers. Because I can take neither nsaids or analgesics my GP has just left me to it... Hence things escalating.

I'm hopefully finding my way forward a little now and need to try other things.

Thankyou for your reply.

PetiteN

dreamdaisy wrote:

Although I don't have neck troubles I have sleep ones. Earlier this year we invested in a new bed and my husband - much to my surprise - bought me a Tempur memory foam pillow, in the traditional shape. This now goes everywhere with me if we're going to be away from home, even for only one night.

I broke my upper left humerus in January last year and was unable to drive let alone shop so I turned to on-line supermarket shopping: I still use it for the heavier things such as bottles and tins because someone else does all the heavy lifting for me. We have to make changes to help us cope and sometimes it's hard for us to see what we could do because we're in the middle of it all - have you had a look at the thread at the top of this board? I cannot remember its proper name but it contains suggestions from members about things we can do to make life easier which you might find interesting. DD

Thanks DD, I'll have a look at that thread. I do most of my shopping online, it does help, but living alone still find even carrying it all through the house to the kitchen tricky at times, and housework etc.. I'm not sure what the answer is. Hopefully win the lottery so I can afford a housekeeper... ;-)
I'll check out the tips go make life easier board now.

Slosh

I have one that sounds similar to Stickey's, and I bought it from that well known online retailer. My original one had a dip in the centre of the pillow but while it was comfortable only lasted for a couple of months.

My problem is in my lower neck and as itwas putting pressure on my spinal cord/nerve I had to have surgery before physio hence my asking about this.

Hope things start to improve for you soon.

PetiteN

Slosh- good advice about the spinal cord etc, I'm going to have a more in depth talk to my consultant about exactly what the MRI showed, and what I can/can't do as that's never been discussed.

I've ordered a memory foam pillow :-) so fingers crossed that makes a bit of a difference.

Currently sitting with a hot pack on my neck and hot chocolate! :-)

Boomer13

That sounds soothing, PetiteN. I do really feel for you as I can at least load up on pain dullers when my neck is very bad. It takes the edge off at least. I really can't imagine how horrible it must be for you to not have anything to dull it a little. Sending support, empathy and some ((())).

stickywicket

PetiteN wrote:

I've ordered a memory foam pillow :-) so fingers crossed that makes a bit of a difference.

A bit of a difference

I like the realism there.

I hope so too.

PetiteN

stickywicket wrote:

[quote-]

A bit of a difference

I like the realism there.

I hope so too.

Haha, I guess I don't like to be too unrealistic, as much as I'd love something to cure the pain completely! :-D
In reality, every slight improvement is welcome :-)

N x

Slosh

I do hope it helps. I often wish I could somehow detach my head so I could take the weight off my neck! Although I'm on strong pain dullers etc it's tends to reduce the pain to make it bearable/manageable most of the time.

As for the nerve/cord issue, if it hasn't already been raised by your GP/consultant it's probably not an issue in your case. It's not the sort of thing they would ignore so I wouldn't worry about that.

This may make you smile. I work three days a week as a reading interventions manager and when I moved offices I bought myself a small microwave so I can heat up my wheat pack at work as and when I need it! Sure the day will come when I'm teaching a group with it round my neck!