Neck Pain.

[Rovelli]

I'm hoping that someone might help. I have neck pain which is getting worse.Is it more likely to be from the osteoporosis in my spine,

or, as a result of the acid in my mouth from reflux,

or, as a result of piling pillows high in an attempt to stay propped up at night for my heart and for the reflux.

It feels like a neuralgia.

[Seasid]

Your pillows.

[Nusch]

I’m not a doctor but I would guess that it could be a solvable issue. Pls see a good orthopaedist. Sometimes it’s just a nerve.

[MWZ3]

I put mine down to osteoarthritis in the neck. I always need a neck support. I have reflux and osteoporosis but this is more like arthritis which impacts more than the others.

[Rovelli in reply to MWZ3]

Thank you, you're probably right. It's all very depressing. I was hoping that it was just my failure to get my pillow mountain the right shape - it might work one night, but increasingly not.

[dedeottie in reply to Rovelli]

It really could be the pillows. I have acid reflux and AF so for years I have slept propped up on pillows. I have had a neck and shoulder problem for as long as I have been propping myself up. As you say, it is hard to get the ‘ mountain’ right each night! Then recently I fell and fractured ribs and s vertebrae and absolutely had to sleep flat on my back as there was no other way. Hey presto , the neck pain has gone….. unfortunately the.reflux returned. Swings and roundabouts I guess. X

[Rovelli in reply to dedeottie]

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear about the fall. It's beginning to look like the sleeping position is a problem. I can't sleep on my left side because of my heart valve leak, so I sleep on my back and on my right side which is not recommended for the hiatus hernia and the reflux. 🙁

[fraid]

I was told OP fractures in my back would affect my neck too and it sometimes does. I find the best thing is keeping it warm so I always wear a polo neck, neck warmer when it’s bad and atm am using my heat vest a lot which also keeps it warm. Ibuleve gel helps plus gently pulling the vertebrae to the side with your fingers, both ways. An osteopath could tell you if it’s just muscular from sleeping awkwardly. When my # s first started I found my head lolled to the right when I slept, so I bought a support collar which kept it straight and also warm. Hope that helps,it can get very painful and worse if you leave it so I’d tackle it now.

P.s you’re not Carlo Rovelli the famous physicist are you? 😄

[Rovelli in reply to fraid]

Thank you ! I chose Rovelli as he is one of my heroes. I read "the Order of Time" and it actually made me cry, though it is comforting and reassuring.

[fraid in reply to Rovelli]

Me too, still got it, ex is struggling with it. I read the simple physics one first which got me hooked. He is such a beautiful writer, he could write about anything. Makes it so easy to understand, must admit I did spot two errors, one was a typo on a diagram and the other he contradicted himself by missing out the word ‘not’ so,probably another typo, can’t imagine he ever get things wrong! 😂 Hope your neck improves in really is a pain in it!🤗

[fraid]

Also if you need to be propped up you can get a wedge pillow which is solid then put pillows on top but it gives you a stable base. Bought one for my bed but don’t use as have to live on recliner sofa so I can get up plus GERD , can adjust how much I need to be propped and change it a lot re bum sores- from sitting on it so much! 😁

[Nightingales]

Hi. I wondered if you have a recent MRI. I have a similar problem with a lot of head symptoms as well. My spine dr suggested a current MRI in case it could be helped by a nerve block.

[Rovelli in reply to Nightingales]

I'm a bit reluctant to ask for any more tests at the moment as I am starting to haunt the surgery due to everything happening at once. Also I've started to think I don't want to hear any more bad news. 🙁🐙

[Nightingales in reply to Rovelli]

I totally understand. It can be very demoralising going from dr to dr trying to find a solution. Hope you feel better soon Rovelli

[Mo51]

I have arthritis in my neck (and mild osteoporosis) and also some mild occasional acid reflux. I often suffer from a stiff neck especially after doing a lot of lifting or carrying heavy things. The Osteopath helped with some exercises and a good neck and shoulder massage. I go back whenever it starts to feel tight and she always massages it away. Between visits I use a hot pack (microwaveable one) every night on my neck before bedtime and do the stretching exercises to keep it loose. I would guess that the pillow mountain may be the culprit for your pain (or certainly contributing). Have you tried to raise your upper half with wedges under the mattress rather than a pillow mountain? You can buy wedges on Amazon and many other places.

[Rovelli in reply to Mo51]

Thank you! I'm going to get a wedge pillow. Do you think under the mattress is better.

[Mo51 in reply to Rovelli]

Works better for me. I have a divan bed, so wedge goes between the base and the mattress. But I guess you might want to play around and see what works best for you. Good luck. Hope it works. It's tiring being in pain all the time x

[fraid in reply to Mo51]

Beware hot pax that you stick in the microwave, if it’s a wheat bag. I managed to set fire to one which totally ruined the microwave which had to be chucked out. Also gel pax, found they leak after a while,dangerous! Even chemist said don’t know why they still stocked them as many reported incidents.

[Rovelli in reply to fraid]

I think I'll just use a hot water bottle!

[fraid in reply to Rovelli]

Even better are these heat pads, yes you have to plug them in but they’re flat, can vary temp. auto switch off. No boiling kettles every few hours either, just switch on when you need it. Mind you I’m mostly immobile but hard to walk round with a hot bottle on your neck either! 😁

[Mo51 in reply to fraid]

Wow! Sorry you had this result Fraid. I have used wheat bags for many years and never had any issues. Have to be careful not to put on bare skin and not overheat (instuctions give timings). But they are a little bit of magic on sore joints for me - immediate results.

[fraid in reply to Mo51]

Yes they’re a great idea but many reported accidents like mine. The fire brigade got me to do a piece on it as they are recognised as a potential hazard. Glad you haven’t had an incident, maybe it happens when they are not completely cold but have a hot bit somewhere? Who knows, but do take care. 🤗

[HeronNS]

My "pillow mountain" is actually designed as a wedge. I found I kept sliding down the wedge I bought, even with a pillow under my knees, and finally got rid of it. My arrangement consists of several pillows of varying thickness and firmness, that took experimentation over several weeks if not months, and I have a hot water bottle with only warmish, not hot, water in it to support the small of my back. At times I use a travel pillow with the semi circle going over the top of my head to stabillize my head so it doesn't flop over to one side or other, but I don't seem to need that as much these days as I did a few months ago. I do some exercises for the arthritis in my neck. But I don't have osteoporosis.

Good luck with your experiments, and do let us know what you find works for you.