Neck pain: Hi everyone, I’m new to the... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

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Neck pain

44Boo44 profile image
25 Replies

Hi everyone, I’m new to the group and have a relatively new fibromyalgia diagnosis.

I struggle ugh accepting it and the daily pains and problems it brings as I’ve read many of you do. I don’t know much about it at all and I’m a bit scared to look. I don’t talk about it because of the stresses already in our lives at home and I don’t want to be a bore or sound as if I’m moaning.

I just wanted to ask, I have had increasingly bad neck pin for the past few days now, it hurts when I turn my head and when I walk down the stairs.

My question is could this also be fibromyalgia or something else? I’m so confused by it all. Thanks for anyone’s time x

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44Boo44 profile image
44Boo44
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25 Replies

Hi Boo, the pain I have is predominately in my neck and wrists, and the pain in the neck is not just a metaphor, its one of the more common tender points. For a few years before being diagnosed with FM I had problems in the neck and shoulders, I used tiger balm for a long time - it helps ease it a little. I think one of the hardest things to deal with is feeling like a nag, complaining but its really important to get these thoughts off your chest. Bottling them up can only cause more stress which leads to the viscous cycle of flare ups. Try to be at one with yourself, you're in no way a burden, just suffering this horrible condition ou didn't opt in for. A lot of people use this group to vent about social problems, and you should feel at ease doing so here. I've picked up some great advice from kind, understanding people and i'm sure if you stick around you'll benefit too. Were all in this together xx

44Boo44 profile image
44Boo44 in reply to

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I sometimes feel it’s all in my head going round and round. I’ll try to consider off loading in the future, there’s just too much to even think about typing now lol. Just having someone listen and understand is so helpful. Thank you xx

in reply to 44Boo44

Offloading has to be therapeutic, maybe the best natural remedy I know of. I really understand what you mean when you feel like you're going mad, I think we all do. When I started to talk and open up about this it felt like a huge release. My biggest fear was work, but after a really bad flare up I went to see Occ Health and they were really understanding. My boss's colleague in her previous job suffered so when I did tell her she actually understood, I was amazed. When the Occ Health report was sent to HR and I had a meeting with a nice lady there, she understood.. her Nan was a long time sufferer. Its much more common than many think. When asked about it i'd never give a straight answer because I thought, how can I begin to explain this? I didn't fully understand it myself! Now I feel that I can broach the subject without shame or judgement that I care of. Now I feel its important to spread the word, people need to understand so society can adapt to help and accommodate. Always here and ready to listen, go easy xx

22amethyst profile image
22amethyst in reply to 44Boo44

It’s not in your head boo it’s a real condition and we feel your pain 🥺😫💜

Hi there, sorry you have pain and problem with your neck , I can relate to your neck as I have problems with mine cervical myelopathy . If it subsides and then comes back I would get it checked out MRI scan don't leave it as that's what can happen , it's postion of your neck what can be pushing on a disc or if it's bulging it can be it's touching spinal cord when your neck is in a position like when you read . Hope I haven't confused you .x

LoneEra profile image
LoneEra

A lot of things relate back to fibro once you know. Since being diagnosed, so much has made sense to me - why I find lights so bright, for example.

But as Zoonie said, not everything is fibro so be on guard!

Here’s something I posted when I was just diagnosed. Some of the responses might be helpful for you:

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

Good luck with your onward journey. There will be tough times, but you will find your way.

Take care xx

Nelly1 profile image
Nelly1

Hi Boo,

My pain from Fibro is generally in my Neck.

Best thing is to keep exercising your neck as it generally is to do with the muscles tightening up.

So moving your neck from side to side up and down into your chest side to side as far as you can manage.

I know it’s painful but you know what they say! “No pain no gain”

It takes a long time to ease but it really does work.

Hope this helps xxx

Neil

Entela15 profile image
Entela15

It's definitely fibromyalgia. I have neck pain most days, it feels stiff and it hurts. Also the back of my head is painful. I have bought a neck massager which I use everyday. Some days the pain is so bad I don't want to move my head. But I've learned not to panic. Even my pain consultant said if you get new symptoms it's probably because of fibromyalgia.

Entela15 profile image
Entela15

Very good video Zoonie. You are very resourceful.

YASMINTINA profile image
YASMINTINAFMA UK Volunteer

healthunlocked.com/fibromya..., hello and welcome, neck pain can be annoying I use bio freeze gel on my neck to help ease the pain, but I would differently speak to your doctor 1st to see if it is actually connected to the Fibro , I hope you find the forum helpful , helpful advice and tips from our members of a giant unwanted club to be in, ive found the forum a good place to share our stories and have a chat also. I’ve posted a link above if you would like to lock your posts that way only our community can see and gives you and members replying more privacy. Take care XX

from expereince of neck and shoulder pains it most probably is fibro related but you can get this sitting in a draft. have you got contact with a physio? they can give you some good neck excercises. one i use a lot is-tuck your chin onto your chest and push your chin backwards with your thumb, try to gie a good push yourself keepng your chin down, you should feel neck muscles stretch.. i find I can do this best in water-- the bath or the hydro pool.

Themanwithnoname profile image
Themanwithnoname

If it's new to you worth getting checked up as like Zoonie says not everything is Fibro. I have been grieving the old me 8 years + and only more recently have excepted that i am ruined. Having been diagnosed just over a year and suspected Fibro for over 2 years one of the biggest things that messes with my head is it constantly changing.

As for reading no pain no gain i aint convinced that is the way to go when stretching etc. Obsviously you will get some pain but alot of pain and ease back on the stretch/activity. Pacing is key.

I agree with sharing your problems as stress is a mayjor trigger and will increase your pain.

GL.

bobbybobb profile image
bobbybobb

It could be Fibro but it could also be something not related. So new symptoms that are causing pain or restricting you should be assessed by a GP. x

22amethyst profile image
22amethyst

Hi 44 boo44 when I started with the symptoms almost two years ago the neck pain was how it started for me along with migraines the doctor put me on naproxen which was great for that but not for the other pains I’m on duloxatine 60mg also now and it’s helped me a lot .. I still have bad days if I stress my self or over do things I get a flare up then end up in bed with my electric blanket which is a godsend😇 meditation relaxation all great for the anxiety

44Boo44 profile image
44Boo44 in reply to 22amethyst

Hey, I find my electric blanket bliss at bedtime too!

This week it’s my arms, wrists and hands, my calves and I have a continuous dull headache. It’s like a constant flare up my pain, I need to try an acupuncturist or hydrotherapist and see the pain management clinic my consultant said. I’m on 800mg a day gabapentin but he’s told me I can’t take it for more than 3 months so what then?! And to pace myself! I work part time daily and volunteer, have a dog to walk and a mother in law who lives with me with dementia. My husband works away all week and the youngest of my 5 children is about to go through her GCSEs this year and I need to watch out for her mental health as she had a year out of school last year when it got too bad for her to cope with. I feel I have a load of balls juggling in the air and mind my is consumed with panic and guilt and anxiety and pain! Ugh 🤦🏼‍♀️ sorry, moan over lol xxx

22amethyst profile image
22amethyst in reply to 44Boo44

Legs and arms for me today with a raging headache so took my meds n just lay resting with a cool n soothe strip on my forehead 😫

22amethyst profile image
22amethyst in reply to 44Boo44

Have you tried duloxatine boo?

44Boo44 profile image
44Boo44 in reply to 22amethyst

No, on gabapentin, 800mg at the moment but the second doctor I’ve seen said I can go higher but only for 3 months then off it completely. I’ve got a steroid appointment for bursitis at the end of the month, not sure what to expect!

Off to work now, hope you feel better and have a good day x

Stevejj profile image
Stevejj

Morning boo neck pain is annoying for me to. Do you get it running into behind your ear as well? X

44Boo44 profile image
44Boo44 in reply to Stevejj

Hey there, no not especially, my jaw on the left side has been twitching for a couple of days now though which is weird!! X

Stevejj profile image
Stevejj in reply to 44Boo44

No problem I get a pain that starts in the neck travels behind the ear into the back of the eye and jaw and is pretty painful think they call it optical neuralgia xx

44Boo44 profile image
44Boo44 in reply to Stevejj

That sounds incredibly painful xx

Stevejj profile image
Stevejj in reply to 44Boo44

It is though I probably haven’t helped myself I’m a terrible sloucher so trying hard not to be and to sit up straight xx

44Boo44 profile image
44Boo44 in reply to Stevejj

Lol, try walking with some books on your head for posture xx

Stevejj profile image
Stevejj in reply to 44Boo44

Ha could you imagine the looks xx

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