struggling with neck pain :( help pls!

[Julesmoon]

I first was diagnosed with fibromyalgia back in 2020 when I started having aches and pains in neck shoulders feeling tired all the time, funny heads as I used to call them, memory issues, stressed all the time and really deflated about everything. I could never relax and always overthink everything. Writing lists in bed of everything I need to be doing the next day. My head was manic! I had blood tests and tests and more tests and nothing came back so that’s when they said fybro. I seemed to deal with it once I knew what was going on and was put on amitriptyline. So I continued to take it up until around September 2022, I mistakenly thought mmmm is it actually doing anything I still feel pain and tired etc but not as bad obviously.. so I stopped slowly as told to by my doctor and I have regretted it ever since! My aches and pains are on another level now and I can hardly move at night or morning with my neck and shoulders. I cant sleep I wake every hour in pain the pain radiates to my head and everything. I feel awful. And yes of course I got back on amitriptyline as of beginning of January and yet to see it make a difference I am absolutely caining Zapain 8 a day every day without fail and now my body is immune. I have hot packs cold packs deep heat tiger balm electric massage tools and I’m married to my hot water bottle!! I can’t sit around I’m a single parent of a 7 yr old boy who keeps me busy thank god as sitting still completely stiffens me up. I’m at the end of my tether people.. I’m sure I’m not alone. I’m thinking of trying nefopam or Duloxtene ? . Has anyone had experience of these at all?

[Dinkie]

Hi Julesmoon

Have you had your neck checked out? Not everything is fibro related. I have osteoarthritis in my neck and that causes quite a few problems which are helped by chiropractor sessions. Might be that an xray or MRI is needed to exclude other causes. if the neck is sore then it can radiate down to shoulders as we tend to tense up when the neck is hurting and that puts pressure elsewhere on the body.

I did try gabapentin but the side effects were too much for me. I rely on the chiropractor and hypnotherapist. I try to practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help stop me tensing up.

Do hope you find a solution soon, it is quite literally a pain in the neck.

[Julesmoon in reply to Dinkie]

thank you Dinkie, I do have an mri booked but as u can imagine it’s 2/3 months away. My mum has arthritis but I’ve had bloods to show no sign. I must see what the mri says. This is agony it feels like a trapped nerve some days the pain going up into the side of my head. Thanks for the advice on ciropractor that is defo an idea I keep thinking of it just costs so much thanks again I am hoping joining this group will help

[Dinkie in reply to Julesmoon]

Bloods unfortunately won't show osteoarthritis but will show rheumatoid arthritis at least that's what I think the GP said to me.

The MRI I had was an eye opener for me - sometimes I wonder how I manage to move at all! I know what you mean about the cost of chiropractors. Mine does gift vouchers so birthday and christmas presents often mean I can afford to have some treatments. When I first went I had to go more often as the muscle memory kept pulling the neck out of alignment again but as treatment went on I went down to one treatment every few months.

Hope you get relief soon.

[Jmkwear in reply to Julesmoon]

Hi,There's a time I landed on Dr.Mandell or something showing how to deal with a pinched nerve( on YouTube). had radiating pain from my head into my arms. There was occasional lightning like pain from neck into my head when I turned my head.

What worked for me was lying flat, facing up on the bed, then letting my neck and head protrude and hang off the edge of the bed, using gravity to stretch the neck.

Start with a few minutes, then adjust as you get used to it.

Had been quite an issue, had almost resorted to accepting the situation.

I'm hoping I'll land of a similar fix for FM

[E8L8dh]

I have the same thing with my neck going into my shoulders. I attend an Osteopath once a week he gently massages and works on the area. I found the Chiropractor was too painful. Although it partially helped at the time.

I’m not saying Osteopath has fixed it but it definitely feels better. Like you I thought it was related to the Fibro which I was diagnosed with in 2017. I didn’t find out until 6 weeks ago that I have Spondylosis. Which is caused by Osteoarthritis. I take Turmeric for inflammation along with other vitamins which really does help. Unfortunately the best thing for the pain is gentle exercise and movement along with your medication. Really hope this helps.

[Beinblond]

I came off of all medication after receiving a referral to a natural therapy charity working in my local area with the nhs. I know everyone has there own opinion with natural therapy but it helped me understand fibromyalgia so much better they carried out ginger compresses on my main pain areas and a type of massage that got everything moving around inside I recommend speaking to your gp to see if they have a similar thing

[ange188]

Hi Julesmoon

I was also prescribed Amitriptyline as well and at one point was up to a 150mg dose. I found it did help a bit. For the last 3 or so years I have using a wearable neurotech that is completely drug free. I am now down to 35mg dosage and I have my life back most of the time. I don't get much pain most of the time, I have more energy, so much so that I can play tennis league matches 2-3 times a week and my brain fog has lifted. I new pain patch has just been launched that is FDA registered and has independent peer reviewed studies that are showing incredible results with people from minor to chronic pain. Also have products that are specific for balance, strength, range of motion and help with pain management; ones that work on the cognitive areas of the brain as well. All drug free, non electrical and non magnetic.

[JesusmyLord in reply to ange188]

👋 Ange188

I just know found this site and you comment. Can you tell me more about the neurotech and new pain patch?

[Wobblygirl]

There was a very recent thread about this only a few days ago and I contributed...Maybe glance back to others with 'neck pain'?

[Bolognese2022]

Hi Julesmoon

I’ve got cervical spondylitis (advanced arthritis of the neck) and Fibromyalgia.

They diagnosed my neck issues from a normal X-ray.

I have been to physiotherapists, oestopaths and Chiropractors all use different techniques some work better than others. Some of the therapist are very expensive I found an aromatherapist, she is much cheaper and does a deep massage. Although painful it gives some relief. I did try hanging my neck over the end of the bed this worked when the pain was mild it now makes it worse.

I am now doing Tai chi, a very gentle type it has helped. Try your best to keep your neck mobile you will soon now what to avoid. A wheat bag and hot water bottles help.

The last fortnight it is preventing me from sleeping so today I was referred to the chronic pain clinic and have had the gabapentin increased. Hope to get some sleep.

I hope things get better for you.

[Bolognese2022]

Sorry it should say I have cervical spondylosis the predictive texted changed it

[travishatesfibro]

I recommend stretching, cervical neck pillow, cannabis, and carefully practicing sleep hygene. I get horrible neck pain every morning. So I wake up stretch for half an hour to an hour. I use several different techniques it has taken some time but it is slowly paying off. My morning neck pain went from a 9 to a 6.