imflammation on neck - is this another sympton of ra ... - NRAS
imflammation on neck - is this another sympton of ra although no pain
Hi mads,
I've had inflammation on neck but with pain and its been put down to ra, however I was told in the talk at our nras meeting last week that a lot off people have ra in there neck with little or no pain, but was also told oa is more likely in necks, due to carrying large heads around for years.
If I was you I'd get it checked with the doctor just to be safe.
Take care x
Julie x
Yes I'd get that checked out asp too Mads. I did have a very painful neck during the summer - only lasted two days but my GP didn't seem to think it related to RA. I couldn't turn it either way. I read on NRAS the other day that OA can be a symptom of RA. I think that explains why I have these hard nodules on my hands now and they mostly are right next to the swollen joints and knuckles.
But whatever - a swollen neck is not something you should just leave or assume it's part of RA as it could be glands or other stuff. TTx
Hi mads,
I've had inflammation on neck but with pain and its been put down to ra, however I was told in the talk at our nras meeting last week that a lot off people have ra in there neck with little or no pain, but was also told oa is more likely in necks, due to carrying large heads around for years.
If I was you I'd get it checked with the doctor just to be safe.
Take care x
Julie x
I also get pain in the neck from time to time. It is caused by our heavy heads being carried on slender necks! According to my chiropractor who sorts it out for me every so often. Often tension can cause it as well as the muscles go into spasm particularly if you are worried.
However, any pain/inflammation that you haven't had before should be checked out with your GP or consultant. LavendarLady x
Hi Mads, I've had major problems with my neck/shoulders this year.
But to be honest you have so many things in your neck from: Muscle and other soft tissue to Vertebral Levels and glands, any inflammation/pain could be caused by a number of things, so must be checked by a doctor if it's causing problems.
Beth x
Hi Mads
It souns more like glands than joints.I agree wth the others - get it checked just to be on the safe side
Julie x
I have lots of problems with my neck. In fact my neck was the first RA symptom I had. It is Xrayed frequently and my rheumatologist is certain that my neck problems are RA caused. I must say I do also have dreadful pain.
Good luck.
Thank you so much that is very helpful - i have a pain in the back of my neck and shoulders which sounds as though it is osteo from what you say.
The visible swelling though is in the front of my neck - right of middle. Really weird, - i am so useless at anatomy i think it could be just above the collarbone - anyway i have made an appointment with my doctor, couldnt get anything sooner than next Monday week.
Thank you all.
Mads it sounds like it could be something similar to what I've had for months, it's almost like a half egg shape and seems to be just swollen tissue, just to the right of the neck? Asked the GP months ago, he felt it and said wan't glands and, as it doesn't hurt, probably caused by the steroids. He wasn't very interested. Interestingly I've been down to 1mg pred now for over 2 months and it's still there so could just be due to putting on too much weight courtesy of the steriods. Prior to diagnosis in Nov 2010, I had a very painful right shoulder and right hand, this went away after a while when was put on medication.
I'd get it checked out but may be separate from the other pains you have in the back of the neck.
NIcola that is nearly exactly my recent history as well - i had really bad shoulder and arm pain until i went on the steroids. I am off the steroids a week now. It is as you describe and i am not really sure how long it has been there just noticed it this week. It is not the same as my normal imflammation if that makes sense. Thanks for that. It is always good to know that someone else has experienced something similar. But will see doctor.
Mads, Your situation sounds familiar. Especially that you have had arm and shoulder pain. I had arthritis in my neck, at C4 toC7, requiring removal of the top of the vertebrae and discs, then a fusion was done, supported by a plate and screws. The arthritis had deteriorated the vertebrae and was compressing nerves to the arm and hand. Might not be your case at all, but it doesn't hurt to have it checked , and mention the arm and shoulder pain you had before steroids.
The swelling to the right of my neck appears to be an extension of bone on the collarbone. Everybody checks it, xrays it, etc and decides it's no problem, before I can have anesthesia. Good luck Monday, hope you get explanation. Love, Loret
Hello Loret - you are right it is just on top of the collar bone.
I also have a few disc bulges that hits the thoracic spine - i had always assumed that was what caused the arm and shoulder pain. I actually should ask for my notes as there has been a number of things over the years - mind you they could have all been part of the ra even though it wasn't diagnosed until last year.
Thanks alot.
Sounds likely you will need an MRI to get your records up to date.
Oh joy, there IS always something, isn't there?
Well, one of these days, we'll have it all sorted out and meds organized and everything will just click on as regular as clockwork 
Have a nice peaceful, warm and cozy weekend.
Love, Loret
I often have neck pain, and sometimes can't turn my head very far. I have always had my head cocked a bit to the left, and that is the side that hurts most often. I went to a free chiropractic session & she was apalled with my spine. I can't afford to go for adjustments, so I just deal with it.
Of course, osteoporosis can't be helping either. On another issue, I weigh just over 100 lbs-I can't seem to gain weight, but I have developed a double chin-just in the last 6 months. Weird. I don't like wearing my turtlenecks anymore, because my double chin gets in the way. Not sure if this is genetics, Mom had a dbl chin too, but she was a lot heavier than me.
Christine
Aww Christine, its hard to know isn't it what exactly causes what. My sister in law is a physio (though specializing in lung problems) and when my neck is really stiff she does a manipulation of trigger points around the base of my neck and that really does loosen it up, though i need four sessions with her as close as possible and she works on me for maybe over an hour. Its great but she's pregnant at the minute and i don't like taking advantage and like you i can't afford to go private and I couldn't tell the physio what to do if i was referred to one.
re weight i am the opposite - have put on so much over the last two years and that is so demorilising. 100lbs is light, but it does say that people with ra often loose weight - i am obviously not one of them.
I'm one of the ones that prednisone affects the opposite. It makes me not hungry. Sometimes I have to force myself to eat.
I was 99 lbs for 20 years, now I'm just over that for about 10 years. My waist has thickened now that I'm eating more sandwiches-I think it's the bread. But perhaps it is that I'm in my mid 40's though.
Oh dear, If one could be envious of another's symptoms, etc, I would surely choose yours!!
me too
Hip/groin pain RA or Fibro?
Seronegative RA with No pain in hands or feet
RA flares and chest pains (Costochondritis)
chronic neck, shoulder and upper back pain
Neck headache spine/pelvis/hip pain
