Prior to my RD diagnosis I always had what I can describe as a cracking neck. Even if I just turn it sideways. It never really went until I was also diagnosed with PMR. However I have found that as I have tapered the steroids, I am currently taking 6mg, my cracking neck has returned. I don’t see rheumy for another 2 months and it is a new one after my current one left unfortunately, so not sure whether they will be approachable. I could always talk to my previous one.
My question is has anyone else had experience of this and if so what did they do to help it. Any advice would be grateful received.
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Neverending63
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My neck does that and it hurts from above the hairline and down to the shoulders. Nothing seems to fix it,i have been told my spine is riddled with arthritis.xxxx
I think that may be my problem tbh. Shame I can’t stay on higher dose of steroids it was nice being able to turn my head with no pain or cracking lol x
My neck really cracks and I have limited movement due to RA and loss of discs. It causes me painful muscle spasms across my shoulders and up into my head. I take amitriptyline at night but my neck still cracks.
I’d definitely mention it to your rheumy even though it precedes RD so they can check it out. An X-ray was all mine took.
I have severe cracking neck and it’s always worse in the cold weather, sometimes my neck locks and I have to pull it back with my hands which is horrible ! My latest MRI scan revealed my neck and spine to be badly damaged by RA and severe tendinitis from psoriatic arthritis. I also have wear and tear/bursa on both shoulders which makes matters worse. I had guided steroid jabs in my shoulders around November which did give bit of relief but they have worn off now. You might find it helps keeping your neck warm, I wrap a pure silk scarf or an alpaca scarf round mine even when I’m in the house, and often use the wheat bags you warm in the microwave, it really does help xx
I can’t stand my neck cold so always wear a scarf when out and a cardigan with a hood indoors so I can pull it up around my neck. I just get fed up of hearing it crunch every time I move my head. Also the pain sometimes is well a pain lol. I also use the heated wheat wraps but tbh they don’t do a lot for me.
I suppose my neck/spine problems have become a way of life now, I,can’t even remember what it was like to be pain free. My friends and family hate it when they hear my neck noises, I try and see the funny side, but whenever my neck cracks the pain is pretty severe
My daughters can even hear it cracking when we are talking on the phone. My spinal consultant has told me I can never have surgery on my neck as it would be too dangerous, so it’s something I must cope with. My son got me a heated neck/shoulder cape type thing for Christmas and it was so soothing, but I noticed that every time I used it my heart was racing like mad. On researching this on google I found others suffering the same, seems that the magnetic closure at the front can cause erratic heartbeats to anyone with existing heart problems (I have arrhythmia ), so that was really disappointing as I had to stop using it. Anyway I gave it to my neighbour and he’s loving it, so it went to a good home 😂😂xx
Same here Flatstanley my husband hears mine crack from across the other side of the room.
I have a heated neck/shoulder cape thingy that has plastic press studs closing it. Lovely when it’s on but then I’m tempted to sit too long and suffer because of that 🙄
I’ll have to look for one with plastic press studs Kitty. It is soothing to sit with a heated device on and I always end up falling asleep, but when you are suffering pain like we are it’s. such a treat ! Xx
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