Pain and rheumatoid arthritis

[Indersisive71]

Has anyone had a stiff neck wih rheumatoid arthritis for the last week my neck has been stiff at the moment I have a flare in my hands and shoulders,

[J1707-]

yes I do sign of disease activity. I can’t turn my head and lying down doesn’t help . The disease that keeps on giving

[Indersisive71 in reply to J1707-]

Thanks for replying .as you say it never stops giving

[EarthRock]

Yes, in bad flares I get neck pain sometimes I can even feel pain the top of my spine at back of my head. Fingers crossed you start to feel better soon. Good luck.

[Indersisive71 in reply to EarthRock]

Thanks for replying, yes that's where I get it and the sides. I have had it everywhere else but not there.first time for everything

[Gottarelax]

when I first succumbed to RA, my neck completely seized. It’s better than it was now but I still get quite a bit of pain in my neck.

[Indersisive71 in reply to Gottarelax]

Thanks for replying, I feel very reassured now with knowing, just want sure what it could be.

[LinaM]

yes I get a stiff neck when I have a flare … just really achy and occasionally excruciating. I find those warm packs filled with grains you heat in the microwave really help . Also infra red lamp on my neck can help. Hope is eases for you soon !

[Gilliancheche]

Yes same here. Sometimes it is just minor pain and I can't turn my head far. Other times it becomes extremely painful. I also use a wheatbag to get some relief plus painkillers.

[Indersisive71 in reply to Gilliancheche]

Thanks for replying I will try the grain bag

[Gilliancheche in reply to Indersisive71]

I find it works best if you use it as soon as neck starts hurting rather than wait till it is unbearable. Also take painkillers sonner rather than later.

[Knittingsarah]

Yes, when I have a flare it usually starts in my neck. I use a heated wheat bag followed by an ice pack and then heat again. I saw a physio and she recommended that I improve my posture and stand straight with my shoulders level. The pain tends to progress to my shoulders and upper arms. Doing gentle neck stretches helps me. There are some excellent ones on the Versus Arthritis website. I do hope that you get some relief soon.

[Hidden]

I get one on occasion. I have a wheat pack I put in the microwave which helps.

[calflo]

I’ve got it at the moment, and had it on and off since last August.

I just thought it was bad posture in the early days and changed many pillows and lots and lots of painkillers. I didn’t realise it could’ve been a flare.

Then saw the GP who was going to arrange physio…. In between all this I had numerous flares elsewhere in my body.

Finally I saw the RA consultant and got a steroid injection in January. I’m now waiting for a further appointment this month with consultant as it’s happening much too often now. Need to discuss increase or changing meds.

[Indersisive71 in reply to calflo]

Thanks for replying. Hope you get sorted, I can accept it as long as I know what is going on,

[calflo in reply to Indersisive71]

me too now that I know it’s to do with my RA and not something else. Hope you are pain free soon x

[Bookworm55]

Yes in my last flare in March I had bad neck pain and bought a memory foam pillow which helped. Now in yet another flare (due to meds being changed ) and my neck seems ok - moved down to my knees and feet instead. 😫

[janmary]

yes - sometimes in a flare - but last year in a generalised major flare it was as right at the top of my neck and absolutely excruciating and nauseating . I felt that my head was not securely attached to my spine - weird. Was seen urgently by nurse - who called consultant in - neuro exam, xray, steroid depot injection, it soon settled. It can be dangerous however and needs to be checked

[calflo in reply to janmary]

did it feel like your head was too heavy for your shoulders, and sometimes when you turned got an excruciating pain radiating through your skull?

[janmary in reply to calflo]

yes - and pain could radiate to jaws and shoulders

[janmary in reply to calflo]

hope yours settles soon - you should get it checked

[calflo in reply to janmary]

I have an appointment at the end of May thank you

[helenlw7]

I was diagnosed with RA in 2004 and in recent years I’ve had issues with my neck. The bones grate - that’s what it feels like - when I turn my head and it’s quite painful. For a long time I’ve felt that my movement was restricted, and this was confined by the dr who did the pre-op for my knee replacement.

[Evie3]

It can pop up all over. A warm Wheat bag gives some relief. Take care

[Happy5]

Yes from time to time during flares or illness. I alternate with ice packs and warm lavender wheat bag, as well as analgesics.

[cuppa69]

Sadly, yes, especially during times of stress. On one occasion I could actually feel my neck and neck start to lock up as I was getting some bad news. They eased off after about a week.

I found applying heat and stretching as often as possible really helped. Best of luck 😊