can ra affect your neck?

[jaqi1]

[fizzy]

I would say yes, it can, your neck has synovial joints the same as other body areas. I get jaw pain which is definately RA, I can tell. Although, saying that, I do get neck pain, and having seen a physio colleague recently it really did improve, and disappear, now when it gives me problems I do more exercises, and I try to do maintenaince exercises for posture and strengthening....so your pain could just be "a bad neck"....try and get it looked at by a physio, after an assessment and some simple exercises it might improve. HTH? x

[Hidden]

Yes, my neck is at times badly affected. I was given an ARC Leaflet called 'A Pain In the Neck' by the rheumy - this has some very good range of movement exercises which really help with keeping things moving. I declined surgery as the cervical spine is not an area that I want touched unless things get really desperate - and the success rate wasn't sufficiently good for me to feel like risking it, but this is my personal choice. I have neurological problems caused by pinched nerves - this causes me to lose the feeling and movement in my arms when this area is actively inflamed.

I've had a decent result from making postural changes, using foam blocks etc for support and changing the height of my computer and laptop so that I put the least amount of stress on my neck when in cyber-space. I got a different type of pillow - trying quite a few before settling on a Tempur pillow. A friend who is a Physiotherapist was a great help with the postural stuff, exercises and aids - so ask for a referral. I went privately initially as I was desperate and there was a long wait time.

Pain wise I use a combination of Tramadol and diclofenic gel applied directly on the hot arrear. If it's part of a flare then it's a Kenalog injection [steroid].

Hope this helps,

Cece x

[emandedmum]

Yes, I suffer with neck problems too. Exercises, hot and cold packs and pain relief help to ease it. As quickly as it came one it goes off again but can take a good few days and can be very, very uncomfortable Hope you feel better soon x

[Candy in reply to emandedmum]

I have sero negative polyarthritis, and my neck was the first symptoms I had, before going to all other joints. Although I attended physio, it did not really improve untill I started all the medication. My jaw was also involved, not being able to open my mouth properly and chewing was a problem. It also impacts on my head in respect of getting regular headaches and migraine type ones occasionally. Hope you get some improvement soon.

candy

[Hidden]

Yes my neck is affected also, Ive found a neck pillow helps me sleep better and a wheat bag eases the pain a little but physio and excersies are the best help.

Hope you get some relief soon xx

[jaqi1]

thank you everyone for your comments. my neck is so painful but i have been refferred to a physio which is next month so hopefully this will help. i was just a little confused because im on mtx and then all of a sudden new pains start to appear

[CathySmith]

Yes,Yes,Yes!!!!!I had a bone scan because my Rheumy thought i had bone cancer(thank God I did'nt) anyway the contrast dye showed the RA in every joint even my jaws so yes you can have it in your neck. my neck hurts so much sometimes i cry..So my answer YES! Good luck.......