How to get through the day when pain exhausting?!

[GlasgowNeil]

My headache and neck an shoulder tension are terrible today after a poor nights sleep. I got up at 8.30am rather than lie in and then not sleep again tonight. My question is I've now got a whole day ahead of me and feel terrible. What do other people do when they feel like this?

[haribo36]

Good morning,I normally take the day off and stay in my onesie and rest in bed with my heat bags.I don't work so it's easier for me to do this.I also cancel appointments and as I have carers they pick my son up from school and help with shopping,cooking etc..I normally go online a lot as I find it helps to chat with others with the same condition.I also. Make sure that I max out on my painkillers and do some very gentle stretches xxx

[haribo36 in reply to haribo36]

I forgot to say that I use 4head stick on my forehead,temples,neck and shoulders as I find it helps with the head and neck pain xxx

[GlasgowNeil in reply to haribo36]

Hi, thanks for your replies. I don't have a diagnosis but get chronic headaches and neck and shoulder tension and have done for years. Not sure why but it definitely gets worse with stress/anxiety and I'm experiencing a lot of that at the moment. I'm off sick again from work and feeling extremely anxious I won't be able to return. I am really worried that I'm going to lose my job ,not be able to work, lose my house. That will all be the final straw for my partner who does not want to become my carer! Sorry to direct all this at you, things are very difficult at the moment.

[haribo36 in reply to GlasgowNeil]

Hi again,I have fibromyalgia myself and always worked as a nurse.My last job was caring for terminally ill people with cancer in a hospice.I had to give up working even though I was the only breadwinner and it was so hard.I went through a knd of grieving process for the life I used to have and it took a long time to get through it.Have you got other symptoms alongside your pain?It sounds as if sleep problems are another issue,do you have widespread pain or just in the areas you mention?.Have you been referred to a rheumatologist and had tests done at all?Also,have you been referred to the pain management clinic?Xxx

[GlasgowNeil in reply to haribo36]

Hi. I currently work in a caring profession but am finding it really hard. It is terrifying at the moment to think I may have to give up my job if things don't improve. I only get pain in my neck and shoulders and a chronic tension headache which at the moment is exhausting me. I can't sleep as the headache either stops me from getting to sleep or wakes me up! I haven't seen a rheumatologist, what sort of tests were you thinking of? I'm on waiting list for pain management clinic, so that's something!

[haribo36 in reply to GlasgowNeil]

Hi again,it sounds as if your headaches are causing you to have the pain in your neck and shoulders as I get migraines and I get pain in my neck and shoulders with it.Are you taking any meds for your headaches?Your g.p could refer you to a rheumy just to rule out arthritis etc...Do you suffer with chronic fatigue ad well?Its not right that you shou

D be suffering 24/7 with chronic headaches as there are lots of meds you can try.You also need to try to reduce your stress if at all possible as this is not helping you xxx

[GlasgowNeil in reply to haribo36]

I'm currently on amitriptyline, citalopram and diclofenac. I feel very tired when the headaches are bad. It just takes away all my energy. Even chatting to people is tiring. Then when the headaches aren't there I feel much better and have more energy. Trouble is the headaches are a constant at the moment! I think my GP is also a bit sick of me asking to be referred here and there! Thanks again for your responses, it helps to discuss things with someone. My girlfriend has heard enough and my friends don't understand.

[Loopy-fifi]

It's a really hard one because some things you just have to do.I normally take my painkillers and try my best to carry on.

I work 25 hrs a week and I'm determined to not give this up,because besides this I've given up everything,I'd be a recluse.Plus the girls I work with are really nice so it's social for me as well.There are times when I have to leave early because I can't take the pain(grin and bear it if you like), but it just gives me that little bit of get up and go.

My 14 year old daughter takes my 9 year old son to and from school ,because the walking puts strain on my legs a bit too much,but you may find once you're out doing what you need to do ,and you don't have a choice,that you do manage.

I know how hard it can be when you just want to not do anything,and at this time of year it can be next to impossible,but just take it as easy as you can,because I know my biggest problem is stressing and it makes me a whole lot worse.You can only do what you can do.Perhaps I should take my own advice lol

[Loopy-fifi]

That's a hard one as well,if you have no diagnosis then you can't claim a disability allowance.Im really lucky as well because I have worked where I am for 14 years so the people are really understanding.If I said I needed a month off it wouldn't be a problem,but I don't get sick pay so that's another reason I just have to muddle through

[GlasgowNeil in reply to Loopy-fifi]

Hi. Thanks for your replies. You are right it's the stressing I'm doing at the moment that's not helping! It's really difficult to relax at the moment. I like your username by the way

[Loopy-fifi]

Thanks lol that's the way it makes you feel sometimes like you're going crazy. People don't understand and they think your some kind of hypochondriac. I have a really good gel off my doctors, felgel it's called , it doesn't work all the time , but it's brilliant for my legs when the muscles are giving me grief, made do just the trick for your shoulders. Doesn't smell like deep heat or other ones either, just don't touch your lips after you apply lol

[GlasgowNeil in reply to Loopy-fifi]

Yep, I'm pretty sure my Medical Records have 'Crank - approach with caution' stamped on them. My GP has a bit of a 'here we go again' look about him at the moment! I googled felgel but can't seem to find it, is it fenagel?

[Loopy-fifi]

It contains ketoprofen and I know it changed its name . Used to be just ketoprofen gel. I don't know if you've ever watched House lol, but I wreckon he'd be able to sort us all out lol

[Loopy-fifi]

Sorry just checked feldene gel

[GlasgowNeil in reply to Loopy-fifi]

Cheers. Never seen House. I need Abi from ER!

[Loopy-fifi in reply to GlasgowNeil]

You should watch it he fixes everyone lol.its showing on sky Atlantic at the moment.The shows finished now,I've watched all the series,but they're on this channel I don't know what series they're on try it

[Hidden]

Hello

If I knew that I would make a fortune.

Basically I do not know what your conditions are, all I do is pace the day, not do to much and know your limits.

Pain and RA has this problem as do other conditions.

Today I have been in the garden I know when to stop, I do not go beyond that. I pace myself and stop before I become tired and sore

If the condition is temporary you can take some NSID,like a Brufen type medication, with a good painkiller say Paracetamol or codiene. a Paracodone mix. The chemist will also be able to suggest joint rubs, cream

What medications are you taking for your joint problems?. Generally I could suggest a warm shower, the head of it directed to the effected areas. I sounds by what you say is that the pains may be transmitting from your neck and spine, direct the shower spray to that area, moving the shower head down toward the lower part of the effected area.

If you use a joint rub place the tube in warm water, then apply it to the warm skin this will assist the cream getting into the skin

Personally now if you have not done so all ready is see the GP he will give medications and possibly arrange an appointment with a Specialist , If He/She thinks it is needed. Discuss the purchase of a TENS, so you can have a little training in its use.

All the best

BOB

[GlasgowNeil in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for you advice Bob.

[nedd]

I listen to the radio. It cheers me up.

Snuggle up with whippet. But try not to spend too long off my feet or I seize up.

Also something that I came across at the Pain Clinic that's helpful. Daft as it sounds I pace up and down the kitchen as fast as I can. My kitchen is not so long only 5 steps wall to wall. But I find the rhythm really does help for a bit. It's better than the alternative which is head banging. The pain is sometimes at a Pitch that i find it near impossible to stay still.

How people who lack mobility cope I dread to think.

Some days do seem never ending.

Just remember that you got through yesterday. And start recording your successes, jot them down it helps you remember that you managed to swim before.

If you are worrying and over tired things always seem so much more unbearable.

Good luck

[nedd]

Basically. Distraction distraction distraction.

[GlasgowNeil in reply to nedd]

Thanks Nedd, I have a dog too, walking her helps.

[Loopy-fifi]

Sorry to mess you around again,the gel I had before was ketoprofen gel.Theres was a manufacturers fault and they stopped it,so I have feldene gel which contains piroxicam.Its not as good as the other but it does help.Ive just got home from work and my whole backs aching as it has helped.Nothing makes the pain go hundred percent I don't think,but I'm good as long as it's pain I can do stuff through.Ive always been so energetic,and it really disheartens me when I have to just rest.Makes me feel lazy

[earthwitch]

heating pad on my neck and upper back. Desperately try to keep my head and neck in a good position. Do some gentle neck stretches. Struggle on, and hope I crash the next night.

Sorry, not much help, but know what its like.

[chriswinkle in reply to earthwitch]

Hi Loopy-fifi,

My husband is prescibed Oruvail Gel which contains Ketoprofen 2.5 per cent, it is certainly available in England. With my Dr's permission I use it on my lower back and shoulder at night, sometimes it helps. Think I will try it on my neck as well as I do have problems there too.

Hope you can find it.

Chrissy

[johnsmith]

Book an appointment with an Alexander Teacher. They are expensive, however they may be able to make the difference between keeping a job and losing it.

Lack of sleep can increase muscle tension considerably. There are lots of things which may or may not make a difference. Without a list of how soft is your bed, how much exercise do you do and other things it is a bit difficult to give advice.

[GlasgowNeil in reply to johnsmith]

I've thought about Alexander Technique but price always puts me off. I've got a good firm bed and use a Tempur pillow. I also regularly walk the dog and cycle when I can!

[johnsmith in reply to GlasgowNeil]

I have just looked at the tempur pillow. This may be the cause of your problem. You need to be able to move around when you sleep. A tempur pillow may well interfere with this by trapping the head.

The "natural curvature of your head and neck" as described by the tempur advert can be totally wrong because of muscle tension in the small internal muscles of the neck.

There is a biblical saying which says: "it is easy to see the dust speck in someone else's eye than the plank in your own. The surface muscles can appear to be very relaxed while the internal muscles can be very tense. I have learnt that I can detect muscle imbalances in someone else but find it extremely difficult if not impossible to detect them in myself.

The local adult education may offer group Alexander lessons which would work out cheaper than an individual lessons and would give a flavour of what it is about without the full benefit of an individual lesson.

Cycling although good exercise can cause the leg muscles to become too tight which in turn can cause shoulder and neck problems. My chiropractor (on the NHS) regularly has to stretch out my over tight leg muscles.

Too much Muscle tension can become ingrained because of habit. Because it is a habit of long standing we can fail to realise that we are too tense. Even when someone points this out to us we cannot change to a more efficient muscular tension because we often do not know how to.

There was a large trial of about 1000 people recently of Alexander lessons versus physiotherapy. The results are not published yet. It was found that the Alexander lessons improved the proprioception whereas physiotherapy failed to do so. I am waiting for the results of this trial to be published. (I know people who were involved in this trial).

NICE does not evaluate many of the more useful therapies because it will not look at individual therapies. This means that NICE will only look at trials of large amounts of people which means that if one follows the NICE recommendations blindly the patient can get injured.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propr...

in Proprioception (/ˌproʊpri.ɵˈsɛpʃən/ PRO-pree-o-SEP-shən), from Latin proprius, meaning "one's own", "individual" and perception, is the sense of the relative position of neighbouring parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement.[1] It is provided by proprioceptors in skeletal striated muscles and in joints.

My regime at the moment is:

McTimony Chiropractic about once every six weeks - on the NHS

T'ai Chi regularly

cycling - this is the only means of transport I have

Alexander Technique once to twice a month

Meditation and Mindfulness

All the techniques help my situation and any one technique by themselves would not be as helpful.

Hope this helps

[Hidden in reply to johnsmith]

Well said I agree 🙏

[suemlou]

i try to do as much as i can .even just coming on comp sometimes just takes my mind of pain.if i lye in bed it hurts more

[mcpip]

A neck retraction may help, unwind and use some heated products like deep heat or water bottle but neck retractions are so helpful 

[suemlou]

Hi im in the same boat ..but with Arthrites ..doctor gave me 4 different pain killers,but i cant sleep at night for pain....go on this site in the day, hope someone can give me good advice ,bless you