I've had a stiff neck for several days now. I had initially thought it was a GCA symptom which I had had previously and returned to 15mg pred for five days but it is no better. It seems to sometimes be on both sides of my neck/occipital region, sometimes on only one. I'll try to contact my GP but they're only doing phone consultations and are very busy so haven't been in touch yet.
Look forward to hearing your collective wisdom.
When I experienced this, I traced it to my firm pillows. I was sleeping higher up because of a blocked nose. The pain at the back of my skull and both sides of my neck was surprisingly severe. I do have Cervical Spondylosis, that doesn’t trouble me too much since I took early retirement from an office job, with a lot of computer work. Paracetamol can be helpful and sitting up with the weight of my head supported and my feet up. Pred had no real impact. I hope this helps.
I do use a v-pillow which has always given me the right support until now. I do think it may be sleep related as it gets better later in the day.
I found that an old fashioned rubber hot water bottle, not filled completely full so there is 'wiggle room' has helped me. I put it under my neck when I sleep. (I have one what think is called a contour pillow.) Anyway, I put the hot water bottle underneath my neck, on top of the pillow, and it's like a little mini-waterbed for the neck. This has also helped me with headaches - I wake up less often now with a raging headache, which is very nice.
Have you tried using a heat pack or cool pack on it yet ?
Do you find it improves or gets worse with gentle movement exercise?
Do you have any Pain?
Does it feel relieved if you put your hands with gentle pressing at the sides of your neck or on the back of your head at the base of the skull?
If so , which of these things gave at least some relief , this will help people know what things they can suggest to help you relieve your symptoms if it is a non emergency event.
Let us know xx
Thanks for the suggestions: I haven't tried heat or cold yet. I don't have any pain as such just awkward stiffness. The massage at the side and back of the neck does help so I will continue with that. I've done a little gentle housework this morning and it does seem easier now.
I only went up to 15mg just before Christmas because I had a flare and have been reducing from that and this began in my first full week at 13.5 (12.5 having been too big a jump) which is why I thought it might be GCA related.
I'll try GP again this afternoon and will mention what's helping and what isn't.
Hi Maria, do you have PMR....or should I say if you have investigated pillows, sleeping positions etc, then it may be PMR. My neck was a prime site for PMR was was immobile sometimes. Now you are down in the <15mg range any one symptoms that may have been masked by GCA level doses may be showing themselves. How does everything else feel...hips, shoulders etc? Mention anything when you speak to the dr.
What dose were you down to when this struck?
Gx Pillows brilliant.
I will check them out.. have a u pillow now which helps as cuddling it seems to give neck support...go figure!
I do have PMR as well as GCA. I've used a V-pillow very successfully for a while now.
I had to increase my dose to 15 from 6.5 just before Christmas as I had a GCA flare. The idea was only to stay at that dose for s short time but I couldn't get to see my GP for a month and have been reducing slowly from 15 to 13.5. I tried 12.5 but got headaches. Stiffness started on my first full week of 13.5.
I think it sounds like flare then doesn't it. Maybe an extra 5mg making it 18 to 19mg from original 13.5, for a week then back to 14mg? It has worked for me at lower doses. I had a fall this week so increased from 7mg to 10mg as advised in some research. And have done the extra 5mg blast for a previous flare. 6m to 11mg for a week then 7mg. Always going back to higher than before or to the last dose you were okay at.
BUT it may be GCA and PMR flaring so you need to establish that?
When you left the message for your GP, did you emphasize to the person who took the call, that you had PMR and GCA symptoms and rather than go straight to A&E at this point in time - you need to speak urgently to protect your sight. Remember the person who answers does not know medical stuff.
If not, make that call again and emphasize the situation.
I called my GP yesterday, with a problem as my cousin who lives with me is 90 and has Lupus blah blah etc.
Left a message and was astounded when one of the Nurse Practioners was back to me within 15 minutes. I asked her 'how come'.............. as it is not that fast in normal times - "any person calling over 65 and/or with certain conditions etc. - we have always been asked name and date of birth, your history is then in front of them
If it were me, I would suspect myofascial pain syndrome, Are the muscles on the top of your shoulders hard and tender? That can irritate the nerves passing nearby and that can extend up into the neck and cause pain. Warmth would be a good place to start.
I believe I definitely have mfs...but it's when you talk about needling....it puts me straight into denial. 😬
Doesn't HAVE to be needling - a good therapeutic masseur or sports physio can do it, just a lot slower - ergo, costs more! But everyone I know who has had it says the same: if you won't have it done, the pain isn't bad enough 
Yes I have used sports massage. But you are right... Bless tramadol and now gabapentin. Without the cash here I haven't even managed to get a physio to even say massage an option. I have said massage really helps, especially deep tissue. They look at the screen hum and ha then booked me onto reboot "therapy" group.
Thanks to everyone who responded. I had further attempts to contact my GP yesterday afternoon and got so exhausted I feel asleep on the sofa. When I woke the pain was much less and by suppertime had virtually gone. Much better this morning as well, such a relief after six days . I also gave my V-pillow a good pummelling so it can do its maximum.
As I'd only increased my dose to 15mg for five days I assume it will be alright to go back to 13.5 with the aim of getting to 12.5 in four to five weeks.
Yes you can drop....but why not ensure it wasn't the pred by doing the 7days...you can drop then just the same.
They need a good pummelling and swing around to put it all back where you want it. Glad you are feeling better. Sleep works wonders.
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