After a small blip where I have had to increase steroids from 8mg to 10mg to get rid of pains in hips and shoulders, I have not been able to get rid of my neck pain. It has bothered me for months now but I have ignored it as I have generally been feeling ok. I don't want to increase but wondered if anyone had any advice on how to make it feel better? I've tried physio and massage in the past and it does not help.
(On a side question do I post this to everyone or just in the community members?)
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Mamamia21
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It feels like muscle pain on both sides of my head. I can't turn my head more than 45 degrees each way without pain. Up and down is painful too. If I circle my head it crunches. I hope that makes sense... It hurts all day.... I do sleep ok with it... What helps? Heat from a hot shower but little else.
Sounds like you need to really look in detail at what you’re doing and the things Mrs Nails says. When you were referred to the physio, what diagnosis was it for? What did the physio do? Did it feel better for a time after the session? Are there times of day when it’s worst? What do you do all day? Sounds like you need to have it seen again but go with really clear information on aspects in the answers to all these questions you’re getting.
As Snazzy says what kind of neck pain, did you notice it when you first had symptoms of PMR?
My neck & shoulders were a real problem, there is often tension in your neck which we involuntarily make worse ourselves by tensing up. Warmth is very soothing & l was prescribed Amitriptyline long before l had PMR Symptoms, it really relaxes the muscles when you sleep.
You also need to assess yourself, what makes it worse? Using the Computer? How do you sleep, do you need a change of pillow, your position when watching TV that kind of thing.....
Try tensing your shoulders then relax them - see the difference, try gentle movements with your neck to try & loosen it up.
Have you had it X-rayed, personally l wouldn’t want massage or physio until you know if it’s anything specific, in the meantime keep trying to relax & keep your neck warm.
Its been a long journey, nearly 5 years now. Neck and shoulders have been trouble on and off but usually, when the pred has sorted my shoulders the neck gets better too. This time round it came on and stayed and is separate to shoulder pain. I do think there is a lot in the fact I am on the computer a lot. When I sit in the evening looking down at my crochet it can hurt but really if I keep it in one position for a long time it can really hurt when I move again. It has obviously ceased up...
I've never had it X-rayed as I thought it was just part of the overall issue. When I went for a massage it was to help with pain management and although I could feel her working on my sore muscles it never improved so stopped.
When I can see the doctor again I will mention it.
It can be helpful to do tasks in shorter bursts so you change your position more. I use my phone, rather than the PC as l can position it to suit me better. I never talk on the phone using a handset 📞 or the mobile to my ear, l always chat using the speaker facility otherwise l tip my neck to the side. When l was working l always wore a headset so l had both hands free to type & pull diaries without bending my neck to the side!
On your side question ....if it a query about your illness then select community members - doubt if anyone on another forum could help significantly.
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Have you been X Rayed? Mine showed significant Cervical Spondylosis, caused by lots of screen work in my last job and probably poor posture, facing a PC. It was agony when I first retired but got easier as time went on. I was offered a very risky operation that I declined at the time. It did play a part in my subsequent PMR and even my GCA ( back of the skull pain) in that the pain joined the chorus. It has settled a lot, a few years on.
I too have horrible neck pain, and had an MRI done recently. It showed some wear and tear but nothing sinister. The doctor, telephone consult, said it was arthritis. Perhaps it is perhaps it isn't, but I do find that Voltarol helps a lot. I am pretty certain in my own mind that it is not PMR
I have something very similar which happened on our one day allowed family Christmas. I put it down to being over exuberant with my twin baby grandsons! It has still not settled properly but I find a heated neck wrap helps a bit - and I have been doing gentle exercises which helps too. Hope yours clears.
Up to you - if you put just community it will still come up on searches based on the title but only members of the HU community can read it. And it is easy enough to join so what difference does it make? It is often how people find the forum - they google a problem, a post comes up and they come and have a look.
Your description of the neck pain could suggest either a really severe muscle problem or a neck disc problem - and one could cause the other. I used to go to a super osteopath who just worked on one sticky disc and I got relief. If there is a structural problem, the muscles tighten to try to prevent further pain.
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Tapering advice
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Advice and some reassurance please
