Neck pain anyone?

[paleolady]

My first question for the experts here. I am having neck pain, right side only. I have been going the PT for 4 months and it still bothers me. My rheumy tells me it is not pmr because I should be experiencing the pain on both sides on neck. On 4mg after a year and a half. Has anyone else experienced chronic neck pain? Thanks

[123mossie]

Hi, sorry to hear about the neck pain, what a nuisance. He’s right, pmr pain is invariably bilateral. Does it respond to painkillers, what makes it worse, or better, Does it ever go away? I’d be talking to the gp to exclude causes such as a trapped nerve, osteoarthritis etc & take it from there.

[Nextoneplease in reply to 123mossie]

Well, while I do definitely have bilateral pain, it is often worse around my right shoulder and wrist, both of which I broke badly some years ago. I think this pain is partly, as you say, down to osteoarthritis and ongoing joint damage - but it also seems that the PMR inflammation finds the weakness and settles there. I certainly never had the level or type of pain before PMR.

So paleolady, I’m wondering whether something similar applies to you. Do you have a neck or shoulder problem that could be exacerbated by PMR? Do you have a postural issue that makes things worse? Just a little thing like holding a phone in one position for some time can cause pain.

I agree with 123mossie, you and hopefully your GP may need to consider a variety of possibilities.

Good luck, chronic pain is a real downer, I know xx

[paleolady in reply to 123mossie]

Thank you for all the replies. The muscles affected are the muscles from base of neck to behind my ear. There is a knot there, which PT is using ultra sound on. Also massage and stretching. Mom has arthritis , so assume I will get it as well. I'm 59, well tomorrow I am😀. I am already splitting my dose and other then my neck I feel pretty good. I have purchased 3 different pillows since Sept. 2021.

I try not to take any other meds besides the pred.

PT thinks I need an MRI.

I am working on my posture as well.

It sounds to me like this is something other than PMR from all of your comments.

Thank you again for all of the replies. I have found this forum very valuable in my daily life.

[rkmel]

Yes.

[Anna135]

I had a stiff/painful neck from the PMR, although it was both sides but definitely a bit more painful on one side than the other.

It's gone away ever since I started splitting my prednisone dose to morning and evening, instead of just once a day.

[Chris0808]

Yes I have Chronic neck pain but it is usually both sides. My neurologist did a CT scan and an MRI and found that I have very bad arthritis in my neck which at some point I may have to do surgery to release some of the nerve issues. I don't think that it has anything to do with my PMR it just so happens that they both have to do with arthritis. Ice packs do help so does Ibuprofen and tylenol.

[HamishPMR]

Yes, I have neck pain on my RHS which seems to last well in to the day, most noticeable when I am driving and checking for traffic coming from the right. I have thought for the last couple of years that it was PMR but not think that it is arthritic degeneration. I am 78. Any thought anyone?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HamishPMR]

See my reply below

[SnazzyD]

By PR I assume you mean physio therapist? If so, what do they think they are treating? What do you do a lot of with the right?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I do - it is associated with myofascial pain syndrome which can happen on its own but which is also often part of PMR. One side can start before the other, PT can stop the progression and enough oral pred may help too although there are better ways of treating it if you can access them.

Where in your neck? Is it the sternocleidomastoid muscle (side and front down to the collarbone) or does it stem from your shoulder muscles and go more up the back of your neck (trapesius or levator scapulus)?

spine-health.com/video/cerv...

And it MAY be something as simple as your pillow at night!!

[HamishPMR in reply to PMRpro]

Side and front. Pillow? Perhaps. Cervical collar in bed? Thanks for help PMRpro, as always

[xdbx]

Yes I’ve had persistent neck pain on LHS for about 20 years which started long b4 PMR and is due to osteoarthritis. I take pain meds for it daily - paracetamol & codeine on GP prescription - in addition to steady low dose pred - 2mg. I made some dietary changes after much trial and error and I also do neck exercises given by NHS physiotherapists over the years - and I’ve learned to live with now.

A high quality fish oil twice a day helps too - expensive but worth it.

I’ve tried all kinds of treatments and have now developed my own programme. The pain never goes away but can be managed with care and also continuous attention to posture and movement.

Daily meditation really helps with relaxation and lowering stress as well as acceptance and welcoming of not just neck pain but everything life offers! xx

[Broseley]

My PMR started with my right hip. It has always been worse on my right side, though spread to the left hip, knees, lower back and neck. My neck and jaw pain and headaches (GCA) have always been worse on the RHS too.

[ChrisinNam]

I've always had more problems on the left side than the right, but diagnosed with PMR nonetheless.

[kulina]

Yes, I had neck pain on one side only for a few months and it lasted all day and night. No amount of stretching or massage helped. I thought it was PMR but I experimented with my pillow and it turns out my pillow was too high. It's awful that something so simple as a pillow can cause so much pain. I was at 3mg Pred at the time.

[lesley2015]

Yes, I was diagnosed with cervicogenic pain radiates from neck to side of head, back of ear to skull but always start off with neck pain and only on one side. Not sue if that helps.