Bad neck and shoulder pain

[Plains]

I have very bad neck pain, it hurts to move my neck. My shoulders are very sore as well. I was able to reduce my prednisone to 4 recently from 4 1/2. I hate to have to back up but I don’t know what else I can do. It is interesting that the rest of my body does not feel that bad. No headaches.. so I guess that is good. Have a nice day everyone!

[piglette]

I find by going up 5mg for a week or so and really hitting the PMR on the head and then reducing back say to 5.5mg first to make sure things are still OK works well. I agree it is a bit depressing having to increase the dose but it is better than being in pain.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Where exactly is it sore? Could it be a sternocleidomastoid muscle problem?

physio-pedia.com/Sternoclei...

healthline.com/health/stern...

[Plains in reply to PMRpro]

It is at the base on my neck near my shoulders.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Plains]

About where the SCM muscle attaches to the collarbone?

[Plains in reply to PMRpro]

Yes sorry..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Plains]

Have you read all the links I gave you? There are suggestion for relieving it and things that may have caused it - a change in sleeping position for example, even a night on a hotel bed with different pillows can be enough!

But the attachment of the SCM muscle to the collarbone can be affected in PMR and become inflamed which is what makes it sore. Then a bit more pred for a few days MIGHT help.

[Plains in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I have been reading the information, thank you very much. I have tried changing pillows. Tuesday night I am spending the night in a hotel visiting a friend. We shall see…

[Plains in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much for the information you sent me in the links. My neck feels much better today! 🌻

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Plains]

So glad!

[Noosat in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMR you just answered a question I had. This morning awoke with the shoulder kneck pain. I have been taking 3mg for months and yesterday started to reduce to 2.5 on very slow method. This morning I took 5mg hoping that would help and will try to go back to 3 in couple of days.

[Suffererc]

I have got down to 2. Only .5 at a time using DL DSNS plan. Sometimes have to do the plan twice.

[Knit11]

The following link shows you how to release neck and shoulder tension in 30 seconds. I do this and it works!

youtu.be/qx6D-qGI6wg(Not working as expected?)

Hope it helps!

[Plains in reply to Knit11]

Thank you, good advice!

[cranberryt]

My neck and shoulders are the first thing to hurt when my dose goes too low.

[Rich7]

Hello Plains,

I have been experiencing the same thing. Extreme neck pain, diminishing as it goes down to my shoulder and disappearing as it goes into my upper arm. It seems to occur overnight, only. I don’t know if that is the case with you, but I would like to hear from you if it is.

I have been ignoring it as a possible PMR flare because it seems to be only on one side, but your symptoms and the comments of others makes me think it could be a flare showing up in a new form.

Changing pillows does not help, but, reading PMR Pro’s advice to you, I think I’ll try a higher dose and take it before bedtime rather than with breakfast as I had been doing.

Please let us know if your increased dose helps.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rich7]

If it is sternocleidomastoid problems it might take a bit longer and a bit more than just adjusting your pillow.

[Rich7 in reply to PMRpro]

I know it’s not sternocleidomastoid problems because I automatically reject any conditions that I cannot pronounce.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rich7]

Doesn't mean it isn't the right answer though!!!!

[Plains in reply to Rich7]

Hi Rich, I read the information PMRpro sent me and did the exercises. I also changed pillows and I am doing much better. I did not go up with my prednisone. I take 2mg in the morning and 2mg around 6:30pm. That works for me. You may want to try the exercises. Best of luck!

[Rich7 in reply to Plains]

Thank you, Plains. I tried an additional 5mg last night at bedtime on top of my usual 3mg with breakfast. …mixed results. Will try again tonight.

Also will try the video exercise today. (Forgot about it).

Regards, Rich