Neck ach

[zoey12]

Wonder if anyone would have any ideas. Today got this ach on right side of neck to ear. I had this for best part on 2 years with a little moving pain side of ear which lasted 2 seconds. Now and then. That’s 2 years before I got. Pmr. I got pmr around October 2021. Started predoslone 24 jan 2022 on 15 mg. no symptoms since then. And fine apart from predoslone side effects Think I got it by watching tv with my head turned to one side all eve. As when I moved seats to sit with my head straight it improved. That’s back then. 4 days ago came down from 8 mg go 7 mg And today it’s come back. But the ach is there. Most of the time. But not very painful. I was wondering if any one had any ideas about what it could be. Thanks Feels like it could be something to do with my teeth or ear. Just hoping it’s not anything to do with gca

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Ears issues can be associated with GCA-see link, but would have expected it to be there at higher doses - but maybe worth further investigation-

link.springer.com/epdf/10.1...

Could be TMD /TMJ -

nhs.uk/conditions/temporoma...

[123-go]

Hi, zoey12. I think I would pay my dentist a visit in the first instance to rule out the possibility of a jaw problem and follow up with my GP. Your symptoms could be due to posture as you've mentioned, or a pinched nerve or muscle issue.

[zoey12 in reply to 123-go]

Thank you. I will try dentist and try the pinched nerve. Approach First hopefully it’s not gca thanks

[SnazzyD]

Just to add another thing into the pot that can mimic GCA type pains is sternokleidomastoid muscle tension; I’ve had a few scares due to this. It’s worth keeping on top of this easily upset muscle set whatever this turns out to behealthline.com/health/stern...

[zoey12 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks. You could be right. I will investigate further about this. Suggestion see if I can relax all nerves around there. It would make sense I have been very tense about getting pmr do that won’t help. Thank you

[SnazzyD in reply to zoey12]

And for most of us, our posture can easily become total rubbish.

[zoey12 in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes I have noticed recently mine is starting to go a bit slumped That’s not good for any part of body as it effects everything

[zoey12 in reply to SnazzyD]

You know you may be right I have just realised. When I slump it tightens my neck that area that aches. Then straighten up and takes tension off. Thanks you may have found my problem

[SnazzyD in reply to zoey12]

The worst is jutting the chin forward and bending neck over, also sleeping on one’s front. I am fighting to stop myself sleeping this way!

[zoey12 in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes I have realised that’s what I m doing and a bit round shoulders I didn’t use to be. But just tried it. And you can feel tension in neck. I sleep on my side so ok.

[SnazzyD in reply to zoey12]

As long as your neck is straight when you lie. Even if this is the magic bullet, watch those reductions.

[zoey12 in reply to SnazzyD]

I will. Take care

[LeighDelaine in reply to SnazzyD]

Just to muscle in here (excuse the pun) - I sleep on my front too and often wake up with a headache, painful neck and upper back. It’s hard not to worry about GCA. Really helpful article and even exercises to help.

[SnazzyD in reply to LeighDelaine]

If I flip over onto my front while asleep I wake up exactly the same.

[Koalajane]

I would say to get down to 7mg in 5 months is very fast. Perhaps taper by. .5mg from now

[zoey12 in reply to Koalajane]

I have been fine till now. But maybe pushed it too hard this last reduction.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My vote is along with Snazzy! SCM muscle ...

[zoey12 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks I m going with that. Get some heat on it massage etc. And you have all made me realise I m not comfy on my settee. At the head test. Since buying another one 2 years ago. And that’s when it started. So hopefully it’s not the start of gca. Which I was dreading

[Mazwendy]

Hi there I have this and my rheumatologist told me it was linked to arthritis in my neck as I also get pains from base of neck up to back of my skull.She said the higher doses of preds in the past have masked it. I also get this when I have tapered down but I do know now that it's not pmr/gca as I do have osteoarthritis in my spine. Hope this helps.

[zoey12 in reply to Mazwendy]

Yes that helps thanks. I will have to keep an eye on it

[PMRnewbie2017]

You might like to Google the scalene muscles too.

[Daffodilia]

Sounds like you might need to think about GCA but have it checked by dentist and hearing expert - we have similar pains and earache and use an inhaler before bed for 15 mins

[Suffererc]

Yes. Had it for a few weeks. Ache with the occasional electric shock shooting upwards

[PMR2011]

One more thought to add to the other’s. As I tapered Pred, at lower doses I found aches from old wounds resurfaced. The good news is, it seemed temporary lasting a few days to a few weeks. Sometimes our Osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions may worsen while on Pred, but the symptoms are masked until we get to lower doses. Might try Tylenol to see if that helps the pain. If it does probably not GCA or PMR. Good luck!

[zoey12 in reply to PMR2011]

Hi thanks for your reply. Yes I am hoping it’s an old injury from watching tv with head turned to right. Also when I went on pred all my knee pain just disappeared but I am sure it must come back at some point as my dose lowers. I will stay on 7 mg till I feel settled as yesterday which was my 5 th day on 7 mg I felt tired. But better today. That’s the first time I have felt tired so wonder if it’s adrenal glands. We will see Hope you are doing ok on your journey

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to zoey12]

Adrenals -maybe? -bit more info here -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Knee pain-unfortunately very likely to return when you get lower on Pred, unless it was PMR related and not something else like arthritis

[MB2016]

I recently had a flare. Worse in the elbows but it went up my neck into my jaw and my ear a little. It is slowly going away.