neck pain, turning head very painful. PMR/GCA flare?

[Mstiles]

For the past several days I’ve had a stiff neck and neck pain when turning my head and looking down, it’s pretty bad this morning after waking up. Also much worse tinnitus and ears feel blocked. Heating pad seemed to worsen it.

I’ve been trying to sort out what’s been causing pain in various body parts and a wobbly gait for the past 5-6 months. I’m in the US and our health system is a mess, short staffed, wait times for appts are long. . Shoulder and possibly hip tendonitis diagnosed so far. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis ruled out by blood tests.

I’m on 9 mg pred and haven’t increased it in the last months, I’ve been trying to rule out other causes before resorting to an increase.

Diagnosed with PMR and occipital GCA 4 years ago. I can’t remember a stiff neck and neck pain when diagnosed, but I had shoulder and head pain, occipital area.

Have massive stress with troubled son going on.

Looking for advice please.

[SheffieldJane]

I have had similar symptoms for a few weeks and also avoided increasing my Pred dose. I have not had these symptoms associated with PMR or GCA. A flatter pillow has helped and when sitting, a horseshoe shaped pillow took the weight of my head. I am doing sick day rules at present and my neck pain has eased. I know I have moderate cervical Spondylosis from an X Ray.

I am sorry that the stress associated with your son continues. Tension does make pain much worse. Literally a pain in the neck. I would see your doctor and get it checked out.

[Mstiles in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you

day rules, I’ll have to look up. Increase by 5 I think

[Mstiles in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks so much. I tried the flatter pillow and it really helped. I take my pred in the morning, and by this afternoon the pain was much better, it was pretty bad until then.

I looked up sick day rules and it recommends increasing by 10 mg. Did you increase that much? I was thinking of a 5 mg Increase which I’ve done before during a flare.

Thank you Jane.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Mstiles]

I doubled my 5 mgs dose as told to do by my Endocrinologist. 10 mgs seems to be enough.

[Sharitone]

Sounds like SJ has cracked it, but I just wanted to add that you can also use the horseshoe neck pillow to keep your head straight at night, like a kind of hairband.

Commiserations. I sometimes think that if my problematic son were sorted out, then I might suddenly get better!🙂

[Mstiles in reply to Sharitone]

Thank you for commiserations and understanding the son factor Sharitone, I really appreciate it.

The pain is a little better today. I went back to using my CBD oil and that seemed to help. Maybe I need a neck X-ray, one area I haven’t investigated yet.

[Hildalew]

Is there anything you can do to reduce the level of the stress related to your son?