hi just wondering if anyone else has cracking sounds when they move their head and neck,even my husband can hear it
neck cracking: hi just wondering if anyone else has... - PMRGCAuk
neck cracking
Written by
Shaza123
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
31 Replies
•
My neck sounds like popcorn popping almost every time I move it. I am just attributing it to age, not PMR. It doesn’t hurt.
To be honest it’s been creeping up on me for the last three weeks sounds worse than it is. Since I’ve come down to 10 mg I’ve been having the strangest feeling of not quite being right. I walked tge dog three days ago and suddenly felt really strange like I was going to fall I went very clammy like a faint feeling,I had to phone my hubby to come and get me it was tge worse I’ve felt and I’m still not quite myself.
It may well be that you are one of the small number who start to feel adrenal problems at a higher dose - occasionally it does start about 10mg. Do these episodes happen when you are doing a bit more than usual?
I been down to 11mg for 2 weeks now, after my second attempt from 12.5mg, first time I had symptoms return, so went up to 15 for 5 days, the down to 12 for 5 weeks, then down to 11mg. A few minor grumbles in my right shoulder 4 & 5th day which cleared, so planning my next drop to 10mg in another 3 weeks time. Question: I have had some neck cracking for a couple of mornings, for some seconds on waking up, is it possible this could indicate adrenal problems? I was hoping to get through the winter on 10 mg to Spring, to avoid adrenal problem until next summer/autumn when I’m planning to get down to 5mg. My remaining concerns with my PMR is the risk of GCA and Adrenal problems, otherwise I plan to very slowly taper whilst if required remaining at the dose level for a relatively PMR symptom free life, which so far, during my six months since diagnosis has almost been the case.
Why would neck cracking suggest adrenal problems? At this dose it is possible but unlikely that you need any contribution from the adrenals for normal functions,
It is called crepitus and there are various underlying causes - but occasional cracking of joints is normal. In the morning it is probably related to how you were lying in bed. There is actually a current thread about it!
verywellhealth.com/neck-cre....
My question was in response to you stating the following: “It may well be that you are one of the small number who start to feel adrenal problems at a higher dose - occasionally it does start about 10mg”
But neck cracking isn't likely to be due to adrenal problems.
Yes I do. X Rays have shown that I have moderate Cervical Spondylosis. I believe from extensive screen work in my working life and poor posture.
Yes, I’ve had periods of this during my life. Usually chronic signees somewhere even if my neck doesn’t feel stiff as a whole. It has been helped by osteopathy or Bowen and sometimes just regular massage. Might be worth getting an x-ray if you can.
Did it come one suddenly or creep up after a particularly period or event? How does your neck feel overall?
Well to be honest it’s not to painful ,it sounds worse than it feels. I’m tapering my steroids and feeling really rough today. I’ve got down to 10 mg again but can still lift my arms ok so far which I couldn’t the last time I got to this dose so fingers crossed 👍
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer
Off and on, never associated with GCA… more likely osteoarthritis.
Have a look at this, has some suggestions on treatment -
Yes...frequently. Not painful though and mine definitely isn't linked to my PMR.
Age, wearing and general deterioration of vertebrae and surrounding structures likely culprits in my case.
Ditto comments by Kendrew and the others.
thanks for all the comments I think I’m just getting old🤣🤣
Better than the alternative…😳
I don't think it's age related. I think it's more about muscle contraction and subsequent release when you rotate or stretch the muscle to release tension. Screen work or keeping head in one position, bad posture all add to this. Rotating head exercise and massage help.
I think my cracking neck is just anno domini, like the others it does not hurt it just sounds awful. People round me just laugh and make a joke when it happens in company.
Hi Shaza. Mine does that and I looked it up - think it's called crepitus. It is uncomfortable but doesn't seem to be serious as far as I could see. It went when I was on higher doses of pred but is back nnow I'm down to 7.5mg.
Yes - loads lately and sore neck!
Hi Shaza123,
Yes mine does this all the time it cracks and when turning my head from side to side it grinds, asked my doctor if I could have up to date scan if neck as 2016 showed osteoarthritis from C5-C7, got results back and it’s turned into spondylitis so I would definitely recommend that you get it checked out.
Spondylitis or spondylosis? Ankylosing spondylitis?
Following on from your question, yes I have really noisy neck and shoulder joints. I am a qualified exercise teacher and agree with what others say. Be careful when exercising neck area. Here's a few tips :Never throw your head back and forward or do circles with your head.If you want to do gentle exercises sit comfortably in a chair with your back supported. Relax your shoulders. Imagine there is a shelf in front of you at chin level. Place your chin on the "shelf". Keep your chin on this plane as you exercise.
Keeping your chin on the "shelf" slowly turn your head to the left to look level with your shoulder then back to the centre and then repeat to the right. I suggest 5 reps each side. Keep your chin level. If you are like me it will sound like a creaky door 
Again keeping your chin level turn to the left to look along your shoulder. Now imagine a fly or spider climbing up the wall and follow with your eyes gently moving your head to follow a line up the wall, across the ceiling and down the other side without throwing your head back. Always return to the"shelf" position. Repeat slowly 5 times.
Starting in the same posture. gently tuck your chin (or chins in my case) into your chest. Don't forget to breathe! Hold for account of 5 then untuck your chin back onto its "shelf". 5 reps is enough at any time.
Lastly, sit in good posture with your chin on the "shelf" and look at the wall in front of you. Gently tilt your head as if following your imaginary pet spider up the wall. When he reaches the ceiling stop. Then follow him back down until your chin is level. Do not tilt your head right back. Effectively you only move your chin up by 45 degrees.
These few simple movements done properly will help mobilise the neck.
If you have undiagnosed head or neck problems please consult your GP before carrying out any exercise program.
I have had cracking noises when I move my neck for years. They are much reduced now that my PMR has gone. I think mine related to inflammation and spondyloarthritis in my neck. I have done neck and shoulder exercises, including slowly rotating my neck, for several years now as part of my physiotherapist approved daily exercise programme and I think this has helped to clear the cracking now, which is only minor these days. However, I still have some reduced mobility in my neck.
I hope this is helpful.
Some months after surviving PMR and on the mend, I experienced neck popping (similar to knuckle popping) loud and scary. I went to Chiropractor for my lower back issues and told him. He said after we correct your spinal issues and alignment, it should resolve the neck popping. And it did about 3 months later. I use a chiropractor that uses the "activator spring loaded tool" instead of manipulation. He corrects the alignment with minor adjustments. He used it a few times on the neck, as well. Now 18 months later everything is great.
The sound can be created when two rough surfaces in an organism's body come into contact—for example, in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis when the cartilage around joints erodes and the surfaces in the joint grind against one another, or when the two fractured surfaces of the broken bones rub together. Crepitus is a common sign of bone fracture.
Crepitus can easily be created and observed by exerting a small amount of force on a joint, thus 'cracking it'. This is caused by bubbles of nitrogen forming in the synovial fluid bursting. Almost every joint in the body can be 'cracked' in this way, but the joints which require the least amount of force to produce this effect include the hallux (big toes), the knuckles and the neck joints. This phenomenon is caused when the movement of the joint lowers the pressure of its synovial fluid, causing the bubbles to form and burst. A refractory period of about 20 minutes exists where the joint cannot be stimulated to produce crepitus after being cracked until the nitrogen gas dissolves back into the synovial fluid.
Yes I do, but long before I had PMR. I have osteoarthritis in my neck and I guess that's what causes the cracking crunching noise.
Yes Shaza123, a few months ago I developed a variety of crunchy joints - neck, shoulder, wrist, ankle. The neck is the worst. It started whilst I was tapering, and at more or less the same time as shoulder and neck pain which I still have, and which the rheumy says may be due to OA or inflammation (the pain that is, not the crunching!). Having a neck MRI next week which will hopefully reveal all. It is a bit frightening isn't it?!
Thanks!
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
cracking mouth jaw
My jaw constantly cracks when eating ,no pain at all ,just at meal times anybody else have this...
clicking and cracking joints
Good morning. I’m finding that my joints click and crack all the time. Never used to notice...
sore neck
don't know if I should go back up for a few days,anybody else have this problem xx
Neck pain
Morning all, can anyone please advise whether PMR can cause bursitis in neck please
Neck ach 
Stiff neck
Neck irritation
neck stiffness
Neck stiffness Moderation team
Fran_BensonPartner
SophieMBPartner
