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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/7/2012 Posts: 149 Location: S E London
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Hi everyone,
I have a really sore neck, I'm not sure it's RA but seems to be excruciating at some times and then eases off. Had it for three days now and it seems to be getting more painful. Driving was very painful today and having trouble sleeping too. Am taking paracetamol on a four hourly basis at the mo. I've not suffered from neck pain before and must admit as I'm on MTX and Hydroxy I didn't expect to get pain in new places, am I wrong in thinking this? Does anyone else get neck pain? I have one of those things to warm up in the microwave but to be honest it doesn't do much good. Anyone got any good ideas?
Mary
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/28/2012 Posts: 665 Location: Newton Abbot
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Hi Mary - sorry to hear about your neck pain. Backs and necks cause lots of problems in the general population so I don't suppose we RA specials are immune from those ailments too - even if it's not actually the RA that may be causing it. I would normally suggest going to see a chiropracter or osteopath for general back pain - I've found them very good in the past, but obviously that's not possible over Christmas. Have you been sitting in the same position for extended periods - you know the sort of thing - using the PC, or writing cards or wrapping presents? I've recently had neck pain and I think it's because I've been sitting at the pc at work, but it's gradually got better over the past week or so. Sitting in the same position, if you're not really careful about posture, can lead to stiffness and pain, and then the muscles go into spasm and you get shooting pains which are crippling. You could try alternating warm and cold packs and gentle movements - very gently side to side and up and down and rotate your shoulders, several times every day. I do gentle stretching exercises when I'm in the shower, I think the warm water helps to relax the muscles. My physio recommended one of those big fitballs to sit on while watching tv - they are comfortable but make you sit up straight and balance which builds up core muscles. I haven't got one but am hoping that Santa will bring me something in my Christmas sack!!!! Have a pain free Christmas - Sylvia xx Be kinder than is necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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hi mary, i have just finished a course of phsyio for my neck and shoulders,it was very painfull at first but i have a few exerises to keep up with,my gp etc have said it is osteo in my neck etc now so just a case of keeping mobile,as sylvia says watch your posture it really makes a difference,i try to rest my head as often as i can ie lean back on couch or not sit at comp too long just be aware of it,i am on mtx and hydroxy and i get pain in places i didnt know i had,take care,dorothy
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Sorry I can't be of much help here but I was wondering if you have a good pillow. I get pain in my neck and shoulders and a good supportive pillow has helped. Mine is made of memory foam goes right up into the crook of the neck and feels so much better than an ordinary pillow. I bought it from a mobility shop and it cost around £25. Money well spent. I do hope the neck pain feels better soon and you find something that helps.
Naomi, X
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/7/2012 Posts: 149 Location: S E London
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Hi,
Thanks for your replies. I managed to get a doctors appointment on Christmas Eve, he doesn't think it's related to the RA, but that maybe I have sat in a draft. Suggested I take Naproxen as I had some at home and gave me a prescription for Diazipan, to relax the muscles. He hoped that the Naproxen might work and I wouldn't need the Diazipan. I decided to take the Naproxen and keep the Diazipan till after Boxing Day, as he said they would knock me out. The pain has got a bit better, still not right, so I will just see how it goes.
Doctor also said stress wouldn't help and we have had a lot of that over the last few weeks. My hubby who suffers from Parkinson's is having a few problems at work and this has caused us much stress and sleepless nights, so maybe I am just a bit run down.
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day, I am now tucked up in bed, after an early start this morning and all the cooking and washing up, I'm pretty much exhausted.
We have a memory foam mattress and pillows, still difficult to get comfy at the mo but I'm sure it will get better.
Mary
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/28/2012 Posts: 665 Location: Newton Abbot
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Hi Mary - well done for getting a gp appointment - at least it puts your mind at rest about that. Christmas is always such a busy time, and stress about work doesn't help. Hope you had a lovely Christmas day - we did! My eldest 2 were at their dad's yesterday, so we're having our turkey today. We had a lovely gammon roast yesterday, just for the 4 of us, with lots of red cabbage and all the other veg, I really pigged out!! My turkey is currently filling the oven and the giblets are simmering nicely - I've no idea where I'll cook the veg and we'll eat whenever the turkey is done. There's no big pressure, I'm just going with the flow this year - I just do enough and don't try to be perfect and that seems to be the secret to coping with RA atm. Happy Boxing DAy - Sylvia xx Be kinder than is necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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mary, sorry to read the neck isnt too good the mtx and the hydroxy are having such a good effect all round on you, they are bound to be slowing the progression of the disease but they wont stop it. you can get ra in that neck and it can be quite dangerous tbh it could do with an xray to check its not pinching on the nerves the draft thing sounds like a loada cobblers to me! HOPE its settled and you have enjoyed christmas love jenni xx how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Haha, I agree with Jenni. I thought the same thing about the draught. I suppose GPs feel under pressure to say SOMETHING. I had quite severe neck problems at the beginning of my RA and it was causing numbness and pins and needles of the hands and feet. Mine is much better now that I'm on dmards. I had an MRI for the pins and needles. If you get this symptom then I'd suggest going back to the GP. I hope it all eases soon. XXX
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/7/2012 Posts: 149 Location: S E London
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Thanks all,
Neck seems a little bit better, still not fully right though. I have an appointment with Rheummy consultant in January so I will definitely mention this to him then. The doctor did make me laugh because he said how was my RA elsewhere and had a quick look at my hands, "oh no swelling he says, so it's ok at the mo". Well yes I don't have much swelling, only around my right thumb but that does not mean I'm pain free. I suppose unless you suffer from this disease it's hard to know what it's like, some days are good and some are bad. I know my pain is very slight compared to some of the people on here but I'm still not like I was before I was diagnosed with RA.
Anyway hope you all had a good Christmas and Boxing Day. My son and his fiancée have gone back to Norwich tonight, so it has been a quieter evening for daughter, OH and myself, in fact we had a hard job keeping awake in front of the tv!
Mary
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