12 weeks ago I "hurt" my neck while working at my computer. One minute I had no neck pain (and no history of neck problems) and then I shifted slightly in my chair, heard a "crunch" in my neck and felt immediate pain. I couldn't turn my head to the left without extreme pain down the right side of my head, neck and into my ear. My rheumatologist strongly encouraged me to go to the ER to have an X-ray which I did (and felt silly doing so). The x-ray showed nothing remarkable. After a round of a muscle relaxant, the pain was still there so he sent me for an MRI. The MRI also did not pick up anything except arthritis in C6-C7 (or was it C7-C8) but not where I was experiencing the pain (C1-C2). My rheumatologist then sent me to a physical therapist. After 7 visits (1x/week) to the PT over a 10 week period I've gotten my range of motion back but I'm still in pain. Not a day, make than an hour, goes by that I don't experience some form of pain in my neck, base of my skull or jaw. If I turn without consciously thinking about it I get a jolt of pain. If I take a step a certain way I get a shooting pain in my neck/head. If I reach for something without thinking ... pain. My rheumatologist has now give me another muscle relaxant which will also help with sleep (I've not been sleeping well since the neck incident because my neck hurts when I lay on my back and my shoulders hurt when I lay on my side). I now have a referral to a neural surgeon because my rheumatologist doesn't think the neck/head pain is related to the RA since the X-rays and MRI were clear. I feel like a hypochondriac yet I know the pain is REAL! Has anyone else had any similar experience with undiagnosed head / neck pain or head / neck pain that was diagnosed as a connection to the RA. (Just as an after thought the Physical therapist suggested I pursue a possible TMJ problem - left jaw has "popped" for as long as I can remember and the current pain does go into my jaw as well - but the right side, the opposite side). Thank you for any thoughts you may have.
I had a similar experience a long time ago when trying out a laptop for the first time. I do have RA in all my joints, including my neck joints, but this ongoing pain in the neck seems more akin to a sort of permanent case of whiplash. RA can also cause inflammation in tendons and ligaments, so that complicates matters. Mine comes and goes - is always there, but there are long periods where I do very well and others where not so much. I manage it with keeping my neck and shoulders warm, either by sweaters, shawls or a soft collar (which doesn't provide support, but does keep your neck warm). You may also try to get a more rigid collar to see if the additional support will give your neck muscles/tendons is a bit of a break. I take muscle relaxants every night and make sure I stay ahead of things by taking painkillers on a regular basis throughout the day. You may want to try Lyrica, it really packs a punch.
I, too, have extreme neck pain, but I have been diagnosed with bulging discs at C-4 & C-5. My rheumatologist told me it had nothing to do with RA, that I have severe arthritis in the neck and he set me up for physical therapy. I have been going for 8 weeks (2x wk) and the exercises are designed to strengthen your neck and shoulder muscles. After this past weeks therapy, I now have pain down my shoulders and into both hands along with tingling. I know the nerves must be pinched. My next step is the chiropractor to stretch my neck and give me some relief. Hopefully tomorrow. Maybe a chiropractor will help you. I have also found that acupuncture has helped me in the past.
Hi, I too have RA associated neck pain. I'm trying to avoid surgery for as long as possible. The girls? in my warm water therapy class turned me on to a product called BIOFREEZE. It's a pain relieving topical that has worked well for me. It comes in a gel tube or a roll-on. Only place I found this locally is CVS for $14/tube. But understand many Chiropractors sell this, and it can also be ordered over the internet, but only by the case. We split a case, and it ends up being $8/ea. Hope this helps. God Bless...
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Thanks Lene. My rheumatologist suggested seeing a neurologist but the neurologist reviewed the MRI and xrays and didn't think it would be worth my time to see him as he could not see anything amiss on the tests. Now my rheumatologist is going to send me to a doctor of "Physical Medicine" (had never heard of this practice prior to today). I'm game for anything because the pain is not decreasing but is wearing me down.
Good catch on the chiropractor! I had been to a chiropractor a few years back for what I thought was "repetitive motion" type pain (later diagnosed as the RA) and I now know not to return due to the "fragile" state of RA joints and would risk further injury by having any additional chiropractic work.