Neck pain

[Guest guest]

Not coincedence. I've had neck and shoulder pain for at least 2 months now,

sometimes worse than others, sometimes none at all. I just saw the doc

today, asked him about Enbrel. Apparently it is quite expensive, about 14k

to 17k per year and they are not sure who will foot the bill yet.

>From: Janet Battcock <janet.battcock@...>

>Reply- onelist

> onelist

>Subject: [ ] Neck pain

>Date: Tue, 09 Nov 1999 07:58:42 -0330

>

><< text2.html >>

><< text3.html >>

[Guest guest]

well, I'm kind of new to this list. I really enjoy getting the mails every

day and realizing that I'm not the only one dealing with this. I'm 22 years

old. I was diagnosed with P at age 6, PA at age 17. The P is pretty much

everywhere; I'm affected with PA mostly in my neck/ spine. Other affected

areas are ankles, toes, right shoulder and hips. I don't have any other

major health conditions, just mild allergies. This week was the first time I

ever had to call into work because of the pain from the PA (it was so

upsetting to realized that I COULDNT go into work). Right now, I'm on a

combo of MTX and NSAIDS. My derm has recommended I try cyclosporin. Has

anyone had better results with it than the MTX? I've been on MTX (with some

6 month breaks) since I was 12 and I'm just wary of discontinuing it. Any

knowledge of the switch would be a appreciated.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

I hope it's a coincidence too, for your sake.

My neck (actually where my neck meets my shoulders to be precise) started

acting up, stiff and tight, for about a week or 10 days. I also had weird

" twinges " that would shoot up my neck, around my head to my forehead.

Because of these weird twinges I passed it off as muscular. But it didn't go

away. Then last Wednesday/Thursday the area got hot, and I had quite a bit

of pain. On Friday my family doc told me it was swollen. Since then it has

subsided quite a bit; now I'm back stiff and tight, and just generally sore.

Patty

<< Lately I have been having a stiff neck and some tightness. & nbsp; No pain,

really. & nbsp; Now you got me paranoid, thinking that maybe my neck is

becoming involved now! & nbsp; But it could just be coincidence...hope! Janet

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi Janet

Paranoid is a side affect of having PA! I believe we have all suffered from this

symptom, especially before we received a diagnosis.

Stiff neck with tightness can be caused through stress, incorrect sleeping

position, sitting in a draft, sleeping in a draft, strained muscles, or PA. I

have enjoyed a relaxing back massage this afternoon, which seems to keep me

supple, especially around the neck and shoulders. Yes this is my regular Tuesday

afternoon treatment, as by Monday I too start to stiffen and get tight in the

neck area.

Hope this is of some benefit,

Gillian

[ ] Neck pain

I am interested in the topic of neck pain. My pa has always been felt in my

hands, feet, knees and hips. Lately I have been having a stiff neck and some

tightness. No pain, really. Now you got me paranoid, thinking that maybe my

neck is becoming involved now! But it could just be coincidence...hope!

Janet

---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Gloria, if your neck is at all unstable, with laxity in the ligaments,

putting your head right back can cause the vertebra to shift forward,

putting pressure on your windpipe and thereby making it difficult to

breathe. There is also the problem of pressure on the spinal cord. It is

not a good position for people with RA. If you are having a lot of neck

problems, it might be good to see a PT or an OT for an evaluation as well as

for neck exercises and a list of " Do's and Don'ts " .

(RA 23+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

rheumatic neck pain

> Someone on the list was saying that it is bad to put your head back when

> you have neck pain. Why is that? I know I sometimes have the bad RA

> move into my neck and it kills me to turn my head or to look down moving

> my head toward my chest. However, I had a friend with the same problem

> and she didn't force herself to exercise. she ended up not being able to

> turn her head without turning her whole body. I try to move my neck some

> just to keep this from happening and I notice that the RA goes away after

> awile without doing so much damage. I am trying to do easy, slow neck

> rolls. There is a lot of creaky and poppin and pain, but I think it is

> preventitive of major damage (i hope).

> love,

> Gloria

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[Guest guest]

Gloria,

It could have been me making that comment. My OT was making up an exercise

program and stressed to me and the physiotherapist that I wasn't to put my

head back (as you would to look up at the sky) NEVER. I have a crunching

sometimes when I move my neck from side to side. I would never do a

headstand either. I would be terrified of damaging my spine or neck.

There are range of movement exercises I was given, like turning the head

from side to side.

Bev

> Someone on the list was saying that it is bad to put your head back when

> you have neck pain. Why is that? I know I sometimes have the bad RA

> move into my neck and it kills me to turn my head or to look down moving

> my head toward my chest. However, I had a friend with the same problem

> and she didn't force herself to exercise. she ended up not being able to

> turn her head without turning her whole body. I try to move my neck some

> just to keep this from happening and I notice that the RA goes away after

> awile without doing so much damage. I am trying to do easy, slow neck

> rolls. There is a lot of creaky and poppin and pain, but I think it is

> preventitive of major damage (i hope).

> love,

> Gloria

> ________________________________________________________________

> YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!

> Juno now offers FREE Internet Access!

> Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit:

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[Guest guest]

Hi JB,

I don't have your exact problem but I do have a herniated cervical disk

with spinal cord compression on top of my RA, along with many of your

symptoms, i.e. neck pain, headache, pins and needles pain together with

numbness, on top of my RA symptoms. I hate to tell you but I've been

getting monitored for my neck condition for over 2 years now, with

doctors still hesitant to proceed to surgery and not much else being

available. I've been told that neck fusion can be a very risky

procedure, at least for me, with the possibility of feeling worse rather

than better, along with a chance of paralysis or even death from the

surgery. Therefore, unless I get much worse, they prefer not to

operate. Instead, I'm checked every few months to make sure the

condition isn't deteriorating further. I know that may not be much

comfort for you but my opinion is it's better for doctors to err on the

side of caution rather than rushing to surgery and perhaps making things

worse. Likely that is what your doctors are doing.

In the meantime, I do my best to protect my neck. I use a cervical

pillow at night and regularly do neck exercises prescribed by a

physiotherapist. If it is extremely sore, I alternate heat (for relief)

and ice (to reduce swelling) packs for 20 minutes at a time. I make

sure my neck is covered and warm if it's cold or windy outside because

bracing against cold or wind further irritates the neck. I also avoid

being under any air conditioning vents. It certainly doesn't take the

problem away but all combined generally help to keep the pain down to a

dull roar. On the days when it doesn't, I just tough it out, plus rest

more. Perhaps you should ask your doctor if a few physiotherapy

sessions might be helpful to get your neck feeling a bit better, as well

as providing you with appropriate exercises that you can do yourself to

keep things feeling a little better.

A word of caution in case you haven't already been told this by your

neuro-surgeon: Do not let a chiropractor touch your neck as they tend

to want to do neck " adjustments " that can be dangerous enough for the

average person (potential of causing a stroke) but are extremely

dangerous for anyone with an unstable neck. I've been told that a neck

adjustment would likely paralyze me or possibly even kill me. Also, if

you ever have surgery in the future, you must make sure the

anesthesiologist is fully aware of your neck condition so that

precautions can be taken to protect your neck while you are knocked.

Sorry I don't have any miraculous fixes but perhaps it will help to know

you aren't alone. Hope you feel better soon.

Hugs

a

[Guest guest]

Hi JB

I found that visiting a cranial osteopath (no bone manipulations!) monthly

has kept my spine and swelling and various other problems in check. It is a

gentle treatment and despite my initial scepticism (I too was at my wits end

and ready to try anything) it has worked and I continue to go. I think of

my body as an old car that needs regular servicing.

Hope this helps

Gail

> From: " je.beach " <JE_Beach@...>

> Reply-<JE_Beach@...>

> Date: Thu, 2 May 2002 11:19:18 -0400

> <rheumatic >

> Subject: rheumatic Neck Pain

>

> Hello Everyone,

>

> I don't write much but I have been on this group since early 1997 when I was

> JB in Germany. I am now JB in Atlanta, Georgia.

>

> I have been experiencing the most excruciating pain in my shoulder, neck and

> base of my skull for several years now. It has gotten progressively worse

> over the last 8 months. The pain goes into my head and I have daily severe

> migraines. I have been to my PCM, my Rheumatologist and now a

> Neuro-surgeon. I have had MRI's, X-rays, CT scans, etc. The Neuro-Surgeon

> told me this morning that my x-ray shows Atlantoaxial Instability. The

> space measures between 3-4 mm. in my neck ( not too bad right now). If it

> gets really bad they will have to fuse the neck!

>

> **Venting Now**: I usually go to the doctor well prepared with information

> and questions but have learned the hard way that most of them don't like it

> when you know too much and they don't want to discuss more than one problem

> per visit. On my visit today, I was expecting the Neuro-Surgeon to refer me

> to physical therapy to help relieve the pain and to refer me to a

> Neurologist to get something for my migraines. This was what he told me he

> would do on my last visit. Instead, I was told that Instability was very

> common in patients with RA and to have the x-rays repeated in 3 months and

> make an appointment to see him in three months. I know I should have spoken

> up but I am really tired of having to take control of my medical treatment.

> I fully believe everyone should be a partner in their health care but I seem

> to be the only one on the team doing anything.

>

> I have RA, Sjogren's, Fibromyalgia, Migraines, Bad hair, Bad skin...etc.!

>

> Major drugs include: Doxycycline, Enbrel, Prednisone off and on, Lortab....

>

> Can anyone tell me if you have this problem and what you can do for it? I

> am in tears just thinking about going to another doctor. So here I am 4

> months later still trying to relieve my neck pain and no better off than

> when I started. I'm sorry this is long. I would appreciate any

> information.

>

> Thanks

> JB, Atlanta

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/3/2003 7:22:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jackieszoo2002@... writes:

> Now he says unless they can give him a pill to help him not

> want the alcohol, he can't quit and will probably die within a year.

>

Jackie,

If your husband is committed to definitely stop drinking there is a pill that

they can give him. It is given in a treatment program. What it actually

does is after taking it for whatever time period, the person will throw his guts

up if they ingest alcohol. It is a hard way to give it up but there are

people who do chose this method. I hope he will chose to help himself.

Janet

[Guest guest]

--Jackie,

I am so very sorry to hear about your husband's illness. I hope he

will change his mind on the drinking.

I get headaches (tension-like) and sometimes heat at base of neck

helps, sometimes a coldpak helps or alternating them. Massage helps

too=even self-massage. You deserve to treat yourself to a real

massage if you can swing it.

Marti

[Guest guest]

Oh Jackie, I'm so sorry! I hope he'll see the light and change his

lifestyle. Your headache maybe as much from tension and stress as

from the PA flare. No matter the source, I know you must be

miserable right now, both physically and emotionally. Big hugs to

you!!!!

Penny

> Does anyone else out there have neck pain/stiffness that causes

> headaches? Mine is flaring again, and I've had headaches for the

> past three days. Any suggestions on pain relief would be

> appreciated. I know it's coming from stress (more than likely). My

> husband just found out his liver is enlarged, blood work is high,

> and he may be bordering on diabetes. They want to do more tests to

> determine exactly what is going on with his liver. They said maybe

> the beginnings of cirrhosis. He drinks heavily and says he can't

> quit. Now he says unless they can give him a pill to help him not

> want the alcohol, he can't quit and will probably die within a

year.

> I'm shaking as I write this and can't stop the tears. I don't even

> know why I'm writing to the group about this, except that these

> headaches are really draining. The Enbrel seems to be helping

some,

> but now I'm apparantly going into a flare. Thanks for

> listening....it helps just to get some of this out of my system.

>

> Jackie

[Guest guest]

-Marti,

Thanks for the suggestions and concern. I appreciate it.

Jackie

-- In , " snowbound22003 "

<mlw402@a...> wrote:

> --Jackie,

>

> I am so very sorry to hear about your husband's illness. I hope he

> will change his mind on the drinking.

>

> I get headaches (tension-like) and sometimes heat at base of neck

> helps, sometimes a coldpak helps or alternating them. Massage

helps

> too=even self-massage. You deserve to treat yourself to a real

> massage if you can swing it.

>

> Marti

[Guest guest]

> Oh Jackie, I'm so sorry! I hope he'll see the light and change

his

> lifestyle. Your headache maybe as much from tension and stress as

> from the PA flare. No matter the source, I know you must be

> miserable right now, both physically and emotionally. Big hugs to

> you!!!!

>

> Penny

>

>

Thanks for the reply and concern! Much appreciated.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

i had that also . It tuns out I have a bulging disk in my neck and the pain

in my ribs in chostochondritis [which is inflamation of the ribs and cartilage

] yeah it hurts bad and I have it a lot . You could have that . cathy from

ma

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

You had best listen to your body and leave the lawn alone. I can't believe

your husband would rather have you suffer just to get the lawn mowed. Hire a

neighborhood boy to mow it and surprise your husband with a candle light

dinner. You mention going back to work next week and I would think you would

want to save your strength for that. If your ignore your body this disease

will get it's revenge, trust me. I don't know what meds you are on, but some

won't allow you to be in the sun for very long, let alone in that kind of heat.

I know, because we just got over one of those heat spells, 12 days in a row

over 100 degrees was a record for us and I couldn't leave the house without

my skin burning. And we had to go to a family reunion picnic! We bundled

everybody and everything and left the park and went home! LOL Please take care

of yourself. God Bless!!

Janet in Ca

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

Please, please, please do not push yourself too hard. I know that at least for

myself, even a simple thing like mowing a lawn can flare me up or if I'm already

flared up I can pay for it for days, even weeks afterwards, then I'm able to do

even less. Please take care of yourself!!!

Jayson

[ ] neck pain

Good afternoon to all,

I just had to ask this to see if someone has any information for

me. Yesterday morning when I got up my shoulders and neck ached and

was very stiff. I even hurt in my back along my ribs. I had my

husband to rub on that spot and it felt like a tight muscle or

something. As the day continued on the pain in my back got better,

but the pain in my neck bacame worse. I feel the pain in the back

of my neck and it penitrates to my throat. It really doesn't feel

like a sore throat, it feels like I have been doing sit ups the

wrong way and pulled a muscle. ( which I have not done ) When I

make a fist my fingers are sore, my feet and ankles are sore.

Actually my skin feels sore. Is this not crazy. My husband has to

work 12 hours everyday this week and won't get home until late. Our

grass needs to be mowed bad!! I wan't to go out and do it for him

so he won't have to. I want to help him and give him a surprise

since he thinks it will need to be done when he gets off after

working 12 hours. This is my last week off I go back next week. I

won't be able to do it then I know. I am afraid that If I get out

in this heat that I will severly pay for it. I have to go I will

try to mow some of it. I must do it now because this afternoon the

heat index is going to go up to 105!!! I don't want to feel

helpless. I wan't to help him as much as I can. He has helped me

when I am in a severe flair that he will have to wait on me. I

actually can not believe how I don't feel that great anymore. I

have no energy. I force myselt to keep going for my own good. I

will let you know what I ended up doing. I feel that you all are

the only ones that I can talk to. I really try not to complain to

my family because I don't want to sound like the boy that cried

wolf. When I do feel bad I want them to know that today this is for

real.

Have a great day!!

Tammy

[Guest guest]

Ok Darlin....don't let his big surprise be you in bed for days. You

are famous for overdoing it and wanting to save everyone by being

the hero. Did you know you could be the hero by taking care of

yourself so you can be there for them? Your family sounds great.

That's why I think they will continue to admire you even when you

can't physically demonstrate your love the way you are accustomed

to. Find another way to show it. and I found a site called

SmileBox that allows you to make cool cards and scrapbooks and

slideshows online using the pictures in your own online files. It

means so much to her for me to make her a card. I started doing less

physical things for her when I could not do the usual active things.

It means so much to her that even though I feel better now, I'm

continuing the tradition. Could you make a card online of someone

riding a mower tell him in the card that your mind and heart want to

do so much for him and it hurts to not be able to BUT finish it with

THANKING HIM FOR HIS UNDERSTANDING WAYS and telling him how much he

means to you. He might just cherish that forever....and remember it

much longer than you mowing the yard. I found this to be true with

. Ya never know....it could work on a husband! Or just focus

on things that you CAN do like leaving little notes around...in his

pockets or lunchbox or the fridge on top of his beer or soda pop

can. There's alot you CAN do. Now that you don't have the physical

ability, you get to discover your other talents. This is what you

are supposed to be doing spiritually now....discovering parts of you

that you never knew existed. Go for it! You have knack for sending

us these posts that have the answer right in them. You crack me up!

Now re-read your post and do what you know you need to do. Relax and

don't go out there and make yourself sick. NoONE in your family will

be impressed with that. Believe me. lol. Love, -Betz

>

> Good afternoon to all,

>

> I just had to ask this to see if someone has any information for

> me. Yesterday morning when I got up my shoulders and neck ached

and

> was very stiff. I even hurt in my back along my ribs. I had my

> husband to rub on that spot and it felt like a tight muscle or

> something. As the day continued on the pain in my back got

better,

> but the pain in my neck bacame worse. I feel the pain in the back

> of my neck and it penitrates to my throat. It really doesn't feel

> like a sore throat, it feels like I have been doing sit ups the

> wrong way and pulled a muscle. ( which I have not done ) When I

> make a fist my fingers are sore, my feet and ankles are sore.

> Actually my skin feels sore. Is this not crazy. My husband has

to

> work 12 hours everyday this week and won't get home until late.

Our

> grass needs to be mowed bad!! I wan't to go out and do it for him

> so he won't have to. I want to help him and give him a surprise

> since he thinks it will need to be done when he gets off after

> working 12 hours. This is my last week off I go back next week.

I

> won't be able to do it then I know. I am afraid that If I get out

> in this heat that I will severly pay for it. I have to go I will

> try to mow some of it. I must do it now because this afternoon

the

> heat index is going to go up to 105!!! I don't want to feel

> helpless. I wan't to help him as much as I can. He has helped me

> when I am in a severe flair that he will have to wait on me. I

> actually can not believe how I don't feel that great anymore. I

> have no energy. I force myselt to keep going for my own good. I

> will let you know what I ended up doing. I feel that you all are

> the only ones that I can talk to. I really try not to complain to

> my family because I don't want to sound like the boy that cried

> wolf. When I do feel bad I want them to know that today this is

for

> real.

>

> Have a great day!!

> Tammy

>

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

That is a beautiful story of you and Darrel. I

understand completely why you would want to help him

any way you can. If I had a husband like yours I would

do just like you do. To think you have been together

since you were 14! That is amazing these days. Do not

ever think that you have to defend you or Darrel

because we do not know your history, and the hx that

you have given us is beautiful. If it had been me I

would have been out there crawling behind that mower,

knowing what a wonderful husband I had. I envy you not

jealous envy there is a difference. I would love to

have had the life you have. You are so blessed. I am

too, knowing a person like you. Really though listen

to your body, don't over do it. I wish you many more

blissful years and pain free days with your husband,

if I had the money I would send you two on a mini

vacation, just because your story is so beautiful to

me and it was what I wanted out of life and didn't

get, so finding someone who did makes me so very happy

for myself and you two. If Darrel is reading this you

are one in a million just like Tammy is to you. My

prayers and blessings are sent to you both everyday

from now on. Sharon

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi I have been on enzymes for around 5-6 weeks now and have noticed I

> need less minerals but I have started to get an uncomfortable feeling

> in the back of my neck. Does anyone know if a particular excess or

> deficiency of any mineral etc could cause this or even if this may be a

> reaction to something. It does seem to cooincide when I take

> supplements but I have taken these for about 9 months since chelating

> so theres nothing new there.

This sounds a little bit like my neck when I have virus issues that I

am addressing.

Dana

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana

Its interesting you say that. It started one week ish after I started

putting GSE on a wart on my foot. Is there anything that may be worth

doing or do I just continue to try and treat the wart and put up with

the neck issue

Thanks

Phil

> >

> > Hi I have been on enzymes for around 5-6 weeks now and have

noticed I

> > need less minerals but I have started to get an uncomfortable

feeling

> > in the back of my neck. Does anyone know if a particular excess

or

> > deficiency of any mineral etc could cause this or even if this

may be a

> > reaction to something. It does seem to cooincide when I take

> > supplements but I have taken these for about 9 months since

chelating

> > so theres nothing new there.

>

>

> This sounds a little bit like my neck when I have virus issues that

I

> am addressing.

>

> Dana

>

[Guest guest]

> Its interesting you say that. It started one week ish after I started

> putting GSE on a wart on my foot.

Warts are viral, but GSE never worked for viruses for my family. I

used OLE and Virastop.

Is the wart reducing? If so, maybe the virus is migrating to your

neck area to get away from the GSE. If you think the GSE is working

on the wart, try taking it internally, see if that helps the neck issue.

Dana

[Guest guest]

Lymph nodes attempting to drain toxins.  Gently massage from uppermost point downward, several times a day to clear.  Keeping physically active with help further.MaureenOn Apr 28, 2008, at 1:46 PM, wrote:We've been on the diet and pills for 4 weeks now.  Both my sons (20 and 17) have pain in their necks.  One has it down both sides and the other only on one side.  It seems to run just below the ear down half-way to the collar-bone. Any ideas? Thanks, 

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone

I went to a rheumy once who dismissed some back pain I was having and

said you won't get RA pain in your back. I have done heaps of research

and can't work out what he was talking about. I have some incredible

pain in my neck today which definitely RA pain. Can anyone tell me

what he was talking about? Am I imagining this pain?

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

I have RA in my back and neck.

Raniolo

From: cheryl.dines <cheryl.dines@...>

Subject: [ ] Neck pain

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 6:12 PM

Hi everyone

I went to a rheumy once who dismissed some back pain I was having and

said you won't get RA pain in your back. I have done heaps of research

and can't work out what he was talking about. I have some incredible

pain in my neck today which definitely RA pain. Can anyone tell me

what he was talking about? Am I imagining this pain?

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Hi Cheryl

I have dreadful problems with my neck, caused by my RA. All the muscles and

ligaments in my neck went into spasm last year, the pain is the worst i have

ever experiences, i ended up off work for 3 months and couldnt iron or cook.

When my neck is bad i get a swelling in between my shoulders, it goes up and

down depending on how bad i am, stress definitely affects it, and my job

involves sitting at a pc all day which is a major trigger for the pain. I was

also taking bad headaches which my doctor said was due to the swelling and

tension in my neck.

I got a fantastic rheumatologist to check me over and she could not believe the

state i was in, i could not function at all from the pain. She changed my anti

inflammatories and put me on amotryptoline which acts as a muscle relaxant and

helps me get a good sleep. I also reduced my working hours which was a huge

decision for me but the neck pain was just the end to a long line of RA

problems. I am much better now i do still have a bad day here and there but

finally feel i can cope with what this disease has in store for me!!

Remember you know your body better than anybody and if you fell your RA is

causing the pain then keep pushing until your doctor listens to you

Good Luck

Sharon xx

________________________________

From: cheryl.dines <cheryl.dines@...>

Sent: Saturday, 17 January, 2009 23:12:27

Subject: [ ] Neck pain

Hi everyone

I went to a rheumy once who dismissed some back pain I was having and

said you won't get RA pain in your back. I have done heaps of research

and can't work out what he was talking about. I have some incredible

pain in my neck today which definitely RA pain. Can anyone tell me

what he was talking about? Am I imagining this pain?

Cheryl