I need some help! I have been experiencing severe neck and gland pain (off and on) since last night. My husband rubbed my neck at the beginning of this evening and because it helped, I thought it was a fleeting thing. I then spent the rest of the evening just sitting and relaxing. But all of a sudden it is back. And so severe. Have any of you had this? I just had a neck xray for numbness in my arm and hand and my neck was pretty normal. Is it my RA? I have ice on it right now. Oh my, does it hurt.
Susan Lee
Xrays don't show all the damage. I've had xrays come back fine and then they did a MRI and found damage.
Since you are already having numbness, may be you should go to the ER on this one. If the pain is sudden and severe, it probably needs to be checked.
Thanks Deanna...I have had numbness for over a month so don't worry. It is not heart. They are thinking that the numbness maybe from my medication so I am only taking Prednisone for 3 more weeks.
But, this pain in my neck is a pain in my neck! :) Oh my it is excrutiating. I just took a pain pill and hopefully that will help. ER though is really not ever much of a help unless it is heart related or an emergency. I will just be told to take pain pills and call my doctor in the morning! So I don't want to sit in a hospital for hours and get nowhere! That is why I was wondering if it is a symptom of RA? Susan LeeI've had neck pain. My RD says it's common with RA. Spasms and general pain both. So it could be that. I hope they can help you! Spasms...that is a good way to explain what I am going through. Did your neck pain go away in a short time span? I sure hope so. Susan Lee
I take flexeril to deal with the spasms, use a TENS unit when it gets really bad, and an ice pack for just a few minutes gives good relief. Also the icy-hot patches work wonders. I started going to a chiropractor every once in a while, and that also seems to give me some relief.
The trick is to be aggresive with the pain as soon as it comes on. You want to catch it before the muscle spasms get really bad.
Also, something I learned in PT, dont stay on heat .for more than 10-20 min at a time. I used to sleep on it and it felt good, but when you get off the heat, the muscles tense up even worse. Same for cold. Just use them for a few minutes and then stop for an hour or two.
I know you are sick of doctors, but you may need a second opinion.
Oh and use either a cylinder shaped pillow, or a rolled towel to put under your neck. If you take away all of the other pillows and lay like that for a few min. it takes the pressure off of your neck.