I am having trouble with my neck. It is hard to hold my head up and I feel like I want to lay down and just rest. I went to a Neurologist because my arm and hand tingled and at the same time numbness. He said it was from my neck and from my RA. At that time I was so happy that it wasn't MS (as the first Neurologist had thought) and I wasn't having neck pain so I let it go. Now I am having neck and shoulder pain and problems. And sometimes it is hard to sit up for any length of time. Do you have these problems too? Please write back! Thank you!
Oh yes I have a lot of neck pain and it cracks constantly. The shoulders fair better unless I lay on them or trying to use them hair drying etc. Doc says it's RA, lol.
You take care.
Hi Suelee, Have you had an MRI of your neck? They can learn so much from those.
I have had neck, spine and shoulder problems (among others) for many years. My neck is very bad with arthritis, kyphosis, degenerative disc & joint disease and since I've been diagnosed with RA, they also think there is some RA there, too.
Shoulders have arthritis and osteophytes which have caused impingements, and tears. There are many problems that can cause pain, numbness, tingling, etc.
Did the neurologist just tell you that problems were from your RA and leave it at that? Or did he offer any kind of treatment or pain relief for you? I think you might want to see your rheumatologist, if he thinks it's from your RA, and tell him/her what the neuro. said. Also, I would ask for an MRI or whatever they think would be the best test to let them know exactly what's going on in there. You could have more than RA in your neck, too.
I really think the more they know about what is actually happening in your body, the better chance they have of being able to help you.
Please take care and keep us posted.
Hugs & Blessings
Nini
My shoulders are my best joints! But I too get the neck thing on a regular basis and also the have a rotten elbow thing going on both sides.
I rest my neck for 12 hours. I use a home made neck wrap - towel filled with dry rice, pinned in place. (The neck braces sold in stores are too high and stiff and actually cause more trouble.) The little rice pack support allows the muscles to relax a bit, seems to support maybe half the weight of my head. Sometimes I need a muscle relaxant as well.
Staying in a brace too long can make joints lock up. But rest does help. It is a catch 22.
hi suelee, after i had c3-c7 fusion insept 2006, i developed burning pain around my right elbow, its in my neck shoulder thru my finger. tingling and pain in fingers. since my neuro cant figure i will going to my pcp tomorrow. i think i have ra. i hurt lying down and sitting or standing. the pain almost unbearable.any advice?hi suelee
I saw my rhuemy in december after have the problems you have described.I battle to hold my head up , it feels like a weight and my chin just wants to rest on my chest. My favourite daily saying is " I just want to be horizontal" and my family know that i want to lay down.I also have tingling in my arm and numbness into my hand(ring finger and little finger)I have even stopped eating at the dinner table because i cant sit up properly, i feel like my body hasnt any strength. My rheumy said it is the R.A and disc problems.I am starting physio soon and having another mri scan on tuesday.I will let you know the outcome of it
Thank you everyone for answering. I have had an MRI of my right shoulder and it showed tendinitis, bursitis and a small rotator cuff tear. But I have only had an xray of my neck which the first Neurologist said was fine. The second Neurologist said I would need an MRI of my neck, that an xray is not enough. So I will talk to my Rheumatologist when I see him and we will decide if we should order it. Pincushion...please do let me know how your mri comes out. I so hope they can fix or at least help your problems too. I totally understand your lack of sit up strength. Infact, I am feeling it right now! sueleelolo..I am so sorry you are so uncomfortable. What is a pcp doctor? I hope he can help with the pain.I am now having major pain in the the areas you guys are mentioning. It is really disrupting my liffe righ t now and even my throat is tight when I turn my neck. I had and MRI on Thursday and hope to get results soon. Pincushion, I feel the same way you do. If I'm bending over touching my toes or laying on my back with my knees up, it's not as bad. Otherwise, everything is painful. Not looking forward to going to work tomorrow and sitting all day!
Hang in there
I also have a lot of trouble with my neck and my right shoulder. I have an awful time trying to be comfortable riding in cars with the headrests (they always feel like they're pushing my head forward, no matter how I adjust them) and with trying to lie on my back to sleep (can't find a pillow that feels right). Hmm, seems this is a common problem with RA. I appreciate this thread... I'd wondered whether it was unusual, all the trouble I've had with my neck. Sorry others have it, too. It sure isn't fun!
I had my MRI scan today. It was a relief as I had been a few months back but I had a BIG panic as I am a big baby with claustrophobia and couldnt do it.My rheumy referred me to an open MRI Unit and even though I still didnt like the machine near my face I managed to lie there for 35 mins My husband took me for lunch to celebrate.lol. Hopefully I will get my results in the next few days then I will let you know if they found the reason for all the problemsI had some of the same symtoms, I took OmegaXL, with great results, You can order free bottle, just pay for shipping. www.painfree4u.com