Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Severe neck and shoulder pain

A few weeks ago I woke up with neck pain. I figured I just slept wrong and the pain would go away. The pain has not gone away and now my shoulders hurt also and have been for a couple of weeks. My pain meds don't seem to to do anything for any length of time. I have tried using a microwavable heating pad and that seems to help but only for a little while. I see my rhuemy on the 10th. I guess I will wait till then and see what he has to say.

I went through a quick on-set of very severe neck and shoulder pain several months ago but figured it was from driving or lifting things. In a day or so it turned into unbearable pain, a major headache, poor vision, nausea and numbness down my right arm. When I just couldn't deal with it any longer I called my general doctor-I thought I was getting the flu. He had me rush in to his office and immediately to the ER. His conclusion: meningitis. After a lumbar extraction, tons of morphine--I learned it was a bone spur between my 7 and 8 cervical vertebrae. Rest and physical therapy along with a bunch of visits to the rheumatologist, neurologist to assess possible damage, CT scan, MRI, X-rays, along with a foam neck brace for driving and I am recovered but the spur is still there and occassionally I can feel the tingling start-up. A long explanation for what may be causing your neck pain. It was a crazy experience and one I don't want to have again. Take it easy and get it checked out before you have it misdiagnosed.

Hello I understand you because I have neck and shoulder pain all the time to and just started taking Embrel for it will see how it works. What are you taking for your pain/

Aww Jeffery, neck pain is awful. Hopefully your doctor can help you out with it. I feel for you. Hang in there.

joni
Sorry to hear about the ordeal you went through. I hope my problem isn't anything like yours. It really is surprising how many people with AS develop other medical issues. Like having AS isn't enough to deal with. Everyday it seems like something new to contend with. This morning before work I had to run to the clinic to get Valtrex for a cold sore that is coming on. It was like I can't wait, my immune system is now depressed and waiting is not an option now.

Hey Looney

Welcom to KickAS. Hope you enjoy this site as much as I do. I have been on Vicodin for over a year. I was on 5/500 now I am 7.5/325. Hope Enbrel works for you.

Hi Megan,

This neck and shoulder pain just doesn't feel muscular. My neck, back and shoulders feel like pretty much the same kind of pain. I told my GP about it last week. He looked at it, asked a few questions and recommended a heating pad. Probably that is the first course of action before we go further. I will be bringing it up with my rhuemy on the 10th to see what he has to say.

Whatever happened to your neck pain? Did it go away? If you already told the story I must have missed it.

i wrote a lot about heat and ice tonight on the heat and ice post that might be pertinent.

also, i wrote some stuff to colin last night about his neck problems.

maybe some of that would be helpful?

have you tried the heat? or ice? or muscle relaxants? or "traction"? or sleeping with it completely in the neutral position, no being thrust forward by a pillow?

for me, a lot of it is trial and error.

hope it feels better,

i know PT helped me immensely when my neck was really bad.

sue

good luck with the Rheumy visit tomorrow.

Sue

I have tried heat and it helps but the effect doesn't last long. I have also tried sleeping with my head back a little bit more than I am used to. It doesn't seem to make a difference. I am also starting to get red, itchy blotches on my upper arms. I am blessed not to have that problem when I am on higher doses of prednisone.

Ahhhh....what fun we all have!!!!