Neck pain when I lay down

[MicheleDF]

I have ACM 1, my last MRI showed it only at about 7 mm which was a little over a year ago.  Last week I was sitting on the couch and had pain in my neck.  This happens a lot but always goes away once I get up and start moving or just change positions on the couch. However, this time it got A LOT worse! The pain is simply debilitating when I lay down! In fact I've had to keep a towel under my neck to help me move it when I'm laying down. When I sleep laying down I wake up from the pain every time I try and move my neck or when my husband moves in the bed. Also driving with the bumps in the road or the stop and go motion makes the pain worse.  I have taken Vicodin and Motrin.  Heat pads seem to help. Also the pain gets better and just turns into an ache/stiff neck during the day. Although I I stop moving it for a bit then try again to move it the pain is stronger.   Last night I slept sitting up and was finally able to get some sleep.  I decided to go into bed and try and get more sleep. I only managed to lay there for an hour then I woke up with the pain again.  At first I was thinking that it was just a pulled muscle but now I am getting concerned. I also have degenerative disc disease C5-C7. I was wondering if this could be from my ACM 1?

[drewlevas]

It might not help, but I sleep much better ever since I got a new U shaped pillow! Not the small ones, but one that also wrap around my back and front. It help suport my neck without been all scunch on my shoulder and head. Since I sleep on my side also help me not waking up with my head in a strange position.

[linnielou232]

Welcome.  So sorry to hear your having problems sleeping.  I dealt with this too before surgery. (Still do, but not as bad).  I found a neck wrap at Walmart that cost less than 10 dollars that helped when laying down.  It supports the neck but gives relief to the back of your head.  Wish you the best and I suggest finding a true specialist who knows.  Mine was at 7mm also and I had a lot of blockage.  Now after surgery the pressure HA's are gone.  Still get HA"s but not as bad.  Wish you the best.
Linda :)

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

It is highly possible that ur CSF is being restricted more when u lay down....what did ur Dr say last yr when u had ur MRI?Did u also have a CINE MRI  to check for a CSF obstruction, and were the possibility of a syrinx, disk issues, sleep apnea, ehlers-danlos, POTS, and ICP ruled out?

Too many Drs look to the size of the herniation instead of how it is affecting u, research true chiari specialists and get checked again.