neck pain

[tschock]

I have had arthritis since I was 12...that's a ton of years. lol! My fingers are misshapen and in constant pain, but I've learned to live with it.
Anyway, starting to think that it may have spread to my neck. What sort of tests can be done to determine if this is correct?
Almost every day my neck hurts. I used to go to the chiropractor to have him adjust it...and it used to help for awhile. Now it's getting worse and it goes straight into my skull.
I can no longer sleep at night because my head feels like it weighs a ton, and it feels like the pillow is made of bricks.
I've gone through several new pillows in the past few months, ( including an expensive water filled one ) but none makes a difference.
I can't take pain killers, as I have 2 ulcers...can't use voltarin ( not sure of correct spelling ) creams or gels either, because according to the pharmacist and the company that makes it, people with ulcers cannot use it as it absorbs into the stomach?!?!?  Weird...
Anyway, any help would be appreciated.
Ice and heat don't help much either, and sometimes just touching my neck causes nausea due to the pain.

[RubyWitch]

Before I go, I meant to give you the name of the book my friend gave me.

It's called "YOGA for ARTHRITIS" and is written by Loren Fishman, MD and Ellen Saltonstall.

Warmly,
RW

[RubyWitch]

The three of us could have a good LONG talk about our neck pain!

I have had PsA since I was 18, so you can see I have also lived with this for GOBS of years!

The only joints I have left with no sign of arthritis (yet) are my elbows! Probably a Godsend since I'd then have pain getting my wine glass to my lips!

My cervical spine is a total train wreck which was documented with an MRI with contrast. I'm in constant pain, headaches have become my friends and as for sleeping..........I barely remember what that feels like. I have at least $75,000.00 worth of worthless pillows recommended to me by everyone except the Pope, whom I hope to hear from any day now.

I can no longer find ANY position to lay in which my neck does not scream out in pain after about 5 seconds. When I DO finally manage to fall asleep, I am woken up MANY times during the night with horrid neck pain along with pain from my hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, back, hands, wrists AND the headache from hell.

I have also destroyed my stomach from YEARS of OTC pain meds.

I have taken every single drug my rheumatologists have thrown at me over the years. I've had the cortisone injections, the prednisone, the methotrexate, the Gabepentin, the Enbrel, the Humira...........most of them put my liver in the toilet and honestly, not ONE of those latest and greatest potions did much of anything for my pain. A couple of them DID help with my ROM, but the pain...........that NEVER went away.......it never GOES away.

I have asked my rheumatologist for a pain medication to take ONLY when I'm having a really bad flare, but he is totally against any kind of opiate. Hell, even I'M against them and don't want to go down THAT road, but I guess all us "drug seekers" look the same to them.

I think I am going to try one of those Pain Management places and see what they can do. I am no longer desperate for relief. I have accepted that this is my lot in life.........but what I wouldn't give for just ONE day without the pain.

One thing a friend of mine did get me to try was Yoga for people with arthritis. There is an excellent chapter on poses for cervical spine pain. I did them religiously for about a week and I swear, they DID help some. I need to get back to it, make it a habit, but I know you also understand about the fatigue and the amount of "self-talk" involved in getting yourself moving!

I know I didn't help anybody with this post, but it felt good to rant for a bit to people who really understand. My friends and family know, or think they do, what I live with, but they really don't. And sometimes that hurts. Which is very selfish.

Sometimes I feel sorry for myself. Sometimes I feel sad. Sometimes I feel lonely because I can't join in the fun. And sometimes I feel angry that this "condition" has taken away so much that used to bring me joy.
But when those moods strike, I make myself look at those who are so much worse off than I am, and that kick in the pants is all it takes.

Thanks for listening..........        

[tschock]

Thanks Tuck

Can't have the contrast...almost died when I was 12...highly allergic to the stuff. I quit breathing on them, right after I screamed because my body was on fire.
As for pills...I asked about something other than the Tylenol and the doctor said that I would have to deal with those ulcers first. They tested for the H. Pylori and there was none. I guess I just inherited it from my dad. He died in part from his bleeding ulcers and the blood thinners they had him on...knowing that he had a bleeding ulcer. ugh.
Have been on meds for the ulcers for years, but they just don't want to leave me...guess they would feel lonely . lol!
I had a sinus infection two weeks ago, and was given antibiotics. I felt GREAT while on them. The neck didn't feel like it was compacted inside of my skull !! It was great!
And a few days ago I finished the pills...and now my neck is back at it. My sinus infection also returned, and I developed an infection in my lungs. Starting to wonder now if it isn't some sort of really weird infection in my neck...and whole body.
I think my body hates me. lol!
The best help I ever found was some stuff my chiropractor gave me...but apparently it absorbs into your body and can make the ulcers much worse.
I double checked with another pharmacist and she agreed. She showed me the pamphlet from the Voltaren and sure enough it says right on there that people with ulcers should NOT take it...even their rub.
Oh well...I've lived with it this many years...if it doesn't kill you it just makes you stronger...or so said my grandfather. lol!
Going to try and get the doctor to send me in for an MRI or CTscan or X-ray...or something . Hope he complies.

[Tuckamore]

Please excuse my tardy response. I had a nasty pain flare for a few days and have been trying to catch up here.

I'm so sorry to hear about your long journey through the pain and challenges of Arthritis. My heart goes out to you!

I too have pain in my cervical spine and some nasty structural changes. It's a real pain in the neck. :o)

An MRI of your Cervical Spine should provide you with answers. It will evaluate the structure of your spine in detail. I suggest you ask that a Contrast be used. I forgot to ask for a Contrast and had to have my Cervical Spine MRI repeated. That was extremely uncomfortable and could have been avoided.

"Rubs" are normally absorbed through our skin. I've not heard that a rub is also absorbed into your stomach. However a Pharmacist certainly knows more than I. If you are in doubt ask another Pharmacist.

I use the generic form of ThermaCare. It helps reduce the tightness in my cervical area and reduces the spasms. I know how difficult it can be to lay down when one has a Cervical Spine issue. I've changed pillows and positions often. I am able to take opiates, Lyrica and on occasion a muscle relaxer that eases some of my neck pain - however nothing stops those headaches I sometimes wake me. I simply can no longer rest when that occurs - I feel your pain.

A gentle neck and upper back massage can also help. It's my assumption that a massage helps relax my tense muscles - thus reducing my pain temporarily.

Are you able to take Lyrica or Gabepentin? These medications often work on irritated nerves. It's my guess that you have some nerve pain based in your cervical spine. I know that I do.

There are options for you that should include some medications. Please check with your physician. Research conducted since the mid-1980s has shown that the bacterium Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) is present in more than 90% of duodenal ulcers and about 80% of stomach ulcers. Have you been tested for this bacteria?

It's true that large doses of NSAIDs can influence the development of Ulcers. A trusted website says, "Other factors also seem to contribute to ulcer formation. Overuse of over-the-counter painkillers (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen), heavy alcohol use, psychological stress, and smoking exacerbate and may promote the development of ulcers, especially in someone with H. pylori."

I have ruined my stomach lining from the many years of over use of NSAIDs. Believe me my GI situation is not good. I take medications to keep my gastric secretions in check. This allows me to take pain medications. If you haven't consulted a good Gastroenterologist I encourage you to do so.

I hope something I have offered will be of help. Please let us know how you are doing.

Take Care,
~Tuck