My stiff neck

[vito]

I woke up yesterday to a really painful stiff neck. Today its feeling a bit better since I took Tramadol several times and a muscle relaxant at night. But this is the third time that this has happened in the last 6 months. I'm at a loss to know what is causing this. Right now, sitting still at the keyboard, I am OK, but driving is a "no go" since I can't readily look to my left and right. Not my favorite way to spend what looks like a beautiful Sunday here in the Midwest.

 

[Mike J]

Would icing it help. It usually helps with inflammation.

 

[vito]

Heat seems to help. Just standing under the flow of hot water while showering seems to be the best time of the day for me. Once before when I had this problem, the doctor prescribed Prednisone. If I don't feel relief by tommorow I likely will go to Urgent Care. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[gunzo]

Would a pillow change be worth a shot?

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Is there any burning feeling anterior or posterior?....any numbness/tingling in arms/hands/fingers?

I had that and ignored it for years.....ended up being stenosis and almost lost use of my left arm.....now have a Titanium plate and six screws holding my head on.

Don't wait.

 

[Jeepnik]

Could be a lot of things. Not a doctor, and never played on on TV. But, I'd go see one.

 

[WAYNO]

I have suffered stiff necks my whole life. The doctors have never really known what causes it, but they give me pills, and a week later my neck is back to normal.
Was it the pills, or after a week would it have healed anyway?

 

[303hunter]

Go fast and see about it! Just had my 2nd neck surgery two weeks ago. First was fusion on c4/c5, and this one was to clean a blockage from my carotid artery. Avoid it if possible!

 

[blume357]

I am a doctor but not a medical one and my suggestion if it keeps up and it does seem to reoccur is to go see one as soon as you can... the worse they do is give you more meds for it.
(This from the guy who waited a week for his broken ankle to get better before going to a doctor)

 

[azleite]

I had the same problem, turned out to be my right shoulder

 

[DGW1949]

Cold helps with swelling, heat promotes better blood flow for healing....you pick.
Doctors tend to treat symptoms more than concentrate on the problem....if they can even find it, which many can't.
A doctor wants to pull a knife on me, I usually walk off....or run, depending.

Good luck.

DGW

 

[coach]

After some neck issues, a visit to the doc who prescribed a course of steroids and when that didn’t help a physical therapist really made a difference. Besides some exercises he manipulated the muscles and the knots in my shoulders. It was amazing that he could find knotted muscles and work on them. It wasn’t always pleasant but I always felt better afterward. It’s been a few years and I haven’t needed to go back.

 

[Johnnu2]

One Advil (or maybe two) plus two Tylenol extra strength.....avoid stress and anger. A good physical therapist could prescribe some daily stretches (but they often prefer the continuous visits $$$$).
p.s. found that Heat hurts/cold works (for others it's the opposite).
Been working for me for MANY years....
Edit to add: Over the recent years (read super old-age) I've noticed that I may have an allergy to various types (and amounts) of sugar. Chocolate seems especially bad, any kind of alcoholic drink even a small amount causes problems (besides the obvious). When I abstain, I have weeks, even months with no pain.
J.

 

[oldmarine69]

I woke up yesterday to a really painful stiff neck. Today its feeling a bit better since I took Tramadol several times and a muscle relaxant at night. But this is the third time that this has happened in the last 6 months. I'm at a loss to know what is causing this. Right now, sitting still at the keyboard, I am OK, but driving is a "no go" since I can't readily look to my left and right. Not my favorite way to spend what looks like a beautiful Sunday here in the Midwest.

This may sound like a dumb question, but do you get "zingers" down either arm? Similar to a low grade electrical shock, or nerves firing off. The reason I ask. I had a motorcycle wreck in 1978. In '81 or '82, I really started to have neck issues, and the nerve-firing that I described to the Dr. was his first clue that I had disc and vertebrae issues, probably related to the wreck. Long story short, I had a four level fusion surgery, C3-C6. Now I just have a really stiff neck with limited range of motion. I know you didn't ask this ole jarhead for my opinion, but don't ignore it. Take it easy!

 

[vito]

I went to see a doctor on Sunday. He prescribed Prednisone, which relieved most of the symptoms within about 12 hours. I have an appointment with an ortho doc who specializes in neck issues to try to figure out what causes this problem for me. At the least I am hoping that he will give me a prescription for a Prednisone burst that I can keep on hand for a recurrence, and nip it in the bud by having the meds on hand.

 

[gnappi]

It happens to me pretty regularly and I attribute it to my ceiling fan and the AC. I hunch my shoulders up while sleeping to keep warm like you would do in the snow.

 

[thor's daddy]

I know most folks seem to prefer drugs. I went to the Chiropractor and now I'm better than normal...

Crunch!! Ahhhh!!

It happens to me pretty regularly and I attribute it to my ceiling fan and the AC. I hunch my shoulders up while sleeping to keep warm like you would do in the snow.

Those who live in snow-stricken areas learned long ago to wear a coat. From experience, I can tell you it sure beats giving yourself neck problems.

A blanket in bed does the same...

 

[peachhead]

I have scoliosis and spinal stenosis. It's a wonder I stand up straight at all.
I go to the chiropractor monthly. It helps.