Horrible neck-pain :(

[Anny Mendoza]

Yesterday I noticed that my pillow was making my neck soar. But I didn't put much thought on it.

This morning the pain woke me up!
A horrible neck-pain!
I have to keep my head sideways and barely moves. If a move it hurt like h%#$$!! I feel like Stephen Hawking!

I called work sick because I can't do anything! I can't even get dressed to take the doggies out
My boyfriend will be in charge of them for now..

I drank a paracetamol (it's the only thing I can drink for pain relieve) and I used a gel on my neck (a gel for soar muscles)

Hopefully the pain will go away asap!

[Amazing Yorkies]

I am so sorry! Try ice or a bag of frozen peas on the sore spot.

[Anny Mendoza]

Thank you, I will see what I have in the freezer that I can use

[Harrysmum]

Oh, how horrible for you.....I'm sorry

How do you think it happened - maybe you were sleeping with a window open and a draught caused it?

I hope you get relief from something - I remember it happening to my sister, and she was told to apply freezing cold, then warm.

If you do use frozen peas or an ice pack, make sure you wrap it in something first, so it doesn't cause those nasty 'burn' feelings....

Hope you feel a lot better soon Sally x

[Anny Mendoza]

Thank you Sally
I really don't know what caused it. We didn't sleep with windows open, everything was the same. The only exception is that we switched covers because it is getting warm.
I haven't used the ice pack yet, but I'll use your tip when I do
My mom told me to apply vicks and cover my neck with a scarf for it to stay warm.
My boyfriend stayed home to help me (so sweet!), he helped me change my clothes (not even that I can do on my own) and made me breakfast and took care of the dogs.
I'll let you know how it goes.

[kjc]

Try using a neck pillow whenever you lie down. They help to keep the neck and spine properly aligned while you sleep. Here's a link but a rolled towel will work also.

Soft Cervical Pillow, Alex Orthopedic, 1001

Also, a fleece baby blanket wrapped around the neck (or a scarf) will provide a good amount of heat without any topical ointments.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Sounds like acute trigger point pain secondary to severe muscle spasm. "Sleeping wrong" is often the cause of this and can strain the muscles of the neck. Don't pop or hyperextend your neck, do shrug your shoulders often, and try to get moist heat to the muscles x3 daily. One good way to do this is to do your own SPA/PT therapy at home. Get a huge Turkish towel, drape is over your shoulders and bunch it up around the back and sides of your neck. Stand with the back of your neck to the shower with the hottest water you can stand beating down on that area for as long as you can or the hot water begins to run out. The great benefits of steam is that it spreads heat throughout body tissue faster than dry heat and heat promotes circulation which heals and increases circulation. One of the things muscle spasm does is squeeze nerves and tissue, cutting off free and adequate blood supply to the tiny nerves and parts of the body. That creates swelling and swelling further compromises circulation. Heat-induced circulation will help milk at the swelling as the good blood flow is re-established for a while and O2 and other nutrients in the blood find their way to the cells in the tissue previously getting less blood supply and this relaxes muscle spasm still more. Ultimately, muscle spasm pinches nerves and that causes the severe pain.

Arthritis, congenital subluxation or an old injury to your neck can also predispose it to strain or minor "injury" from certain sleeping positions as can working or sitting with your neck in one position for a long, long time. A good anti-spasmodic and something for pain as well as avoiding putting your neck in extreme positions will help it heal faster. No matter what you do, eventually the extreme pain will go away as the body slowly heals itself but you can help speed it along.

[rubymoon2072]

i hope you are feeling better real soon.

[Anny Mendoza]

Thanks everyone!
KJC, thanks for the link, I will check it out
Yorkietalkjilly, thanks for the tip! The doctor told me to use hot water on my neck, your tip will do great, I will try it out.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I always worked for orthopedists and steam such as that used by physical therapists on muscle spasm and to relax muscles is so effective, something like 3 x more effective for the body than is dry heat. I wouldn't use ice per se except for an acute known injury or acute chronic pain.

[Ldyrev1]

Do you have a Chiropractor? I see one regularly due to a car accident back in my 20's. I know some people don't believe in them but for years I had no feeling in my right arm from shoulder to wrist due to whiplash and when I started seeing my Chiro, in a few months I had all my feeling back, like it was a miracle. Just a suggestion. I sure do hope you feel better. The frozen peas work wonders. Sending prayers for a speedy recovery and relief!!

[Anny Mendoza]

I don't have one.
Today I'll do what the doctor told me and if tomorrow I don't improve, I'll try something different.
Thanks for your prayers

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by Anny Mendoza

I don't have one.
Today I'll do what the doctor told me and if tomorrow I don't improve, I'll try something different.
Thanks for your prayers

Any improvement today....hopefully?!!? Sally x

[celstu1]

OH NO! When the pain does go away.... go get a new pillow! Sometimes after awhile even the best for us pillows seem to lose their 'something' that makes them comfortable.

[Anny Mendoza]

Originally Posted by Harrysmum

Any improvement today....hopefully?!!? Sally x

Hi Sally,
Yes, there is improvement
I can hold my head straight and can move it a bit to the right.
I was able to do everything alone and I could walk the dogs
Yesterday I did what yorkietalkJilly suggested and it helped. I did it this morning again
I've been keeping my neck warm.
Today I stayed home, but tomorrow I'll be able to go to work

Originally Posted by celstu1

OH NO! When the pain does go away.... go get a new pillow! Sometimes after awhile even the best for us pillows seem to lose their 'something' that makes them comfortable.

Yes, I will definitely buy a new pillow! Don't want to go through this again