Right now all I can do is take tramadol, my measly 2.5mg prednisone, and apply heat. Will anything else help? I can't sleep well because I can't get comfortable at all.
From sad experience I don't really care to go into, not all shoulder neck pain is from the shoulders or neck nor is the inflammation always from PsA/spondylits. You should be able to find a comfortable position if its a mecahnical/PsA problem.....
If you have not had a complete exam and Mammo in the last six months do it. along with complete metabollic blood work. Chronic conditions often lead to many things being overlooked.
We buried my sons beautiful 23 year old wife who thought her shoulder neck pain ans inflammation was from large breasts and a free spirit (bra free) before her child was born Even after they cut 'em off it was too late. Its not just lumps okay???
While I agree with Lamb (and am very sorry for your loss) it is true it could be other things and I think I would be seen by my GP to rule a few things out. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers Nym and hope it is something less serious and you get some shut eye. <3
ooooh I just reread. i didn't mean to make it sound that serious. There are lots of reasons. You should be able to get comfortable though. Guess i don't know how a guy can suggest the mammo thing without sounding like a perv or an alarmist so i'll quit now..... No maybe I'll chew on my foot for while. ah hell. see another Doc Nym. (and buy a stroller iIve seen pictures of you packing those babes.
tntlamb said:
From sad experience I don't really care to go into, not all shoulder neck pain is from the shoulders or neck nor is the inflammation always from PsA/spondylits. You should be able to find a comfortable position if its a mecahnical/PsA problem.....
If you have not had a complete exam and Mammo in the last six months do it. along with complete metabollic blood work. Chronic conditions often lead to many things being overlooked.
We buried my sons beautiful 23 year old wife who thought her shoulder neck pain ans inflammation was from large breasts and a free spirit (bra free) before her child was born Even after they cut 'em off it was too late. Its not just lumps okay???
I know Lamb. It is a hard subject for a guy to bring up. No matter what you say you sound like a perv. That is why I chimed in a little despite hands I may cut off if they don't simmer down. They are very ouchy hands today to quote Grumpy. I'll tell you a funny story at my own expense so you don't feel such a perv.
I was young when I needed my first mammogram, 35. My mother and grand mother both lost breasts before 50 so I was put on the fast track. I was a dancer as well as a nurse and very thin. My breasts were non-existent until after I had my son at 39. I went in for my mammogram without much of a clue (despite being a nurse) except for the price as I had to get a prior authorization due to my age. Needless to say, due to my petite size , there were 2 x-rays techs trying to stretch my petite bosom on to the plate. They kept trying to capture their image by bringing the plate into a more horizontal position as I did not cooperatively stretch in the least. Finally they had me practically had me spread eagle on the plate when I told them, "if you make it any flatter it will be a flat plate of my chest and I expect to be charged for a chest xray not a mammogram". Neither tech said a thing. They just did not get my humor!
That stinks, Nym. My neck and shoulder pain is my least favorite of all the aches. I don’t think mine is skeletal or nerve related; mainly muscular. When I sit with bad posture for any period of time, I’m in for it, and all of the soft tissue in and around my left shoulder is so very tender. The pain management guy prescribed a topical compound cream that is amazing. It does contain an NSAID, but it isn’t metabolized like the oral NSAIDs, so it carries a lot less risk. It helps a lot and I actually prefer it over Percocet or any opiate. I just wish it would work on my joints too, then I would be set!
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My experience of Psa related neck and shoulder pain was that I could not find a comfortable position or relief. Only since Psa has been better controlled with Enbrel has it almost gone away.
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Ugh. I'm in the same boat Nym. I've been alternating my heating pad between my lower back (see the spine specialist for results tomorrow!) and my neck. I'll be watching here for suggestions.
In the meantime, cuddle some kids or pets; I'm doing extreme pet cuddling this week.
Me too. Same boat. Sometimes it’s so bad I can’t move my upper half. I use heat and pain killers, and rest. Whatever works.
Me too. I soak my back in a hot bath with epsom salts and use 2 heating pads, one lower back one across my shoulders. I have also been known to put salonpas or muscle rub on upper back too (actually my husband puts it on for me). Good luck, I hope it feels better.
Thanks, everyone.
Lamb - thanks for your concern. I've had tons of bloodwork done, including cancer markers, and an exam 3 months ago, so I think I'm clear there. I'm fairly sure this is PsA - I'm now having issues with my legs as well. I totally overdid it this past weekend, and am close to my infusion day. I have a call in to my rheumy because I've gone downhill so quickly, and have appointments with two of my other doctors next week.
I'm resting as much as possible and am taking the day off tomorrow. My husband said he'll wrangle kids on Friday for me if needed as well.
Hi Nym--I have similar problems with my neck and shoulders but mine aren't specifically related to my PSA as I have an unusual spine with no curvature in the upper thoracic part. Anyway, my neck, shoulders and even my scalp get so tender that I can't put my head on a pillow. The muscles that cross in the very back of my skull just above the neck get inflamed to the point that that the pressure from a pillow (even from a VERY good memory foam pillow) is just too much to bear. I've taken to sleeping sitting up propped up on both sides by pillows (so I don't slump over and land on my GF!). I usually wear a neck/shoulder wrap that's filled with buckwheat (or something like it). It is heavy and retains my body heat and traps moisture which helps too. The weight is quite comforting. I had to sleep this way for several days about 6 weeks ago after a bad flare in my lower back. The only problem with this solution is it aggravates my hips. You can't have it all, I suppose! Hope you feel on the mend soon.
janeatiu - Thanks for sharing. I use a rice sock similarly. I think my issue with finding a comfortable position has to do with the fact that what makes my upper body comfy irritates my lower body. I told my husband he needs to invent a seat / bed that provides just the right amount of support and heat to each part of my body and I'll be all set. Somehow he hasn't done that yet. LOL
Nym and Jane I am wondering if you have tried PT yet. I get 30 visits every year with no copay so I get a tune up about every year. It really helps me. Jane I can give you some of my extra curvature in my thoracic area! I've got enough scoliosis to pass around! I hope you both find relief soon.
I have just discovered a Fitness show "on Comcast Demand" . I HATE exercise. Let's put that up front. This show is called easy walking, and the first time I could do 5 minutes and after 3 days of doing it, I am doing the whole 15 minutes. Which is good, but the BEST part is, that after the 2nd day, my shoulders, neck and upper back were loose. This is something that I can do at home, during the good AND bad arthritis days. It is just walking, and when you cannot do the stuff that she is doing, you just keep walking......then pretty soon you can! It has really helped the inflammation in my shoulders.
How did the end of the week go, Nym? Did the hubs have daddy duty, or are you feeling a bit better?
I don't go to PT at the moment for a mixture of reasons, but have exercises and stretches and such that I do daily.
I'm doing ok. I called my rheumy, who called in a prednisone prescription for a higher dose. The pharmacy wouldn't fill it without insurance permission since it was for an increased dose (I take 2.5mg daily). I called the pharmacy and explained that it was a separate prescription from my daily pred, as it was for an acute condition. They called my rheumy and gave him a hard time, and he just ended up sending them a prescription for 120 2.5 mg tablets... I just take as many as I need to to make up the proper dosage for the taper he has me on until my infusion on Friday. LOL It took a day and a half to get it sorted out, which was ridiculous, but I can function now. I'm taking it easy.
My awesome husband fed me, gave me my meds, and banished me from the house yesterday while he cleaned, took care of kids (including 3 of my childcare kids), etc. I took myself to a movie and did a little me shopping. It was nice. This morning I went to a "Blue Mamas" support group for moms with depression / going through stressful situations and not only got to vent my concerns about my health, my kids' health, etc. and get some helpful ideas, but also got to help a mom struggling with a husband with chronic back problems along with depression and anxiety to help understand her husband a bit better.
Now, to continue to remember to breathe through issues with my van - we're hoping a friend can fix it for us, if not, I have no idea what we'll do, but we'll figure it out. It just has to get me to church and back tomorrow and I'll be happy.
Yay, steroids! Booo, bad pharmacy!
“Me” time is a must, especially when you feel like road kill. I tend to feel uber guilty about it even though its good for me and no one seems to mind.
Michael, I have no front/back curvature but I have a nice little scoliosis curve that runs left/ right!
michael in vermont said:
Nym and Jane I am wondering if you have tried PT yet. I get 30 visits every year with no copay so I get a tune up about every year. It really helps me. Jane I can give you some of my extra curvature in my thoracic area! I’ve got enough scoliosis to pass around! I hope you both find relief soon.
Yeah Jane! We are scoliosis twins! Yeah!