… I am now experiencing severe neck pain. It comes and goes - worse at some times than others - but hurts like hell even as I write this and I can hear/feel a “crackling” noise when I turn my head to the left or right, and I can’t seem to “relax” enough to sleep, because I can’t find a position for my head which will allow me to do that.
It’s like a headache in my neck!
I went to see my PCP Wednesday and got a referral to see an orthopedist, but in the meantime, all I have are a few Darvocet, and they’re not helping.
I have some Skelaxin (sp), but even if I cut one in half, I’m out like a light for hours and feel like shit afterwards.
You don’t have to give me the disclaimer ;), but I just wanted to know if y’all have ever experienced anything like this, and what was it, and what did you do about it?
I occasionally have this problem, the lingering reminder of the time I was rear ended at a stop sign. Generally, these episodes aren’t too horrible and I just wait them out, but when the pain is agonizing I go for a massage with a skilled and experienced massage therapist. (Don’t go to a chain where you get any old random person.) They can usually put my neck right with one session.
ETA: Theoretically a chiropractor could do the same thing, but I’m told that there’s a small but real risk of a neck adjustment going wrong and paralyzing you. The massage just relaxes the muscles and pushes things back into the right place.
Thanks. I take Arthritis Strength Tylenol (2 three times a day) because of the pain in my fingers from the gouty arthritis, and an .81 strength aspirin for my heart, as well as Glucosamine Chondroitin and Allopurinol.
I’m just thinking this might be cervical, because when I have to take my meds, I have to support the back of my head with the other hand to swallow the pills.
Been doing some reading on the net, and apparently the “crackling” I am feeling/hearing is because of “gas” in the joints/discs?
Hell, I don’t know! I know the lungs and the heart, but this stuff is beyond me!
I like it ice cold, brings down the throbbing swelling pain nicely. Coldness lasts about 15 minutes, which is as long as you are supposed to ice something. Pop it back in the freezer, and 45 minutes later you are good to go again.
Can be warmed up, but I prefer cold for joint pain.
I have a long history of recurrent cervical disc pain. I am pain free for a few years, then blam. Luckily, a few weeks of PT and I’m good for a few years. My physical therapist does a regime of heat, massage, ultrasound, and traction. And he is paid in full by my usually stingy health insurance.
It would be very difficult to make any sort of diagnosis over the internet worth much.
In general, pain localized to the neck (not radiating down a nerve branch) that is worse with various movement (rotation, flexion, extension…) and associated with noise or perception of grating can be related to degeneration in the cervical joints. There may or may not be secondary muscle irritation and spasm, and the problem may or may not involve the cushioning cervical discs between the vertebrae themselves.
Diagnosis is usually begun with plain xrays although these don’t always correlate well with the patient’s symptoms, and more elaborate exams such as CT and MRI can be more helpful.
An orthopedist or neurosurgeon comfortable with cervical spine disorders would typically be an appropriate specialist to see.
There are some neurologists or orthopedists who practice as pain specialists. I’ve had bad lumbar pain for years, but recently the cervical pain as you described started too. I had previously gone to a pain specialist and he had me go to a hospital where I got an epidural/steroid injection. He guies the needle in by X-ray. It helped some, but had to eventually get surgery.
I found a very good pain clinic recently, that has helped the lumbar pain. When I went back with the neck pain, they tried several things (they have two MDs and a chiropractor who all work together). When nothing else worked, they gave me the same sort injection in the neck. Within a few days, almost all the pain had gone, and was able to turn my head in either direction as far as before.
YMMV, but it is something to ask your doctor about. Good luck, hope you get some relief.
… a heartfelt “thank you”, to both of you and to everyone who has replied here. It truly makes me feel like one of the family, although I have now added a 5th doctor to my list!
As Jerry Lee (All Killer, No Filler) once yelled, : ***“Hangin’ In Like Gunga Din!!!” ***
I know the lungs and the heart, but this stuff is beyond me!