A couple of days ago I turned and got a little “twinge” in my neck. Not too much of a problem, but it was stiff. This morning I’m sitting at the computer, reading the SDMBs and drinking some coffee. Suddenly, wham!!! It felt like someone clamped down on my neck with pliers! I took some Tylenol and stayed home from work. It still hurts unless I keep my head very still.
What can I do to get rid of this pain in the neck???
I’ve had that happen before. It went away after a couple days, if it doesn’t, go to the doctor! For immediate relief, a heating pad or some Ben Gay should help. A good shoulder rub should help get the kinks out too.
Have you been rather stressed lately? That could be a factor.
I get those from time to time, too. Got a wicked one a couple of weeks ago lifting my daughter into the tub.
If you can, take Advil (ibuprophen) rather than Tylenol. It works much better on muscle spasms. Take it at the maximum dose for a couple of days, making sure the doses overlap a bit. Also drink plenty of water and don’t sit in one position too long.
I bought some Motrin (ibuprophen). Good think I read the label. It said to only take one. The girl at Rite-Aid told me not to move my neck around. Ha! It hurts when I move my neck around. (Pain is Nature’s way of telling you to stop doing what you’re doing!) I picked up some sports cream while I was there. (Basically, topical aspirin, I think.) Tiger Balm works on some things, like over exertion; but it’s never worked on neck-pulls. (“Never”? This is only the second one I remember having!)
I read the Tylenol bottle. Hey! You know that stuff can cause liver damage? Yikes! And I was thinking of taking some 10-year old Scottish muscle relaxant!
I am not a doctor. With that out of the way, Ibuprofen is available by prescription in doses as high as 800mg. Over the counter, it is only available at 200mg. You are probably safe taking up to 4 of the OTC tablets without fear. Preferably, if you take a dose this large, take it with food, as ibuprofen is known to be a little harsh on the stomach for some. Before doing this, though, it is advisable to get the advice of a medical professional.
It has anti-inflammatory properties, as well. If there is any associated swelling, this will reduce the swelling helping you to move more freely and painlessly due to that as well as being a pain killer.
I also am not a doctor, but I believe that a lot of over the counter medication contains other ingredients which may well be harmful in doses that exceed the recommended dosage on the label. An overdose on the ibuprofen in the pill is probably unlikely, but many times there are other ingredients added to the tablets for one reason or another that can be harmful in a larger dose.
Thus the reason to consult a professional first. Most of the OTC ibuprofen tabs are safe though from my what experience and research has turned up over the years. Still, as stated, it is better to ask your doctor.
Thanks all,
The single Motrin and the sports cream seem to be helping.
Johnny,
Even though I’m a Harley rider and have the IQ of a turnip (at least I don’t hold a grudge), I have copious amounts of experience with back and neck pain. If you have good insurance, I suggest you see a doctor tomorrow and ask her to write you a prescription for physical therapy. While at therapy, ask for heat therapy and massage. More then likely within one or two treatments, you’ll be loose as a goose and good as new. Physical therapists can do in an hour what a heating pad and Motrin can take days to do.
Also, I’ve been on anti-inflammatory drugs for about 15 years (constantly). Motrin is commonly dispensed in 800mg doses, but should not be taken that way without the consent of a Dr. High doeses of Ibu (motrin) can cause stomach problems and other health risks. Tylenol can indeed cause liver trouble, but usually in high doses or over long term use. Don’t use alcohol with either drug.
ZETTE IS NOT A DOCTOR ZETTE IS NOT A DOCTOR.
This is advice based on personal experience. Your milage may vary.
Zette
I shall now resume drooling on myself and picking the bugs off my leather jacket.
Aw, Zette! Don’t take my Harley comments personally! Just a little backlash from all of the “Ewwww! You ride a rice burner???” comments I’ve gotten over the years. I may actually get a Harley one of these days. (After I get a Yamaha R-1, of course! ;)) I guess I can be nasty before coffee (and when my neck hurts)!
Thanks for the advice, and for not holding a grudge.
That 200mg. Motrin really did the trick. Maybe I’m stressed? I can’t understand why. I’m just preparing to go to Seattle to look for an apartment, quit my job, move 1,200 miles away without having an income, get my sister to sell a house we inherited, and deal with the potential guilt of making the tenants move out when the house is sold. Would that cause stress, and thus, muscle pain?
I shall now change into shorts, T-shirt and tennis shoes, and ride my rice burner at insane speeds through L.A. traffic. 
Oh, I did pull out my insurance card. The only time I’ve been to a doctor in the past several years has been to get my FAA flight physicals. I don’t even know who my doctor is!
I am not a doctor either, but I asked one once about the OTC type of ibuprofen. He told me that the OTC version is half the strength of the prescription version. So, I take 4 tablets (200 mgs) every 4 to 6 hours. I had bursitis (sp?) in my shoulder once and ibuprofen is the only thing short of a prescription pain killer (narcotic) that would touch it.
But as has been said before, if it doesn’t let up in a couple of days, go see a dr.
Most importantly, wait until the rotors have stopped before you try to do the post-flight eyeball inspection.
Be careful out there, Johnny- it’s a jungle! Oh, and I’m over the whole Harley/Riceburner thing. Otherwise I’d have advised large quantities of my chili to relieve your pain. (Well, it wouldn’t relieve your pain, but you would likely forget about it for a while)
I stand by my recommendations if this comes up again for you. Don’t suffer needlessly with it. Even a few times a year is too much when you can’t move your neck.
Careful on that bike!
(and it may interest you to know that my husband and I used to ride a Honda Sabre. Talk about a crotch rocket! That thing FLEW. Then I laid it down (on a slow turn) and busted the clutch handle. That was the end of that for me 
. Men are such spoil-sports!)