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Pain throughout back and neck.

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Posted 9/21/2009 2:19 PM (GMT 0)

Has anyone else had horrible back pain that stretches from one side to the other across both rib cages.... lot's of muscle tingling.... also horrible pain at the back of the neck that also goes down my back.  I've tried heat and also ice... nothing seems to help much.  I've been to physical therapy and do exercises recommended by them.... also I do the stretching exercises from Fibro 101.  My doctor prescribed the generic to Percocet, Roxicet... I only take 1/4 of a tablet because I am very sensitive to meds.  Can't take codeine at all.  Tylenol doesn't help me.  Sometimes I feel so weak and tired I just feel like I'm dying.  Dr. put me on the lowest strength of Prozac but I couldn't take it.... it made me more anxious. 

You can read in my earlier posts that I have had every test known to man.  I have all types of problems with my back and neck... degenerative disc disease, herniated disc in my lumbar area, scoliosis, osteophytes and cervical stenosis.... I am concerned that I have a pinched nerve somewhere but nothing was spotted in the MRIs.  This is very scary to me.  Migraine's are also more frequent.

Thanks everyone!

Posted 9/21/2009 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Talk to your doctor about a muscle relaxer for your neck. Especially if the heat isn't working. My first symptoms were pain in the neck and shoulders. And I still have that problem when I have a flare up. So muscle relaxers could help. We carry all of our stress in the neck and shoulders. This could be what is going on with you.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 9/21/2009 4:22 PM (GMT 0)

skylark...

I experience very similar back and neck issues. My GP prescribed Soma (muscle relaxer) at bedtime. My Rheumatologist added Lodine (ati-inflamitory) 2x daily. The combo helps tremendously.  For the time that the spasms get really intense, I'll take no more than one more Soma. Heat is always soothing. Hot baths are a slice of heaven.

Posted 9/21/2009 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Diana, Sorry you are hurting. I agree with Karen and Rachel about the muscle relaxers.
I use Flexeril if I am hurting, along with soaking in a hot bath for relief.

I also have multiple back issues and did have back surgery seven years ago, it really helped.
Hope you are able to find relief soon!

Robin
Posted 9/21/2009 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have a prescription for Flexeril, 10MG.  I have to split it though.  My body is just so sensitive to meds.  It helps some... but not enough.  I wonder if Soma is better than Flexeril?  The only way I've been able to sleep at night is taking Ambien... it relaxes me so I can sleep a good 5 hrs... the Flexeril didn't help me sleep, in fact if I take a whole tablet it makes me anxious.  I take the anti-inflammatory Nabumetone for my arthritis... never tried Lodine.... does it work pretty well?
Posted 9/21/2009 5:31 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Dianna...

Soma will help me get to sleep, but won't keep me asleep (if I'm having one of those nights). Since it's usually muscle spasm that wakes me back up, that's when I take that 2nd Soma.

Soma calms me down and, combined with the Lodine, it's the most relaxed I feel all day. The Lodine (taken 2x daily) doesn't knock me out (and I'm quite a lightweight), although it does relax me. The GP tried to prescibe Neurontin... couldn't handle it (have a 3 year old to keep up with). The Neurologist, again, tried to get me on it as well. We decided instead to give the Savella at least a month to see if it will suffice. I won't go near any synthetic opiate based pain relievers. Did that along with Elavil, Neurontin and Soma with the RSD. It was a year of living in a sleep-walk. Don't ever want to go back to that.

Posted 9/21/2009 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have major issues with the muscles of my neck, upper back and shoulders. But nothing with the discs, as far as I know. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I am looking at massage int he near future. I wonder if I should also ask my doc about muscle relaxers? He always comments on how tight I am up there. I'm just not sure if I want to add another med. I'm only taking amitriptyline right now.

Good luck, I do hope you find some relief!
Posted 9/21/2009 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Of all of the drugs I took to treat the RSD symptoms, Soma was the mildest. I don't get a hangover and my energy level doesn't seem to be effected. Again... I tend to be a real light-wieght when it comes to meds.

Posted 9/21/2009 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Rachel, what does RSD stand for?
Posted 9/21/2009 6:29 PM (GMT 0)

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. 

It's thought to result from damage to the nervous system, including the nerves that control the blood vessels and sweat glands.

The damaged nerves are no longer able to properly control blood flow, feeling (sensation), and temperature to the affected area. This leads to medical problems in the Blood vessels, Bones, Muscles, Nerves and Skin.

Symptoms include burning, shooting pains, muscle spasms, temp. changes (ie, cold hands), numbness and tingling in extremities, shoulders and neck.

Mine showed up after my Left Ulner Nerve got crushed when I fractured my wrist.

Can't find any conclusive articles that tie it to autoimmune disease. But, I do wonder if that didn't play a role in my susceptability.

Posted 9/21/2009 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I wish I could afford massage.... I believe that would be good for me.  Insurance doesn't cover massage's though.
Posted 9/21/2009 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
ask your doc for lidoderm pain patches. they are topical so dont get in your bloostream so no side effects or interactions. i LOVE them

also bodi-heat wraps. they are otc.
Posted 9/21/2009 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Topical pain patches are absorbed slowly and do get into  your blood stream.  With Lidoderm patches you don't get a lot in the blood stream like you do with other patches.  There are several members that use these and really like them.

 

Sherrine

Posted 9/21/2009 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
I take soma and it is wonderful. I tried flexeril but it made me sleepy, soma doesn't make me sleepy. I also use what is called a bed buddy. Have you ever tried one? They are like a sock filled with rice and you put it in the microwaver to heat up. The heat is really moist and it feels so good. Especially with the cold weather to come. I hope that it comes in slowly. Last year we got snow in October and it never left.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 9/21/2009 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
My pain seems to be mainly in my neck and back as well. i have no injuries or conditions other than fibro that have been detected as of yet. It gets really bad at night and I end up tossing and turning all night. I have tried some pain relievers but they seem to work for a while and then stop. I don't want to be dependant on medicine, but I think at this point I may try some of the suggestions on this this thread. I need some good sleep before I go nuts.
Posted 9/22/2009 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
yoga neck stretching exercises help. I do the horizon stretch and another one that I don't know the name. There is a character in one of the wizard of oz books. she has many different heads and can change them whenever she wants. I wish I could do that.
Sue
Posted 9/22/2009 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Treebo, my heart goes out to you.  I wasn't able to sleep much at all until my doctor prescribed Zoltrim Tartrate... the generic of Ambien.  It just relaxes all of my muscles and I sleep for 5 good hours most nights.  I know I can become dependent on this.... but I needed to sleep so badly.  The good can outweigh the bad when it comes to pain relief and sleep.  Sometimes it doesn't work as well... depending on the severity of the pain... but it's been a lifesaver.  I hope you can get some relief and sleep very soon.

Statgeek, I'm not familiar with Yoga moves.... but I may check into the horizon stretch.  I have some stretches that my PT gave me to do that helps.... but on the severe pain days nothing helps.

Posted 9/22/2009 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
I have an old injury to my sacrum that now has osteoarthritis in it and I do have osteoarthritis in my neck but the fibro is the worse from the base of my skull down to my tailbone and spreads out clear across my back, shoulders, ribs and even down my arms now.

 

Besides other injuries that we may have to our backs and necks fibro seems to like that area.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 9/22/2009 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dianna, I had costochondritis (inflamation of connecting tissues in ribcage) combined with severe pain in upper back and shoulders. It hurt so bad to move or even breathe I thought I was going to go insane. I can't take a lot of pain meds because of my liver (autoimmune hepatitis).

What did eventually help was a TENS machine (TENS = Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). It really did ease the pain. I had to wear it to sleep for a while (even though they say don't sleep with it on).

So sorry to hear about your pain and difficulty sleeping....I hope you feel better soon!

JoAnn
Posted 9/22/2009 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Nasalady, I sent my doctor an email and asked her about the TEN machine.  If I could get one of these it's worth a try.  Did you buy one yourself?  If so where did you get it and are they expensive?  I would try anything natural and not have to take strong pain killers.  Thanks for your information.
Posted 9/22/2009 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have that pain exactly like you described, alot of time i end up getting a trigger point injection shot, i find when i can break the pain cycle once it takes it longer to come back, but sadly with the shots it will return. But to me it is worth it just to be migraine free
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