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Severe Neck and Upper Back Pain--Familiar to Anyone Else??

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Posted 1/14/2011 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am desperate to try and find a solution for what is going on right now. I have ulcerative colitis which is currently well-controlled with lialda. A month or two ago, I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis. I refused to go on the Humira because at this point, the X-Rays showed no significant damage. They do believe that the arthritis is part of the colitis. So, the rheumatologist was fine with no Humira because there was no significant damage. She gives me a muscle relaxant and a pain killer. Neither work. I am in almost daily pain unless I sit around on the couch all day. I get headaches anywhere from 2-5 days each week.

Could this be inflammation in the muscles of some sort? I have no idea if colitis could even cause something like that, but I am hoping there is someone on the boards who has experienced something similar. If so, I could hopefully connect it to the colitis, which may help me find a solution. Help!
Posted 1/15/2011 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know what causes it but I wanted to let you know that I have awful upper back and neck pain as well. I also deal with migraines but mine are hormonal, I don't think they are linked to the back issue in my case. I have taken medication for my migraines and tylenol for body aches and it never helps the back/neck pain. I am sorry to hear you're having so much trouble finding the cause. I find that even if I sit on the couch all day, I still have back pain. Please let me know if you find any information.
Posted 1/15/2011 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
I am the same way! People are like, well you're overweight, you should exercise! Haha, I am overweight because when I try to exercise, I am in severe pain.

I just feel like I have reaches my total frustration point, and will keep searching for answers. Hopefully I will find some, or maybe there is someone else here with similar experience. I am hoping to find something!
Posted 1/15/2011 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hope you feel well soonbut whatever you do don't get any epidural injections they can be very dangerous...google the Burton Report for more info
Posted 1/15/2011 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
what kind of painkiller your rheummy gave you? an NSAID?

Inflammatory artritis and IBD are highly correlated.
If you have been diagnosed with it, your best option is to EXERCISE. Even if it hurts. Or mostly because it hurts, because you risk more if you don't.
Try swimming, 2-3 times per week. It's a verry good option and it's not so painfull.
Posted 1/15/2011 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
What you might be experiencing is Peripheral arthritis which is pretty common for people with an IBD. Of course there are other forms of arthritis that can cause damage to our joints. PA is non damaging and usually wax and wanes to match the inflammation in your body.

I have many neck and back issues myself but I don't believe mine is due to Uc. My neck and upper back gives me the most grief. I was in a car accident 15 years ago and it gave me severe whiplash. My neck "goes out" on me quite frequently. The best thing that works is physical therapy, heat, support such as a neck brace and rest. Exercising may hurt at first but even small controlled movements to work up the neck and shoulder muscles can help a lot. When I re-injure myself and when the pain gets too bad, I go to the doctor and they give me a shot of Toradol along with strong pain killers and muscle relaxers. Which muscle relaxer did you try and what pain killer?

I also get a lot of headaches associated with this. Traction works best. I have a funny looking head support I found online. It basically gently separates your head from the neck to allow the muscles in there to rest a bit.

I recommend you look into physical therapy. They can at least show you some exercises to do at home that can help alleviate the pain.
Posted 1/15/2011 5:11 PM (GMT 0)

Red_34 said...
. I have a funny looking head support I found online. It basically gently separates your head from the neck to allow the muscles in there to rest a bit./quote]

can you provide a link for such a thing? when my AS flares it's mostly on my neck, so i find this interesting.

Posted 1/15/2011 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Oh geez, Alinus...this was ages ago I got this but I will look and see if I can find it. I am not even sure what it's called. When I find it, I will let you know.
Posted 1/15/2011 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
I couldn't find it (I can't remember the name of the site) but I did find this site that has a bunch of different things for your neck:

www.necksolutions.com/
Posted 1/15/2011 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I am not really clear what inflammatory arthritis is or how they diagnosis it.


I definitely have back and joint pain.

What are the symptoms? Joints visibly red and swollen?

No question that if I don't exercise it just gets worse and worse. Pain during the end of exercise and after is getting worse though.
Posted 1/15/2011 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
My neck is actually sore to the touch today. I must have pulled something working out. I am so tired of this neck pain!
Posted 1/15/2011 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
AZYooper, most times inflammatory arthritis (or Peripheral arthritis) has no outward visible signs but yet the joints still hurt. Nothing shows up on xrays, MRI's or bloodwork unless you have inflammation markers noted in your blood.

http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/complications/arthritis

Notso, I'm sorry that you are hurting. Whip out the heating pad and do 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. This might help alleviate some of the pain or at least loosen things up in there.
Posted 1/16/2011 3:10 AM (GMT 0)

When I got my UC it came  with reactive arthritis (apparently some people get both together). I have very deep bone pain in long bone in my leg, but additionally terrible pain in my neck, all the way down my back, and into almost every joint. The pain in the joints of my feet and toes makes walking pretty difficult, but I force myself to take a daily walk anyway because I know it's good for me.

I have yet to find anything to help with the pain. While on the prednisone, it did lessen some (but didn't help the UC bleeding).

I use a heating pad in bed as much as I can.

Posted 1/16/2011 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried seeing a chiropractor? I have a terrible neck. In my case if it starts giving me pain, it's a prelude
to either an impending flare (much like impending DOOM!! LOL!) or a bout of IBD (meaning swollen colon & distention
in my abdomen) I will usually just wake up & my neck is OUT,it's accompanied by swelling around my collarbone.
Once I get they swelling under control (usually a day or so) I go straight to the chiropractor & end up there about 2-3
times a week until we get everything "back in line" Last time was so bad that if you were looking at me you would say
I was crooked! Anyway I do find that after a few adjustments overall everything feels better including my gut. When you
think about it...if your back is out of alignment...it would directly affect the reast of your body, both inside & out.
Posted 1/17/2011 2:03 AM (GMT 0)

mom2threehasU/C said...
Have you tried seeing a chiropractor? I have a terrible neck. In my case if it starts giving me pain, it's a prelude
to either an impending flare (much like impending DOOM!! LOL!) or a bout of IBD (meaning swollen colon & distention
in my abdomen) I will usually just wake up & my neck is OUT,it's accompanied by swelling around my collarbone.
Once I get they swelling under control (usually a day or so) I go straight to the chiropractor & end up there about 2-3
times a week until we get everything "back in line" Last time was so bad that if you were looking at me you would say
I was crooked! Anyway I do find that after a few adjustments overall everything feels better including my gut. When you
think about it...if your back is out of alignment...it would directly affect the reast of your body, both inside & out.

Thank you. I guess I will have to explore that option.
Posted 1/17/2011 6:37 AM (GMT 0)
My colitis has caused inflamation in my back and neck on my xray it has caused slight disc bulges. My specialist has looked into it and said that it is related to the colitis. Colitis will cause inflamation in all joint areas, eyes etc.. An anti - inflamatory and panadeine forte may help. But I agree with the above people that swimming will help big time and exercise etc. Good luck hope you can get some relief soon.
Posted 1/17/2011 8:02 AM (GMT 0)
I go to a chiropractor once in a while & smoke medicinal plants. :) Helps a lot for me.
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