To go to a&e. Can't keep my head up.

[Fern95]

I can't keep my head lifted up for very long. I'm in a lot of pain and have been taking paracetamol and ibuprofen but nothing is working. The left side of my neck and my left shoulder blade are extremely painful. My neck feels so strained. I've been using towels to make a makeshift brace to lift my head up. The only relief is when I lie flat but then it's agony in my shoulder trying to get up out of bed. I have two children and I cannot lift the toddler up and lower her into the cot. I had to ask the older child to make a pillow bed on the floor for the toddlers afternoon nap. I can't get pram down the stairs and out of the flat. This has been going on for 48 hours. Any ideas of whether they would be able to treat this in a&e? I don't even know if I can get there to be honest, let alone sit in a chair for hours. I'd have to lie on the floor but I can't get up by myself.

I’d start by phoning 111 because it sounds like it will be very difficult to go to A&E

Did something happen before hand ie and injury? Are you feeling generally unwell?

I think a chiropractor or osteopath would be more helpful. Have you taken a muscle relaxant?

I’m sorry to hear you’re not well and in pain, however you said it’s been 48 hours but not what caused it?
Did you lift your head awkwardly, sleep in an odd position or take too heavy a load up the stairs to your flat and sprain it?

If you can indicate to 111 when it came on, it may help them signpost you to the best person.

Get yourself to an osteopath first of all, sounds like a trapped nerve.

Call 111 - they can take you through some diagnostics and send an ambulance if needed. Sounds awful, I hope you get some relief soon.

I should add this has happened to me once before just not as bad and they gave me a muscle relaxant that didn't work and sent me home. I'm worried about making the pain 100x worse by getting there and there being no cure anyway. I haven't done any sports or had any injuries. Feel a little nauseous just because of the pain.

i agree with the advice above to call 111 for advice in the first instance.
any friend or family to come and check on you?

Could it be stress?

Hi Op- it sounds awful. Is it an injury or are you describing a virus?

if it’s back/ neck pain I’d imagine a chiropractor tomorrow would be more useful. If it’s a virus or sudden onset then yes a&e would be reasonable

I think you could probably get a fairly good idea of whether a&e can help from
triage which won’t take long, but still sounds tough for you to get there etc

Another vote for calling 111. I hope you feel better soon OP.

I'd call 111 personally so they can go through their checks.

Is the pain in your head like an unbearable headache as well as in your neck and shoulder blade?

Call 111.

I don't have any pain in my head. I'd like to see a chiropractor but I'm not sure if I can afford it! It will probably be the most sensible option.

It sounds like it could be fibrosis. Whatever it is, I hope you feel better soon.

Ring 999 I’d say if you’re in that much pain! Have you got any support with the children? If not paramedics can arrange something. You can’t wait around for 111 if your struggling to care for children, do it for their sake as well as yours xxx

Are you a single parent?
What do you mean you can’t get there?
How will you get back?

It sounds very painful but I would dread sitting in A&E for hours.

If you know that it’s nothing serious, then I would probably go to sleep and then go the next day.
Obviously if it gets worse then go straight there.

I’d ring 111 too but it could be hours before anyone phones you back.

What’s the point in calling 999 rather than going to a&e? It sounds like a back injury which is hideous but emergency medicine isn’t really designed to deal with it apart from muscle relaxant and or pain relief. It’s not something you need a paramedic for

I agree call 111, they will likely be able to get a doctor to call you: 111.nhs.uk/

Shoulder pain is often referred. Does it get better or worse with movement??

I think GP rather than A&E, but agree ask 111 for advice.

As you are asking us all…No don’t go to A&E, take anti inflammatory meds and rest. If you can post on mumsnet and you’ve been in pain for 48 hrs already, It’s a GP visit, not A&E. That’s for actual emergencies.

@chellewillnotbebeatenCan paramedics really arrange emergency childcare and maybe a temporary housekeeper? Who knew!! I thought they responded to emergency situations?

Had this loads of times ('frozen shoulder'). It is unbelievably painful.

You need codeine then when it kicks in gentle movement. Will sort it right out.

I had this from trying to put a sleeping child (6 years old) into a midsleeper bunk bed, strained my neck. Rest, heat/ice, and a load of painkillers.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I'm going to give it one more night with pain killers, ice/heat and rest (now husband is home!). If it's still no better in the morning I'll do 111 or try and urgent gp appointment. There aren't any chiropractic appointments available locally tomorrow. It's the not being able to hold my head up properly that is scaring me. I can change my kids nappy and give them food etc but I can't do all the other bits like taking them out or picking things up and I keep having to take breaks to lean back on pillows and rest my neck in between because it feels weak again after moving around.