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.

The muscles in your neck and shoulder are in spasm . It's incredibly painful , I suffered from it for years when my kids were young . I was prescribed a liw dose tranquiliser and cocodamol but it only took the edge off . I found the best thing was a hot water bottle or some form of heat on my neck . Not sure A &E will help much , the GP is a better bet . You have my sympathy.

Mine was caused by a herniated disc in my neck . Just wear and tear . I was early thirties and had been carrying kids around for 10 years . It's was excruciating and happened regularly.

‘Untrained’? Of course they are trained, just like an osteopath is!

Do you suffer with migraines.

This happened to me once. I felt like I had to hold my head up to be able to move and it was very painful. I managed to get an emergency appointment with an osteopath who manipulated my neck and back. The relief was enormous but it took 3 sessions before it felt normal again.

This.
Chiropractors are dangerous quacks.
Most physiotherapists will only treat you once you have a diagnosis. GP first.

Cervical myelopathy- lose of bowel and bladder new year 2023 and the 20th January 2023 after being told just a virus by allied health (nhs physio at the time) I ended up in theatre 27/01/23. Ipswich surgeon’s saved my life.

just over 2 years later I’d get cellulitis/necrotising fasciitis but Ipswich saved my life.

Shooting pains or constant? If shooting could be the onset of Bells Palsy.

I had something similar, rang the GP and without seeing me they referred me the same day to a physio who worked out what it was and helped me. I can see people have recommended 111 so maybe physio referrals vary by area but ours is now direct with details available from the GP

I don't think that's the case the days is it?

If you to to your surgery with an apparent MSK problem, they book you straight in with the physio now, and I've seen private physios without getting a gp dx first

Oh, sorry @VerityUnreasonble I didn't read the whole thread, before posting.

Have you got an electric blanket for your bed? If so that or maybe a hot water bottle

This isn't true in my experience, you book an appt with a physio and go and see them. If they think you need to see a GP they will suggest it.

I would steer clear of a chiropractor.

I would ring 111 or see the GP tomorrow,if it is a spasm then muscle relaxants are fantastic. It might not be though hence the need to be properly checked.

Do not go anywhere near a chiro, especially one who "crunches" people because they could seriously injure you.

Ice on it 20 mins every 2 hours.

Call an ambulance. They will send paramedics and will put an inflatable stretcher around you. You need an MRI. I don’t think it’s sensible to go to a chiropractor or an osteopath until you have a diagnosis (MRI) this sounds like trapped nerves, or bulging discs in your neck. I know because I am dealing with it now. Good luck. It’s horrendous.

I’m going through this currently; all I can say is unless you’re desperate Don’t go to a&e. I had to wait 8 hours this morning. All for them to X-ray my shoulder say it’s not broken which I knew and give me codiene. They said I’ve got to ask my Gp for a physio appointment and a referral for an mri. Luckily I spoke to my Gp this afternoon and I have a pyhsio appointment tomorrow and they’ll do the referral then and there. I can barely move my neck and shoulder even with pain relief.

That sounds like what I had. I left it for a few months it gradually got worse so I couldn't lift my arm but could carry a heavy bag. Dr said I had a pinched nerve and referred me for physio.

I was just pleased you had the same thought!

I had torticollis years ago, woke up with a bit of pain, went back to bed for an hour and then couldn't get back up without assistance because I couldn't move my head. It's amazing how much it impacts on your ability to do anything!

Sounds very much like a trapped nerve, can you go to gp in morning if still bad before trying a and e?

Aw poor you - it sounds awful. It’s quite common in mothers - used to be called nursing neck and it’s a horrific pain no one understands unless they’ve had it. Echo some of above re neck brace from Amazon , codeine , heat and hot showers , v thin pillow (avoid bending neck forward or twisting neck ) and lots of rest. Try to keep neck straight , chin up and central ( you may be bending to side a little) and gently visualise yourself as you breathe out the pain. When youre getting up from lying down and resting neck be careful not to haul yourself up neck first - use the rest of your body turning and using limbs. Avoid lifting the DC. You may need mri urgently so gp but a/e reasonable also. Think it’s called radiculopathy. Like a slipped disc in your neck pressing on the nerve. You want the inflammation to settle - Craniosacral therapy can help but osteopathy or anyone who touches neck can make it worse. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

I started off like this in August ... just left side.. turns out l have cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy and stenosis.. l went to A&E.. had MRI.. they couldn't believe the pain l was in because l wear a morphine patch for my other pain .
I'm not saying yours is
. But you need a scan or x ray of some sort.
Im now waiting surgery. Hope it's not as serious as mine and you get some relief soon. X

Could you have viral meningitis?
Does it hurt your eyes to look at bright lights?

Do NOT see a chiropractor. They are not safe.

They have been known to paralyse patients or produce strokes. They are not recognised or prescribed or paid for by the NHS for.a reason.

Go to A&E. This is not normal bodily behaviour. You may need a neurologist.

Oddly I’ve had exactly the same thing for the last 10 days. Is the pain going right down your arm to your hand and may be causing pins and needles?

I saw a physio this week and was told it was a trapped nerve in my neck. I was in exactly the same state as you and panicking thinking I should go to a+e but don’t think there’s much they can do. Doctor prescribed naproxen and amitriptaline. Symptoms only really started improving yesterday. Before that I only felt ok if I was lying flat and still