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.

Only on Mumsnet:
Mum two kids, in pain, husband at work

Solutions:
See a chiropractor tomorrow

See an osteopath tomorrow

Ring for an ambulance

Paramedics will arrange childcare

Get your partner to take time off work (In December 🙄)

It really does show how out of touch many people are on here.
The cost of private healthcare is huge

Ambulances and Paramedics are for urgent and critical care... They don't provide childcare either

The chances of an employer giving time off in December the busiest time of year, are slim... Plus time off work loses you money.

Try living in the real world, the reality will terrify some of you on here 🙄

I think most people are attempting to guide towards the available solutions and advise who /what can help and who/what won't.

I suggested physio but I can't usually afford one privately so I hardly live in a bubble. Doesn't mean I assume everyone else can afford one but its not for us to know the ops circumstances.

What should we say? Stick some ibuprofen gel on it and hope for the best??

At least other posters are attempting to be helpful, you've not provided any solutions, just moaned.

I had something similar year’s ago and doctor said it was ‘wry neck’. I’d never heard of it and no idea why I had it.

Don't see a chiropractor, they are charlatans and it's not science-based.
Physiotherapist will be able to diagnose if it is a muscle issue and give some stretches to assist.
We did call an ambulance once when DH couldn't move with back pain and I wouldn't have been able to get him down the stairs to take him to a dr. The paramedic provided meds for pain and showed some stretches to 'unlock' his back and gain movement again. She was here for ages but at least he avoided hospital and they said they were happy to provide that service.

Hi OP I’ve had something called a wry neck a handful of times in my life and it sounds very similar. It’s basically muscle strain, it’s like the muscles are twisted and it causes you not to be able to hold your head and neck straight. It’s really painful. Lying down can be particularly difficult. My DS16 has had it a couple of times as well. It may have been triggered by seemingly nothing, just a small movement, not necessarily an obvious injury. Mine has sorted itself out after a couple of days. Obviously I can’t diagnose it, so I agree 111 would be a good call. Good luck!

Agree. Our then 5 yo had it, took him to emergency and they did a CT to rule out anything else, kept him overnight on a drip and painkillers and sent him home with diazapam. Was all good in a few days.

How weird we pretty much cross posted!

Just to add, torticolis is the Latin name for wry neck.

The cost of private healthcare is huge

Of all private healthcare I find physios the most reasonable. £30 a session IF budget allows is good value and might only need a couple of sessions.

I know someone who had similar. They were in so much pain they couldn't do anything but were repeatedly fobbed of by GP and hospital. It was a bone infection that lead to sepsis and they were lucky it was eventually caught when it was.

Look out for signs of infection.

That's exactly why the OP she should be examined properly and not self treat/diagnose.

Chiropractic is safe when practised by a trained professional. It is available on the NHS in some cases but not widely. Physios and osteopaths also use manipulation, alongside other techniques. The important thing with any manual therapy is to see someone who knows what they are doing.

In OPs care I would look for an experienced physio who uses massage and ultrasound, or an osteopath who does similar. A person that has only one tool in their toolbox is unlikely to be much use. In the meantime I’d phone 111 to rule out any systemic cause of the pain.

An off the wall question, but have you ever had chicken pox? If so, could it possibly be shingles? I only ask because I recently had a case of shingles which started with intense pain in my shoulder.

Since you’ve experienced similar pain before, it’s probably not shingles, but I thought I would mention the possibility just in case. Anyway, I hope you feel better soon.

Yes, absolutely the same here @VerityUnreasonble that's what made me suggest it. OP, I do hope you get it sorted out, as it was grimmer than grim, when I had this, IF it's Torticollis, that is.

The OP was very clear about her circumstances.

There is plenty of evidence to show that chiropractic is not safe and is not based on evidence and is dangerous. Here are my sources from 15 years ago to 2025. If you want to dispute this, please provide evidence. However I am not interested in debating you. I am interested in ensuring that the OP does not see a chiropractor who may severely damage her neck and cause her a stroke, paralysis or death.

https://www.quackometer.net/blog/2010/04/the-british-chiropractic-association-humiliated.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/jun/19/chiropractic-bca-mca-singh

https://edzardernst.com/2025/01/a-new-review-confirms-that-chiropractic-is-based-on-wishful-thinking-very-poor-science-and-a-denial-of-the-most-obvious-facts/

https://edzardernst.com/2024/02/a-self-chiropractic-spinal-manipulation-that-resulted-in-death/

NHS guidance:
‘Chiropractic is generally safe when performed correctly by a trained and registered chiropractor.’

https://nhsuk-cms-fde-prod-uks-dybwftgwcqgsdmfh.a03.azurefd.net/tests-and-treatments/chiropractic/

As with all private treatment, from dentistry to vaccination, ensure the practitioner is trained, registered and insured.

I’ve no interest in debating you or advocating a particular modality, but scaremongering isn’t necessary or helpful.

Person in the real world here…

After ruling out systemic causes, an experienced therapist is the quickest and most effective route. A qualified practitioner who understands anatomy can quickly identify if the issue is muscular or not and will not treat outside their competence, and often can refer on to more appropriate care.

It’s not free no but what is it you’d suggest that is free, effective and appropriate?

Perhaps it varies in different areas. I went direct to a physio and he wouldn't take me until I had a diagnosis. MRI revealed two bulging discs and a trapped nerve so it was a fairly common MSK problem.
This was over a year ago so might have changed.

Not scaremongering.

From that link:

• It's considered a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which means it's not a conventional medical treatment.
• There's little evidence that it can help with more serious conditions or problems not affecting the muscles or joints, such as asthma, allergies and mental health problems.
• If you need hands-on treatment, a GP is more likely to refer you to a physiotherapist.
• There is a risk of more serious problems, such as stroke, from spinal manipulation. Speak to a GP if you're unsure whether chiropractic is safe for you.

Why would you use alternative medicine and a non-conventional medical treatment?
Why would you use something that's supposed to be for joints but claims it can help with asthma etc?
Why would you not see a physiotherapist?
Why would you use a treatment that has a risk of stroke or may not be safe?

Not scaremongering. Backed up by the NHS.

That sounds so painful, did you get the treatment you needed in the end?

Not interested in debating but continuing to debate? Ok then, I’ll bite.

Yes, its alternative medicine - that doesn’t automatically make it dangerous, as per your previous post. It also doesn’t preclude it being available on the NHS in some cases, as per the link.

I don’t think anyone in the thread has suggested chiropractic for non-MSK conditions. Personally I’ve said I’d rule those out before consulting a manual therapist.

Physio is a different modality, and people can make their own choice. Vast differences in the scope of physio too. I’ve been referred to NHS physios who never even examined me, just gave me a printout of exercises. Do you think that’s useful?

In rare cases manipulation can be dangerous. The risk is mitigated by going to a qualified professional who checks for contraindications and uses safe techniques. Ultrasound can be also dangerous if misused or used where contraindicated. Would you caution against physios who use that as ‘dangerous’ or is it just manipulation that alarms you? Physios and osteopaths also use manipulation and the same applies. But you don’t seem concerned about them doing the same treatment.

Like PPs, I've had torticollis which manifested like your condition. I rang the NHS non-urgent number and was sent to A&E to rule out brain haemorrhage. Painkillers didn't touch it but my GP is also an acupuncturist and sorted it the following day within ten minutes. It is unbelievably painful.

I'd ring the GP and ask for an emergency appt today.

Please don't let a chiropractor touch your neck.

Only £30?! The physio I use is £80! I’d be amazed if most people can find a physio charging so little. Where are you based?