Can’t cope

[Ellx]

Hi all!

I’ve had problems with my neck/shoulder on and off for a couple of years now but nothing TOO major. I’ve just put it down to general wear and tear and me getting older (I’m 35).

The last few days though I have been in absolute agony to the point I’m in tears and can’t look after my ds properly. The pain has started in my collar bones and is running into my neck and down my shoulders. It’s not just in one place, it seems to radiate all over this area and sometimes even in my jaw.

I am really, really struggling. Gp has advised painkillers so I’m taking all the usual plus codeine. I’ve tried heat and freeze patches, tiger balm, stretches (as much as I could) and nothing is helping me.

Does anybody know what this could be? I feel physically sick with the pain and am open to trying anything. I can’t lie down so I’ve not slept in 4 days and I’m just finding it really hard to cope (sorry for being dramatic). I have hidradenitis so have what I thought to be a high pain threshold but this is just something else.

Any help would be massively appreciated xx

Go back to GP tomorrow.

Have you injured it?

That doesn't sound right, I'd ring 111 or go back to the Gp.

I would ring 111 and emphasize the amount of pain you are in.

I've read that severe neck and jaw pain can be a sign of heart problems, particularly in women. Might be an idea to exclude that.

Back to the doctor and ask for a scan

I'd make an appointment to see a physio asap so they can help you understand what's wrong and give you some exercises to ease it. I've also previously seen an osteopath for neck pain and it was really helpful-i have bulging discs.

I've had issues with my neck/shoulder for years im 59 now and weight trained since I was 19. I've had it all, every pain killer, prescribed and off the shelf, chiropractor, osteopath, sports massage, manipulation etc, etc.... year before last I was in bed two days out of every week in Nov, Dec ( the cold damp made it a lot worse ) I'm a self employed gardener so it takes something for me to have to stop..... I read about Turmeric....I thought I'd give it a go..... been doing it for two years now, high dose and a good multivitamin..... Ali can say is it has worked for me....obviously had to give it a couple of weeks at the start... but, I had given up honestly and my pain was unbearable ...
Not 100% better, but 80-90 for sure.

I’m sorry you’re in so much pain OP and it’s probably a good idea to be seen for this. I used to suffer terribly with stiff neck/neck/shoulder pain that lasted for days. It made any activity unbearable to be honest, even something simple like putting clothes on and well, just functioning. When people suggest doing exercises and trying to keep your neck in motion - well. It used to make me cry because it just wouldn’t stop. Mine was due to sleeping position at night and used old pillows. I’d move in my sleep and turn my neck into really strange positions which ended up with me waking unable to move my head/neck. So a few things that genuinely helped me and I’m sorry if they don’t apply/ have already been tried.

• Heat pads/hot water bottles.
• Purchased new pillows. How do you sleep? Make sure your head is in a good position on pillow and you’re not too high. Think about raising the top of the bed slightly by placing pillow beneath the mattress and not using one at all.
• Mattress. Is yours a decent one?
• Weight loss. I was obese and am now a normal weight. It might have nothing to do with it, but losing 4 stone made me go from 3/4 painful days a week to now not having had them in over a year.

Thank you all so much xx

I would be booking to see a private physio asap if you can possibly afford it. Do your research and go to a respected clinic. A good physio is worth having in your contacts!

I had similar for thirteen years (one shoulder) and I can tell you what sorted it pretty quickly. Walking. You need to walk and swing your arms fairly briskly as you do so. I know it sounds too
easy but I’ve been free of pain for years now and that’s what did it.