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General health

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Original poster

Neck/shoulder pain & spasm?

21 replies

Alakazam8 · 02/07/2023 11:02

Started on Friday afternoon. I have had severe pain in my shoulder/neck since then. It’s helped a little bit (in that it stops me wanting to curl into a ball and cry) by painkillers which I’m taking 4 hourly. can’t take anti inflammatory tablets unfortunately.

I am struggling with it as it makes me feel sick and nothing seems to make it go completely. Have tried heat pads and hot tub. I am keeping mobile and moving my neck and shoulder.
is there anything else I can try today that might help. I’m hoping to go to the GP tomorrow if I can get an appointment with this as it’s so bad.
Are there treatments for this that could be done quickly? (keeping fingers crossed)

OP posts:

Garman · 02/07/2023 11:04

Try ice instead of heat to take down the inflammation rather than just relax it.

Original poster

Alakazam8 · 02/07/2023 11:43

Thanks will try and get an ice pack today

OP posts:

Original poster

Alakazam8 · 02/07/2023 21:43

I’ve tried ice pack now, still awful. in tears tonight. Anyone know how long this goes on for and what if anything I can ask for with GP?

OP posts:

Garman · 02/07/2023 21:46

Did you injure it, did something bring it on or did it come out of nowhere? You ask gp for help and they advise, doesn’t matter what people on the internet think you should ask for.

Original poster

Alakazam8 · 02/07/2023 21:53

No injury that I’m aware of, just seemed to come out of nowhere. Obviously will wait to see GP just wanted reassurance I suppose that there is something that might help. Sorry if it sounded like I was expecting more than just suggestions.

OP posts:

Norachance · 02/07/2023 22:13

I have a post about my back spasm. It's awful.
One thing that helps is to put ice on it when it goes. Also dh presses on it and rubs in circles with one hand while other hand supports chest. I'm dreading work tomorrow with no dh on hand for first aid! I can just about reach over my shoulder to do it myself but when it goes I tend to panic and freeze which actually makes it worse.
I saw a physio yesterday who massaged the tight muscle. She said ice initially for 20 mins but then when not in spasm use a heat pack for blood flow.

Norachance · 02/07/2023 22:17

I tried ibuprofen on Friday but it gave me horrendous heartburn so I am just taking paracetamol. Also voltarol gel. Not sure at this point whether that's helping or no but I would literally do anything to stop the pain when it starts.

Original poster

Alakazam8 · 02/07/2023 22:48

I would do anything to stop this but had it since Friday and nothing works (that I’ve found yet) . Will look at your post now @Norachance thanks

OP posts:

Terryer · 02/07/2023 22:49

What did you do?

Terryer · 02/07/2023 22:50

Can you feel the muscles? Are they hard? A heat pack and massage should help.

Omm · 02/07/2023 22:52

If your go doesn’t help, go to an osteopath.
good luck!

Theunamedcat · 02/07/2023 23:05

Ds had this a few months ago ibuprofen gel paracetamol/cocodamol tablets and heat it eases after a few days

Original poster

Alakazam8 · 03/07/2023 00:54

Hope it eases after a few days. Just got up and tried another heat pad. Really tired but can’t find tolerable position to lie/sit in!

OP posts:

cherrypied · 03/07/2023 12:33

Chiropractor was good for neck and shoulder. Rubbish for low back pain .

Or a physio

Original poster

Alakazam8 · 04/07/2023 16:47

Been to gp. Is more neck than shoulder as my neck has restricted movement too. Got given a very high dose of muscle relaxants and paracetamol and they are beginning to work.
still feel terrible though, pain bad but not at its worst all the time, was sick this morning and my eye sight seems a bit blurry. I assume this is due to being soooo tired!!!

OP posts:

Norachance · 05/07/2023 11:52

I also went to the gp yesterday and have diazepam which is helping. I can still feel a tugging sensation but no spasm. Pinning my hopes on physio tonight. Surely this didn't last indefinitely.
Glad you are feeling a bit more comfortable too!

bunhead1979 · 05/07/2023 11:54

The doc can give you a short dose of diazepam that will relax the spasm and help you get some movement back. Its just awful isn't it, but it will be ease in a few days.

Original poster

Alakazam8 · 09/07/2023 13:25

I wish they would have given me diazepam. I am still in pain, although not as bad as last weekend. Had to return to see physio on Friday as can’t move my arm higher than my shoulder now too. Think it’s a trapped nerve. Just got exercises and still on muscle relaxants which aren’t doing much. Is there anything else I can do. Was told on Friday it could take 6 weeks!

OP posts:

Original poster

Alakazam8 · 10/07/2023 09:22

Struggling again this morning- pain making me feel sick. Any tips at all from anyone who had been through similar.

OP posts:

Original poster

Alakazam8 · 12/07/2023 09:34

Still having big problems here, not sleeping hard to keep up with housework etc due to pain. Arm not really improved and I’m sure was in spasm again last night. The pain was horrible. Any tips at all please.

OP posts:

Jazz48235 · 22/11/2023 10:23

How are you now OP?
I am currently going through a similar thing.
how long did it take for the issue to resolve, if resolved.
I can’t stand that pain but can’t just take strong pain killers as I have two children and a high pressure job!
Struggling mentally from pain, it’s been 10 days x

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