OhioGolfer
05-23-2005, 11:41 PM
Last three weeks have been just awful. If I try to move my neck in any direction, there is sharp burning pain around the base of the neck. When I bend it left or right, the muscles on top of the shoulder flare up, sometimes the pecs as well. Bend forward or back, the trapezius and the muscles right along the spine pull severely. I have bulging discs at C3-C4, C4-C5 and C5-C6, but while these may be irritating, I think my primary problems is spasming of these muscles. They are rock hard, and I have symmetrical knots in the middle of the trapezius on right and left.
Muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories have done zip. Anybody else experience similar? Any ideas for relief?
Thanks!
Jeff
Muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories have done zip. Anybody else experience similar? Any ideas for relief?
Thanks!
Jeff
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dazedandconfused10
05-23-2005, 11:49 PM
I don't have bulging disks but I have similiar pain, not quite as bad, what do they say about the bulging disks, certainly that could be making things worse. Antiinflammatories did squat for me until I developed some arthritis. the only muscle relaxant that worked was flexeril and one time the spasm was so bad they put me on predinisone to stop it.
seaturtle
05-23-2005, 11:51 PM
Hello, Jeff,
I have had great relief from the sort of muscular pain in the same areas of my body with a kind of very deep massage called Ischemic Compression. It hurts like heck when it's being done, but the relief is amazing.
Unfortunately, my massage therapist is no longer working, and I can't find anyone else who can/will deliver that kind of intense pressure.
You might try it, if you can find someone who does it.
Peace, I hope this helps,
Seaturtle
I have had great relief from the sort of muscular pain in the same areas of my body with a kind of very deep massage called Ischemic Compression. It hurts like heck when it's being done, but the relief is amazing.
Unfortunately, my massage therapist is no longer working, and I can't find anyone else who can/will deliver that kind of intense pressure.
You might try it, if you can find someone who does it.
Peace, I hope this helps,
Seaturtle
goldenwings
05-24-2005, 08:52 AM
Hello There,
I have lots of spinal twists and inflammation which have been caused - in the main - by having a nerve and muscle wasting illness.
Having said this, the burning at the top part of my neck, back and shoulders is definitely a fibro issue. The things I find relieve it for me personally are warming a towel and placing it on the site but th best thing is some gentle stretching exercises that I do. I have passed these on to various people with differing illnesses, but always get good feedback. I have recently been given - by a reputable UK essential oil specialist - a combination of warming oils to gently apply onto the area. Do you want the names?
I wonder too though if you are a bit like me? Even when it is hurting like billyho, I just do need to finish whatever it is I am doing, which obviously doesn't help the agony. As now, typing this he he.
goldenwings :angel:
I have lots of spinal twists and inflammation which have been caused - in the main - by having a nerve and muscle wasting illness.
Having said this, the burning at the top part of my neck, back and shoulders is definitely a fibro issue. The things I find relieve it for me personally are warming a towel and placing it on the site but th best thing is some gentle stretching exercises that I do. I have passed these on to various people with differing illnesses, but always get good feedback. I have recently been given - by a reputable UK essential oil specialist - a combination of warming oils to gently apply onto the area. Do you want the names?
I wonder too though if you are a bit like me? Even when it is hurting like billyho, I just do need to finish whatever it is I am doing, which obviously doesn't help the agony. As now, typing this he he.
goldenwings :angel:
MomwithMS
05-24-2005, 11:21 AM
Yeah, I know that kind of pain. There was a time when I begged my doctor to remove the trapezius muscle b/c it always stayed in spasm. Now, 8 years later, the left side of my neck and upper back is StILL in spasm. It never went away. In pictures of myself, you can see that the left shoulder is about four inches higher than the right. It's terrible.
I take soma and baclofen for muscle relaxer. Zanaflex was the most effective muscle relaxer I had tried, but it made me hallucinate. (not fun)
I have gotten some relief from myofacial release but it's only worked temporarily. I have also gotten some relief from acupuncture.
That is such a horrid pain to have.
I take soma and baclofen for muscle relaxer. Zanaflex was the most effective muscle relaxer I had tried, but it made me hallucinate. (not fun)
I have gotten some relief from myofacial release but it's only worked temporarily. I have also gotten some relief from acupuncture.
That is such a horrid pain to have.
movin slo
05-26-2005, 11:12 AM
Hello Jeff,
Yes I have the same pains,same places.Sometimes the pain goes streight through to the front too. Sometimes a nice hot shower and use of the massage head helps. sometimes it doesn't . This disease seems to have a mind of its own. Just trying to keep up with the pain is impossible. But we (all of us with fibro) just keep going just likethe engerizer bunny :)
The bad part is most of us push ourselves too hard and we REALLY pay for it. So don't push yourself and try to enjoy your day as much as you possibly can.
Sue
Yes I have the same pains,same places.Sometimes the pain goes streight through to the front too. Sometimes a nice hot shower and use of the massage head helps. sometimes it doesn't . This disease seems to have a mind of its own. Just trying to keep up with the pain is impossible. But we (all of us with fibro) just keep going just likethe engerizer bunny :)
The bad part is most of us push ourselves too hard and we REALLY pay for it. So don't push yourself and try to enjoy your day as much as you possibly can.
Sue
jcsgreenthumb
05-26-2005, 02:09 PM
Hi,
If you are able to, try an osteopathic dr. I have had chronic problems as you describe and have gotten significant relief through an osteopath, who unfortunately for me, decided to teach, instead of practice, medicine.
He was able to stretch the muscles in that area and help relieve the spasms.
They are regular drs. but have special training in body work. And, unlike chiropractors, you don't have to go three times a week for the rest of your life (sorry if I have insulted any chiropractor fans out there).
Good luck, I feel for ya!
Jeanne
If you are able to, try an osteopathic dr. I have had chronic problems as you describe and have gotten significant relief through an osteopath, who unfortunately for me, decided to teach, instead of practice, medicine.
He was able to stretch the muscles in that area and help relieve the spasms.
They are regular drs. but have special training in body work. And, unlike chiropractors, you don't have to go three times a week for the rest of your life (sorry if I have insulted any chiropractor fans out there).
Good luck, I feel for ya!
Jeanne
photo2001
05-30-2005, 02:14 AM
I have never been diagnosed with fibro, but I am hoping someone can give me some clues about my pain.
A few weeks ago I accidentally hit the hot water in the shower, and in trying to get away from it and not fall, I think I wrenched my upper back and neck. Some examples of my pain are, when lifting a plate of food, I feel tension in the back of my head, up to the top. Chewing and swallowing makes it worse. I get a tightness in the top back of my head when lying down flat, and it wakes me up every morning. Sitting makes it worse. I have been working trigger points in my neck, shoulders and back, and one morning I woke up without the tension, but it came back at night, when I was eating. I lead a very sedentary life because of a condition I have called 'transverse myelitis' which causes numbness and weakness in my lower extremities. So I sit a lot, too much I'm sure. I find that walking does relieve the tension I've been experiencing, but I have trouble walking a lot because of the myelitis. I've been using a cane and ankle braces for years. I've been to my regular doctor who just gave me an anti-depressant, (effexor xr), to add to all my other meds. I went to my orthopedist, and am wearing a soft neck brace. He mentioned my trapezius when I told him my symptoms. He took some x-rays, but only mentioned some spasm in the neck. I am going to a neurologist next week, and expect they will be doing an MRI and an ENG.
I guess my main question is: can spasm in the trapezius be causing the tension I'm getting my my neck and head? My orthopedist also mentioned the possibility of TMJ. Btw, typing this is making it worse also. Of course I'm on my side typing on a laptop. I know it's bad for me.
All advice welcome.
Thanks,
Kevin
A few weeks ago I accidentally hit the hot water in the shower, and in trying to get away from it and not fall, I think I wrenched my upper back and neck. Some examples of my pain are, when lifting a plate of food, I feel tension in the back of my head, up to the top. Chewing and swallowing makes it worse. I get a tightness in the top back of my head when lying down flat, and it wakes me up every morning. Sitting makes it worse. I have been working trigger points in my neck, shoulders and back, and one morning I woke up without the tension, but it came back at night, when I was eating. I lead a very sedentary life because of a condition I have called 'transverse myelitis' which causes numbness and weakness in my lower extremities. So I sit a lot, too much I'm sure. I find that walking does relieve the tension I've been experiencing, but I have trouble walking a lot because of the myelitis. I've been using a cane and ankle braces for years. I've been to my regular doctor who just gave me an anti-depressant, (effexor xr), to add to all my other meds. I went to my orthopedist, and am wearing a soft neck brace. He mentioned my trapezius when I told him my symptoms. He took some x-rays, but only mentioned some spasm in the neck. I am going to a neurologist next week, and expect they will be doing an MRI and an ENG.
I guess my main question is: can spasm in the trapezius be causing the tension I'm getting my my neck and head? My orthopedist also mentioned the possibility of TMJ. Btw, typing this is making it worse also. Of course I'm on my side typing on a laptop. I know it's bad for me.
All advice welcome.
Thanks,
Kevin