Sypha Nadon on 18/2/2006 at 22:26
So this morning I woke up with this horrible pain in my lower left neck. As the morning progressed it got worse and worse until the pain spread to my shoulder and lower head. I ended up having one of my brothers giving me a lift to the hospital where they told me I had torticollis, or "wry neck", most likely from sleeping on it the wrong way at night. They recommended motrin and valium, plus putting hot things on it. Neck problems, I should add, seem to run in my family.
Anyone else here have this or had this at one point? Generally speaking, how long did it take to clear up? They told me I should be okay to work tomorrow, but I don't know... I can barely move at all without painful spasms. My big worry is figuring out how to sleep with it: I'm afraid I may sleep in a wrong position and make it even worse then it is now. It's bad enough I haven't been sleeping well these last few nights due to post-nasal drip and anxiety attacks (the latter work-related). Now I have to put up with this shit. I'm exhausted and I've missed two days of work in a row now!
Suddenly, intestinal spasms ain't looking too bad.;)
[edit]
Oh yeah, one more thing. What are some of your thoughts on Motrin? I've never taken it before, I usually just do tylenol. Anyway, they recommended a Motrin 600 but the pill was too big to swallow (I have a bad gag reflex) so I took a Motrin 200 but again I couldn't swallow it. The problem was, the protective coating melted off the pill while I was trying to swallow it and now I'm worried about adverse effects, as it says you're supposed to swallow the pill, not chew it. In fact, my tongue and esophagus feel a little burny and tingly now, so I hope I haven't done something wrong. Sorry if I sound psycho, I'm just a total freak about my body and I'm not good at taking new medication (I'm one of those people who read all the fine print and side effects, but that usually just keeps me from ever trying them.... One reason I never tried Zoloft).
Wyclef on 19/2/2006 at 00:06
Quote:
Anyone else here have this or had this at one point?
I had it in junior high, and underwent some sort of electrotherapy at the doctor's office to clear it up. I don't envy you; I recall it being really painful.
jtr7 on 19/2/2006 at 00:27
The Doctor Is IN:
High stress always causes muscle tension. Therapeutic massage is great if your muscles cinch up like a corset to immobilize your bones. Do anything you can to relax (without chemicals) and only ingest chemicals as a supplement so your body won't struggle to heal while spending energy and resources trying to metabolize foreign substances. :thumb:
5 cents please. Oh, subtract "my two cents," for a grand total of $0.03)....:sweat:
:)
liquidfear on 19/2/2006 at 00:29
I had this once I believe, when I was a kid. I vagually remember waking up in the wee hours of the morning, in severe pain and unable to move my neck in the slightest. 'Course, that didn't stop me from trying. By the time the doctors examination was over I'd forced it to give me some movement...
Nonetheless, I healed fine, as will you, so stop worrying and relax. :p
By the by, I don't think there are any real side effects to chewing a pill when they say to swallow, other then a disgusting taste, or the burning you are experiencing. I once put a benadryl pill in my mouth to stop an allergic reaction to pollen, and bit down without thinking. Next thing I remember is being on my knees washing my mouth out with a garden hose.
hiogui on 19/2/2006 at 00:43
I have wryneck every once in a while and I think other people in my family do too.
I was once told this might be because I don't use a scarf during winter time. Actually, it seems to me like it's more related to the way I sleep at night.
Last time I had a wryneck, it was because of my pillow, and this wasn't the first time it was because of it. It happened about six months ago. Now, I don't sleep with a pillow and I think I won't have this problem anymore. Usually, I use this thing (I don't know the generic name, but the trademark is "Tiger Balm") for sore muscles. I also remember using it with with "Griffe du diable" (A trademark which might be unknown in the place where you live). The scientific name for the second thing is "Harpagophytum procumbens".
It takes about three days to heal usually so there should be just one more day to go for you. But you might be able to get to work by tomorrow.
Personally, I would try a massage only with a specialist. Somebody did one on me the first time I had a wryneck and just made it worst.
Ulukai on 19/2/2006 at 00:43
Quote Posted by Sypha Nadon
They recommended motrin and valium, plus putting hot things on it.
What the fuck is it with medicinal drugs and the USA?
I have a dodgy neck and back at the best of times. Hot things for sure. But just lie still for the day. Moving around under the influence of valium or not is only gong to make things worse. It's sore for a reason, you hurt it and it needs to heal.
Rest! Lie Still.
I've since found that doing moderate weight lifting has helped to strenghten my upper back, and I get a lot less problems as a result.
Sypha Nadon on 19/2/2006 at 00:45
Yeah, I think stress may have played a small part in bringing this about. I've been all kinds of crazy-depressed recently, and I've never been good at relaxing. The two things I obsess over the most is my health (which I'm always convinced is failing) and my job (which I hate, yet try my hardest at). I'm a little nervous that I've missed two days in a row now and will probably miss a third. Crummy timing, this... Between the usual acid reflux, allergies, sinus issues, eye troubles, lack of sleep, anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and now this... It's a lot to handle at one time. Add to that the fact I have no pain tolerance at ALL!
I don't think I'll do the valium (christ, I can't even handle the fucking MOTRIN). I'm doing the whole "hot things around the neck" bit. As for sleeping, that's still an issue. In the last 3 days I've gotten maybe 12 hours sleep so I'm feeling a little manic, and now I have to try to sleep with this!
aguywhoplaysthief on 19/2/2006 at 01:33
Is this the same as a crick in the neck?
Because I've had that a number of times in my life (mostly when I was little), but I don't remember pain going to my shoulders. I went to the chiropractor, and that always helped me.
The other thing is to sleep flat on your back (no pillow) with a rolled towel under the neck - that's usually the most confortable position. Taking a hot bath (like with your head submerged enough to cover the neck) works good, but then that just feels great generally, so...yeah.
Hope that helps some. I'd definitely try the towel thing though - if for nothing else to get a more comfortable night sleep.
MsLedd on 19/2/2006 at 02:33
I've had back/neck issues ever since a fall 15 years ago... When I had x-rays to asses the damage it was discovered that I have a "cervical rib", an extra rib on one shoulder, which is not super uncommon, but is (obviously) not supposed to be there. Apparently, you can live your whole life with this extra rib without ever even being aware of it, BUT... once there is any sort of injury to the area, that rib causes all sorts of long-lasting havoc. In short, I've become very close with my chiropractor (and my pharmacist). It is FOR SUCK. I feel your pain, man.
Anyway...
*MsLedd puts on her "Doctor-Mom" hat*
You should alternate heat and cold on the locked up muscles. Actually cold - an ice pack, is better... it reduces the inflammation of the muscles, 20 minutes on/20 minutes off.
Motrin is an anti-inflammatory, which will help. If you have trouble with the pills, get the liquid. There may be an adult-strength version, but if not, just grab the children's Motrin liquid and adjust the dosage apropriately. Valium is an anti-anxiety medication, it will relax you (and your knotted muscles) my advice is, go get it! It comes in a very small pill, so don't worry. Besides, never turn down a chance at the good stuff, and doesn't "anti-anxiety" sound like something that would be handy for you to have around my dear Sypha? :cheeky:
Also, Motrin is safe. I mean it's certainly as safe as Tylenol (you know what one of the first symptoms of a Tylenol-overdose is? Death. :wot: Yep.) Just follow the doctor's dosage and you'll be fine (oh, and when your neck is better, stop taking it, duh). Valium can be habit-forming, but your prescription will run out LONG (way long) before that could happen, trust me.
Para?noid on 19/2/2006 at 12:31
errr msledd has a rib in her cervix gross
Sypha can I also perscribe getting laid as usual; it does wonders for the soul!
