Stiff Neck

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I woke up yesterday with a very sore stiff neck. I figured I'd just slept funny so I took some ibuprofen and applied heat, thinking it'd pass by bedtime. Unfortunately it's much worse today, to the point where I can barely move my head from side to side (think

I'm in pain all the time and the brufen's doing bugger-all. Codeine/paracetamol don't help, and the dihydrocodeine I took last night gave me awful abdo pain so I daren't take it again. I'm alternating heat-packs with wearing the collar. This is really getting me down now, and it's not helping that I can't get sick pay since I've only been with the NHS for 4 mths. :o

Any other suggestions on how to ease this pain til I can get to the physios?

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My husband had whiplash r/t a car accident and he hurt just like this. The only thing that helped him was a muscle relaxer alternated with heat. Good luck!!

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My son had the stiff neck this past Sunday. I gave him Ibuprophen

which he said really didn't help. He also had vomiting and diarrhea on Friday and Saturday. Today he said his neck pain finally is getting better. Hopefully yours will pass too and you will soon be feeling better.

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I'd feel better if I knew what I'd done for it to hurt so much. I've been off for 3 days, so it's not from lifting, I haven't pranged my car, and my partying has been very quiet, honest guv! :D My mattress and pillows are the same, and I haven't fallen asleep on a sofa or whilst sitting up, so I really have *no* idea what I've done to myself.

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Whenever I get neck pain, it is due to the lack of exercise (only because I had whiplash and had a MVA). I would suggest doing some neck exercises on your own until physio plus a muscle relaxant and heat.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

If heat doesn't help try ice. You have probably strained a muscle and it hurts too much to relax. Ice for 15 minutes off 15 minutes.

You can try massaging your own neck but having someone else do it feels sooooo good. If you have an electric massager (NO NOT THAT KIND!!!) try putting it on the head of the muscle that is tight.

I think Aspirin works better than IB for some of this kind of pain.

Good luck.

Oh if you use heat, make sure it's moist heat.....wet towel heated.

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I had this same experience a few weeks ago. Lots of Ben Gay cream and massage are the only things that helped it.

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Specializes in GERIATRICS, DEMENTIA CARE, MED-SURG.

hmmmm.....coworker came to work this morning woth sore neck....says she must have slept wrong.......sounds like a virus to me

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My neighbour's baby had a meningitis scare last week - I had to calm my bf down when I told him I had a headache and sore throat to boot (both gone now, and no spots). The headache's prolly due to holding my head differently and the sore throat was from sitting with his best mate while they shared a cigar.

Jim's massaged me but my neck doesn't actually feel sore to the touch and the massage didn't do much good. He's kinda heavy handed.

As for the electric massager, I have a variety and none of them has helped. Well, not my neck, anyways ;)

Thanks for all your suggestions. I've asked Jim to go to the pharmacy for me tomorrow while I'm in physio to get me something topical. Hopefully it'll only be a day or two til it eases.

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ok..i trued to google and find a pic of a sexy masseur..but found this and it reaklly struck me funny...:

virsel_engl.gif

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:chuckle

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Specializes in ICU.

I would go back to the doctor - DOES sound like a virus.

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