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Began with EXTREME pain and stiffness in neck and led to pain and stiffness in hands, wrist, and fingers, that led to tingling fingers, forearm, and hand
by Vanessa
EXTREME pain and stiffness in neck Hello. Two days ago, I randomly started feeling an INTESNSE pain in my neck and stiffness. It was so bad that I could not move my neck at all. It was mostly when I tried to turn my head to the left, right, or down. I was cashiering at the time, and even putting the items in the cart was an almost impossible task. I took anti-imflammatories that night, and put icy hot on my neck, but that didn't help me not being able to move my neck. I felt like I was wearing a neck brace because I couldn't move it at all. I had to turn my whole body to look around. Later that night, I also tried putting ice on the back of my neck, and it sort of helped. Not really. Trying to sleep was difficult since I sleep on my stomach with my head turned to the side. I woke up in the exact same pain i was in the previous day. I couldn't move it again. But throughout the day, it got better and better, not all the way though. Then that night, I started feeling extreme pain and stiffness in my hands, fingers, and wrists. I tried to ice it last night but didn't work. So now as we speak, my fingers, hands, and forearms are tingling and have a numb sensation. This just started about an hour ago. I have no idea what's wrong with me. I have no insurance and only work as a cashier, so I can't even pay to go see a doctor. Please help! Hello Vanessa, There is a habit, a very bad habit you have to break, and now is the time. Last night was the last night you will ever sleep on your tum again. It will take you about ten days of gnashing your teeth, not being able to sleep properly, and then you will able to sleep normally again, on your side with one soft pillow, down best, and hopefully not get this condition again. During the night, with normal physiology, fluid seeps into the discs bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients for the cartilage. You literally get taller. Then during the day, with gravity pressing down, that fluid gets squeezed out, carrying waste products with it. When you sleep on your tum, the pressure in the discs is much greater, and disturbs that normal nutrition of the neck. You'll get arthritis. And pain, lots of it. In the short term, use the ice as you've been doing, try to keep moving, but if that pain in your neck doesn't decrease within a week, and particularly the pain in your arms, you will need to see a chiropractor. It's a serious problem, very painful, so take it seriously, and remember that if this pain stays for six months, research indicates you'll have it for the rest of your life. Having a friend stand behind you, lying on your back, with one hand under your skull, the other under your chin, and gently tractioning your neck may help. It needs to be done right... done wrong it can make matters worse. September is when college begins. Start planning what you're going to study, so you can do something more interesting with your life than being a cashier! Frankly I think you're going to need to see a chiropractor. Start looking for someone in the neighbour who is recommended by friends and family. Dr B |
