Excruciating neck pain, unable to move it

Hi

I woke up in the night, not last night but the night before, with a very sore, stiff neck that was stuck in one position (to the right). It was very painful, but I was still able to go to work. I wore a scarf all day to support it.

Went to bed last night at 8.00 hoping to get an early night and hopefully wake up with an eased neck, but unfortunately the opposite happened. It was impossible to get comfortable and the pain became excrutiating and I started to feel numbness in alternating hands. I didn't get any sleep! I phoned a friend in tears early this morning, as I was unable to move and my head was completely stuck now in a forward position.

My friend got me to the doctors, who said I had just slept funny and prescribed me some diclofenac (50mg 3 times a day). She never examined me. She just said I need to move me head and try and stretch the muscles.



I have taken 2 of the tablets she prescribed as well as 2 paracetamol. I don't feel any relief. I cannot lie down as the pain is unbearable. I have tried to move my head whilst supporting it with my hands, but I get an unbearable shooting pain down the back of my neck and don't feel that moving it at the moment is possible.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hello,

It's a shame she didn't examine you. The usual and correct procedure (in my opinion) is History > examination > (special tests if indicated, like XRays) > Diagnosis > Treatment.

Putting you onto treatment without having first examined you and made a diagnosis is... well, enough said.

Do you sleep on your tum? That is a possible cause.

It sounds like you have a cervical facet syndrome though a disc injury is also possible. Neck pain often worsens at night as you experienced, and is sometimes far worse than low back pain because you can't find a comfortable position. That's not unusual. I have more patients in tears with a painful neck than any other part of the body.

I recommend you shop around for a competent local chiropractor, sooner rather than later - talk to friends and family. S/he may want X-rays depending on your history.

Yes, a sore neck can be VERY VERY SORE. Do something soon if it's not improving.

Ice followed by a little heat is more effective and less dangerous than anti inflammatory drugs. Wrap an ice pack in a face cloth or apply for about 15 mins depending on the thickness of your towel.

I hope this has contributed.

Dr B.