Very Stiff neck with no relief, HELP?

[mh3rdwheel]

The stiff neck started Saturday evening, by Sun I could barely turn my head either way, my DH gave me a Robaxin 750 (muscle relaxer) and a 5/500 Vicodin, it allowed me to move my neck some either way.

Tuesday, no better, I try and move my head alittle bit each way, then now this evening I can barely move my head again, the pain is very bad, I cannot tip my head up, back or foreward. When I turn I have to turn my whole body.

I tried to get ahold of doctor nothing, if I doesn't ease I will have to go to the ER, the second time in 9 years. Any suggestions on how to help ease the pain and stiffness. I think it might be something else, because my FIL started feeling the same symptoms Sat also.

[Nishu]

Have you taken your temperature? Do you have a headache?

[mh3rdwheel]

Have you taken your temperature? Do you have a headache?

I don't have a thermometer, but I have been hot then cold, sometimes a headache, more an earache, nothing helps at all. Trying to drive and work is hard. Right behind my ear is where it hurts. I have a feeling I will be going to the ER.

[HappyMama]

Wow,

I could have wrote the exact symptoms I have had a sore stiff neck for days. The only thing that has helped is a heating pad at night.

I haven't had a neck ache or pain like this for many many years. Back then made the mistake of going to the ER and made it ten times worse as they had to move my neck to xray
it. I was put in a soft collar for a few days and that did help align my spine back then. I was diagnosed with an arthritis in the neck , but never had the problem since. I am young, athletic and active and refuse to have this problem so will make it better in next few days and hopefully not deal with it again for many years.

Hugs to you and hope you feel better real soon. Try a heating pad with a good pillow. If not better soon maybe you should get it checked. Especially if you have a fever , or headache or other flu like symptoms. Don't take a chance. Blessings hon.

[Nishu]

I think that might be a good idea, especially if you think you might have a fever.

Maybe you should call your FIL and see if he has a fever.

I hope you get to feeling better.

[HappyMama]

Hopefully it is just a neck ache and nothing else . But if accompanied by fever, or other symptoms get checked. Hope you feel better soon and maybe just a sore muscle etc.

Here is some information on meningitis;

Meningitis
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 05/22/2011 - 17:40

* Childhood Illnesses

This is one of the most feared illnesses that worry many parents. Anytime a child complains of a headache and has a fever, the thought goes through the parent’s mind, “Could this be meningitis? Is it going around right now? Is my child going to have brain damage?”

Meningitis is a very serious illness, and it is important for parents to understand the symptoms and when to seek medical attention. Here is Dr. Sears guide to meningitis. You will learn what it is, what the symptoms are, how to tell if your child may have it, when to worry (and when not to worry), when to seek prompt medical attention, and how it is diagnosed and treated.
WHAT IS MENINGITIS?

It is an infection of the lining (meninges) and the fluid that cover the outside of the brain and spinal cord. The infection can spread into the brain tissue and cause brain damage.
WHAT CAUSES MENINGITIS?
There are two main causes:

* Viral meningitis – there are several viruses that can cause viral meningitis. Their names are not important. It is NOT treatable with antibiotics. It is a seasonal illness, with most cases occurring during the summer and early fall. It can be just as painful as bacterial meningitis, but is usually not as serious or damaging.
* Bacterial meningitis – this is caused by several different bacteria. Pneumococcus and E. Coli are common in infants and children. Meningococcus is common in college students or military personnel living in dorms. These are treatable with IV antibiotics, but sometimes cause brain damage even if treated early. There is a new vaccine called Prevnar that is now given to infants to protect against Pneumococcus. There is a vaccine for college students to protect against meningococcus.

WHAT IS SPINAL MENINGITIS?
This term is really a misconception. Meningitis affects both the brain and spinal cord at the same time. You can’t have JUST spinal meningitis – you simply have meningitis. Therefore, spinal meningitis and regular meningitis are one and the same.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF MENINGITIS?

* Fever – will usually be high, over 103.
* Severe headache – this is not a typical headache. It is extremely painful. It occurs because the infected lining of the brain gets severely inflamed.
* Vomiting - the irritation in the brain triggers persistent vomiting (more than just a few times).
* Neck pain and stiffness - this does NOT apply to sore throat pain in the front of the neck. It refers to severe pain in back of the neck. Looking down at your stomach (stretching the back of your neck) will cause severe pain. Some kids will refuse to even look down at all. They will keep their neck rigidly stiff. This occurs because the lining of the spinal cord is connected to the lining of the brain. When this infected and inflamed lining is stretched by looking down, it causes severe pain.
* Photophobia - this means that light hurts your eyes. Meningitis will cause someone to refuse to look into light, especially the bright sunlight.
* In infants, you cannot determine if they have neck stiffness because they are too young to communicate this. Severe, inconsolable irritability and/or lethargy (meaning limp, lifeless, won't open eyes to focus on you) are signs of any severe infection, including meningitis.

HOW DO I DECIDE IF MY CHILD'S SYMPTOMS MAY BE MENINGITIS? - WHEN TO WORRY (OR NOT WORRY)

* If your child has all five symptoms, don't even call or page your doctor. GO STRAIGHT TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM.
* The key to meningitis is the neck pain and stiffness. So if your child has severe neck pain and stiffness, and one or more of the other four symptoms, call your doctor to be seen right away, or page the doctor after hours. On the other hand, if your child does NOT have neck pain or stiffness, and DOES have the other symptoms, then it is less likely to be meningitis.
* If the headache is very, very severe, fever and vomiting are present, but there is no neck stiffness or pain, you should contact your doctor just to be safe.
* Additionally, fever is almost always present during meningitis. So if your child has a headache, but no fever (and no neck stiffness), then you can be reassured it is not meningitis.
* In fact, headache, fever and vomiting, without neck pain or stiffness, is probably the just a bad flu virus.
* MOST IMPORTANTLY - if you are not sure, contact your doctor.

WHAT ABOUT CASES OF MENINGITIS THAT WERE FATAL BECAUSE A DOCTOR THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE FLU?
Unfortunately, this does occur from time to time. In the very early stages of meningitis, it can appear like the flu. Because the flu is so common, doctors can't do a spinal tap on every person with simple flu symptoms. It is important to examine closely for neck or spinal pain and stiffness.
HOW IS MENINIGITIS SPREAD?
It is spread by contact with the saliva of an actively infected person such as by coughing or sharing utensils or cups.
HOW IS MENINGITIS DIAGNOSED?
A doctor looks for several clues when examining a child for meningitis:

* Stiff neck - as discussed above.
* Photophobia - as above.
* Severe back pain when the legs and knees are pulled up to the chest - this stretches the inflamed lining of the spinal cord.
* Lethargy or extreme irritability in infants.

The doctor will consider these signs on exam and the symptoms that you are reporting, and will decide if meningitis is possible. If so, the doctor will recommend a spinal tap. There is no way to diagnose meningitis without a spinal tap. The dreaded spinal tap (also called a Lumbar Puncture) - no parent ever wants their child to undergo a spinal tap. The thought of sticking a needle into their child's spinal cord sounds horrible. Many parents fear it can cause paralysis. Everyone's grandmother has a story about someone being paralyzed by a spinal tap. You can be reassured that spinal taps are actually very simple procedures from the doctor's standpoint. Every doctor performs several dozen during their training years. ER doctors perform as many as 100 or more each year. Ask the doctor how many he or she has done. Why do a spinal tap to find an infection in the brain? - the fluid that coats and flows through the brain also flows down into the spinal cord. So the spinal fluid reflects what is occurring in the brain. Here is what happens during a spinal tap:

* The skin over the lower part of the spine is numbed with an injection or cream.
* The area is cleaned thoroughly so it is sterile.
* The infant or child is curled up on his side and held securely by an assistant. Older children and adults may sit up.
* A needle is passed through the skin at a large space in between two of the lower vertebrae. The needle does NOT pass through bone.
* The needle is slowly advanced until it "pops" through the lining of the spinal canal into an area of spinal fluid. THIS IS THE PART MOST PARENTS DON'T UNDERSTAND. The needle does NOT go into the spinal cord where the nerves are. The spinal cord stops about ¾ of the way down the spine. The bottom ¼ of the spine simply contains a reservoir of spinal fluid. So you don't need to worry about paralysis.
* Spinal fluid will flow out through the needle and the doctor will collect it and send it to the lab. Once the needle is pulled out, the hole seals up rapidly.

Sounds painful? Well, if numbed up properly, then there is little pain. Most of the discomfort comes from being restrained during the procedure.
TESTING TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF MENINGITIS
The spinal fluid is tested in the lab for several things:

* Immediate results - within an hour the lab will determine if there are many white blood cells in the fluid. If there are, then it IS meningitis.
* 24 to 72 hour culture results - it takes this long for the lab to test whether or not a bacteria or a virus is causing the meningitis.
* 4-hour test results - some labs can test for the presence of viruses or bacteria within a few hours, but this type of test may not be as reliable of the 24 to 72 hour tests.
* There are several other aspects to testing the spinal fluid which are beyond the scope of this discussion.

HOW IS MENINGITIS TREATED?

* If it is viral meningitis, antibiotics won't help. Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication is used.
* Bacterial meningitis is treated with 10 to 14 days of IV antibiotics.
* Often it is not clear whether a person has bacterial or viral meningitis until the lab runs the 24 to 72 hour culture tests. Some doctors will treat with antibiotics until this test confirms that it is NOT bacterial meningitis.

BRAIN DAMAGE FROM MENINGITIS
Most people come through meningitis with no ill effects on their brain. This is especially true of viral meningitis. The most common ill effect is permanent hearing loss. Other effects such as weakness or loss of nerve function are less common.

[mh3rdwheel]

Hopefully it is just a neck ache and nothing else . But if accompanied by fever, or other symptoms get checked. Hope you feel better soon and maybe just a sore muscle etc.

Here is some information on meningitis;

Meningitis
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 05/22/2011 - 17:40

* Childhood Illnesses

This is one of the most feared illnesses that worry many parents. Anytime a child complains of a headache and has a fever, the thought goes through the parent’s mind, “Could this be meningitis? Is it going around right now? Is my child going to have brain damage?”

Meningitis is a very serious illness, and it is important for parents to understand the symptoms and when to seek medical attention. Here is Dr. Sears guide to meningitis. You will learn what it is, what the symptoms are, how to tell if your child may have it, when to worry (and when not to worry), when to seek prompt medical attention, and how it is diagnosed and treated.
WHAT IS MENINGITIS?

It is an infection of the lining (meninges) and the fluid that cover the outside of the brain and spinal cord. The infection can spread into the brain tissue and cause brain damage.
WHAT CAUSES MENINGITIS?
There are two main causes:

* Viral meningitis – there are several viruses that can cause viral meningitis. Their names are not important. It is NOT treatable with antibiotics. It is a seasonal illness, with most cases occurring during the summer and early fall. It can be just as painful as bacterial meningitis, but is usually not as serious or damaging.
* Bacterial meningitis – this is caused by several different bacteria. Pneumococcus and E. Coli are common in infants and children. Meningococcus is common in college students or military personnel living in dorms. These are treatable with IV antibiotics, but sometimes cause brain damage even if treated early. There is a new vaccine called Prevnar that is now given to infants to protect against Pneumococcus. There is a vaccine for college students to protect against meningococcus.

WHAT IS SPINAL MENINGITIS?
This term is really a misconception. Meningitis affects both the brain and spinal cord at the same time. You can’t have JUST spinal meningitis – you simply have meningitis. Therefore, spinal meningitis and regular meningitis are one and the same.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF MENINGITIS?

* Fever – will usually be high, over 103.
* Severe headache – this is not a typical headache. It is extremely painful. It occurs because the infected lining of the brain gets severely inflamed.
* Vomiting - the irritation in the brain triggers persistent vomiting (more than just a few times).
* Neck pain and stiffness - this does NOT apply to sore throat pain in the front of the neck. It refers to severe pain in back of the neck. Looking down at your stomach (stretching the back of your neck) will cause severe pain. Some kids will refuse to even look down at all. They will keep their neck rigidly stiff. This occurs because the lining of the spinal cord is connected to the lining of the brain. When this infected and inflamed lining is stretched by looking down, it causes severe pain.
* Photophobia - this means that light hurts your eyes. Meningitis will cause someone to refuse to look into light, especially the bright sunlight.
* In infants, you cannot determine if they have neck stiffness because they are too young to communicate this. Severe, inconsolable irritability and/or lethargy (meaning limp, lifeless, won't open eyes to focus on you) are signs of any severe infection, including meningitis.

HOW DO I DECIDE IF MY CHILD'S SYMPTOMS MAY BE MENINGITIS? - WHEN TO WORRY (OR NOT WORRY)

* If your child has all five symptoms, don't even call or page your doctor. GO STRAIGHT TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM.
* The key to meningitis is the neck pain and stiffness. So if your child has severe neck pain and stiffness, and one or more of the other four symptoms, call your doctor to be seen right away, or page the doctor after hours. On the other hand, if your child does NOT have neck pain or stiffness, and DOES have the other symptoms, then it is less likely to be meningitis.
* If the headache is very, very severe, fever and vomiting are present, but there is no neck stiffness or pain, you should contact your doctor just to be safe.
* Additionally, fever is almost always present during meningitis. So if your child has a headache, but no fever (and no neck stiffness), then you can be reassured it is not meningitis.
* In fact, headache, fever and vomiting, without neck pain or stiffness, is probably the just a bad flu virus.
* MOST IMPORTANTLY - if you are not sure, contact your doctor.

WHAT ABOUT CASES OF MENINGITIS THAT WERE FATAL BECAUSE A DOCTOR THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE FLU?
Unfortunately, this does occur from time to time. In the very early stages of meningitis, it can appear like the flu. Because the flu is so common, doctors can't do a spinal tap on every person with simple flu symptoms. It is important to examine closely for neck or spinal pain and stiffness.
HOW IS MENINIGITIS SPREAD?
It is spread by contact with the saliva of an actively infected person such as by coughing or sharing utensils or cups.
HOW IS MENINGITIS DIAGNOSED?
A doctor looks for several clues when examining a child for meningitis:

* Stiff neck - as discussed above.
* Photophobia - as above.
* Severe back pain when the legs and knees are pulled up to the chest - this stretches the inflamed lining of the spinal cord.
* Lethargy or extreme irritability in infants.

The doctor will consider these signs on exam and the symptoms that you are reporting, and will decide if meningitis is possible. If so, the doctor will recommend a spinal tap. There is no way to diagnose meningitis without a spinal tap. The dreaded spinal tap (also called a Lumbar Puncture) - no parent ever wants their child to undergo a spinal tap. The thought of sticking a needle into their child's spinal cord sounds horrible. Many parents fear it can cause paralysis. Everyone's grandmother has a story about someone being paralyzed by a spinal tap. You can be reassured that spinal taps are actually very simple procedures from the doctor's standpoint. Every doctor performs several dozen during their training years. ER doctors perform as many as 100 or more each year. Ask the doctor how many he or she has done. Why do a spinal tap to find an infection in the brain? - the fluid that coats and flows through the brain also flows down into the spinal cord. So the spinal fluid reflects what is occurring in the brain. Here is what happens during a spinal tap:

* The skin over the lower part of the spine is numbed with an injection or cream.
* The area is cleaned thoroughly so it is sterile.
* The infant or child is curled up on his side and held securely by an assistant. Older children and adults may sit up.
* A needle is passed through the skin at a large space in between two of the lower vertebrae. The needle does NOT pass through bone.
* The needle is slowly advanced until it "pops" through the lining of the spinal canal into an area of spinal fluid. THIS IS THE PART MOST PARENTS DON'T UNDERSTAND. The needle does NOT go into the spinal cord where the nerves are. The spinal cord stops about ¾ of the way down the spine. The bottom ¼ of the spine simply contains a reservoir of spinal fluid. So you don't need to worry about paralysis.
* Spinal fluid will flow out through the needle and the doctor will collect it and send it to the lab. Once the needle is pulled out, the hole seals up rapidly.

Sounds painful? Well, if numbed up properly, then there is little pain. Most of the discomfort comes from being restrained during the procedure.
TESTING TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF MENINGITIS
The spinal fluid is tested in the lab for several things:

* Immediate results - within an hour the lab will determine if there are many white blood cells in the fluid. If there are, then it IS meningitis.
* 24 to 72 hour culture results - it takes this long for the lab to test whether or not a bacteria or a virus is causing the meningitis.
* 4-hour test results - some labs can test for the presence of viruses or bacteria within a few hours, but this type of test may not be as reliable of the 24 to 72 hour tests.
* There are several other aspects to testing the spinal fluid which are beyond the scope of this discussion.

HOW IS MENINGITIS TREATED?

* If it is viral meningitis, antibiotics won't help. Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication is used.
* Bacterial meningitis is treated with 10 to 14 days of IV antibiotics.
* Often it is not clear whether a person has bacterial or viral meningitis until the lab runs the 24 to 72 hour culture tests. Some doctors will treat with antibiotics until this test confirms that it is NOT bacterial meningitis.

BRAIN DAMAGE FROM MENINGITIS
Most people come through meningitis with no ill effects on their brain. This is especially true of viral meningitis. The most common ill effect is permanent hearing loss. Other effects such as weakness or loss of nerve function are less common.

Why I think it might be something else is we had to go to Krogers to fill a new prescription for dear hubby, and friend that works there noticed my neck and asked questions. He had the same symptoms and it was viral infection. I will try the heating pad with a good pillow. I HATE TAKING PILLS, I CANNOT SWALLOW THEM. Thanks everone I will keep you uptodate on what goes on.

[shoiji]

Try to keep up with calling the doctor. If it is a viral infection the doctor should be able to prescribe something. Hope you can get some relief soon.

[Contrary Housewife]

Have you tried massage? It sounds as if you have a stiff neck and the muscles have seized up.

Lay on your back on a comfortable, firm, flat surface. Have someone gently stroke the back of your head at the base of the skull, and along the neck. Gently, using the fingertips, lift the head an inch or two at the base of the skull and let the weight of the head slowly slide through the fingertips along the sides of the neck. You might also get a massage of the muscles along the top of the shoulder connecting to the neck.

It will probably hurt some at first, but you should feel relief within minutes.

A hot pack will also give you some relief, but you are likely to stiffen up again as the muscles cool down afterward.

[Trishagirl]

I have the same problem right now cw. last Tues. Dh & I went to chiro was a discount if we both go well he realigned me all over then tried to snap my neck 3 times and it wouldn't go. So he told me to get a massage. I haven't yet been shopping around for that. Dh just gave me a nice neck & shoulder massage and it really helped! So you might look into a chiro & a massage. Hope this helps.

[Nana2two]

My teen can't turn her neck this morning, chills and fever. took her in and she has strip throat all lymp nodes in the back her her head and side of neck is swollen.

[Nishu]

If you have any rice, you can fill a sock with it and tie the end. Microwave it a minute or two till its hot and lay it over your neck. It is cheap and fast and feels sooooo nice.

[mh3rdwheel]

If you have any rice, you can fill a sock with it and tie the end. Microwave it a minute or two till its hot and lay it over your neck. It is cheap and fast and feels sooooo nice.

I have tried the message, sorry about speling, I tried the message (my dh is good at it) no relief I am worse then I was Sat. my diece Cheyenne went to the hospital with strep throat and something else, my fil is having seme problem.

I never tried rice thing, when i was a kid with a toothacke my mom would heat up salt put it in a rag tie it up ans put it on oor check.

i slept horribly last night every time i turned i had pain shooting thru neck and head, it is now centering right behind my right ear. I cannot not drive, dh will drive. Thnks.

[clarencebale]

Try to use a hot compress, keep it on your stiff neck. It might be a stress muscles causing you that pain. When i experience stiff neck I always do that, and it relaxes all my muscle pains.

[nodmicks]

I hope it is something simple. Can you tip your chin towards your chest. If not and you are running a fever with a headache please get checked. My Dad was in the Hosp. 10 days once with spinal meningitis as an adult.