Crick in my neck... need HELP!

[KarenAylwood]

Not sure if I spelled "Crick" right but heck, my neck HURTS.

I slept on it funny the night before last, so yesterday it hurt to turn my head to the left. Then I woke up today feeling even worse. Drove an hour to school and could barely do work. It hurts to even look straight now. I was nauseous it hurt so bad, so finally I just left school early and came home.

For about four and a half hours I've been sitting with a heating pad on my neck (well, I take it off sometimes for a little while) and I've had 3 ibuprofens. It STILL hurts even when I stare straight.

Is there anything I can do about it? Would it be silly to go to a medicall place tomorrow? (no doctor in the area, still on parent's insurance in NY and live in VA now) Someone told me about how their mother had this problem and got muscle relaxers from a doctor. But I feel funny going in and being like, "yeah I slept on it funny, give me drugs."

I just can't take it anymore!! HELP!


Edited to add: Also have had DBF massage it and it hasn't made a difference at all... if anything it has made it more painful

 

[grlpwrd]

It sounds serious so I would encourage you to go to your college's health center (W&M, right?) or to a walk-in clinic/medical facility off campus. I would call your parents and see what kind of coverage you have because you may just have to pay out of network expenses ( etc.) if you go to a walk-in place so it may not be as bad $$$ as you think. Just be sure to check with your parents.

On that note it might be wise to sign up with a student medical plan for future medical situations.

Have you been taking any pain medicines besides ibuprofen? Or you can look for some muscle cream like Icy Hot or Salonpas (Japanese stickers for pain relief) or something like it in the time being until you can see a dr. tomorrow.

Take care! I've had them many times, too.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, I go to W&M but will be graduating in February (finishing Masters, long story as to why Feb and not Dec or May) and getting a real job and will most likely be getting health insurance through them. I currently live in Norfolk so I drive over an hour to get to school... and driving with this neck problem has been interesting- I'm actually afraid to make the drive again because I have to turn my entire body to see my blind spot!

I called my mom and she said that our insurance would cover a medi-call visit (I just have to pay $25). I either pay them up front for the total and insurance will pay me back or insurance can just pay the place directly.

If this thing doesn't get any better I'll be going tomorrow... thanks for the advice grlpwrd, I guess it's not that silly to see a doctor about this. And if they put me on muscle relaxers, at least I've got the whole weekend to get over it and be able to drive on Monday!

 

[MsDisney23]

Maybe you could try a nice muscle rub on it before you go to sleep tonight. Ben-Gay, Icy Hot. I hope you feel better, also a little Mother advice. If you go out, make sure to wrap a scarf around your neck.

 

[VistaLeigh'smommy]

that's what 10,000 years will do to ya

 

[Minnie824]

Put an ice pack on it.

 

[jennobrn01]

I just had the exact same thing happen to me yesterday.

Hot bath.

800mg of Ibuprofen every 8 hours.

Glass of wine (anything to get the area to relax)

and

Thera-gesic! The best pain relieving ointment. Comes in a navy blue box with metallic/shiny colors on it.

Hope you feel better soon. It is awful pain.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I just had the exact same thing happen to me yesterday.

Hot bath.

800mg of Ibuprofen every 8 hours.

Glass of wine (anything to get the area to relax)

and

Thera-gesic! The best pain relieving ointment. Comes in a navy blue box with metallic/shiny colors on it.

Hope you feel better soon. It is awful pain.

Thanks so much!! I've got my heating pad on it for now and have a G&T by my side (a small one- we didn't have any wine in the house ) and I bought the Theragesic. Way cheaper than the other brands of ointments!

I'll be trying this out for tonight and if it's no better in the morning I'll see a doctor. Thanks for all the help!

 

[Aidensmom]

Definately go to the doctor. I woke up with a crick in my neck TWELVE days ago and it still is not completely gone! I waited until it got a lot worse on the 5th day before I went to the doctor. The prescription strength ibuprofin and muscle relaxers were a godsend. I was also told not to push, pull, or lift anything heavier than 2 pounds for a week to help let the muscle heal, and to put heat on it twice a day.

 

[pilikia97]

I am not sure how it is spelled, but you are describing "torticollis"...chiropractors recommend ice packs for the first 24-48 hours and pain reliever, then you can go back to using a heat pad on it after that time period. Ben-Gay or Icy-Hot is ok too! It is painfull but will work itself out in a few days...have DBF keep massaging your neck and or back looking for the trigger point.

 

[DVC Daisy]

I know exactly that kind of pain

Use ice like 15 min on then 15 min off. Really - it should help quite a bit. I would stay away from the heat right now. G&T should help too

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[LeCras]

I am not sure how it is spelled, but you are describing "torticollis"...chiropractors recommend ice packs for the first 24-48 hours and pain reliever, then you can go back to using a heat pad on it after that time period. Ben-Gay or Icy-Hot is ok too! It is painfull but will work itself out in a few days...have DBF keep massaging your neck and or back looking for the trigger point.

I agree, this sounds like torticollis. I had this about a year ago, and it took ages for me to get rid of it - about two weeks IIRC.

First I was referred to a physiotherapist. After the second appointment she said I wasn't making as much progress as she'd like, so she referred me on to an acupuncturist. The acupuncture really helped me. I was also given a TENS machine, which was absolutely amazing! I didn't want to give it back! If your medical practice can loan you one I'd definitely recommend it!

Personally, ice and heat packs did nothing to improve my condition.

FWIW, my physio says never to let anyone who is not qualified massage your neck. It is apparently quite easy to cause nerve damage and muscle inflammation.

Charlotte

 

[Kitty 34]

My neck therapist would tell you to stop rubbing it as the heat could inflame the sore muscles more. Put ice on it and keep your shoulders down. Good luck!

 

[cepmom]

how about going to see a chiropractor? I have had this happen to me before too...it's the pits . I worship my chiropractor! Also...ice the area, not heat. The heat will make the inflammation worse.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Just bumping to update and thank you all for your advice. I felt a bit better on Friday, so so over the weekend and a lot worse today when I made my hour and a half commute and sat in front of a computer for a while... so I went to the Student Health Center. She told me to ice 10 min on (while massaging) and then put a warm washcloth on it a few times a day. Also to take naproxen (not ibuprofen) until I got my prescription- she prescribed me a muscle relaxant (Flexeril- cyclobenzaprine) and I'll be staying home until Thurs morning.

Thanks so much for all your help... things weren't getting better so I finally went to a doctor and am so glad I did!! Hopefully I'll feel better sooooooon.