Has anyone ever had an "inflamed crick?"

[BookOfPsalms]

Hi,
I wanted to ask if anyone has ever experienced an "inflamed crick" in your neck? I caught this pain or crick in my neck close to 3 weeks ago. I was actually sitting on the hair dryer, but I was sitting in a very awkward position, with my head tilted for about 30 minutes. I got out and went to style my hair, and I felt this "crick" out of nowhere! I tried to move my neck and I could feel it so much. I just figured it would work itself out, so I tried moving it around a little and exercising the neck, but it didn't go away. Days went by and I was still in pain, or what you call feeling uncomfortable. I slept well at nite, but when I would wake up in the mornings, I would feel that terrible uncomfortable crick again. I finally went to the doctor on Tuesday of this week. She said it was actually a long word ( I can't remember the word), but she said it was basically an inflamed crick. She said I would need to take a muscle relaxer and prescription-strength Motrin (Ibuprofen).She gave me those prescriptions, but of course I was getting anxious because of my sensitivities to meds.
I was hesitant to take either of them, since I have heard that muscle relaxers make you sleepy, dizzy, and kinda' out of it! I don't like the idea of being "put under". I just don't like the drowsy/groggy feeling. It makes me anxious. I don't like that feeling.
I just tried the Icy/Hot patches that you put on the inflamed area and I noticed that it helped a lot. I did take the Ibuprofen but it was 800 mg, so I cut it in half and took half of it.( I know I am a big chicken to meds!)
Well, yesterday was okay, but last nite was really good. My neck felt sooo much better! I went to bed and got up this morning, and...OUCH!!!!!!! It hurts again. I am frustrated. I don't like not feeling well. Well who does? (Lol)
Anyway, I decided to take the muscle relaxer today. It is called Skelaxin. It is also 800mg. I took only 1/2 of that also! (big chicken, I know!)
I just want relief, and wanted to know if anyone else has ever experienced this, or if you have ever taken either of these meds?

Thanks for any input.

[Guest]

Hello Book

I have had this before and it was like a pinched nerve sorta. And I took a half motrin like you did since it's so strong. And I did have alot of hubby's hand working on massaging it for me. In about a week I was okay
The motrin is an anti-inflammatory so it helps the swelling go down. It's a good thing

Feel better soon,
Jill~

[Guest]

Hi Jill,
Yes it feels like a pinched nerve...it really does (not that I ever had one), but it just feels pinched!
So how did you get it? Did you get while you were asleep or what? It is hard for me to hold my neck back,or up, or side to side. Today feels worse than yesterday.
I am glad you responded.
I will take the Ibuprofen now for the inflammation. So what is the muscle relaxer for? I just wonder which one I should take mainly? She gave me both though.

Thanks Jill~

[Guest]

Hi Book
I am not sure about the muscle relaxer. I
guess it's to help your neck muscles ease up
on the tension? Maybe it does what the Motrin can't I just took Motrin and waited it out with lots of TLC and being careful. I think I pulled something or slept funny or both when mine was acting up. Because I couldn't pinoint any thing in particular.But it hurt and was uncomfortable. I hope you feel better super fast

[Guest]

BoP I had a really really bad crick in my neck/shoulder for years. I didn't have a great range of motion. It started after painting a ceiling. It was on one side and I could not turn my head all the way back, as if to look in the blind spot while driving. I had to twist my body.

I went to NSA (Network Spinal Analysis) which really helped, but didn't stop it completely. But one time, right after a session I had complete range of motion, it was amazing, I have never experienced anything like that. However the next day the pain was back because I didn't hold my shoulders and back correctly. And then I never finished my sessions from some anxiety I was having. She was working on my sway back at that time.

You can google an NSA practitioner in your area, it's like a chiropractic session without being manipulated and popped, which I preferred, because I don't like that! What they do is gently tap the certain areas on your back which helps trigger healing. You don't feel much at the time, but you feel it afterward, like your back had a work-out.

Eventually the pain I had went away, the important thing I did was keeping my shoulders down, and even to push them down whenever I thought about it. I think I was walking around with my shoulders up from the discomfort.

Another thing I do (actually have another crick now, go figure) is to heat a big tube sock filled with rice for 2-3 minutes in the micro, and drape the sock around my neck. You can use beans too but the rice forms around body parts a bit better.

Also gently stretching the neck and holding helps a lot, especially when it stiffens up.

Hope you feel better.

[Guest]

I wanted to add too, that I don't like pain meds either, unless I cannot bear the discomfort.

I had some strong pain meds, and only was taking half-dosages and just 2-3 times. Well, I decided enough was enough, didn't like the way they made me feel, and stopped, and just stuck with the ibuprofen. The next day, I felt it detoxing out of my body, everything itched like crazy.

I tried to go without the ibu but there was too much pain, it was from a dental procedure. But if the pain was bearable I'd probably not take it either because drugs do slow down the body's ability to heal itself.

[Guest]

Shif you just reminded me of something. When I was having that pain along with taking the Motrin I also ..as soon as I felt better started to do arm stretches and neck rolls and and shoulder circles to make sure I was limber. Because I was tense alot. keeping stretched and limber helped it to not happen as often. I also used bags of frozen veggies on my neck since I didn't have an ice pack and I alternated with a warm wash cloth.But Book once you get to feeling good again.Stretch every day. It really really helps alot

[Guest]

Hi Guys, :p
Thanks for your responses! It is just amazing to me as to how your neck can just get this all at once?!

@ Jill- I took 1/2 Motrin tonite and it did ease the pain. I may need to take the other 1/2 now since I am about to go to bed, and I actually do feel the pain a little. I am just torn between taking the Motrin or the muscle relaxer and I am sure that I can take both of them together, but I am just nervous about meds like that. I think the doc said that I could actually take them together, but I will just stick to taking one at a time.

@ Shif- Thanks so much for your input as well. I will look the NSA up in my area. I do feel that I am walking with my shoulders up instead of relaxed. I just feel tense in that area.I bet that was helpful to go and have them tap around the areas and those trigger points. I feel like I need a good massage. My husband has been gently massaging the area off and on for me, and I have also gotten in the shower and let the warm water soothe that area. It helps, but it is temporary I guess. I also purchased a heating pad and I have used that off and on but I try not to use that too much because I know you are not suppose to use heat but 15 min at a time, and off 15 min, etc. so I try to not use it too much, but I have used that.
I will have to try the rice! I saw that suggestion online also when I checked on some health forums. Okay, cool...good to know someone that tried it and it worked!
Shif, I am sorry that you actually had a crick in your neck during the time you were sending this response, and I hope that it does feel much better.


You both have been helpful to me! I am going to try to take more Motrin now, or either the muscle relaxer.

I will keep you all posted on the recovery.
Thanks again!

[Guest]

Hi BoP not to worry, I had this crick for a day or so. Unfortunately I think it happened right after reading scripture. I was sitting in a chair reading in a weird position, I guess!

My DH told me to go on our inversion table but it didn't really help too much. LOL.

I could handle the 800 mg of ibu but I did not care for even 1/2 of the percocet, it made me all loopy and weird feeling like I was made of rubber. Even though they told me I could take them together, I just imagine that's not the best c*cktail for my liver.

[Guest]

Hi Shif,
Yes I know what you mean about taking those meds for long periods of time. I will not be taking these meds very long at all. I am going to use them temporarily. I have only taken 1/2 dosages so far! I have had no problems with either of those meds-thank GOD!!!!
I am so glad that they have not made me feel loopy and groggy...that is what I feared the most. Before bed last nite I took 1/2 of the Skalaxin (muscle relaxer), and I woke up this morning and I don't feel it there quite as much as I have felt it in mornings prior. I just feel better being able to actually move my neck much better. I also see that I need to make sure that I continue taking these meds for now-at least until the inflammation is out.
I hope your neck gets better soon.
Speaking of cricks...I know 2 other people that are dealing with this also. It is really ironic!
My cousin in Florida has had it for a week, and she said she is in pain. I think she is taking meds also. A friend of mine called me yesterday and told me that her neck was hurting also. She said she woke up with it.She is taking Advil for now. She also sent me a message earlier this morning and said she woke up for work this morning and she still has that crick in her neck!
My parents both had the same thing 2 weeks ago, but theirs didn't last as long as mine. They complained of that for about a week and then it went away. Dad said he took Tylenol for a few days and his got better. Mom took her pain med that she has for her back and she noticed hers got better, so this must be "crick season!" Lol!!! :rolleyes

*BoP*