neck/shoulder pain
#1
08-23-21, 01:17 PM
neck/shoulder pain
10 days ago I woke up with neck and shoulder pain on my right side. I've slacked off on doing stuff since but it doesn't seem to subside. I'm not one to run to the doctor for every little thing and my plan was to just ride it out but how long can it last??
I'm sure it's a byproduct of removing carpet, base and installing new flooring. Any idea of how long something like this can last? Been taking the pain meds I didn't take after my finger surgeries but they don't seem to help much.
I'm sure it's a byproduct of removing carpet, base and installing new flooring. Any idea of how long something like this can last? Been taking the pain meds I didn't take after my finger surgeries but they don't seem to help much.
Top Answer
08-25-21, 05:04 AM
#2
08-23-21, 03:00 PM
Group Moderator
I've had some pains like that that go away after a few days but I have had a few instances where it has hung around for a couple weeks. I assumed I had some swelling around a joint or nerve. When I was younger high dose ibuprofen for the first couple days then a normal dose for the next week would get the swelling under control and help a lot with the pain. Unfortunately as I have gotten older I have more trouble taking ibuprofen for a couple weeks.
#3
08-23-21, 04:53 PM
Super Moderator
Hard to say. Could last a few days to a few weeks. I've had them last even longer. I find ibuprofen does a better job for pain and also helps heal, if you can take it.
#4
08-23-21, 07:59 PM
Group Moderator
My rule of thumb for workout pain is more protein in the diet but that kind of pain doesn't usually stick around this long so it sounds more like an irritation/injury scenario. I wouldn't go much longer before I would see someone for this.
kathann
voted this post useful.
#5
08-24-21, 03:32 AM
Yesterday I was convinced I'd be going to a walk in clinic today. It still hurts but this morning I'm on the fence about going, guess I'll see how I'm doing in a few hours. Can't believe this is more painful than any of the finger surgeries or the injury that proceeded them.
#6
08-24-21, 05:22 AM
mark, what you are describing sounds a lot like a common ailment among teleworkers; mouse neck or mouse shoulder. The name is comical, and the problem is caused by working a mouse with the arm extended. Take a look and see if the symptoms are similar to what you are experiencing. I had it myself and found that some basic stretches and exercises worked very well.
#7
08-24-21, 05:31 AM
Super Moderator
I remember I had pulled something in my neck when I was younger from playing tennis and the pain was so bad I couldn't even get out of bed. The doctor put me on muscle relaxers. Point is neck pain can be pretty bad. It does get better tho.
#8
08-24-21, 05:52 AM
I'm going to a walk in clinic this morning [my doc is too busy]
I'm sure it was caused by the work I've been doing on the house. I'm used to pain but this has been constant for the last 11 days. I assume it will get better on it's own but I've run out of patience.
I'm sure it was caused by the work I've been doing on the house. I'm used to pain but this has been constant for the last 11 days. I assume it will get better on it's own but I've run out of patience.
#9
08-24-21, 06:09 AM
My guess - welcome to old age. Things that used to clear up in a couple of days now take weeks or longer. Two weeks ago I installed an electric fence around some flower beds. I pounded in a couple of dozen of those green metal posts. My shoulder and neck are still sore.
#10
08-24-21, 01:32 PM
in some ways old age sucks 
I went to urgent care this morning, they sent me to sports care on the other side of the bldg and they sent me across the bldg for x rays. While the doc was feeling the muscle above my shoulder he said "wow!' Said my muscle was all knotted up and one knot was especially big. He ordered 2 shots [pain and steroid] and called in 2 prescriptions [steroid and muscle relaxer]
Getting the prescriptions was also a small ordeal. Took 20 minutes to get from urgent care bldg to the drug store. They said it would take 30 minutes to fill them. Half hour later they said insurance would only pay for one [sterioid] and did I want the other [it was only $8] so had to wait a bit longer. When we got home their was a computer message on the answering machine that stated 1 prescription wasn't covered and for me to call and let them know if I wanted it. Caller ID showed that call at 12:53, my receipt said 12.54
Anyway, my neck/shoulder still hurt but it has toned down some - more of a constant ache versus the constant pain I did have.
I went to urgent care this morning, they sent me to sports care on the other side of the bldg and they sent me across the bldg for x rays. While the doc was feeling the muscle above my shoulder he said "wow!' Said my muscle was all knotted up and one knot was especially big. He ordered 2 shots [pain and steroid] and called in 2 prescriptions [steroid and muscle relaxer]
Getting the prescriptions was also a small ordeal. Took 20 minutes to get from urgent care bldg to the drug store. They said it would take 30 minutes to fill them. Half hour later they said insurance would only pay for one [sterioid] and did I want the other [it was only $8] so had to wait a bit longer. When we got home their was a computer message on the answering machine that stated 1 prescription wasn't covered and for me to call and let them know if I wanted it. Caller ID showed that call at 12:53, my receipt said 12.54
Anyway, my neck/shoulder still hurt but it has toned down some - more of a constant ache versus the constant pain I did have.
cwbuff,
the_tow_guy
voted this post useful.
#13
08-25-21, 07:08 AM
Look on the bright side.
When you get older if you wake up without any aches or pains then you have died in your sleep.
When you get older if you wake up without any aches or pains then you have died in your sleep.
#15
08-25-21, 11:23 PM
Oddly enough, there are some benefits to Taiichi, Yoga, or "Jogger Stretches" in the morning before you start the day, and in the evening before you go to sleep.
First- generally, muscles generally are there to move things - so they usually come in pairs, one extends, the other retracts. Much muscle pain is due to "hypertension", which oddly enough, means the forces on the muscle are balanced. But not. So- imagine the muscles are the rigging on a sail boat. If the ropes are both at 0 tension, the sail is centered. But, the same is true if both ropes are tensioned at 20 lbs, or 40 lbs on each side.
Same thing applies to the human body- skeleton and muscles work on the mechanics of tension - muscles contract, and pull on bones. Those muscles are normally paired with another set to pull the bones back the other direction. Sometimes, you get a "knot" of section of muscle that doesn't release, even when it's not in use- sort of like an old muscle-car "dieseling" after you've turned of the key- it just keeps going because the mechanics provide a feedback loop.
First- generally, muscles generally are there to move things - so they usually come in pairs, one extends, the other retracts. Much muscle pain is due to "hypertension", which oddly enough, means the forces on the muscle are balanced. But not. So- imagine the muscles are the rigging on a sail boat. If the ropes are both at 0 tension, the sail is centered. But, the same is true if both ropes are tensioned at 20 lbs, or 40 lbs on each side.
Same thing applies to the human body- skeleton and muscles work on the mechanics of tension - muscles contract, and pull on bones. Those muscles are normally paired with another set to pull the bones back the other direction. Sometimes, you get a "knot" of section of muscle that doesn't release, even when it's not in use- sort of like an old muscle-car "dieseling" after you've turned of the key- it just keeps going because the mechanics provide a feedback loop.
#16
08-26-21, 06:02 AM
Member
Typical muscle strain from working or bending in strange ways, I get this all the time. Especially in the neck and shoulder area. it's typically worse when trying sleep in certain positions. Could also be a pinched nerve. In may case it usually goes a way in a few weeks only to reappear several days later.
I also get leg cramps in both upper ad lower area, mainly in the left leg. But it's been many weeks that I have not had that "delightful" experience. The pain is so excruciating. If I feel it coming on I can usually stretch my leg in a certain position to stop it.
Ibeprophen (sp) is my go to pain reliver.
I also get leg cramps in both upper ad lower area, mainly in the left leg. But it's been many weeks that I have not had that "delightful" experience. The pain is so excruciating. If I feel it coming on I can usually stretch my leg in a certain position to stop it.
Ibeprophen (sp) is my go to pain reliver.
#17
08-26-21, 06:20 AM
Usually if I get a charlie horse in my leg or foot it's at night when in bed. Once I get on my feet and move around a little it goes away. I think there might be a correlation between the cramp and what I did that day.
My neck/shoulder is feeling better, the muscle relaxer is helping. I've not taken one this morning because I need to drive to town and I can tell it but still not near as bad as before my doctor visit.
My neck/shoulder is feeling better, the muscle relaxer is helping. I've not taken one this morning because I need to drive to town and I can tell it but still not near as bad as before my doctor visit.
Norm201
voted this post useful.
#18
08-26-21, 09:20 AM
Group Moderator
Cramping can be a sign of low calcium. Contrary to advertising, milk is not a good source and most need to add it with a supplement (any form other than calcium carbonate; that's typically ground limestone). Personally, I drink orange juice which has had calcium added to get mine.
kathann
voted this post useful.
#19
08-26-21, 12:43 PM
if I get a charlie horse in my leg or foot it's at night when in bed.
Try drinking a small bottle of Gatorade about 6 hours before going to sleep.
TANGENT Mostly-True-Story:
Friends of the family went to a summer convention in Florida, THEIR friends from Montana also went to convention, walked around in August Florida heat, enjoyed "boat drinks" with little umbrellas and came back to the hotel WAY more dehydrated than they realized, and flopped into the hotel bed and fell asleep.
Around 2 am SHE bolted upright with a tight-calf-charlie-horse that had HER shouting "AHHAAA"! HE bolts up awake, sees her holding her calf muscle, and instinctively starts massaging the calf muscle, as she's shouting "harder" "harder" until he's doing a full-two-hand massage to work out the knot. Meanwhile, as he gets the knot, she's shouting "YES, YES, right there". After about 2 hours, off and on with this, the knot in the muscle is finally gone, and they get back to sleep.
The next morning when they came down to hotel breakfast, they received lots smirks, knowing winks, and a thumbs-ups from everyone ELSE on that floor who heard them for 2 hours
