I was diagnosed with FMS in January of this year. Recently, I've been having a lot of problems waking up with intense pain in the right side of neck and across the base of the skull on both the right and left side. I see a massage therapist on a regular basis and the levator scapular muscle is extremely tight. No matter how much it gets massaged, it stays tight. This could be something else but I thought I'd run it by y'all to see if this may be FMS.

Thanks for any responses, Ellena

Hello Ellena. I also have the exact same pain, however the intense pain is on my left side. When I saw a PT, it made it so much worse! I hope you have better luck. I suggest doing some neck stretches as often as possible. When you are diagnosed with FMS, you could also have myofacial pain. (these are particular areas of your body that have spasms.) I tried injections in my neck, upper/lower back, and still no relief. Try some relaxation tech. Stress will make you tighten up in those areas also. I am taking multiple meds, and just when I think I am feeling good enough to be "normal", I have a flare up. It is difficult trying to figure out how much activity your body can take. Do your normal chores slowly, take many breaks, keep fluids in your body, get checked for vitamin def., and try to work with a team of doctors to get your pain under control. My doctor suggested to keep a daily log reporting when you hurt, (on a scale of 1-10) how you feel upon waking, activities, and howw you feel at the end of day. You may see a pattern, and the doctor may have ideas on the right meds. Hope this is useful. Take care!!

Uncomfortable one,

Thanks for posting. I was beginning to think no one ever would. I have tried stretching and I'm continuing to do so and I work out every morning, first a treadmill, then a heated pool. I work the stretches in while still in the pool so my muscles are heated up and flexible. I'm also on meds for another condition and can't really take any of whats recommended for this so I'm kind of stuck with what I have. My rheumatologist has me on vitamin D supplements, mega doses, but he said if that was contributing to any of my problems, it could be better than six months before I see any improvement. I may go back to him sooner. I am also waiting on an MRI to be done on my neck so that may play into this.

Right now I'm really fed up with so much pain and no break from it. Sorry about venting.

Thanks again and take care!

I had problems a lot like what you're describing for a while. But when I found the right pillow, the problems went away. I found that I had to use a thin pillow, which kept my head more in line with my body. I hope you figure out what it is that is causing your neck pain. Good luck and best wishes!

Idealist

Idealist,

Thanks for the response. I've used cervical pillows since a car accident in 88 and I was using one when this started. They keep my head in a neutral position, but it still isn't stopping this. For awhile, when its been real bad, I've slept without any pillow and I'm still having problems, so I'm really frustrated with all of this and with not knowing what it is. It seems like if it was the FMS, the pain would present on both sides and it doesn't. I'm totally confused...

ellena

One more thing Ms Ellena. I have the book: Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain. (2nd edition) The authors are: Devin Starlanyl and Mary Ellen Copeland. I have found it to be very useful. When I had the MRI done, it showed I had herniated discs in my neck and back, and I too was in a MVA. When my booldwork was done, I had low levels of vitamin D too. I go back to my primary physician on the 24th, maybe she will have some addtional info. I walk everyday, and my doc said she is going to have me do water therapy. I tried water excercise @ my local Y (I couldn't hang!) I laughed because everyone else was much older than me, and here I was thinking I was in pretty good shape. Let me know if the book helps.

I'll look for the book and let you know. I tried doing the water aerobic classes and they were too much for me(not the pace, the pain it caused) so I stopped. Now I do a lot of leg work which actually works the abdomen and work the inner thighs. Of course, I do this in the deep end where I use a running belt so my legs are free. Then, I do 5-10 minutes of stretches. I also work my shoulders, but I can't use anything except water resistence there as it causes too much pain.

I would be interested to hear what your doctor says. I guess I'm looking for as much info/insight as possible.

[QUOTE=EE03;264064]Idealist,
Hi, I suffer from Arthritis, Bursitis and Tendinitis combined with Fibromyalgia. I have found that soaking in Bath Therapy (available at most drug stores) usually helps with the pain. An ointment that helps me a lot is "pain a trate"
to order: . I would suggest that unless you like the smell of turpentine, get the Lavendar smelling Bath therapy. I got mine at Walmart's, Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS. Good luck.