I'm in awful shape. My neck and shoulders are a mess. I'm pretty sure I understand the cause: since my neck is weak, I tend to sit at the computer with my elbow on the desk and my hand supporting my chin. This posture puts such a strain on my neck and shoulder muscles that they've gone into spasm. The spasm has caused muscles pulls, too. Plus (no one can deny I'm an idiot--don't even bother) I fell over with my walker on Sunday, as I was riding it around a parking lot, and I don't think that helped, though I didn't notice neck pain until the next day.

I'm doing heat for the spasms and ibuprofen in large doses for the pain and inflammation. Any other hints? I'm scared to take a muscle relaxant like Valium (diazepam). It doesn't seem to be on the "forbidden for myasthenics" list, but really, now--I'm going to take a drug that I know will make my muscles weak and unresponsive? That sounds even dumber than riding on my walker to me. But I am a wreck, here--not sleeping, nauseous from the headaches my neck pain is causing...any suggestions? Thanks.

Abby

I was mistaken. You're not supposed to take valium (diazepam) if you have MG, unless you are a rat.

http://www.drugs.com/valium.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8217057

Abby

Hi Abby,

I have the same problem with neck/shoulder pain, I usually live on painkillers most of the time. I also use a pain relieving gel, called Flexall 454. It doesn't take the pain away entirley but does relieve it. I also use a travel pillow in reverse ie, in the front so I can rest my head on it. I also go to my physio alot. Its such a difficult thing to cope with.

Abby, Just make sure you get seen to make certain you didn't jar a disc or something. PT works wonders. As does a support collar. Ask your primary doctor about using BenGay on the sore muscles near the neck. They have vanishing scent stuff but don't use anything with aspirin in it.

Oh, and could your potassium be low again?

I hope you feel better soon.

Annie