I am starting to get stiff necks while I am sleeping. I wake up several times all night and can hardly turn over, it hurts so bad.

I still have it when I wake up in the morning, but then when I am up for awhile, it goes away.

I don't know why this is starting up.

Did any neck or c spine issues show on your x rays or MRIs?

oh and could your pillow or mattress have changed to cause it?

Ouch Peg.

When I was being tossed around before the TOS dx, the pain management Dr. told me the MRI showed I had 2 bulging discs, but then when I went to Neuro Surgeon, he said my discs where just like they should be for my age.

I haven't changed my pillow or anything. I had it again last night!!

If it wasn't for having company come today, I would head to the massage therapist.

I had severe stiff necks before my neck surgery...I had a level 2 in with a compression on my spine....Now I have a nice metal plate in my neck, that bugs me when I turn towards the left...(YUK) Sometimes I wonder what came first? TOS or the neck...they were both caused from a repetitive desk job for 16 years with awful deadlines...perhaps it would best to get another MRI in case it's now compressing on your cord causing the stiffness.....Right before I had my surger, my neck would get so stiff, it reminded me of what whiplash would be.....Just a thought

I have a sore/stiff neck more often then not. This seems to have increased since my rib resection surgery. There are times I can only sleep sitting up (in a recliner) or lying on the couch...this has been a big pain in the butt...I see my neuro again in a few weeks and will press this issue with him.

A sore neck hurts, not sure this helps...I just apply heat, take hot showers and get to see my MT, PT and chiro...they seem to be my best friends these days.

I think the biggest question sometimes for us, is there something wrong with our discs / Cspine, that could be fixed by surgery, OR, is it ALL TOS?

I have some minimal degenerative changes in my Cspine, which I am told also is "normal" for my age. (I've read tons of Cspine MRI reports, and yes, everyone has little things here or there.)

However, just because a noted change is small, it does not absolutely negate that the small problem, such as a 2 mm disc bulge, is not impinging upon a nerve and causing a notable problem.

Then, it is a matter of evaluating the EMG findings - is there slowing at the C-8 which tends to support TOS, and is there relief from a scalene block - again, more TOS evidence, etc.

I find the entire process to be utterly frustrating and complex.

But I have severely stiff necks with pain along the back few inches of my head, see my other thread.

Peg24 sorry you are having problem with your neck it is bad enough with TOS right, I have problems with my neck also is it a TOS thing something we have in common? I cannot move my neck to the left or right side to side and must make sure I do not drop my head down to far. I was told to get one of those pillows that go around my neck it looks like a horse shoe or wrap a towel around my neck.
I have problems in my C-spine they are bulging also it to me is just one more thing to deal with I hope you well and a good year.

i've been suffering with a stiff neck lately as i've had a course of PT to help get me over a surgery 2 months prior. My goal has been to return to my pre-surgery strength and conditioning so that I can undergo the TOS surgery in decent shape in order to minimize the recovery from that. I know that PT strengthening isn't suitable for my TOS but I have such weakness in my upper body from not being able to use it for several years now. I think I am actually making some improvements via PT in stabilizing my neck and core and that this allows me to have better posture. the only thing is that i have to go so very slow to make any progress. The PT I am working with is using a technique called Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Re-education. She said she studied w/Greg Johnson. I haven't had much luck finding info on the web describing it .... maybe Jo55 will step in w/her magic touch.

has anyone else tried this Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Re-education and had luck with stiff necks, headaches, or TOS symptoms?

(oh a little more research found this)
http://books.google.com/books?id=m_E...kLgdxM#PPA2,M1