Last nights ER diagnosis....

[monster]

I found myself in the ER late last night after trying to wash my hair in the morning before going up the street to a friends house. I heard a loud pop and then felt a snap (never felt the snap before now!). Anyway I couldn't move my head more than 1/2 inch in any direction and couldn't move it backwards at all without severe pain. Many of you know I have been dealing with this symptom of my ouchies for over 4 years now.

Last night at the ER I was diagnosed with 'acute myofascial strain". I have been trying to research this as I felt up to it today and it appears that more than likely because I have been dealing with this so long that it will be a chronic condition in my case, not something I look forward to living with!

Can you nurses please tell me if this is actually tearing of the muscles or just stretching or both? The snap I felt actually felt like something tore and as stated above that had never happened before although the loud pops have.

I see my pain management doctor this week and will be sure to take the ER diagnosis with me. I've got myself pretty drugged up today and they drugged me up pretty good last night with a 3 drug cocktail. They then let me sleep for 2 1/2 hours before waking me to go home.

Oh yeah, the pain is right sided going from the vertebrae in my neck, to my right shoulder, down my arm depending on movement (I could only move my arm very little without setting off very bad shooting pain), down the right side of my back along the spine and in the muscle area as well to my rear end, across to my shoulder blade and in the right side of my chest as well starting at the sternum.

Sorry for the long explanation. I'm just hoping this isn't something I'm going to have to deal with the rest of my life. I'm now even afraid to wash my hair in the shwoer!!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful turkey day and I'm sorry this is so long.

Hugs,
monster

[halftrak]

Monster,I am so Sorry You are enduring this,Please Take it easy, Do What The ER DR advised, I'm Sure some of our Great Forum Nurses Will Be Along To Give You More Information On This Condition.Halftrak

[Bummer Knees]

Monster

I do hope you find the answers you are looking for.

I was diagnosed with cervical tramatic myofasical syndrome after the Tulsa ice storm.

Myofasical is very painful, what you describe about you pain is exactly what I am having.

I do take a strong muscle relaxer, skelaxin, and use a tens unit to help with the pain.

I have found Vickinat, as well as other on the forum to be a great source of information

[capricorn]

Oh Monster...one thing after another isn't it. You are describing my pain perfectly but mine is on the left. Keep in mind I have a bad left shoulder that surgery made worse BUT the pain you describe I have be told is strained muscles and a pinched nerve ( all cervical). I also have stenosis and several herniations in my neck but all Dr.s have agreed that most of this pain is from the tight muscles(sometimes traumatized they've been stretched so hard) and also that pinched nerve( I felt a pop when I pinched the nerve)sends pain all the way across my upper back, down my arm into my hand. It hurts and takes tender loving care to get under control. I like the moist heat better. Some say ice and heat at one hour intervals. Your PM DR. will be able to help. Myofascial covers alot of muscle spains.

Hope you feel better soon, I know it's very painful.

CAP

[RNvic]

Monster- sorry to hear you are in so much pain. I wish I could give you some advise on how to get the pain to lower, but I don't know much about back pain. But I will pray for relief and healing.

[Still in Limbo]

My Dear Little Blue Buddy, Hang in There!! You are going through a Pretty Bad Rough Spot, and You know We will be Here for You to Help if We can!! I Hope You can get Some Relief from this, and an Extra Prayer will be Sent Tonight!!!

[monster]

Thanks for the help everyone.

I've been dealing with this for over 4 years now so it's nothing new. The only thing new about it is that it now has a name and I became curious.

Taking it easy as always when this happens but will be okay. Hope everyone is as well as possible.

Hugs,
monster

[sparkey]

So sorry to hear about your pain Monster. Hopefully someone can find a solution to your pain and help you. I will keep you in my prayers : )

[red1030]

monster....I do not know much about the course of this illness or its nature. I did a little reading after I read this earlier and plan to do more tonight. I know that one of the risk factors is injury but do not know much more...love REd

[jayne]

Monster are you sure there is no disc damage? sure sounds like my day to day....if so the rice bag is a wonder tool and straws rather than tilting your head back.