Neck shoulder pain

[MupstateNY]

Best, do you know if there's an unscented version of Voltaren?

 

[Doing My Best]

We usually use a generic - right now from Costco, Kirkland Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel. I wouldn't call it scented, but it does have a medicinal smell.

 

[KimT]

Have you tried massaging legs with magnesium oil and taking CBD orally? When I was going through the diagnostic process, my doctor and I were talking about differential diagnoses and mimics. I mentioned cramp fasciculation syndrome and he said he prescribes 5 mg. of Valium 4x a day for CFS. He is a neuromuscular specialist. I told him my pain management had me on Valium and he said, "stay on it." Even after I was diagnosed he said stay on it and add Gabapentin.

Tillie, regarding your neck posture post, I suffered through PT, bought a $1,500 home office chair, bought an adjustable bed and tried every pillow, gadget posture improving device I could find. The only thing that helped 20 years ago and still helps today is Valium. As I said, it was a game changer. I never could have kept working at the pace I did if it were not for that little pill. spending too much time on the computer still gives me neck pain but now I can take multiple breaks and there is no deadline on my current publication.

 

[affected]

Kim I know you have some quite different situations to many others.

All I was suggesting was seeing if some positional changes to equipment might help relieve the cause. Not spending thousands of dollars, just make some simple changes before upping meds.

I would never suggest that means no one should take any pain meds. I really try not to speak in black and white options, but apologise if I come across that way sometimes, maybe writing in haste.

 

[MupstateNY]

KimT, I'm motivated to try what you said, rubbing with magnesium oil and taking CBD, as you suggested. I'm scared that leg cramps are going to interfere with gardening when it finally starts to warm up here. Also, I'm not sure how I'm going to get up from the kneeling position.

I found unscented Mg oil online. But I have no idea how to use CBD oil -- dosage, how to take, timing, how will it affect my functioning. Suggestions?

 

[KimT]

CBD oil is very subtle. I can take 100mg and feel nothing but a slight calmness. When I started it, back in 2015, I made sure I bought a good brand (Charlotte's Web.). I'm still using Charlotte's web. You can start with 10 mg. and see if it makes any difference. Most people I know who use it in my condo, use anywhere from 10mg. to 100mg at bedtime. It isn't cheap but I've not found any other brand that compares.

The unscented magnesium oil can be used as often as necessary. Watch out after shaving your legs. Some brands are salty and can burn after you've just shaved.

You may have to improvise in your gardening. It might be easier to have a seat or padding. I know Lisa scoots on her butt. I'm not sure how you'll get up.

 

[lgelb]

Depending on your abilities, you could use a rolling step, then when you are ready to get up, roll over to a rope ladder, trapeze, chair, or something else secure at the right height.

 

[Cowboybob]

I have a yoga therapist who comes in twice a week. He works on my shoulder and it works. For every 2” I hold my head down it adds 20 pounds of weight to my shoulders.

 

[MupstateNY]

Thanks for the CBD oil info, KimT. Do I go to a store or buy from the internet? Amazon?

Thanks for the warning, but the leg shaving made me laugh! I was born in 1955. I shaved my legs for at most a couple years in my teens and then people were burning bras and I stopped, haven't done it since.

Because of my osteoporosis and 5 compression fractures, I can't bend over much for gardening. Also I can't twist.

I wonder if there's a gadget I can use to stabilize myself while standing, when I'm harvesting pole beans. We made an arbor last year and it makes the harvesting pretty easy -- without the ALS.

Of course I could ask my family to build me new beds that allow me to sit in a chair or wheelchair but they built my current beds last spring so I hate to do that to them. (Before that, I gardened in a community garden.)

 

[lgelb]

Just a caution that Voltaren, as an NSAID, has a number of disease and drug interactions, so always check drugs dot com first.

 

[KimT]

I buy Charlotte's web online from the manufacturers (Stanley Brothers.)

I was also born in 1955 but I have a compulsion about hair on my legs. I've had waxing and even laser removal but it's hard to do it with naturally blonde hair. I'm so in tune with my body I can feel the hair on my legs touching my pants if I go more than a couple of days. I guess, at some point, I'll have to give in to the OCD....LOL

I do miss gardening. We have pretty flowers at the condo but we hire gardeners. Sometimes I cringe at what they do to certain plants. Last Winter they let a hibiscus outside one of my kitchen windows get leggy and it was an eyesore. I went out, at night, and chopped it to the ground. Now it's much prettier and bushy.