He can't turn his head!

[MizzSarah]

My dad has long battled Crohn's and it's been awhile since he's had problems with his neck muscles. Now he is unable to move his neck and the doctors have him on anti-spasmodic Meds. He's on a particular one as he has ulcers etc but this time it is not working. It's been 3 weeks now and he says there are no improvements.

His DR says hang in there but my dad is not doing so great.


Any advice would be great. What worked for you guys?

 

[Sophabulous]

My dad has long battled Crohn's and it's been awhile since he's had problems with his neck muscles. Now he is unable to move his neck and the doctors have him on anti-spasmodic Meds. He's on a particular one as he has ulcers etc but this time it is not working. It's been 3 weeks now and he says there are no improvements.



His DR says hang in there but my dad is not doing so great.





Any advice would be great. What worked for you guys?

Ouch!! That doesn't sound fun

I don't know about neck muscles so much but I struggle with my lower back and I find voltarol gel and heat patches/hot water bottle are a big help.

Hope he starts to get some relief soon!

 

[MizzSarah]

I'm a go-to voltarol gel person too and even that is not offering him relief. My mother suggested we take him to the ER but the most they can do there is give him pain medication which is something he already takes for the Crohn's.

Ouch!! That doesn't sound fun

I don't know about neck muscles so much but I struggle with my lower back and I find voltarol gel and heat patches/hot water bottle are a big help.

Hope he starts to get some relief soon!

 

[Sophabulous]

I'm a go-to voltarol gel person too and even that is not offering him relief. My mother suggested we take him to the ER but the most they can do there is give him pain medication which is something he already takes for the Crohn's.

Bless him, I was the same last week with my back. I am limited to either paracetamol or opiates due to ulcers. If voltarol and heat isn't helping then maybe a good deep tissue massage? I can imagine it would be very sore but might do good in the long run. A friend also had brilliant results with acupuncture. Hope he gets comfortable soon one way or the other [emoji22]

 

[my little penguin]

Does he see a rheumotologist ?
Physical therapist?
Tagging maya142

 

[MissLeopard83]

My dad has long battled Crohn's and it's been awhile since he's had problems with his neck muscles. Now he is unable to move his neck and the doctors have him on anti-spasmodic Meds. He's on a particular one as he has ulcers etc but this time it is not working. It's been 3 weeks now and he says there are no improvements.

His DR says hang in there but my dad is not doing so great.


Any advice would be great. What worked for you guys?

It sounds like spasmodic torticollis (aka cervical dystonia). I got it after starting on a very strong psychiatric medication (that, it turned out, I did not need). The doctor gave me a medication they typically use for Parkinson's - Amantadine (Symmetrel) - which worked very well. Antispasmodics, ironically enough, do not work for this type of dystonia. Maybe he could ask his primary care to prescribe a low dose?

 

[MizzSarah]

He sees a rheumatologist and is on a combination of medications for his osteoarthritis etc. He is on lots of medicine. All his doctors are saying is to take it easy and keep on taking his anti-spasmodic medication.

Does he see a rheumotologist ?
Physical therapist?
Tagging maya142

 

[Jabee]

Is the anti-spasmodic a muscle relaxant? Does he have any other symptoms besides a stiff neck? I take tizanidine occasionally to alleviate my migraines; perhaps something like that would help? I think three weeks is a bit too long for a stiff neck with no relief. Is his arthritis in his neck?

Hope he feels better soon.

 

[Maya142]

I would check with the doctor who prescribed the anti-spasmodic. He may need a different one or a higher dose.

I'm sure you've tried this but heat should also help - a heating pad or a hot shower.

Switching his pain medication also might work.

Good luck - muscle spasms are so painful!