pulled neck muscle

6 days ago I woke up with a sore neck. I figured I slept wrong and it would go away but it didn't. The pain got worse every morning and I started getting headaches so on day 4 I went to the Dr and got some muscle relaxers. I've been taking them but they aren't helping. I'm okay during the day as long as I don't turn my head much but mornings are awful! I've been waking up early so I can take my meds and use my heating pad to relax the muscles enough so I can get my kids ready for school. I do the stretches they told me to try last time it happened and it works for the day. I'm still getting terrible headaches though and the pain never goes away fully. I very rarely get headaches normally. I called the Dr back and they said wait until Friday before calling back. I've had pulled muscles before but they never lingered to this degree. Have you had this? How long did it last? It's the middle of my neck around the top of my spine and up to the base of my head but the right side hurts more and I have less mobility. I've tried sleeping on my back with one flat pillow and my heating pad, I tried no pillows, I've tried sleeping propped up but every morning I wake up in worse pain. I don't know what else to try!! I'm afraid to go to sleep because I know I'll wake up hurting. HELP! I'm miserable.  

I'd see a crio

My first suggestion is see a chiropractor.

My second suggestion is ice it. If the muscle is injured heat can make it worse. After it heals a couple days then u are supposed to alternate cold and hot.

Quoting Click Me Click Me!!!:" I'd see a crio"

Chiropractor? I can't unless I have a referral from my regular Dr. Unless I want to pay for the entire visit out of pocket which isn't an option.

Quoting lolajessup:" My first suggestion is see a chiropractor. My second suggestion is ice it. If the muscle is injured ... [snip!] ... If the muscle is injured heat can make it worse. After it heals a couple days then u are supposed to alternate cold and hot."

Really? I thought ice would make the muscle contract even tighter where heat would loosen it. I'll try ice!

Did they do an mri? If not request one!

<blockquote><b>Quoting 3 little monsters:</b>" Really? I thought ice would make the muscle contract even tighter where heat would loosen it. I'll try ice!"</blockquote>



That's what I would assume too. But the heat can inflame it more. It's weird.

<blockquote><b>Quoting 3 little monsters:</b>" Chiropractor? I can't unless I have a referral from my regular Dr. Unless I want to pay for the entire visit out of pocket which isn't an option. "</blockquote>




Here they only charge like 45 per visit I'd ask for a referral.

Quoting Mel & a girl named Pey:" Did they do an mri? If not request one!"

No, they said they thought it was muscular and didn't need one. They won't even see me again until Friday at the earliest unless I go to the ER but Tim is out to sea and I can't take 3 kids to the ER with me.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Click Me Click Me!!!:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting 3 little monsters:</b>" Chiropractor? I can't unless I have ... [snip!] ... out of pocket which isn't an option. "</blockquote> Here they only charge like 45 per visit I'd ask for a referral."</blockquote>


Mines $35. Each X-ray is $25.

All places are diff. I know many that charge $40-45. Shop around.

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting 3 little monsters:</b>" Really? I thought ice would make the ... [snip!] ... loosen it. I'll try ice!"</blockquote> That's what I would assume too. But the heat can inflame it more. It's weird."

That's really bizarre but I'm willing to try anything now, LOL

<blockquote><b>Quoting 3 little monsters:</b>" That's really bizarre but I'm willing to try anything now, LOL"</blockquote>


Maybe google pulled muscles and hot/cold and see why it says. I wanna say my chiropractor said 20 mins ice 10 mins heat once u start alternating. But idk for sure. It was awhile ago.

Quoting 3 little monsters:" No, they said they thought it was muscular and didn't need one. They won't even see me again until Friday ... [snip!] ... me again until Friday at the earliest unless I go to the ER but Tim is out to sea and I can't take 3 kids to the ER with me. "

Boo!!! It could be muscle but it could even be a disc bulging...I would def push for an MRI once you can.

Quoting Click Me Click Me!!!:" <blockquote><b>Quoting 3 little monsters:</b>" Chiropractor? I can't unless I have ... [snip!] ... out of pocket which isn't an option. "</blockquote> Here they only charge like 45 per visit I'd ask for a referral."

I won't have it until payday and even then we are crunching for Christmas. I'll go to the ER before paying out of pocket.

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting 3 little monsters:</b>" That's really bizarre but I'm willing ... [snip!] ... says. I wanna say my chiropractor said 20 mins ice 10 mins heat once u start alternating. But idk for sure. It was awhile ago."

I will!