Neck Brace Fashion

I’m trying a new course of treatment for my month-long neck pain/headache. Underneath the neck brace, I have on a diclofenac patch. I’ll be wearing a patch on my neck for the next two weeks. It’s hard to get the patch to stay on my neck, so when I’m not wearing the neck brace, I’ll be sporting an array of scarves.

Additionally, I started a muscle relaxant last night. Usually, muscle relaxers and hypermobilty/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome don’t pair well, but the muscle tightness in my neck isn’t easing up.

I have pain in my neck and referred pain to the tips of my fingers, my ribs, and spine. A portion of my left hand is numb. When the pain really amps up, the whole left arm goes numb (hope I’m not like Teresa Banks!) and I end up in tears from the intense pain in my head.

I did have a productive visit with a pain care management nurse practitioner today. She prescribed the diclofenac patches and agreed with my physical therapist’s assessment that a Botox injection might help. Next week, I have follow-ups in neurosurgery and pain care management. [Numb] fingers crossed that one of them will be able to order the Botox injections.