Hi haven't posted in a long time , been having what feels like a headache in the back of my head on right , well really a migrane , it's at the very bottom by the neck , was wandering if any one else with mctd has had this problem , thought it was the connective tissue , but the predasone doesn't seem to be working , and usaully my pains are on both sides , am in a big time flare right now , just got done moving and over worked my self . It was only happening about 3 times a month past couple month 's , thought it might of been the lexapro so I quit taking that , but it's still here . Any help would be greatly appricated , can't even spell or think , with this pain . thanks
Crystal

I havent posted in a long time either.. but i saw this and felt i should ..
I get the same type of headache. when i get really tight in my neck and shoulders.
I even get bumps like spasms in my head right about neck.
Try ice and massage. I also have mctd..
Hope it helps
Donna

Thankyou for reply , you know how it is , hate running to doc over everypain , and getting mri , just to hear it is connective tissue . If I went to doc over every cronic pain , I would have whole body mri. He thought it was migrane at first but has been happening way to much , gone to try the ice , and was watching the doctor's to today on tv , love that show , they had on cronic neck pain wow. anyway gone to get new pillow tonight to .
Thanks again
Cry

I've experienced the same type of problem starting with unrelenting headache in lower portion of the back of my head with subsequent upper shoulder and neck stiffness, soreness, and pain. If my migraine medicine doesn't relieve the headache (try to take care of it to prevent the problems in neck and shoulders), I go to the massage school in town for a good Swedish massage that works the lumps and tension out. Sometimes it takes going one time, sometimes two. The price is affordable for total body at the school ($35).

I've been using my "vibrator" chair pad and my hand held vibrator on my neck/lower skull. This has also helped after the massage. Also, if I don't have a migraine but the upper back/neck problem, I take OTC ibuprofen before massaging myself.

I've also been trying to not "run" in to the doc's office every time I have a problem, unless serious with the lupus flares. Now that I'm retired and not covered by my husband's insurance, the doctor visits are more expensive as are the tests, etc.

I hope this helps with your issues.

Warm hugs to you,

Jeannette

Becareful infact I would go right to your doctor about it. I had similar pain two years ago I had it for two days straight to the point I couldnt concentrate on anything and then boom I went into a coma. The lupus started attacking my brain which caused fluid! Then it went onto attacking my heart, lungs and liver thats when I was finally diagnosed. I dont want to scare you but with this disease you cant be to careful. Im actually having a severe flare right now that is attacking the arteries in my left hand causing blood clots. I hope for your sake it's nothing but tension or something simple.

I have the same thing and have for 12 years. The causes are: loss of C curve in neck, ruptured/herniated discs and degenerative disc disease. It is not Lupus related but it is odd how many of us seem to have this (probably due to steroid use). I have co-workers with the same problem too so it is common. Shoulders and neck are always tight and stress does exacerbate it. Having myalgia also doesn't help the situation!

I have found that ice and/or heat helps, massage helps, anti-inflammatories help and those Icy Hot patches help. I was in PT for a while and that did wonders, but insurance only paid for so many visits so I'm back to square one. I see a Pain Management Specialist and am scheduled to have a cervical steroid injection in two weeks. I'm hoping that it works for a while. We'll see!

Try getting a massage - it might do wonders.

I go Nov. 9th to have a Nerve Block due to Degenerative Disc Disorder of course which is due to massive amounts of Steriods through IV. I went to bed I could see fine when I awoke I was completely BLIND on the Left side so I went 3 times a week and received 500mg solumedrol until my eyesight came back and it is back to 20/20. I sometimes wonder after 2 knee replacements, removal of my radial head of my elbow and 7 different fractures to my spine from C-5 through L-7 through S-5 My Pain Management Specialist has given me one shot I couldn't tell anything had happen but my Orthopedic Specialist told me it might take 6 or 7 before one worked. My Pain Specialist is going to give me a shot in my neck for the Headaches and she said she was going to start at S-5 and work her way up the next time. I hope and PRAY that this works. I am a single parent that cant be anything with this pain. I take Fentenal Patches and Percocets flexerial, lidoderm patches, and I have a headache the size of TEXAS in the space of Rhode Island. I have been denied twice already due to my pottisum was to low and the next time my Red Blood Cells were to low, I will have the blood work on Nov. 2 I have been on Pottisum and folic acid and B12 and Iron hoping this time I will be able to have the procedure. Sometimes this is a very aggravating disease My uncle died at 42 my Dr's said that I wouldn't make it to 40 I celebrate my 42 birthday in March and in May seen my oldest daughter graduate from college becoming a Radiology tech. I so proud they said I wouldn't see her graduate high school little did they know I am not giving up YET!

[This Message was Edited on 10/29/2009]