I have the same problem. Sometimes its so sensitive that I almost pass out when I touch it. I was originally told that I had possibly fractured C6 or C7 but the fractures were not vislible in x-rays. Since then the pain migrates into my shoulder and up my neck from time to time.
I've realized that the pain is worse when I'm under stress and that a lot of the pain may be from tension headaches, which can cause pain in the same area. If you are feeling stressed and depressed you may have the same problem.
I hope this helped.

Thanks Jessie. I really felt that stress had something to do with the pain. Did your pain ever go away?

I have neck pain too. When I was 15 I was playing volleyball in high school gym and I ran into a girl, bounced off her, and fell backwards...I landed on my tailbone. I am only 5 foot...and there already wasn't a lot of space between my vertabrae...but not they are all jammed together...and my spine is curved at my neck....my C4 I think . I think that this injury contributes greatly to my Fibro as does my Endometriosis. Have you ever gone to a Chiropractor? I really really want to try it out. I went a long time ago when I first had that neck injury and another time when I was rear ended by an SUV (I was stopped at a stop sign and the SUV was going 40!) and reaggrivated the neck injury. Nothing seems to help with my endo or fibro pain so I really want to try a chiropractor. I hope you find something soon to help you! I'm really sorry you are not feeling well. I totally understand! I have been feeling really depressed lately too...and no one around me really understands.

Thanks Christine
I don't remember doing anything that would have caused me to have a problem with my neck, but who knows I will be calling my doctor next week to let him know how I'm feeling and .I guess we will take it from there. So sorry for your pain.

I had that until I adjust my monitor height on my desk. Either raise it up or lower

This is probably my BIGGEST area of PAIN!! I've been having Migraines for 10+ yrs now. They start at the base of my skull...radiating down my neck & shoulders. They lasts for days-on-end & are so bad that they cause severe nausea/vomiting & dizziness.

Can't count the times I've been rushed into Dr's office/ER for a shot of "something" to relieve the PAIN!! (TENS Unit always helps some too) Also...it hurts worse when I lay down. However, how can you NOT lay down, when you're so dizzy & throwing up! There have been times when I know I probably would have put a bullet through my head...IF I'd had a loaded gun next to me! These have got to be ONE of the most miserable experiences of all! It would hurt sooo bad, that I couldn't even cry...for causing more pain! I was having them about 50-75% of the time, there for about 3 yrs (no joke)! Since taking Doxepin for 2.5 yrs...they seemed to have diminished somewhat for about a year...but have been noticing them coming back more often again recently.

I've been researching "Chiari Malformation" lately. Some "Fibro" sites say that a large % of Fibro patients are misdiagnosed & REALLY have Chiari malformation (CM). I'd researched it vaguely years ago...& dismissed it. However, after researching it again in depth lately...I'm beginning to wonder. I also have Scoliosis...which can cause/goes along with CM (had never read that till last night). I also have a herniated disc at C5-C6, confirmed by MRI & X-rays.

It is also known that Connective Tissue Diseases (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan Syndrome specifically) are related. My last Rheumy concluded that I have some type of "mixed connective tissue disease" of some sort... & left it at that...as she had exhausted all possible tests, relating to my symptoms.

I've been advised by other CM patients to NOT go to just any Neuro or Neurosurgeon...MUST be a Neuro/NS who specializes in CM!! Apparently, there are only a handful in the USA...& most doctors know absolutely nothing about CM! Which ALSO makes me wonder...IF I have CM...why hasn't anyone found it in my previous MRI's?? NOT saying that I do...but it's just starting to make so much sense! It's also apparent that Dysautonomia (which I'm also sure I must have) is an after-effect of CM. So...really scratching my head here!!! Here are some resource links describing CM in detail...& there is also an "Arnold-Chiari Malformation" (proper name) board here at DS. I just joined it last night (amongst the one on MedHelp)...trying to gain more info. {{hugs}}
~tj

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArnoldChiari_malformation

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chiari/detail_chiari.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chiari-malformation/DS00839

http://www.asap.org/index.php/disorders/chiari-malformation/

Not sure why the Wikipedia link malfunctioned?? I'll try again...if it doesn't work this time...just try Googling it. Thanks...& sorry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArnoldChiari_malformation

If it's myofascial pain, it would be coming from trigger points in the shoulders, between the shoulder blades and across the back.

Here's an article on head and neck pain that is helpful. Be sure and check out the link for shoulder pain as it shows some trigger points in the back that affect the neck as well:

http://round-earth.com/HeadPainIntro.html

If you need more diagrams, triggerpoints.net has an extensive collection of referred pain and trigger point diagrams that are very easy to navigate.

If you locate a trigger point, massage it as much as you can stand. It's not uncommon to have more than one active trigger point, and you can have satellite trigger points that are controlled by another one so if you find you have some and the pain doesn't resolve right away, keep looking.

I've been doing trigger point massage for almost 6 years now and when I first started, I had a headache in the lower back of my head that had continued almost nonstop for 8 years that I was able to resolve in a matter of about a half hour so I know if it's myofascial pain, you can see rapid improvements.

I had had severe pain and stiffness in my neck for over 2 months now. It hurts to turn my head and my head is just way to heavy for my neck to carry around. I don't know why it suddenly started but I guess it's just another part of fibro. :-(

The source of my 25 years of pain was never clear until I had an MRI. Only then was the doc able to really treat it. As a matter of fact, when the neck is treated properly with PT, care in lifting, heat, ice etc, it keeps my fibro from getting worse.

Unfortunately my pain has never gone away. Its actually so bad that its made worse by any change in posture or even wearing my hair up. I've had MRIs and none have shown any sign of Chiari Malformation but the symptoms are very similar.
Make sure that you are seeking treatment for your depression and anxiety. I didn't believe that these things could have such an effect on how I felt physically until I started therapy. The healthier your mental state, the healthier you will feel all over.

Thank all of you for your replies. There are many things I can look into. The pain just takes my breadth away. Sorry you are feeling pain as well. .

I've had problems with neck pain for years, after having been rear-ended twice. Trigger point therapy has helped, but the chiropractor has been the most help for me. Lots of people are freaked out by chiropractic, but the right ones can really help. Before you see one, ask if they do non-force techniques or use an activator (a device kind of like a cherry pitter). Both are gentle techniques, not the "whack-em, crack-em" that most Palmer trained chiropractors use.

If you use the computer alot, look up ergonomics in wikipedia. Getting your desk and monitor at the right height can make a huge difference. I had a doctor give me a prescription for a special chair at work, and that's really helped my back and neck.

I also use a percussive massager to help relax by neck and upper back. Heat helps, too. Good luck and I hope you find some relief!