Neck pain-my specialty! When enbrel quit on me, that was the first huge pain-neck and then shoulders. Cimzia for three months did nothing. So now I am awaiting to get over cold to try enbrel again (it's been 7months since quit enbrel). Now I am on 10mg prednisone awaiting enbrel relief (I hope) and my neck pain is basically gone. But without prednisone, it is extreme and is in my every thought all day long.

Here's what my routine. Heat Cherry-pit-pac in microwave (ordered off internet, have pad that will tie around my neck and one that fits over my shoulders).

After I have relaxed the muscles, I use my tens machine unit (Tens 2500). I put one set of wired pads on each side of neck down to shoulder (that's where my pain is). Sometimes I run it for several hours. It does take away pain and makes it feel better for a time afterward.

Evening I may use heating pad again.

After bath, apply Sombra Cool Therapy Gel (natural ingret. with strong menthol) Works great. Can use during day also.

At night I sleep on Sleep Number "Cool Therapy" contour pillow and try to sleep on my back.

Hope this helps. Glad to have the relief from prednisone. Get so tired and taking care of the pain.

Question about orencia? I have heard lots of people on this board that is using it and like it. My rheumy said it took too long to kick in, but I'm thinking if enbrel does not work I would put up with three months for it to work.

Keep us informed of how well it is working please.

Thanks for the tips, Wendy. I moved to Orencia after Enbrel and then Remicade stopped working for me. My doc did warn me that it wold take 3-4 months to reach full improvement, but hey, that's better than never. And it's only been two months and here I am feeling better already. The neck pain is frustrating, but it's much easier to concentrate on this one joint than it was before, when all my joints were flaring. So far I have had no side effects from Orencia except less appetite, which for me is a positive benefit.

If enbrel does not work second time around, I'm going to look into trying orencia. It affects all the t-cells, correct? And perhaps that is why the others I have tried did not work as well because they were targeting the "t-cells".

I did have luck with enbrel for 1-1/2 years so who knows. Trial and error? Good luck with your neck. I know how painful that is for you when you have to take care of your pain all day. The 10mg prednisone I am on now (since 11/20) is not taking care of the pain like it did in beginning. Neck little achy in the morning (but I can deal with that because it had hurt so bad). A new problem though that is hurting is that my right foot is very painful (toes 3-4 and on top of my foot). I like to walk so this has become quite a burden. Trying to put ice on in several times a day. And today I upped my prednisone to 15mg for three days until I start enbrel to see if I could get rid of pain.

It's a constant process. Good luck with your neck. I hope my ideas helped.

Another great thing I have found. Brookstone Sports Massager for $70. I massage my neck slowly and my back muscles also. The muscle aches from my neck go down into my back by afternoon. This massager works great. I mean really great especially after using heating pad. Just go very slow. Stretches out muscles and knots. And cheaper than massage.

I have DDD & thus far one cervical fusion. There are days my neck hurts to much to even touch.
I am guessing the RA will add to my cervical problems which is a bummer. So I'll share what I have tried.
Moist heat, works great with good top of the line essential oils. Deep relief from Young Living is a wonderful oil. Perhaps that's why they seem to be out of it often.

A good pillow is a must. I bought the one advertised on TV, sorry can't recall the spelling but starts with an S & hard to miss as its in as seen on TV section. I do love it. Ive tried at least 6 pillows.
The one Wendy mentioned sounds interesting.

I also use the Flector patch on my bad days. Prescription Anti inflammatory. I like that it targets the area & I'm not swallowing a pill.
Thermacare used to help me some.
Gentle exercises to strengthen can't hurt. Soft roll pillows that conform to your neck, I have to find out the filler they use. I bought a few to keep around the house & car & my husband has become attached to them also,LOL.

My niece started having problems with her neck & picked one up for her also & she said it really made a huge difference. Funny this inexpensive little roll pillow can make such a difference & here I was spending lots of $$$$ on products.

Duh just looked at the tag, states "Polystyrene Beads".
These are great for injured or sore areas. I had 4 in all & dropped 3 off to my BILs mother to use, fell at the age of 83 & injured her leg. She uses then to prop her injured thigh & like me loves this pillow. The oils are really helping her to so may be worth a shot.

Hopefully you get some suggestions that help you out.
Let us know if you do come across something that works for you.
Best of luck, Sammy

I'm sorry that I don't have a useful response, but am bringing another question to the table... Could someone please describe their neck pain? I've had a pain in my neck (sorry about that) for a while that radiates up to the back of my skull and has been causing a major headache for several weeks. I never even thought it could be RA related even though I am flaring and not currently taking anything.

Sarah,
My hubby and father get those weekly too. Sounds like a "tension" headache. usually caused by tension in the trapezius muscles. Which cause muscles spasms from there to your scalp.
I used to get them all the time, but got great relief from osteopathic manual manipulation. I