:( 9 days out from my first marathon

[lifetaketwo]

and my shoulder blade, back, and neck are in complete spasm   I'm freaking out.  I can't use my right arm at all.  My FI has to help me in and out of bed.  I skipped my 4 yesterday and today but I'm supposed to do 8 Sunday and then a few short runs next week.  Will skipping my 8 be a terrible idea?  Right now there is no way I could run. 

[enfuego23]

Trust your training - you have done the hard work. See how you feel on Sunday and evaluate from there. I had crazy phantom pains my whole taper for my first marathon - any clue why your back and neck are spasming?

[coconutbug]

Ow, that sounds awful. I would just rest and see a doc.

[cinco]

Rest and get to a doctor ASAP. I pinched a nerve in my neck a week or two before my Fall marathon. My dr. prescriped a higher dosage of ibuprofen and a muscle relaxant. That combo did the trick. Good luck.

[lifetaketwo]

I have a massage scheduled for Tuesday and I think I'll call the doc. I have a weak muscle relaxant, but I don't notice an effect. I'm going to try the runner in the practice and ask for something stronger.

I have no idea why it happens. It's come in spurts for the last 10 years.

[lifetaketwo]

Jan 3, 2014 18:29:14 GMT -5 cinco said:

Rest and get to a doctor ASAP. I pinched a nerve in my neck a week or two before my Fall marathon. My dr. prescriped a higher dosage of ibuprofen and a muscle relaxant. That combo did the trick. Good luck.

Do remember what it was? I have flexerol but it doesn't do much. The pain is sharp at the source, maybe it is a nerve?

[cinco]

Jan 3, 2014 18:45:24 GMT -5 lifetaketwo said:

Jan 3, 2014 18:29:14 GMT -5 cinco said:

Rest and get to a doctor ASAP. I pinched a nerve in my neck a week or two before my Fall marathon. My dr. prescriped a higher dosage of ibuprofen and a muscle relaxant. That combo did the trick. Good luck.

Do remember what it was? I have flexerol but it doesn't do much. The pain is sharp at the source, maybe it is a nerve?

I think it was flexeril  

[G22]

Oh man that sucks. I agree with enfuego23, trust your training and just focus on getting better and rid of the spasms. I definitely think a doctor visit is probably in order.

I hope you get it cleared up in time for the race

[moreace01]

Do you think it could be stress? Something similar happens to me - its my upper back and neck and goes all the way down my arm and my arm gets kinda numb and I can't raise it. And the more I freak out, the worse it gets. Your first marathon is pretty stressful... Definitely get it checked out though. Massage sounds good to loosen it up. Sometimes the masseuse will be able to have a little insight into what's going on (they can pinpoint the tension - a lot of times better than I can).

As others have said, trust your training. You've done the hard work already - the months of training and the 20 miler. You are in taper anyway (I also had super bizarro pains during my taper and also just felt sick the whole time). I skipped a few runs during my taper. You will be great.

Hope you feel better soon.

[lasagnasshole]

As a veteran of neck spasms, I'd say go to urgent care tomorrow. If you're in that much pain and unable to move, your condition will be obvious. You'll likely get more muscle relaxants (make note of your Flexiril dosage, as that's the most common muscle relaxant so it might just be a matter of dosage) and very likely some narcotics. The narcotics will also help you relax.

I'd also advise getting a massage sooner than Tuesday if you can. Is there any place that you can get a 20 minute massage? When I had my worst neck spasm, I had a few 20 minute massages. That was about all I could take at a time, and having a few days between them gave my muscles time to recover.

For tonight, try taking a really hot shower and send your husband to the drug store to get some Tiger Balm.

Good luck!

[Deleted]

No advice but tons of sympathy. I hope you get it sorted.

[lifetaketwo]

Thanks everyone! I have most of my mobility back, which is really good. The pain is still there and is severe, but is much more localized now. If i keep recovering at this rate I should be okay by Sunday, but I'm afraid of a relapse so I'm still going to the doc. All of my doctors and massage therapists think it's a stress thing. Thanks for all the good thoughts, they brought me out of my funk!

[G22]

I was wondering how you were doing. I hope you keep improving!

[clseale]

This is a good update! I hope it continues to be speedy improvements.

[Deleted]

Very pleased with the update - hope you continue to improve quickly!