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Real members of myRAteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
May 25
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A myRAteam Member

Also I have not been on any medication for about 15-20 years all i take is Turmeric and fish oil. with vitamins. All the prescription medication have a lot of side effect.

May 26
A myRAteam Member

Thank you. I usually get this every 2 or three month,

May 26
myRAteam

Can rheumatoid arthritis cause occipital neuralgia? The short answer is: possibly, yes.

RA can affect the cervical spine (the neck region), and about 80% of people with RA show signs of cervical spine inflammation. When RA inflames the joints at the top of the spine (C1 and C2), it can irritate or compress nearby nerves — Show Full Answer

Can rheumatoid arthritis cause occipital neuralgia? The short answer is: possibly, yes.

RA can affect the cervical spine (the neck region), and about 80% of people with RA show signs of cervical spine inflammation. When RA inflames the joints at the top of the spine (C1 and C2), it can irritate or compress nearby nerves — including the occipital nerve — leading to pain at the base of the skull and radiating headaches. Two weeks of persistent pain is definitely worth taking seriously. Symptoms that may point to RA-related nerve involvement in the neck include:

- Pain at the base of the skull
- Headaches
- Pins-and-needles sensations in the hands or feet
- Burning or warmth in the extremities
- Limited neck mobility or stiffness

A myRAteam member described their neck pain as feeling like "something fell on my head and pushed it into my neck and shoulders," making it hurt to turn in any direction. It's really important to reach out to a rheumatologist or primary care doctor about this. Two weeks of ongoing pain shouldn't be pushed through alone. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in protecting long-term spinal health and quality of life.

They may recommend imaging tests like an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan to assess what's happening in the cervical spine.

May 25

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