I have been off work for a year and a half with lumbar spine stenosis two slightly bulging disks and sciatic pain. Two days ago I started having a stiff neck and mild headache. Pain in my shouldwe and neck started last night that is almost unbearable. I am taking arthritis strength Tylenol 1350 mg 2 times a day and 800 mg of Advil every 3 to 4 hrs. It does not take pain away. Could this be related to my lower back problems? I did not have a known injury.
Hello, The lower spine problem would not be likely related DIRECTLY to the neck and shoulder pains.  Except in the sense that if you have been diagnosed with the arthritic degenerative disease in the lower spine then, this same diagnosis may be now affecting other parts of the skeletal system, names the cervical spine and shoulder girdles.  You are taking a tremendous amount of OTC medication which itself may be setting you up for a condition known as Medication Overuse Headache (MOH).  I recommend you have a doctor also examine the cervical spine and shoulders for the similar arthritic disease but to find a more feasible solution to taking OTC analgesics every 3-4 hrs.  Which have a number of long-term consequences associated? Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Chat Doctor. 