Hi all. Happy new year! I haven’t been on in a while, but I’m still taking my symptoms day by day. I recently had to go back to work full time after a lot of life changes and it’s a desk job. I’m trying to buy time until I can have the surgery but sitting at a desk is brutal. Any tips for pain management? Ricola throat lozenges are helping with the swallowing issues a bit but the pain is pretty uncomfortable.
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If your desk job requires that you use a computer, raise the screen up to eye level so you don’t have to look down much during your work day.
You can also try icing your neck for 15 min every couple of hours using a thin cloth between neck & ice pack. Gel ice packs work well as they conform to the shape of the neck & some come w/ velcro straps to help the pack stay in place when you’re sitting vs lying down. Some people have found OTC lidocaine patches placed on their necks help reduce pain.
If you’re not opposed to taking Rx meds, some of our members have gotten symptoms reduction from taking a muscle relaxant (take this at night not in the morning) &/or a nerve pain medication. There are a number of different types available.
I hope you’re able to find something that helps relieve/reduce your symptoms until you’re ready to consider surgery.
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That’s rough having to work and being in pain… I agree with @Isaiah_40_31 's suggestions, & maybe look into a better more supportive chair would help, an orthopaedic/ ergonomic chair? And some members have found a soft neck collar helps, if you get the height of your desk/ computer right? Whether your employer would be helpful with adjustments I don’t know, is there legislation in the US for that, or would you not want to rock the boat? Sending you a hug & hope that you find something to help 
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