waiting for diagnosis

Go back to your GP. If you lost the use of your arm, they should get you an MRI scan urgently. I found that freeze gel helped to ease the neck pain, alternating with hot packs. You can get a wheat pack to put in the microwave which you can then wrap round your neck. If this isn't practical, you can get pads which stick on and provide constant heat during the day. Or take a flask of boiling water to work and keep re-filling a small hot water bottle. Do chase up the GP though, you need to find out what is going on. Keep us bulletined.

I find - given the difficulty in getting appointments with GPs in the UK (I'm in London) - and having had your initial elevation - that it might be best to call and speak to the doctor (if your surgery allows that) or write a letter and take it in.  I did the latter at a point of concern and got a response.  The MRI is crucial ... and depending on that your case will be raised to the consultants ... (in which case it will be out of the GP's hands) ... or you will at least get some physiotherapy.  Good luck with it all.  It will improve with better knowledge as to the situation.  It may well be a case of severe formainal stenosis ... and once the awareness is centred you should be able to find techniques towards relief.  I know as I have this myself and, you are quite right, pain killers are of very little - if any - use.  Best wishes.  

Hi

I think I see what you're saying....you don't want to pester Gp when he has already put things in motion.  I think any GP would understand that if your symptoms change, as yours have, that you should report that in case the processes need to be speeded up.  Having the MRI done quickly,  so that they at least can assess the problem,  should be a priority......and not knowing when it's likely to happen can create it's own worry.   You could ask for a referral to physiotherapy,  that's usually quicker,  and they can send you for MRI immediately if they see a need.  With C/S there is a tendency to delay the processing because they can't predict how symptoms will progress.  

 

Thanks, i forgot to add she referred me to physio at the same time. Heard nothing either. But in fareness it has only been a couple of weeks. I am now on the computer so can type better now. I forgot to add that I also have weird moments that i find difficult to describe. Its not dizziness, its not feeling faint, the nearest is it feels like the floor is moving, but the feeling is in my head. Gerry you are right, i dont want to waste the GP time as things are in motion. I use an electric heat pad morning and night.  I am unable to take oral antiinflammatories due to a sensitive stomach. Paracetamol weirdly makes me constipated, so i will take it if i really have to but i just seem to build up my pain tolerance!  Meunier, I like the idea of writing a letter to the gp to hand in. I think i will do that. Then i am informing them but dont feel like i am being annoying. Due to teaching getting time to visit or call is difficult. I am hopefully about to get a new job which might also help this condition.

Hi Kaye, I fully sympathise with what you are going through. I have cervical and lumbar spondylosis and widespread osteoarthritis plus fibro. I have pain and tingling from my shoulder all down my left arm. I have a lot of dizzy spells so if I go out, I take my stick with me to help me balance. My problems all started when I was 42 so really understand what you are going through.

Dropped a letter off to the GP earlier with a summary of the problems. It will either be filed or may end up with her informing the people i am being referred to that i need to be seen quicker.

So. Nothing much has changed other than the pain. Pain hasn't been too bad so far. But now taking paracetamol constantly due to neck pain. If my neck is slightly in the 'wrong position' I am in pain. Now it's getting me down.

Would keep knocking on the GP's door until you get elevated for urgent physio.  Sounds like you deserve it no question ... and in this day in age you get nowt if you don't pound.  All best wishes.  

Quote "if my neck is slightly in the wrong position, I'm in pain"... Boy, can I sympathize with that. You described my every day in one sentence.  Woke up early today with loads of arm pain and pins/needles at 5 am, because I slept on the wrong pillow and was in pain all day despite massage, two kinds of traction (air collar and inversion table), hot tub, stretching, muscle relaxers and pain killers.  The pain finally let up about an hour ago, thankfully.  It's like subluxation roulette, but in my case at 55 y/o, multiple discs are affected and bone spurs prevalent.  Unlike the past, when I always found a way to bounce back, now I am at a more advanced stage and looking at the future, I see a complicated fusion surgery ahead that scares me to death.  It's depressing beyond words and I try not to think about it, but other than Prolotherapy, I have tried everything over the last 25 years as my condition got worse slowly.  Sigh.

so, called the doctor yesterday to enquire about my referral. I had been referred to the wrong hospital (i live between three hospitals). Anyway... having found out which hospital i have been referred to I discover that they should contact me within 10 working days. I saw my doc 4 weeks ago. Trying to call the number that it gives and no one answers!!! Fantastic. Tried going through the switchboard but all the numbers i have been given dont work and they should have been open over an hour ago.