cervical spondylosis

Macca that's brilliant news! I truly hope it lasts

HI i have cervical spondylosis too, was in a car crash in 2006 and they kept thinking it was whiplash i had, was 2009 when an mri revealed cervical spondylosis, im 36 and have exactly same symptoms you have, ive had physio, laser treatment, accupuncture and trigger point injections, nothing works, been to pain clinic millions of times and tried so many different tablet combinations from the doctors but again none really work, i may as well take smarties!, my tabs at present are Gabapentin, Co codomol, Tramadol and, amatryptiline, altogether i have 19 tabs a day, and no nothing helps me, occasionally i find if i fold my pillow up in bed and put the pressure on my neck it can help, its uncomfortable lying down like that for a while but can help, cant seem to claim disability for this yet cant work due to comes on anytime. also the gabapentin supposed to stop the numbes/tingling in arm/legs, it dont work for me but have heard it works for others, i am lucky though as my partner is superb and i couldnt imagine coping on my own with this, ill keep on pestering the doctors and the pain clinic as im hopefull one day they will find something to help reduce the pains.

Macca, How are you these days? I am totally bemused at your story. Are the Epidurals still working?

I had surgery 7 years ago by a Neurosurgeon. This helped the severe pain and constant numbness mainly in the right arm and hand. The pain control up until a few months ago was adequate. An occassional top up with dihydrocodeine was always handy when I needed it.

In October last year my address was rezoned and I had to register with a new surgery. This has not been a comfortable change for me. All those years being in one surgery with staff who knew me...! I know many folk had to change, all over town.

Anyway I think you might understand what I mean. My history is on computer, easily seen, but, I do not believe a proper understanding has been reached.

This physio appointment has me terrified. My vertibrae are 'fused', how can they be manipulated?

This is why I am here tonight, I have a physio appt on wednesday. Kaytee

Good morning al and especially Kaytee. Epidural is still working even to the point where I have started my own business working from home cause lets face it no one in there right mind is going to employ me now... if the NHS couldn't find me a job then as I said no one would. I can work for two hours then i need to rest for as I start to ache and brings on fear of pain so I make sure I do rest. My right shoulder is the worst but every thing I do i use it being right handed. Went back to Hospital last moth to see my consultant and he is pleased with my out come but keeps warning me to take it easy as we don't know how long it will last. When i wake in the morning I am stiff in the lower back and it takes me a time to get going but once i have taken my 9 tablets with in an hour I'm ready to start my day slowly but surely.

Kaytee Physio ???? with fused vertebrae, not sure what your GP is thinking but the physio wont touch you hun at least mine wont I did see a specialist spinal Physio a few years back and he told me there was nothing he could do it was all down to surgeon or pain relief. he gave me some exercises to do which where no different from the ones i had 20 odd years ago.

Ok back now just had to have a little break; I have some questions to put out there. Has any one had problems with there vision??? a few years ago before al this sadness my hubby paid for me to have my eyes laszered I ended up with 20 20 perfect vision but as time went on the muscles behind the eye got tired and i had to wear glasses for reading TV and computer just the norn no biggy. Last year my I found my vision on occasions would be a bit wobbly so i put it down to the strong meds, Optician sent me to my local Hosy and the found I had Angled closer glaucoma which I had treatment for there and then more lazer's.

I read an article many years ago that in Australia and Canada they had linked visual impairment with CS has any one else read or heard of this. I mentioned it to my GP who just said "O, well we don't do research in to CS in this country ????.

Thats about it from me now as starting to ache so must go have a cuppa, Kaytee please keep in touch and let me know how you get on and what the Physio say's.

Take good care all stay warm and mobile. Macca. xx

Thank you Macca for your positive news as to how the epidurals are keeping things under a certain amount of control. Some amount of relief is better than full blown agony.

I attend my physio appointment this afternoon. Apparently it can take up to an hour, so plenty of time to discuss things.

About the Eye problems ?? I can only say that my eyesight has been deteriorating where I need to see the optician within two years for a new prescription. I have been told it is just my age. So I don.t know if it is linked to CS.

Mother presented with similar symptoms, complete loss of muscle function but key indicator shoulder pain. Initial diagnosis cs until a specialist recognised the shoulder description two years later. Now has diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica, medication to match and can walk again. Not back to 100% but as good as it's going to get

Hi Macca and Julieee. Just an update on my appointment. The physio went very well, and I am left with some exercises to strengthen the inner neck muscles as I have some weakness in my left side. She thinks that the increased numbness and tingling in my face and neck is probably due to further detioration of the higher c spine. I understand that there is not much more to be done, apart from pain control.

Julieee, I have been through all the prognosis my GP tried to name, over many years. 30 years of nursing has left me with this.