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Cervical spondylosis arm pain

Posted , 7 users are following.

Bracken123
Bracken123

I work as a mechanical maintenance fitter and have been off for 6 months now due to severe pain in my left arm and the MRI results revealed severe narrowing in my spine with impingement on the nerve down my arm. After undergoing pysiotherapy and acupuncture with no success I have now been referred to a spinal specialist. The only relief I get now is from my pain medication which consists of codeine/paracetamol and lyrica(pregabalin). Due to money troubles now this is just added stress to my condition.

My physiotherapist informed me the spinal department may look into epidural injections or even surgery. I was hoping people could share with me any experiences with these.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • bethany65
    bethany65 Bracken123

    Posted

    You should definitely try theinjections first before surgery. For me the injections worked at first for a our 6 weeks before I had to have another. I continued with injections for about two years until they no longer worked. I then eventually did have a cervical fusion surgery as I had 3 ruptured discs in my neck. The surgery did take away most of the pain although I am back having injections monthly and I am back on lyrica and morphine. Hopefully I am the eczeption. Again, try the injections. The last thing you want to try is surgwry. Good luck
  • Syd1479
    Syd1479 Bracken123

    Posted

    Hi Bracken I can relate to your situation as I was off work for 5 months with practical the same condition. I tried aggressive physio and acupuncture for a few months but it didn't help. I was able to have epidural injections as there was only a 2mm gap and the pain consultant said it was therfore too risky. Instead I had six steroid and nerve block injections around the area. Unfortunately they didn't help and I have been worse with increased pain and also have sciatica in my bottom now! Last week I had a consultation with my neuro consultant who has recommended surgery now. I'm hoping it works as I am currently taking Gabapentin, Amitrypilin and codeine which helps a bit. I understand how stressed you must feel about your work situation. My manager made things very difficult for me when I was off (and still is now)so I have gone back to work now on reduced hours now. I really hope the injections help you as I've heard they have for alot of people :-) 
  • jeanette43594
    jeanette43594 Bracken123

    Posted

    Hi Bracken123

    Physio did not work for me it made it worse and that goes for accupuncture. I have tried facet joint injections and my consultant said it could ease the pain stop the pain or make it worse luckily for me it did not make it worse but sadly it did nothing for the pain!!! I know it is hard but try and not get to stressed out as you say it can make it worse they can not do any surgery on me (had to much) and i have a steel rod in which goes from top to bottom so it makes it difficult even if you just take a moment to sit and relax anything that you find to relieve the stress i hope you find some relief somehow keep posting on this site because if you feel like it you can havea good moan and no one minds because we all have pain!!!rolleyes

  • willy43488
    willy43488 Bracken123

    Posted

    I have neck pain myself but I am a physiotherapist who is now teaching and no longer in practice. I had an MRI showing bulges and some bone spurs. I don't take medication. I like to look for alternative things. Peace of mind and relaxation is very important. Heat is extremely important on a daily basis (thermophore for neck from Battle Creek Equipment- No conflict of interest here. Going to bed in an empty stomach. Injection? Well there are many types of them. I like Prolotherapy (look it up), but only a specialist will tell you if adequate for your case. Look up specialists on that. I like alternative therapies. I am managing mine all right. Sleep quality is very defining and my overall stress reactions. Good food and not eating in between meals and no coffee helps pain levels get down. Most important is posture and yoga type exercises. Get in a program that does that. Well these are some initial suggestions. 

     

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 willy43488

      Posted

      Hi willy43488

      I have watched the video on Prolotherapy and i can see what you are saying. I have tried the facet injections under x-ray and they did nothing for me. I have peace  of mind i use heat relaxation i have also tried.I have what you would say as having the perfect posture ie:steel rod going from top of spine to base of spine. in other words completly rigid! I try notto eat between meals dont drink coffee have tried accupuncture and i would say i dont have stress!! I cant do yoga i have tried. So what is left for me to try? I have had pain for 49yrs (59 now)  When younger you tolerate pain better(i think) I had operation when i was 10 and woke up with pain and it has never left me!! So i personally would love to come off my meds and not take any and as far as i could see in the video would not be able to go that high up my back for the rod and my spine is fused with wire and bolts also tissue and whatever else has formed around spine!!!sad 

       jeanette     

    • willy43488
      willy43488 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Hi Jeanette, 

      I am so sorry to hear you have sustained so much pain for so long. Cheer up tho. I have to say my comments apply more to people before any surgical intervention. I hate to see people going to surgery before trying everything possible. That said, would you be able to tell me where the pain is felt, intensity on a scale 1-10 and times of the day it is worse. If any thing makes it better? You realize that this pain is not coming all from the damaged structures now but that your nerveous system has become very effective in transmitting pain...I believe there is no incurable thing. But sometimes the solutions are from another realm. I wanneted to hear from you first..

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 willy43488

      Posted

      Hi willy

      I agree with what you say about surgery been the last resort but if it brings relief is it not worth it?My pain is neck base of back sides of back which is numb all back is numb. Hips knees ankles hands down legs arms groin.nothing makes it better always have pain 24/7! standing cant stand long cant sit for long have to have a high backed settee/chair.Pain is 8/8half to 9/9half/10.But i know this might sound strange but would i change it i would change the pain (naturally) but as for the op no i would not change it because i would be worse off not having it! I can always say i was 1 of only 4 to be the first to have it done in the country!!! I would love to think the same but!!!! You say that solutions are from another realm i would like to hear more i will try anything once!! Where is the pain coming from if not the damaged structures? With all the bits of steel ie: rods screws and whatever else? I would say  i have bad days and then sometimes i have worse days but i never have a good day!! i am cheerful because i am here i have not got a life threating illness i might one day end in a wheel chai they have told me that but i am alive i have a good hubby and family also grandchildren! Am i happy with my lot? yes i am there is always someone worse off then me. I have lost good friends to soon(cancer) and too young. Oh cant read now and i loved reading cos cant hold book now and it plays havoc with neck!! (lost cause) lol haha.Nervous system is very effective in tranmitting pain to effective and too good lol

      so hope to hear from you soon and if you want to know anything else will be glad to tell if i can. 

      jeanetterolleyes        

    • willy43488
      willy43488 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Hi Jeanette, 

      Good to know that you can still function despite this pain. Your pain rating scale numbers may be different from our use here in that. 10 is excruciating pain that would immediately take you to the emergency and need morphine. 8 is pretty close. That scale is very relative so What I understand is that it is very painful. In your case, spiritual resources that I was refering to that I believe and have seen are praying for finding people in churches who have the gift of prayer and healing and just ask for prayer  over this. All I know is that for those who believe than are healed by faith in the great healer that can heal all maladies. You don't have to be a christian to be healed. Many in Christ's time were healed that didn't follow him.. It is great you have a balanced life and diet. As far as books are concerned,  i would suggest you listen instead of reading books. Reading is very had for the neck. Noawdays I listen more than read. Besides all this I want to mention that , as I understand your case better, , I imagine that general  strategies to lower you pain should be the goal since it is difuse and chronic. I would recomment spa therapy. Some of it you can do in your own bath tub if you own one, with hot baths for 20 min every day. They have other additional health benefits beyond analgesia. FItness centers sometimes do have baths with or without the whoolling or jets. THe jets are not as important as the warm water. THe repeaded use of these things is that I would emphasize. Keep a bowl or cold water to wipe your face and head constantly thru the treatments Principles are : "cool the head" while the body is heated. I don't remember you mentioning any medicines. Do you take any>? Yes sometimes surgery is that last resource. 

    • tess40732
      tess40732 willy43488

      Posted

      Hi Willy, I'm new to this site and I saw your post. I have the same problem as you have and I'm doing what you are doing , yoga, prolo

      And heat treatment. My question is how long ago have you been doing this and are you still

      Doing it without surgery.

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