Living with cervical osteoarthritis-what helps?

Hi everyone,

I am only 35 and have been diagnosed with OA. I was perfectly fit and healthy, restarted my regular gym routine last August. But this time I did it with a personal trainer to keep me on track. I gradually started lifting more heavy and started to do pull ups. Weeks later came down with a pain in my back (latissimus dorsai muscle) with both hands going numb in my sleep, and also slight numbness in legs- mainly feet during sleep, and having frequent pins and needles sensation in my arms and legs. I was told by GP that it was just a muscle spasm. Weeks later pain shifted to my neck, so i saw a chiropractor (once a week). Weeks later I stated to feel unsteady and having migraine with aura (temporary loss of vision, lasting 30 sec. 2 episodes in a span of weeks). That's when i stopped exercising. I was prescribed propranolol for migraine and unsteadiness, which helped. I also had an MRI scan, which showed osteophytes complex (bone spurs) without nerve compression. It is now almost 9 months I am living with the pain in my neck. I avoid having painkillers. I work a desk-based job, but even with fully ergonomic set up and standing desk, I still get neck pain (that then may give general tiredness and pain in my back) more towards the lunch time and I still get numbness symptoms at night. I do regular neck exercises, go on daily walks (30 min) and started taking Unhydrolysed Collagen Type II more than a month ago(there is some evidence it helps with OA related sports injuries). I just wonder if there is any hope that the pain will get better ( or go away)? Please, I would be grateful if you could share your story and if it does get better, how long the episodes last? What does work for you? Thank you

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