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Please Help

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YorkshireLass1
YorkshireLass1

Hi

I was diagnosed about 10 years ago with Cervical Spondylosis.  Involving C5 & C6 and a recent MRI has revealed it's now in C4.  For those who don't know it's basically arthritis in the top of the spine.  Whereas the last 8 years I've hardly had any pain, the last 2 years it is now constant down the right side of my neck.  Unfortunately I am also a migraine sufferer, so sometimes my migraines are caused by the CS and sometimes other reasons, which after 40 years, I still don't know.

The GPs are not interested and after my last MRI a month or so ago they just said there is nothing they can do, so basically, go away.

I'm now going through my 11 headcahe/migraine in 16 days and I'm at my wits end.  I take an eletriptan for my migraines but I am limited to the amount of tablets I can take, 10 a month.  So I'm already over that and there is another 2 weeks to go.

Does anyone else suffer from this combined problem and what do you do??  I was thinking of using my TENS machine for my head because I used to use it for the CS, although we moved 9 months ago and I've lost it!!!

Any help/advice will be gratefully received.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • StevenRose
    StevenRose YorkshireLass1

    Posted

    Hi YorkieLass,

    You need something to prevent the migraines.  You can suggest Pregablin, Flunarizine, Nortrypteline, or even having botox injections.

    See a Neurologist also for specialist advice.

    Hope you get some relief soon.

    Keep us updated and good luck

    • YorkshireLass1
      YorkshireLass1 StevenRose

      Posted

      Hi there,  thanks for you reply,

      I have been under a neurologist for a year now, paying privately, he's tried me on various prophylactics, I've been on amitriptyline, propanolol, topiramate, (which nearly killed me) and epillum and none of them have worked and I get the feeling the neuro is just plucking meds out of the air in the hope one will work.  I've had them nearly 40 years and I'm only 48 now, I have tried for years to find out what causes them and have drawn a complete blank.  I have lost total faith in all doctors and specialists and feel I'm on my own.  Trouble is you can't see the migraines so the doctors don't believe you're actually ill.

    • StevenRose
      StevenRose YorkshireLass1

      Posted

      Hi,

      Usually if you are paying praivately for a neurologist they go out of there way to assisit you.

      Nortryptilene is the newer version of amitriptyline and in my experience works well.

      I agree about the topirimate,  I tried many drugs too, and finally seem a lot better on the ones I told you about.

      Don't give up Yorkie-Lass they will find something that works for you, to give you relief.

      I agree that some drs are dont treat you like a human being when it comes to migraines and dont accept that you are ill.

      Good luck and hope you soon get some relief

    • YorkshireLass1
      YorkshireLass1 StevenRose

      Posted

      Thanks for that, I'll keep trying and hope I hit the jackpot eventually, maybe I'll try a different neuro
    • Rexington
      Rexington YorkshireLass1

      Posted

      Sounds like you may benefit from Lyrica. Pregabalin. Its for neuropathic pain. Since you have spondylosis, if you have a CT to see your bone windows better, mri is better for soft tissue as you probably know. If you are in pain due to foramina stenosis an operation would be an option due to the pain you are in. Especially if other drugs are not giving you relief
  • manda08392
    manda08392 YorkshireLass1

    Posted

    Me too! Except i've only been recently diagnosed, the arthritis in my neck is still in early stages and my main issues related to the migraine is that I have also lost 40 degree of curve in my neck causing my c1 and c2 to extend and cause pressure on different areas of the brain resulting in migraines. You can get a TENS machine from a medical massage clinic (that's where I got mine) or a chiropractor, though I got the impression they were only carried at larger  practices but I could be wrong on that.
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