Hi all I'm new and looking for some answers...

kazza6

I was told about 3 years ago now that I have osteoarthritis in my neck and spine. This is about as much as I know and have just been put on diclofenac for the pain which is really getting me down at the moment. I just wondered if anyone else has the same and can help. Thanks

Karen x

skezier

Hi Karen,

Welcome to the site and they are a good lot here. I have a fair bit of oa in my back and neck and your right about the pain and i think you maybe should go and see the doctor again and see if you can have some better pain relief and maybe a referral to either a consultant or the pain clinic. Sometimes gp's are not so good at helping with pain but some are. I hope you can get something sorted and nice to meet you. Take care Cris

minky67

Hi Karen, lovely to meet you.
I have Osteo in most of my joints including neck & spine.
I also have a prolapsed disc in my lumber spine & have Fibromyalgia to add to the fun.

I take Tramadol(painkiller)
Diclofenacs
Oramorph for break through pain (liquid morphine)
Gabapentin for nerve pain.
Amptripyline for sleep & to help my muscles relax at night.
Ive tried several combinations of meds & at the moment i find this the best combination ive tried so far.

There are plenty of meds for the GP can try you on. Pain clinics are good to & can help with Tens machines, exercises & acupunture to try with the meds. You can also be refered to a rhymy.
Im not sure which routes you have tried but a good start is to go back to GP & discuss these options & better pain releif.

I hope this has helped & any more questions feel free to ask.
debs

elnafinn

Hi Karen

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to read that in three years you have only been treated with an anti inflammatory drug for your oa in neck and spine. There are painkillers that can be prescribed alongside anti inflams.

Am I right in thinking that you have not been back to your gp in 3 years although the pain is getting you down?

Your gp needs to be made aware of your discomfort and hopefully he would offer you some other drugs in the meantime, to help combat the pain, perhaps get more xrays done to see if there is deterioration and/or refer you to a pain clinic, or consultant. I had sciatica for a year but on referral to a pain clinic had a couple of injections and touch wood, since 3 December have been totally sciatica free. A referral for a course of acupuncture can prove beneficial, perhaps physio.... There are other avenues to explore so I would think that a visit to your gp should be the first port of call.

Now that a few ideas have been mentioned, you can go armed with some questions/suggestions to talk about at your appointment if unfortunately your gp is not forthcoming with help and ideas.

I wish you well,

Luv
Elna x

malc7747

Hi Karen,

Welcome to the Forum
I have OA in the neck and also in my shoulders. I have had injections in both my shoulders and take a few tablets for the pain. Still trying to find the perfect pillow and sleeping position. I Also use a Tens machine which I recently bought and still trying to find the best locations for the pads.

Like the others have said keep visiting your GP and try to get it sorted.

take care

Malc

kazza6

Thanks everyone, still getting used to this so forgive me if I reply wrong! I have basically just had painkillers in the last 3 years but think I started with this about 12 years ago now. They think it may have started after a car crash we had. I start physio next Tuesday for an achy shoulder which has been made worse by some stupid woman that pulled out on me in her car 14 months ago. I am going to book an appointment to speak to the doctor aswell, thanks for all your replies and I'm hoping to make some new friends on here too

dachshund

Hi Karen.
i have oa in my hips and spine and my legs ache,
my docter gave me anitriptine for my legs and diclofenac 50 mg 3 times a day for the rest.
i hope you get more help.
joan xx

janie68

malc7747 wrote:

Hi Karen,

Welcome to the Forum
I have OA in the neck and also in my shoulders. I have had injections in both my shoulders and take a few tablets for the pain. Still trying to find the perfect pillow and sleeping position. I Also use a Tens machine which I recently bought and still trying to find the best locations for the pads.

Like the others have said keep visiting your GP and try to get it sorted.

take care

Malc

Malcolm,

I have RA in my spine and neck and had enormous problems sleeping etc. I recently bought a memory foam pillow and I'm glad to say that it has helped a lot with my headaches and neck/spine. It may help you too.

Janie

kazza6

I've tried the memory foam pillow but didn't find it helped with the sleeping really

dorcas

Hi Karen!
Just popped by to welcome you to the forum! hope you'll be very happy here. You'll find lots of support and info. and a few (lots) of laughs too!
hope you get answers to all your questions when you see your GP.

look forward to chatting with you. Irisx

malc7747

Hi Janie,

The side of my bed is like a grave yard for pillows

I have memory foam pillow/duck down pillow and a V shaped pillow, along with a memory foam matress topper. I have tried them all together, and on their own, but have yet to sleep through the night without waking up either in pain or aching.

Mmmm shopping channels on TV have a new type of pillow, might buy one

take care

Malc

woodbon

Hello, just popped in to say Hello and Welcome to the forum.

I have oa in my neck and lumber spine. It does get me down, so I know what you mean. I have physio, very gentle exercises, not sure how much good its doing, to be honest, but I have had help in the past that has worked. I think this time its just being a bit stubburn and I hav'nt finished yet, so maybe I'm impatient!!! :oops: Physio often takes a long time of slowly and gently workingl, to build up the muscle strength.

Have you visited your GP recently, to see if he can offer something useful? Love Sue

joyful164

Hello there.

Poor you. You cannot go on like you have done for 3 years.
Your GP can soon help you and get you referred to Rheumatologist, Occupational Therapist who can help with special splints and will test your grip. They can also give you some heat therapy for your hands if they are bad.
You could get referred to a Pain Clinic. I think everyone has already mentioned all this in any case.

For my Osteoarthritis, I have been seeing a Chiropractitioner. I spoke to my gp about seeing one and he was very encouraging about it and also my rheumy consultant. When you see your gp you could ask him what he thinks, whether it would be good for yourself.

good luck and hope you feel a lot better soon. It soon gets you down when you are inconstant pain. And others don't understand which does nothelp either.

Joy