Hello,Please is there anyone who suffers with their neck ?

chrissie1

Hi, I am quite new on here and just wondered is their anyone who I can talk to on here regarding neck problems...
Its not just a case of a stiff neck..it has ruined my life for the past 5 years. I have seen Dr after Dr,and after many many types of tablets I have just about given up.
A Dr a few weeks ago said it was O/A, and in a way I was pleased as at least I was told something...I have felt like they think I am wasting their time.
At its worst I am consumed with pain, from jaw down left side of neck,it so hard to describe..starts with a tooth like ache.I have a prolapsed vertabrae in my neck..and at times have pain in arms hands, also my right shoulder is so painful. The Dr told me thats it Christine you have had all you can have..and that they cant do anything for it...
I would just really love to hear off anyone who may have this too, Thankyou so much
Chrissie1

frogmorton

Hi Chrissie

Welcome to the forum from me

I too get the neck (though luckily not all the time)

Do you try heat packs or ice packs? i expect you do. I use those when in deap trouble.

I take it you have had xrays and blood tests?

I take a combination of pain killers and anti-inflams for mine when it kicks off.

What are you taking?

Have you been to a pain clinic? They may have some new ideas and then there is physio/hydrotherapy too>

Love

toni xx

barbara12

Hi Chrissie
There are quite a few people on here with OA of the neck,I do one of them has had a lot of relief after physio.
Do you have anti inflammatories. these work to cut down the inflammation that oa causes.
You go back to your GP, and get it over how much pain you are in.
It is a fight sometime trying to get the right treatment.
I do hope you get some relief very soon.
Sending you some warming hugs ((((((()))))
Love
Barbara x

julie47

Hi Chrissie

Welcome to the forum

I have had RA for 22 years and a couple of years ago I started having pains in the back of my neck. This was mentioned to one Rheumatologist bt I never had an xray for it.
I have since changed rhummys and I told them my problem to which sent me for Xray and then MRI scan.
The MRI showed that c4 and c5 discs were slightly misaligned caused by ra and osteo. It also shows damage and inflamation in the odontoid peg (bit that holds head on)

I am waiting to see what treatment I am to have if any.
Like toni says before me, I use heat packs and creams.
I am on Mtx, leflunomide,celebrex, hydroxy.

I am hoping that when the neuro surgeons or rhummy people call me they just suggest an injection or more pain killers.

If I were you I would go back to rhummy people and ask for xray again to which they might suggest mri.

Good luck
Don't suppose this is much help.
I will read your replies from others see if they can give me ideas too.

Take care
Juliepf x

chrissie1

Hello Toni,Barbara, Juliepf,
Thankyou very much for your kind warming replies, I was at the point in my life with this that I really thought I was going mad.Up until a few months ago I was taking tramadol..But on my last visit to Drs ( I hate going feel like i am wasting their time ) was given some morphine patches. I was desperate for something as I had to make a long journey to Great Ormond St to visit...I could not have done it without anthing,But to be honest they did not do much the first day I felt a little sick and then no difference ! I was gutted I thought at least these will work.
I have a bulge as they call it between my 5 and 6 vertabrae, just behind my voice box...The pain clinic told me this,they were very nice there but told me nothing could be done except to join there sleep clinic and suggested I buy a tens machine Oh but dont put it on your neck where you need it as you will pass out !!!I am so gald I found this site ,it has made me feel there is a little hope, and I really am not mad..
One Doctor said to me..Its like the story of a man that had his leg amputated, he swore he could still feel the pain !!! I just looked at him and sobbed all the way home,
Thankyou all,I hope your day is a good one for you,
Thankyou so much
Chrissie1 xxxx

julie47

Hi chrissie

The doctor that said the man who had his leg amputated said he could still feel pain wants punching.

I have a below knee amputation and yes after 6 years I still get pain, The nerves are still there. I can wiggle my toes and sometimes the shooting pain I get is horrible. No one can see this pain, not even me but I know it is there.

I would have cried too if I were you, cause you can't see pain it is hard to describe.
You are not wasting their time, and if you get a comment like that again you now have a sentence to throw back at him.

I hope the patches give you some relief and If not , Keep going back, you are not wasting their time.

Take care
Juliepf x

skezier

Hi Chrissy,

I also got bulging discs in my neck, dehydrated and prolapsed as well. Difference is I get a lot of help and it seems to me there are doing enough even with the meds for you.

I assume they have ruled out surgery? Is that your gp or a consultant by the way? If its just the gp (and such an intelligent one that he doesn't even know about phantom pains!) then ask to be referred to the orthos.

I see the pain clinic here regaually and she has really helped. First with temporary nerve bocks, then chemical temp nerve de-nerving and now none of that was too helpful all she does is supportive but still helps.

I really think they could be doing more for you...... Just know its hard to get them too. I know how I did but really really advocate that one...... Its so wrong it boils don to who you see not what help you need but I wonder if you could see someone else?!

At the very least you need nerve blocking tablets and for me morphine didn't do a lot but the nerve blockers do to a point. I will have t think about it and hope someone else can suggest something. Hang in there sand nice to meet you. Cris x

frogmorton

Hi Cris

I see you are helping Crissie - I was wondering if the triggerpoint jabs mkight do it too?

I do hope so - you ok today Chrissie??

Love
#
toni xx

chrissie1

Hi Toni Cris Julie Barbara,
I cant tell you how you have helped me, I read your replies our to my Husband..You are so very kind and thoughtful and made me feel so humbled,
My next visit to the Dr I am going to be more assertive and state some of the things that I have read on here.I wont be the gibbering wreck I usually am !!!!( Well I will try not to)
The trigger point jabs sound quite tempting..I used to help with a lady that had something like that and she always said she felt better for some weeks after.
Gosh your wonderful people, I wish I had met you a long time ago.
I hope your all doing ok, and are comfy and warm,
Love Chrissie xxxxx

dreamdaisy

Hi chrissie, I haven't replied before 'cos I don't have the same problem but, if you find talking to the doc hard, write a list of the points you want to make or the things you want to say, or both! Just hand the list over - sometimes their reading your words has a greater impact on them than you talking. The conversation then often goes better, they know how you are feeling, know what to ask, it really can help to have a list. I wish you well and let us know how you get on, please. DD

chrissie1

Hi Dreamdaisy,
Thankyou very much, I have never thought to do that before,
I will try,
Thanks again, hope your weather is a bit warmer that ours today.
Chrissie

dreamdaisy

Lists or notes are good! Note when things are worse or better, wha triggers more pain, what (if anything) eases it, sleeping patterns, anything you can think of as this gives them a better picture of you. I wish you well. DD

woodbon

I have arthritis in multipule joints and my neck is the worst, I have pain in the back of my neck and left shoulder and upper left arm. I find it painful to turn my head and my hands are clumsy. I've had mri on it which showed oa and one disk that has dehydrated and crumbled. They dont want to operate at the moment as its an operation that can go wrong! :? I have tramadol slow release twice a day and amatriptylne at night to sleep. I can't have the anti-inflams as I've had an ulcer burst!!! :shock: I top up with paracetamol on days like today! Its really bad today, maybe the snow? :? :? I hope you find some help, don't give up keep on at the doctors. Have you got prescription pain relief? It not maybe you should mention it to your doctor. One thing, you'r not alone, so come on here and tell us esspecially if things feel bad. Love Suexxx

jackie1955

julie47 wrote:

..... It also shows damage and inflamation in the odontoid peg (bit that holds head on)

What :shock: THAT has completely freaked me out! What on earth does it mean, and more importantly, is there anything they can do for this?

I get pains/aches/creaks and cracks in my neck, and I jokingly say to my hubby "oh, my necks just broken again", but my God I didn't realise my head could come off...........

Diagnosed with RA? Gosh, be afraid.... BE VERY AFRAID.

valval

hi nothing much to say but do get neck probs and know how painfull when it down your arm in the side of your head and in your jaw i use ice heat max deep heat and pain meds on top of anti inflams it works for me so far not had xray doc says would not help but did have great physio who told me to do exercises layed down as takes weight off neck works much better good luck get more help do not let them fob you off val

julie47

jackie1955 wrote:

julie47 wrote:

..... It also shows damage and inflamation in the odontoid peg (bit that holds head on)

What :shock: THAT has completely freaked me out! What on earth does it mean, and more importantly, is there anything they can do for this?

I get pains/aches/creaks and cracks in my neck, and I jokingly say to my hubby "oh, my necks just broken again", but my God I didn't realise my head could come off...........

Diagnosed with RA? Gosh, be afraid.... BE VERY AFRAID.

Hi jackie, didn't mean to freak anyone. I also joked is my head gong to fall off to hubby and rhummy people.
You have prob read my thread that i am going to neuro people on thursday to see what treatmen is possible.will update it when i have been.
Reading this thread has helped me seeing that others have had meds or injections.
Thats the road i want to take, no surgery.
Juliepf x

elnafinn

Hi Chrissie

I agree, you need more help and it is available out there if only gp's would refer patients. Sometimes it seems they wish to hang on to their patients for reasons best known to themselves. Gp's are what the words mean and they are not specialised in too many areas, we would not expect them to be, they know a little about a lot of health matters. Pain clinic is the way to go. There they know all about pain and what to suggest. I have had de-nerving and injections by xray direction and they help immensely either for a while or for a much longer period of time. We all react differently. If your gp will not listen try to find one that will. Now that you know there other things to try you will feel more confident when you next see your gp. Knowledge is power. Sometimes gp's need a little wake up call. So many of us on here have found this. Go with questions written down to ask or how you feel or both and if the convo is not going anywhere show them notes if you feel unable to speak out too much.

I wish you well and do let us know how you go on,

Luv
Elna x

chrissie1

Thankyou all ,
I have just sat and read all your wonderful helpful comments .
To be able to sit and see that there are people that understand,and also some with very simular problems as me has lifted me so much.
I used to take tramadol but they wont give it to me anymore,I was offered 4 tablets to see me through a journey..but could not justify payng a prescription charge for them.So I was given morphine patches..but they dont help me.
I have a fear of going back to my Drs,I know I will have to when I get to the desperate stage again,and I will do as you kindly have suggested and take notes with me.
My heart pounds while I wait in the waiting room, So stupid I know,
You have been so kind answering my call for help on here (sorry to many names to mention)..Your all so kind
Thankyou
Chrissie x

julie47

morning chrissie
a snowy one here mind.

how are you today? reasonably well i hope

take care keep warm
juliepf x