New to Forum

MolyvosQueen

Hi, this is my first post but I'm sure it will be the first of many.
I've suffered with chronic neck and back pain for years but over the past two years it has become increasingly worse. Finally after I developed additional pain in my shoulder, wrist and hand along with tingling and shooting pain my GP referred me to the pain specialist. They sent me for an MRI which shows I have an osteophyte at C6 and stenosis of the cervical spine. and shortening of lower spine. I am pleased to at last know the reason for my pain but at the same time I'm upset and worried about what all this means for the future. Does this mean I have arthritis? Will my condition get progressively worse (as it seems to have done so far)? Will I end up being permanently disabled? Sorry to ask so many questions but I just feel there is so much I don't know.
Thanks in advance to anyone who replies to me.

Poppyg1rl

Hi Molyvosqueen,
Firstly a warm welcome to the forum, the people here are the most knowledgeable, kind and supportive that you could ever wish to meet, so you are in good hands
Now, none of us are trained medics, so I can't comment on if you will become disabled, neck and shoulder pain is awful, I've recently had an operation to remove bone spurs (arthroscopy) 3 weeks ago, thankfully it has helped. I wonder what medication you are on for the pain and inflammation? Could you talk to your GP and ask his advice? It might help.
Hopefully someone far more knowledgeable than me will come along soon to help answer your questions.
Nice to meet you, and do keep us updated, if we can help, we will always try. Love and hugs X

ironic

Aw Moly, I am sorry that you are having such a rotten time of it. I am not much help to you as I have RA but I just wanted to welcome you to the forum.
You will be in shock and naturally scared of the future. Hang on it there and I am sure someone with better experience than me will come along shorty.

Lv, I x

suzygirl

Hi and welcome. I have inflammatory arthritis and cervical spondylosis. The progression of it all varies from person to person, some never progresses, some progress but experience no pain or disability, others have nop progression but significant pain and disabiltity. Unfortunately it is a great varaible.

The important thing is pain managemant and reataining the maximum use. Have you had physio and OT input? They can help enormously.

MolyvosQueen

Wow, thanks everyone for such quick replies - it's good to know that you are all out there.
I currently take amitriptyline with occasional ibuprofen. I did have physio and accupunture about 14 months ago and am currently waiting for a new physio appointment. I'm also trying out a TENs machine which is helpful. I've also got an appointment for a cortisone injection under CT guidance, this is something that worries me somewhat and the consultant says if all that fails then surgery. I really, really don't want surgery.
:roll: :sad: Anyway, thanks again and I will keep you updated on how my teatments go.

Wonkylegs

HI MolyvosQueen,

This might seem a bit odd but I'm posting this to you on behalf of another of our forum members who desperately wanted to reply to you but can't type right now!

Cris (Skezier) wanted you to know that she has had similar problems with her neck and back for over 30 years and whilst she isn't exactly an Olympic athlete she's still limping along and getting by quite well.

In Cris's case the pain clinic doc has been absolutely brilliant and the best person to help with both the OA and the Spondylosis (neck OA).

Cris says that however bad it's got for her, it's still never got to be as bad as she was frightened it would be, even after all this time.

Cris says also that the cortisone injections are not at all as bad as they sound, and that she's had surgery on her back which gave her her life back 28 years ago and it's still holding - so don't be put off just because of where the op might be!

with very best wishes from Cris and Wonky

and sorry we forgot to say but welcome to the forum and lovely to meet you!

elnafinn

Hi MolyvosQueen,

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear about your years or neck and back pain. I am very nearly 6 weeks post op from a spinal operation (neck) and I see the consultant on Thursday.

My symptoms came on rather quickly, although in 2005, after an MRI I had injections via xray direction into my neck and shoulder and that worked fine until all this reared its ugly head. I had another MRI before this operation and unfortunately the pain clinic could no longer help me and I was referred to an ortho consultant. He told me what was happening in my spine in that 2 vertebrae were touching my spinal cord thus giving me my symptoms of pins and needles down the arms and in hands and also my walking was being affected more on the left side. The procedure I had was a C5 vertebrectomy, C4 - 6 fusion anterially, with a bone graft to pack it all together. Bone was taken from my hip. I was told that my symptoms may well not go away but the op would stop further deterioration occurring. Before the op he said I may have to have another op to put a plate in the back of the spine it if needed to be strengthened more but after the op he said it would not be necessary.

Six weeks, on I would say my symptoms have not improved.Everyone with back problems seems to have something slightly different to cope with. Also the ops can be so different too.

As least you know that you are not alone with this.

Hugs
Elna x

CJHunter

Hi MvQ,
Although i have spine and shoulder pain i am between diagnosis and am not able to coment on your condition.

What i would like to say is welcome to the forum. You will meet a great bunch. Enjoy and do visit chi chat for some larfs.

julie47

Hi molyvosqueen

I just wanted to welcome you to the forum and hope that you enjoy taking part in the conversations.

Take care and keep your chin up

Juliepf x

traluvie

Hi MVQ,

Welcome to the forum,
You have come to the right place for support..
Look forward to seeing you around..