pulsating numbness

elsa56

I really don't know how to explain this and get some funny looks when I mention it to anyone. I have been diagnosed with OA of the neck and spine.
I have this weired feeling of numbness in the back of my neck and down my spine. This happens if I turn my head to the side and also when I look down.
The numbness goes along with the rythem of my heart beat and I feel it in my head.
Does anyone else get this feeling?
When I told a doctor who I was sent to for tests, she said I should tell my own Gp. I have done but little response and no explanation, this is getting slowly worse and I am worried.

stickywicket

I don't get this but I think you need to go back to your GP or, better still, a different one in the practice. It might be nothing but numbness should always be checked out. If yours is getting worse, it needs checking out again and, dare I say it, properly. Keep us informed please, Elsa.

dreamdaisy

I'm with Sticky on this, it needs some investigating. I wonder if you have a trapped or squashed nerve? I am not a doc but that could be a possibility. Sit on your doc until he/she listens properly to you. DD

bubbadog

Hi Elsa, Is it like a spasm? I get this thing now and then and it's similar to what you discribed like a pulsing heart beat but my arms and legs go into what is like a spasm the part that it's happening to bounces up and down, well like it's in spasm! It's been happening with me for years, when I told my G.P she said it's a side effect of my illness. And it's been happening for so long it's natural to me now!!

Soretoe2

Hello Elsa 56. It sounds as if you have either one or a combination of Degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, mylopathy (not sure of spelling) or cervical stenosis or just good (!) old arthritis.
Do you have numbness or tingling in your face, arms or hands? These all point towards a compressed nerve or a damaged/tight myelin sheath (again not positive of spelling) that surrounds the nerve.
I would press your gp for an mri scan. If he/she's not keen you could ask to go to a pain clinic. They will do one as part of their investigations.
Whatever it is, the chance of treatment helping is greater the earlier it is diagnosed.
Hope you get an answer soon, it's horrible wondering what's up with bits of us! At least a diagnosis will hopefully bring some relief and treatment.

mig

Hi,can't really help but I hope you can get it sorted.Mig

elnafinn

Dear Elsa

I feel you should return to your gp and asked to be referred for an MRI. If he refuses ask why and it has to be a very good reason. If he digs his heels in I would ask to see another gp at your surgery. Only you know how bad your symptoms are and if you are frightened would you go to A&E? You would get help there.

Elna x

elsa56

Thankyou for your replies xx
I am going to the gp on Thursday and I will go with a list of things that have happened over the last month. Then I will tell him I want an MRI scan on all of the parts I have mentioned to him. ( basically everything but my brain :roll: )
Half the time I feel so low even though on anti-depessents and I just want peace of mind.
Will let you know how I get on

elsa56

Well I went to the gp and told him what I was feeling and he said "well you have athritis of the joints and spine". I asked for a full MRI scan and he said its not possible. But I have problems with my knee or hip(get alot of pain between the two) and it is very painful to walk very far . Basically he said we will do the mri on the knee and see what it shows. So now have to wait for that. Am I right in thinking that if the joints are swollen and painful that it is flamatry athritis? Im getting more confused and frustrated by the day.
I have been refused the highest rate of disability and I asked where they got the information from and they said it was on what I had put on the paper, they havn't asked GP for anything. So I have to now fight for that as well.

dreamdaisy

I was classed as an 'inflammatory arthritis' for a few years, it began in my left knee then the right joined in after six years, then other joints too. Both knees were swollen, red and hot to the touch. Diagnosing an inflammatory arthritis is not necessarily as easy as looking at MRI results and having blood tests. There are many forms of this auto-immune type and it can take a while for the doctors to narrow things down. My 'proper label' wasn't attached to me until nine years after the trouble started, for the first five years I was told that my fat left knee would sort itself out. Needless to say it didn't.

With reference to the DLA I get the higher rate but I have been on crutches since 2002 and have now graduated to a rollator. It hurts to walk (it has done for years) but as I have severe arthritis in my knees but not so bad in my ankles and toes that's why. The meds I take for my auto-immune one don't do a thing for the OA, which is hardly surprising, and that is now the most dominant one for me. I hope that remains to be the case for a while longer yet as that is far easier to deal with than the other. I too am on anti-depressants (not that I know it at the moment) but they are a way of helping one to cope with the pain and discomfort.

As for the scans etc, they are very, very expensive and so they have to be 'rationed'. I think sometimes we forget just how costly the things we take for granted are and someone has to pay. I received a pair of NHS tailor-made insoles yesterday and enquired about the cost of orrdering a second pair (if these prove to be successful). £180. Strewth!

I am sure you will soon find out what is going on but be prepared for it all to take time. Inflammatory arthritis is a diifficult beast to assess but in the mean time come and talk to us because we know how frustrating it all can be. I wish you well. DD