New diagnosis and slightly confused

witchnellie68
witchnellie68 Member Posts: 2
edited 27. Mar 2014, 09:43 in Chat to our Helpline Team archive
Hi, I've been having problems for several years now with my hands (mainly the left) going numb while I'm sleeping. I wake up, move slightly and the sensation stops. Recently it's been happening in the daytime when I bring my head forward, accompanied by quite bad pain between my spine and left shoulder blade. I thought it was caused by a car accident 6 years ago, which is about when it started. I saw my GP, had x-rays of my cervical spine and had a follow-up phone call this morning. He told me the x-ray showed no fracture but severe degeneration of the bones, plus growth on bones. Is severe degeneration the same as arthritis, or is it the growth that makes it that? He's sending me for physio.
I must admit at 46 I'm very shocked by the 'severe' bit, though I've had back and joint pain since I was a girl and just lived with it in the main.
I've tried to google but I'm not sure what I should be reading. What technical terms apply to my problem, please? Thanks for reading. :?

Comments

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,777
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi witchnellie68
    Thank you for your posting, just to let you know we are not medically trained on the Helpline and can’t give individual advice.
    OK that said I’m sorry to hear about the pain you are experiencing and can understand that you may be processing your feelings. You ask if degeneration can be the same as arthritis, it sounds as if what you describe may be osteoarthritis. Please do check with your GP to clarify if this is correct. If so a referral to a musculoskeletal or orthopaedic specialist may be of help.
    Osteoarthritis is largely self-managed with medication from your GP, the rest being managed with diet and exercise.
    You are being sent to see a physiotherapist and that’s great, he/she will give you specific exercises for your back including core muscle strengthening. General low impact exercise such as walking, swimming and cycling can be helpful too, as well as being of a good weight in relation to height.
    You will find more information about self-management, including diet and exercise within the link below:
    http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Selfmanagement
    You are most welcome to give us a call on the Helplines: 0808 800 4050 (Monday-Friday 10am-4pm) here we can talk informally and in confidence, sometimes a listening, non-judgemental ear can be helpful.
    I hope that’s been of some help.
    Best wishes
    Lynda

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