Severe Cervical Spondylosis

Doubleouch

Hi All
Been to see a spinal specialist this morning
MRI results Severe Spondylosus c3/ through to C7
impingmemt of nerves Radiculopathy
Treatment : No operation needed as spinal cord is not yet been pinched
Informed by consultant everyone over 50 will have some degree of this you are just one of the unlucky ones who has symptoms pain etc...carry on with Tramadol & Amitriptyline ( for nerve pain) cannot take anti inflams due to asthma
No Follow up treatment but will give you an open appt for 1 year
So as hubby said so its Diagnose and Dump... I have to agree.... :x
Moan over...........

stickywicket

It can seem as if we've been dumped but, if there's nothing to be done, what can they do? If you read threads by people who have had spinal surgery it's by no means all straightforward and it's often carried out to try to prevent things getting worse rather than trying to make them better. I think we can expect too much of medicine and surgery. Some things just can't be fixed - eg most of us

Doubleouch

Whilst I appreciate that 'if there is nothing they can do then what can they do'
I do feel a yearly followup appt would be useful
I have osteophytes on each of these disc, and its extremely painfull, I also have a waekness on one side confirmed by EMG and nerve conductive test, due to CS along with pins and needles,trouble with arm movement,headsches duzziness & can no longer propell my wheelchair, ( have OA in severak ither joints) so do feel that not every case,should be so cut and dry it seems that it takes ages for MRI /Tests /Appts,& letters etc, and we are left to sit in doors and suffer and worry about our future,
Perhaps its just me.....

stickywicket

Does the 'open appointment for a year' mean you can contact them at any time and make another if you feel things are deteriorating? I'd assume so. I'd see it as a bit of a buffer and reassurance.

Have you seen a neurologist about the nerve problems? (Sorry, if you've already told us :oops: ) (I'm assuming this appointment was with the orthopaedic bloke. Maybe I'm wrong. (I often am )

Doubleouch

Hi
In the last year I have been seen by........Vascular/neurology/and the spinal guy
The yearly appointment is just as you say.......I can ring up within the year timeframe and be offered/sent an appt without being referred by GP

frogmella

Can you ask your GP if you can go and see another spinal/neuro guy? They all have different opinions and another one might offer surgery or something. Or he might agree with the other one, of course! I learnt that you have to really moan about the pain/impact on life with some of them or they just think you can cope. I got lucky with my last surgeon. Not so lucky with my first one.

Slosh

I have severe cervical spondylosis C5 to C7 initially although C7-T1 are also now affected and I also had two prolapsed discs in the same area and now another. I also have significant pain, and pins and needles, and weakness in my left arm,hand and shoulder as well as severe weakness affecting my left leg. Initially there was talk of my being offered a pain killing injection into the affected area but on a second consultation I was told that as there was pressure on my spinal cord and my symptoms were worsening I needed surgery.

As others have said it is complex surgery, with variable outcomes and as I was told afterwards the aim is "to stop things getting worse rather than to make them better". While my surgery was "successful" there was no reduction in my pain, I was warned of this, nor in my other symptoms, and while I didn't have any severe side effects I have got scarring on the outside of my throat which have resulted in some swallowing difficulties and mean I can not raise my voice or sing anymore. I also have a neurological problem and was told last week that although my neck problem has developed further they will only consider further surgery if things get worse.

I am on similar pain relief to you though my combination is Duloxetine and Meptazinol.

I don't want to depress you but it is not straightforward surgery which is why it is a last option and why I can understand why your consultant does not want to operate. The recovery period is also long, and it does not always remove the pain.

It might be worth you asking about the injection into the neck as this might be more effective for pain relief and also considering use of a Tens machine as these can be effective for neck pain, unfortunately I can't use one due to my fusion surgery as I now have a metal implant in my neck.

Hope this is helpful and helps you understand the thinking about not operating.

dreamdaisy

Hello Doubleouch, although I don't have the same troubles as you I can understand the frustration that this latest news has caused. On top of everything else that has been happening (and I apologise for not remembering your finer details :oops: ) this is another unwanted, unwarranted and un-needed hammer blow, yes? You have the open appointment at your disposal (cold comfort indeed) and maybe there is a way around the no anti-inflams thing: despite my chronic asthma I respond well to one or two but that may be due to my immune-suppressant meds.

Our lives are not easy, far from it, and we all understand how tough things can be. DD

barbara12

hello Doubleouch
Its scary when you are in pain and think thats it , back pain is awful,like you I have the weakness with it and been offered surgery..but I am seriously thinking of declining ..he was very upfront about how surgery could help or make matters worse...have you tried physio to keep things moving..it really helped me early days..I find that pregabalin can some days be a life saver...I do hope you can get some relief soon..

Doubleouch

Hi All

Frogmella....
I have thought about a 2nd opinion but my choices were limited in the first place, my GP told me when she done the referrel that due to my postcode the hospital I went to was the only one taking referrel fron my area .....might be worth asking if that is still the case I suppose

Slosh........ I was told by the consultant that an injection would be useless as the symptoms have been going on for over a year,


Dreamdaisy....... It so draining I already have pain in other joints and with this I am virtually housebound.......A trip to the hospital/GP is like a major outing and so tiring it takes me several days to get over it and frustrating with a capital F

Barbara12........I started off at physio at the beginning of this jouney, even the basic 1st stage exercises caused major discomfort and each time I turned my head the room was spinning and carried on for hours afterwards they referred me back ti my GP

Thankyou to everyones whi has offered views / suggestions
Regards

dreamdaisy

Living with constant pain is tiring, it can take us an age to achieve what others manage in the twinkle of an eye. :x Unfair is not a strong enough word! 'Do a little then rest a little' is my mantra but I am fortunate in that I only have him and me to look after. He is still working full-time so I'm left to my own, slow, devices. DD

JamesFoote

I have the same problem and it is terrible so I realy do understand.

They are looking I to Surgary but I have has the pain injection as well
This was done in my shoulder as the pain was very intense.

wow i would insist mate as it can do no harm.
Some of the lads waiting with em were on the 3 4 or more and all said it helps so much.
In he end they will kill the nerve if needed.

Another massive thing for me is distraction, funny but it works better than my morphine lol

James

magnolialady

I have had c s for many years in c3 c4 and c5.i have injections in my neck 2 or 3 times a year.they help shortterm.i zlso have rheumatoid and oesto inall my joints.and also oestopenia.but I find I meditate and thzt helps alot as I am a buddhist.i am waiting for an op on my shoulder for a rotate cuff injury.i will chant for your pain to reduce slightly.hopr it will work.regards

Lenalove

I have the same condition Doubleouch. Diagnosed in 2007 after years of neck and back pain. Work becoming an issue now, even with reduced hours from my boss. Nerve pain effecting sleep dispite meds. Back.spasms and neck ache, now its has spread to lower spine and pelvis. Thinking seriously about giving up work. I am only 48!

[Deleted User]

Hi Lenalove

Welcome to the forums, even though it's quite sad you've had to find us. If you have any problems, us mods are here to give technical help you need.

I look forward to reading your posts on the forums.
Best wishes
Mod B

stickywicket

Hello Lenalove and welcome from me too I have RA and OA but, apart from my neck, I don't have much trouble with my back.

Have you seen an Occupational Therapist re help at work? They have made life easier for several people on here but, even so, it can become too much.

Please join i anywhere you like on here. If you've any questions just start a new thread

dreamdaisy

Hello, welcome to our creaky gang, it's lovely to meet you but I am sorry you have had to find us. As Sticky said, if you have any questions it's best to start a thread of your own - not many return to 'old' threads (including those who start them) so you may fly under the radar! I have PsA and OA but, thankfully, not much in the way of back trouble (yet ). DD