Neck problem causing painn

Kareo

Hi, I am waiting for a hip replacement which I've just heard has been delayed till February.

In the meantime I've developed a serious problem with my neck which has been stopping me from sleeping and giving me severe pins and needles in my fingertips. I ended up in A&E, where I saw a physio who said she would write to my Dr and ask her to refer me for an MRI. My Dr said she couldn't do that and I'd have to be referred to their physio first. That was over a week ago, no appointment has become available and now the pins and needles has developed into stabbing pains in my arms. I'm scared about what could happen if this isn't dealt with and worried how it will effect my recovery. Any advice please.

chrisb

Hi @Kareo

Welcome to Versus Arthritis forum.

I note that you are waiting for a hip operation and are struggling with sleeping due to issues with your neck. You are experiencing severe pins and needles leading to concerns that these symptoms might affect the speed of your recovery.

It’s not clear from your initial post if you have been diagnosed with Arthritis but I hope that the following may be of use to you anyway:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/hints-and-tips/getting-a-good-nights-sleep-hints-and-tips/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/search?query=Neck+pain

Other forum members may be able to offer you further advice based upon their own experiences.

I hope that you receive some useful feedback and that your appointment and MRI is not further delayed.

Best Wishes

ChrisB (Moderator)

Mike1

My neck problems only let me get 2 or 3 hours kip a night and I wake up screaming in agony. I also get the pins and needles like you do and also pain in my arms which the GP refers to as Brachialgia. I have had MRIs confirming OA and a detached disc in my neck but have not been given any specific help other than "take more morphine when you need it"; I was referred to a Neurosurgeon around 10 years ago who refused to operate as there was too great a risk of paralysis in his opinion. Regrettably I cannot give you any specific advice other than to keep pushing for an MRI and a referral to a Specialist.

wildflowers

Not sure if this will help, I have RA but many years ago long before RA I woke up and was unable to move fingers in left hand. I had a shower and my hand dropped the soap, and as I thought as it didn't hurt that I'd have a coffee but could not form my hand into a cup shape. So a bit worried I realised my mouth and eyes were normal but my arm didn't work. I rang GP who said come in now and was stumped as she stuck a pin in and it didn't hurt at all. So off to hospital and an MRI as an emergency. A disk had come out of my neck and pushed into my spinal cord probably as a result of a whiplash years before but no one knew why it didn't hurt as it should have been agony and I was reassured that it would never return to normal and might even cause a lot of pain which had to be endured as no surgeon would try to operate in the space between the 6 and 7th vertebrae because of this risk. So after a lot of tears and being unable to drive I just thought lets try something else. So I went to an Osteopath and over the course of several months with daily then twice weekly then weekly visits got the movement back. I still can't twist my hand to undo something with strength but it is as near to normal as its possible to get. So I'd suggest try an Oestopath who might be able to help you. Best of luck x

helpline_team

Hi @Kareo

Thank you for posting on the forum. I am sorry to hear your surgery has been delayed and that you are now having problems with your neck.

Thanks to Mike1 and wildflowers for their supportive comments and to ChrisB for the links. I hope they have proved helpful.

I’m uncertain whether your GP made the referral to the hospital physio so that they can request the MRI scan you need. As your symptoms have worsened since you spoke to your GP, I suggest you contact them again make them aware of your worsening symptoms to see if an appointment can be brought forward.

Until you get the medical attention you are seeking, it’s important to remember that stress can make neck pain worse. As I’m sure you’ll have read in the link ChrisB sent, reducing your stress and relaxing your neck muscles may help. You can read more under the managing symptoms section under our neck pain link.

Reaching out for support, as you have done here, can also help. If you would like more tailored support, you are very welcome to call us on our freephone helpline: 0800 5200 520.

I wish you well Kareo and I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Mags

Helpline Team