Not been here for a while…. Neck & spine arthritis

nearlybionic

hi, I haven’t been on here for quite a long time. I had 2 hip replacements several years ago, spinal surgery, but recovered quite well and found ways to cope, most of the time. I’ve known I have issues with my neck for a while, but just found out it’s severe , which explains a lot of symptoms I have. Really don’t want further surgery, anyone have any experience of cervical OA and upper spine? I already have lumbar fusion in place so know how hard this stuff can be

Thanks

Poppyjane

Hi there @nearlybionic , good to hear from you again.

I am pleased to hear that your hip replacements and spinal surgery went well and can understand that with your recent diagnosis you are reluctant to have any further surgery. I hope some one in the community has some tips about cervical OA for you.

Take care

Poppyjane

Trish9556

Hi @nearlybionic

I had a keyhole C 6/7 Foraminotomy in 2023 following years - over 10 - of chronic pins and needles in my left arm which felt like having a bag of marbles where you're trying to squeeze all the air out of a pop the bag. Pins and needles is the term everyone uses but this was much more severe and it literally felt like marbles trying to break free from my neck, across my shoulders, down my arm to my hand. It also stopped me being able to turn my head properly, stopping me driving and riding my bike.

Not sure if that's relevant to what you're experiencing or not?

This surgery can also be done from the front as an ACDF surgery but having discovered my vertebral artery enters to foramin at C 5 they had to refer me to Oxford to have it done via the back.

One of the best surgeries I have ever had and after an overnight stay and a short recovery all pain had stopped and I could even turn my neck.

Not sure how much thast helps?

Trish

nearlybionic

Hi Trish

Thanks for your reply. Glad your surgery was a success. Good to hear. I have received my 1st appointment for 5th March, hopefully get some information about what can be done to help my symptoms. It is mainly neck pain; headaches, awful crunching when I move my neck. I do get pins and needles in both hands , and my hands/arm go numb mainly if I lie on my side in bed

Thanks again

NB

frogmorton

Nearly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How fabulous to see you. Not so to hear you're struggling with your neck now too though.

I think Dorcas had her neck done and did @lindalegs or does she at least remember who else did?🤔 Dorcas is on FB and insta if you use either. Skezier used to have trigger point injections in her neck too as I remember. There definitely was someone else though from back in the day.

Having had back surgery myself I also would rather not have spinal surgery again if it's avoidable. The recovery was tough. Trish9556 did amazingly well after hers didn't she?!

Take care

Toni x

lindalegs

Hi @nearlybionic

I haven't had surgery on my neck nor spine but I can understand your sentiments on facing it again. If it was just the operation, that would be fine, but it's the recovery period that drags on for us all. Is the pain likely to settle down on its own? If not, it all depends on if you can cope with all you have going on and how much of your life it affects. My benchmark is I ask myself how I would feel if they could do nothing to help me with the pain, not even surgery and there lies the answer.

I hope you find a comfortable solution.

Good to see you.

androullaj

I am sitting here literally crying with relief - i am so sorry to hear about the pain and suffering you are all describing - but so grateful to know that pins and needles and headaches are all part of the neck 'journey'. I am still waiting to be seen - no one seems to have any urgency at all - even though the lumps which have now come up on my wrists feel like a nail has been hammered through them and my ring fingers are 'twitching' when my hands are flexed.

I know I have severe arthritis - but the neck symptoms are relatively new - they are very frightening as well as being painful. Thank you for sharing everything - I still don't know exactly what is going on with me - I am paying for a private MRI scan because I just can't live like this any longer - my GP thinks I am being 'ridiculous and expecting premier treatment - I just can't live with 80% of my brain have to be side-tracked just to deal with content pain, pins and needles and increasing immobility.

I have worked for the NHS for nearly 45 years - I rarely ask anyone for help - rarely bother to see a GP - now that i really help help I am horrified that no one seems to be even remotely interested and that levels of compassionate care are missing.

Vent over! Thank you all once again

noddingtonpete

Hello @androullaj and welcome to the Online Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I've put our booklet in below on neck pain which I hope will be of some use.

neck-pain-information-booklet.pdf

Glad you are here, please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Peter