Hi new just abit of help

I have cervical spondylosis in my neck affecting and also had two prolapsed discs and earlier this year I had the discs removed and the lower three vertebrae in my neck fused. I also have severe pain in my shoulders and upper arms together with some muscle weakness and pins and needles in my left arm. How was your problem diagnosed? Initially mine was thought to be cervical facet syndrome but as I did not respond to physiotherapy I had an MRI which made the diagnosis and was referred to an orthapedic specialist. This did take a while, first went to GP in April 2013, diagnosis August, first specialist appointment November and op in February this year.

Have you had an MRI or seen a specialist yet? If not I would suggest you speak to your GP and also about a physio referral if you have not already seen one.

Mine has no cause, unlike you however it does affect me at work as I use a computer much of the time which I have been told is one of the worst things! In terms of work have you seen an Occupational health adviser as I found their advice very helpful and another option, depending on your job could be an access to work assessment which I also had and which made various reccomendations for equipment to support me at work.

Another option as a possible alternative to be signed off sick is to get a reduced hours/duties note from your GP, which means you do not loose pay. My GP put me on these for several months as he said it was inappropriate to sign me off sick as it was an ongoing condition. I kept going until I saw the specialist again in January and was told I needed surgery.

As for pain relief there are other options and you need to discuss this with your GP.

Your GP is quite typical of some. Unfortunately, there's no cure for arthritis and much of the treatment consists of what we do for ourselves. Physio can help, a Pain Clinic will give tips on dealing with it and / or you might find something here http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Selfmanagement/pain-management There is more to pain relief than cocodamol, especially if you can't sleep for it but obviously the stronger the pain relieving meds the more spaced out we are likely to become.

Slosh is much more clued up on neck pain than I am so I'll just stop there but welcome to the forum

Hello, it's nice to meet you but I am sorry you have had to find us. I have two kinds of arthritis, the first one led to the osteoarthritis in a number of useful joints, which I guess is the one that you have. It's true, alas, that the docs cannot do that much to help us because there is not much to be done, especially if your affected joints are ones that cannot be replaced.

My GP prescribes pain relief (30/500 cocodamol), an anti-inflammatory (diclofenac) and a stomach protector (omeprazole) but I don't take the anti-inflammatory as a matter of course due to the medications for my other arthritis. Your situation is different and it may be an option for you. Some GPs are a little on the tardy side when it comes to dealing with OA because it is very common and, as I said, they do not have much in the way of options for treating it.

Once arthritis of any sort has moved in it won't move out and we have to adjust to living with it. That is not easy - in fact it's very challenging - so I think your first step is to find a more empathetic doctor so you have a better source of help and support. I wish you well. DD

Hi;

I have severe neck pain due to psoriatic arthritis in my spine and elsewhere. I had to give up on the idea that I could do much physically as almost everything aggravates it. I got a good small size memory foam cervical pillow and that really helps me at night. Beyond that, and realize mine is an inflammatory arthritis and not yet severe OA, activities like lifting, carrying, walking on uneven surfaces, aggravates it. Heat also helps.

Take care, neck pain can be the worst....