Worsening Arthritis in Spine (neck)

Scrumptious67
Scrumptious67 Community Member Posts: 65 Empowering
in Talk about your impairment

So back in 2013 after an MRI I was diagnosed with arthritis in my spine (neck) with a bulging disc, narrowing of the (something I can't remember), bone spurs etc. This has caused regular cervicogenic headaches across the right side of my head and down into my eye and jaw, referred pain to my shoulder/arm and mid back which has been debilitating at times but I continued to work and manage things as best I could by using paracetamol and ibuprofen daily. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2010.

I was told to stop the Ibuprofen due to the effects on my stomach. I have now been prescribed Gabapentin which I am terrified of taking as I don't manage medication very well and know this has to be carefully managed due to it's withdrawal effects and side effects. I have co-codamol to use when needed but I am very careful with this also due to it's addictive qualities.

My pain has worsened to the extent that now any repetitive movement are triggering the pain and headaches, even little things like using a mouse, vacuuming, driving for more than 10 minutes, stress etc.

I have tried: pain clinic, guided meditations, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, physio x2, acupuncture, steroid injections, trigger point injections, stretching exercises, nerve block.

If anyone has experienced similar, how do you manage the pain to be able to live your life? All advice would be very much appreciated as I am now at a loss and have now been referred back to the MSK team to be re-assessed!

Comments

  • Amberpearl
    Amberpearl Community Member Posts: 4,210 Championing

    I see the msk team every 4 weeks

    I. Don't think it helps at all

  • Andi66
    Andi66 Community Member Posts: 1,469 Championing

    I've got hypermobility syndrome disorder, osteoarthritis in my feet. The pain I have is in my neck, shoulders, wrists, knees, hips, and toes. I take paracetamol as other pain relief like the one you mentioned just makes me sleepy. Paracetamol dosent work a lot, in constant pain. I was diagnosed in 2023, and as I got worse wanted to go back to see the consultant but was told I can't. Had to see a physio who gave me exercises for my hip, which made it worse and the other one hurts now. I just put up with it. Also have copd. . The hypermobility syndrome disorder also effects my digestive and makes it sluggish. Headaches, jaw ache, teeth problems, easy bruising you name it.

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