Aa
Can anyone here relate to this?
Hi everyone
I am a middle-aged male with a history of cervical arthritis at C-4/C-5, a bone spur, nerve impingement and various other issues having to do with my neck. I think there may be some disk involvement as well (ie; some disintegration). I think they call this "Osteoarthritis". I have been diagnosed, had many head/neck scans and even that test where they shock you and your arms are jumping around all over the place (nerve conductivity test?). I was told to take nsaids (which do seem to help somewhat).
Over the years I have experienced various popping, cracking and crunching noises/sensations when I move my head. This is often followed by pain and a period of stiffness and brain fog (where I feel really spacey and out of it). I also get random pains and various odd sensations in my neck, shoulders and arms. Sometimes (but not too often) there is numbness or muscle twitches. Once, many years ago, I woke up and discovered that my right arm was completely paralyzed (quite terrifying to say the least!). That lasted for half a day. The sensations range from burning to an "icey" feeling to just plain pain. Sometimes I get a dazed, dull, pressure or very mild headache feeling in my head as a result of this. Other times, the back of my head (sometimes on one side or the other) aches.
These episodes seem to come in bouts or "flare-ups" where I'm feeling just great for awhile and then all of a sudden I get hit with this and feel pretty lousy (and sore) for a week or more. A few times I have fallen asleep in a chair and woke up feeling like my neck was broken. Another couple of times I have had really severe bouts where my whole neck felt it was crumbling and falling apart with tons of pain.
I guess the point of my posting all of this is to see if anyone else can relate to me and my symptoms and also to find someone who I can talk to and share experiences with because it gets kind of lonely when you are suffering with this and have no one to talk to about it. Anyway, thanks very much for listening and for any replies I get.
I am a middle-aged male with a history of cervical arthritis at C-4/C-5, a bone spur, nerve impingement and various other issues having to do with my neck. I think there may be some disk involvement as well (ie; some disintegration). I think they call this "Osteoarthritis". I have been diagnosed, had many head/neck scans and even that test where they shock you and your arms are jumping around all over the place (nerve conductivity test?). I was told to take nsaids (which do seem to help somewhat).
Over the years I have experienced various popping, cracking and crunching noises/sensations when I move my head. This is often followed by pain and a period of stiffness and brain fog (where I feel really spacey and out of it). I also get random pains and various odd sensations in my neck, shoulders and arms. Sometimes (but not too often) there is numbness or muscle twitches. Once, many years ago, I woke up and discovered that my right arm was completely paralyzed (quite terrifying to say the least!). That lasted for half a day. The sensations range from burning to an "icey" feeling to just plain pain. Sometimes I get a dazed, dull, pressure or very mild headache feeling in my head as a result of this. Other times, the back of my head (sometimes on one side or the other) aches.
These episodes seem to come in bouts or "flare-ups" where I'm feeling just great for awhile and then all of a sudden I get hit with this and feel pretty lousy (and sore) for a week or more. A few times I have fallen asleep in a chair and woke up feeling like my neck was broken. Another couple of times I have had really severe bouts where my whole neck felt it was crumbling and falling apart with tons of pain.
I guess the point of my posting all of this is to see if anyone else can relate to me and my symptoms and also to find someone who I can talk to and share experiences with because it gets kind of lonely when you are suffering with this and have no one to talk to about it. Anyway, thanks very much for listening and for any replies I get.
yes I can relate.. I have a aggressive case of DDD and Osteoarthritis. I had to have C3-C7 replaced. Both arms,hand and middle of my back were burning. I to also had the popping and cracking of the neck for several years. I could roll my shoulders and everything would pop or crack. Have you had a MRI of your neck?? If not I would say you really need to. My Pain management spec. saved my life by NOT treating me.. sent me back to my Neuro Dr. STAT.. I also ended up having a bone spur that was already cutting into my spinal cord. Please be careful and make sure you get the MRI if you haven't. God Bless and take care
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. Your symptoms could be due to nerve impingement at various cervical levels. Only taking NSAIDs will not help. Pain, spasm and other sensations are due to pressure on the sensory component of the nerve. The paralyzed feeling is due to pressure on the motor component.
There are many alternative or non-pharmacological pain management therapies which can be tried along with pain medications. These are: ice packs, heat pads, massage therapy, physiotherapy, yoga, meditation, hydrotherapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), spinal cord stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, other types of neurolytic blocks, aromatherapy, Reiki, acupressure and acupuncture, guided imagery and biofeedback. Usually a combined approach of a pain killer and a non-medication therapy helps give best pain relief.
Using this approach may help reduce most of your symptoms. Also, you can test for peripheral neuropathies due to diabetes, lupus, hypothyroidism or nerve involvement due to MS or ALS.
Please consult your doctor regarding this. Take care!
The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. Your symptoms could be due to nerve impingement at various cervical levels. Only taking NSAIDs will not help. Pain, spasm and other sensations are due to pressure on the sensory component of the nerve. The paralyzed feeling is due to pressure on the motor component.
There are many alternative or non-pharmacological pain management therapies which can be tried along with pain medications. These are: ice packs, heat pads, massage therapy, physiotherapy, yoga, meditation, hydrotherapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), spinal cord stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, other types of neurolytic blocks, aromatherapy, Reiki, acupressure and acupuncture, guided imagery and biofeedback. Usually a combined approach of a pain killer and a non-medication therapy helps give best pain relief.
Using this approach may help reduce most of your symptoms. Also, you can test for peripheral neuropathies due to diabetes, lupus, hypothyroidism or nerve involvement due to MS or ALS.
Please consult your doctor regarding this. Take care!
The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Arthritis Community
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
