Cervical Spine Arthritis - Arthritis Message Board

mel1977 · 02-02-2005, 09:25 PM

anyone here diagnosed with Cervical Spondylosis (arthritis)? I also have loss of normal lordosis (natural curve of neck) and a pinched nerve. I usually post on the back boards but this isn't as simple to me as my lumbar problems(I just had a two level 360 degree lumbar interbody fusion). I was told by my neurologist there isn't any surgical help for me (which I don't think I want anyway) but hasn't really offered me what kind of treatment MIGHT help. We are waiting to treat til I am further along with my fusion healing.
I have had PT, traction, injections. I have taken Narcotics, muscle relaxers, and steroid packs. Not much helps. Sitting, standing and lying down cause pain. I have pain from my head (headaches)/base of neck, to the midline of my rib cage and it radiates to my arms as well. I have constant neck/shoulder/scapula spasms and pain as well as pain at the left clavical. Anyway, just wanted to know if there were others with this as well and what you were doing to help.
I do have arthritis in all joints, just haven't been diagnosed yet aside from neck and low back.

creinha · 02-03-2005, 06:17 AM

Two years ago, I was diagnosed with cervical spondylosis too. Degenerative discs, two of them bulging and compressing the spinal cord. I have osteophytes, bone spurs, etc. etc. etc. Twice now I have experienced the problems with a pinched nerve. I know what you are going through. It is so excrutiating, isn't it? You just can't get any relief. I tried the prednisone, Bextra, traction, as well as the three epidural injections. The only thing I found that gave me any relief was the chiropractor. I know it doesn't help for everyone but you might give it a try. I didn't go to one that did "manual" manipulation. I couldn't deal with that.

Best of luck.

mel1977 · 02-03-2005, 03:33 PM

It does suck! Did your chiro use a activator? I refuse to get twisted, and the activator was great. BUT, it has been two years and I quit seeing her because of money and low back pain. It wasn't getting better. I hope to find something that will help. I am trying to get into school and I need to be able to sit and sit for an hour.

NancyH · 02-03-2005, 07:57 PM

Cervical spondylosis and loss of lordosis you bet, I've had it for almost 20 yrs now but in the last 5 yrs it has gotten much worse and I also have the bulging discs radiculopathy cervical and lumbar stenosis, nothing really does the trick completely and surgery isn't an option for me either. I've had the injections into the disc spaces and all and tho it was a mild releif it comes back with a vengence so why bother anymore. I also have cysts throughout the thorasic region and pinched nerves to so I know how you are feeling. You could try the chiropractor, one who doesn't do spinal manipulation, I couldn't handle that either.

creinha · 02-04-2005, 06:13 AM

Yes, my chiropractor used the activator. I think the e-stim worked really well too - it helped deaden the pain a bit. I also heard that taking extra B6 (not long term, though) can help with nerve pain. Have you heard that?