Stiff Neck With Dizziness

[drummss]

I am a polio survivor who has been in a wheelchair since I was 2 yrs old. I am now 54 and have had problems with my neck for the past 15 yrs. My doctor told me after reviewing Xrays that my neck is full of arthritis because of the polio and at times not enough blood is getting to my brain causing the periods of dizziness. These periods mostly come on immediately after waking up in the morning. My guess is there are nights when I just don't lay right and get my neck all screwed up for a few days.
I have been feeling lousy for the last two days because of this. Just leaning over in my wheelchair will bring on the dizziness. Driving my van is a real joy when feeling like this as I have to be careful not to jerk my head to fast to bring on a spell. I try to keep my head perfectly still just using my eyes and the mirrors.
I am currently taking 350 mg of carisoprodol 4 x's a day everyday which helps somewhat but when it gets bad like it currently is, I just have to wait it out and try to make sure I sleep in a good position.
Was just wondering if anyone had any other thoughts or remedies as I am open to anything.

Thanks,

Kevin

[Kissa]

Hi Kevin welcome to the board!

Much of what one would potentially do really is based on what the problem itself is. By that I mean what has the arthritis done to your neck as a whole. Are your disks degenerating, is the cartilage between the disks degnerating, do you have spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine)? Most of these problems can actually be corrected surgically and a good Nuerosurgeon or Orthopeadic surgeon will be able to tell you your options if you do have any.

One thing I would suggest that I do as my neck is pretty bad as well is try using a soft collar brace while sleeping. This will keep your neck a bit more in alignment. Also be sure that the pillow you are sleeping on fits your neck appropriately. Too large or too small of a pillow will only cause undue pain and problems for you the next day.

Wish I had better advice but without really knowing what is actually going on with your spine outside of arthritis there's not much more advice I can give

Barbie

[donnaC]

Hi Kevin

Interesting that your doctor would say that the dizzy spells are brought on by the arthritic changes in your neck; or, is that what you thought he said? The reason I ask that is because I've had DDD, bulging, hernited disks in neck and never known blood flow not getting to your neck unless perhaps there is an arthritic bony spur pressing on a blood vessel (not sure if that's even possible)-I mean, I've had radiculapathy which is where referred pain shoots down your arm or pinched nerves but those are nerves not bld vessels.

DDD/degenerative disk disease/spondyloarthropathy/arthritis (all the same thing, just depends on what word your doctor wants to use)-I've had it for over 6 years now and it's so bad that most levels are bone on bone which means that there is no cushioning btw the disks. Doc wants to do surgery (fusion) to correct the problem but no thanks, I'm not ready for another fusion (had one a year ago on back and that's enough for me for now). Any
way, I'm having trouble linking the DDD w/the blood flow making it to your brain. Or, did he mean there are two separate conditions? If the doctor did not mean the DDD is causing bloodflow to brain, I can understand and we will assume that's what is happening but I can only help you with the arthritis condition.

What are your symptoms of cervical arthritis-you mentioned it hurts more in the morning. Is it like a stiff neck pain? Does it go away under 1/2 hour (so the experts say-on a good day they are right, but on a bad day, they are soooo wrong-it could be painful for up to 2 hrs in the morning). Do you have any other symptoms like difficulty turning your head up/down/side to side? Do you have neck pain during the day? What relieves your pain if anything? Let me know answers to those questions and I'll be happy to try and help.

donna

QUOTE:: When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.