arthritis of the Skull and Neck

[derwen85]

Connie,
I went thru a spell of severe skull and neck pain.I could not hold my head up and to rest the back of my head on a pillow was very painful.Is that what you go thru?I take Flexerol and has helped greatly.I have Anylosing Spondylitis...an arthritis of the spine.Believe that had something to do with it.

[Ron]

Hi All,

I hope that the following information from a dotor's site will be of some help.

I won't ramble at this late hour, so read the reports,
print them and underline in RED all that applies to your symptoms. Take the reddest ones with you on your next doctor visit. They include journal referrences to many double blind studies to back up what is said.
[url="http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/j103.htm"]http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/j103.htm[/url] [url="http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/1011.html"]http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/1011.html[/url] [url="http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/index.html"]http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/index.html[/url]

Good luck...
Ron

[jltk]

I have just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the neck, bulging disks, and bone spurs on C4 and C5. I have been in significant pain for past 6 months. Bextra seemed to help in the beginning but doesn't do much now. I have taken ultracet plus but it dosen't do much either. Soma seems to help more than any thing. After the MRI the doc said it was not something we should consider doing surgery for. I am 47 yoa. I also have multiple scelrosis. I am wondering if I should just try to live with the pain or ask for other meds? Also lifting seems to agravate it a lot. Is that normal. The PT found fibrous nodules on my left shoulder I wonder if that is common with this problem.

[Ron]

Hi Jltk,

You sure know how to have a good time. Owwwch!! that has to hurt.

Strengthening bones with pamindronate will be helpful to bones which ache due to osteoporosis and calcium loss. Ask your doc about this and print the reports in the links I posted above to take with you.

Are you taking any antiviral meds at the first sign of flare-ups of the MS? Meds like Valtrex and acyclovir which are common treatments for herpes can be justified. You might even benefit from taking them
when you are not in an attack.
Here is a report that you might want to show to you neurologist.... [url="http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/8087.htm"]http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/8087.htm[/url]

Depending on the severity of your MS, he might want to
let you try the meds (if they are the lesser of the two evils). They do have some pretty bad side effects.

Good luck in your battle...
Ron

[jltk]

Hi Ron,

Thanks so much for responding. I have printed the article for my doc. We do treat any infections quickly because they seem to start a MS flare. However I have never taken any anti viral meds. I am quite blessed in the fact that I seem to have long intervals between my flares. Of course it is much worse in summer because of the heat. I have learned to cope quite well. A person must make a decision about the way to handle a cronic illness. It either has you or you have it, and the fight is much easier if you are in control. The neck problems were a bit difficult to accept because of the pain but I am getting a handle on those too! I do not believe in giving up I may not be able to control what happens to my body but I can control my reaction to it. I respect how others handle their probs but for me a positive attitude is my best warrior against my medical battles. Have a great day!!!