Arthritis - Cervical Spine

[Mayne]

I have been diagnosed with arthritis in cervical spine C5/6/7. There is discogenic degenerative change and discogenic central stenosis at these levels. I have a continual "stiff neck" and I have to take sleeping tablets or else I continually wake up during the night. It affect my R shoulder too and I have constant headaches because my neck muscles spasm and can't relax. I have been having physiotherapy on and off for several years now but that has no long term relief.
Can anyone suggest any medication which might relieve the neck spasms? I am not on any arthritis medication but take MOBIC when necessary. I can't tolerate any other anti inflamatory medication.
I have tried doing exercises to strengthen the neck but it only makes the headaches worse. I would really appreciate any advice you can give.

[Kissa]

Mobic needs to be taken daily in order for it to be effective, not as needed when you have a flare up as it is an anti-imflamatory medication that takes time to build up into your system.
You might try some phsycial therapy which may helps to ease up the tension. Also a prescribed muscle relaxer may be of help and it will also help you to sleep a little better at night.
Have you seen a nuerosurgeon regarding the problem? If not you might want to check into it to see if there's anything that can be done to help

[Mayne]

How can a neurosurgeon help??

[Kissa]

If you are experiencing herniations or compressions of the cervical spine as a result of the arthritis they can be removed and the neck fused. Overall the outcome of the proceedure is very good for most people in general.
Have you had an MRI as of recent? If not you may just want to ask for one so that you can get the current status of your bones.
I've had problems for years due to a 3rd level or degree of whip lash (tendons actually tear) back in 1988. A few years ago I was having really bad heaches and neck stiffness so I had an MRI done. They did find some mild arthritis and very mild hernations. Last fall I began having shoulder pains, mild at first and I thought they were just my old bursitis kicking in until one day I woke up in the absolute most horrifying pain I ever felt in my life, it was as bad as when I had my hip replaced the last time.
Long story short, I was misdiagnosed with shoulder problems because I had no major neck symptoms. Had a scoping done, doctors found only spurs and removed them. I got progressively worse the day after the surgery due to the sling I was in and completely lost the feeling in my arm and fingers, it later went to both arms and hands completely. Doctors took a bit in figuring out what was wrong why I was suffering terribly, I would do anything to end the pain. Finaly they figured out that it was my neck because neck problems started creeping up.
Had an MRI done in January showing very severe or large herniations on c6 and c7 that were crushing my spinal cord and c4 and c5 were moderate and only pressing the cord. I had immediate surgery because of this.

What I am trying to get at is that if you have not had an MRI in a while it is time to because hernations if you have them or didn't have them back then you may have them now and they change rapidly. You want to rule anything out before going back to therapy which can only make it worse. After an MRI you and your doctor can figure out the diagnosis or if it has changed diagnosis's and what to do next.

In the meantime ice it lots, it will help. You can also use heat however if there is swelling it may make it worse.

[Mayne]

Yes, I initially had an XRay then the MRI diagnosed the problems in my first post. Specialist said there were 3 alternatives:
1. Put up with it as I am doing and managing it all with the sleeping tablets and Mobic and physio.
2. Nerve root injections on the two levels.
3. Surgery to fuse the two levels.
I was going to have the nerve root injections but chickened out as I was not sure that injections of cortosone were the best way to go.
I don't think the specialist likes to go the surgery route until it is the only way to go.
He said that eventually the body will fuse that area anyway but in the meantime I have virtually non stop headaches which I can usually put up with and constant stiffness in my neck. I have had shoulder pain but it comes and goes. Only had one really bad episode. Sometimes get pins and needles in my arm and hand but not very bad.
What would you suggest is my next course of action?