[quote:59f7ff0a44=\"Gerry the neck\"]Hi JeannieMac
It sounds like you might be experiencing an initial flare up, which should ease off with time, but which might reoccurr if the neck is aggravated in any way. Usually, there's no quick fixes, but painkilling meds can help get through the worst phases. Gerry
Thank you for responding 'Gerry'.
I so want to believe it is nothing more than 'an initial flare up' but after 4 weeks (today) of 24/7 pain, it looks doubtful don't you think?
I finished taking Arthrotec 50 last week and nothing improved. What makes you suspect it is an initial flare-up? See I am desperate for it to be so. I have a wonderful job and hate what this disease is doing to me and my life. I feel that my colleagues do not understand this illness (bad back is that all) and I would not fully confide in them anyway as I might lose my job. It has made me 'paranoid' with fear unfortunately and I can only see the 'worst' ahead for me. I get throught the day at work 'just' - but the evenings and especially the nights are terrifying for me; although I could sleep at the begining, I am having trouble sleeping at all now.
Dreadful disease eh?
Hi JeannieMc
Absolutely dreadful indeed. I'm a long timer, 30 years now, and it's taken a lot of readjusting social life, work committments, etc etc . I'm probably more resigned to it now, and manage it better, than I did when I was younger. Then it interfered and conflicted with everything I wanted to do and it was all just a painful mess at times. Took a long time to get some balance back into my life. Nowadays I have a slightly insulated comfort zone where I know I can retreat to and get through the tough phases, and that really works for me.
Nobody knows how long a flare up might last, especially if there are continuous aggravating factors such as unsuitable sleeping arrangements or minor activities which might be adding to it. A good memory foam mattress, or m/f topper can help with aches. Also a good cervical pillow (not m/f) can help. Or even adjusting your sleeping posture by taking naps on a sofa. THe medications can help to numb the pain, but that's all they do. The sleeping adjustments can help interupt the cycle of aches especially if you have a sleeping routine which contributes to the duration of the symptoms. This is difficult to tell until you've tried alternatives...and if you discover any improvements...we'd all like to know how.
Gerry
\"Also a good cervical pillow (not m/f) can help. \"
Have looked on the internet and not sure which 'cervical pillow' you mean?
Can you give me a web address & picture of one please; don't want to get the wrong type and really need to do something about my sleeping arrangements.
I have had a pretty rought 'night and day' but off for the weekend so hopefully will 'catch-up' on my rest.
Hi
If ypu search Amazon for: ExtraTouch Orthopaedic Cervical Neck Support Pillow From ExtraComfort 60x45x7cm (23.6x17.7x2.8 inches). They cost about £30. And they might take a couple of nights to get used to. For me, they really helped with reducing morning headaches. You can get a M/F mattress topper, the thicker the better, from most big stores, or on internet. The best quality is Tempura, but it's expensive. Cheaper variations about £70 for a single. Again it might take a couple of nights to adjust to using it, but usually worthwhile.
Gerry
Hi
If ypu search Amazon for: ExtraTouch Orthopaedic Cervical Neck Support Pillow From ExtraComfort 60x45x7cm (23.6x17.7x2.8 inches). They cost about £30.
Again, thanks!
I have bought an orthopedic pillow today and will give it a try. May get the one above if it does not work out. I already have a bed with the topping you recommend; got it two years ago for 'back' pain before my present diagnosis!
Do you know of any forums for fellow suffers that is 'busier' than this one?? I think it helps to 'not feel alone' with this disease as it is easy to become depressed by it. I am taking more and more meds and getting less and less pain relief. I find they just 'zonk' me out a little with pain still lurking in background. Not feeling very well today; got up this a.m. with dizziness and lots of pain in back of neck, shoulder and arm.
I hate not being able to do things like, clean my house, as I used to. Very frustrating! Constant paine = constant tiredness.
Hi
The only other site I use is Online Physio Forum but I don't think it offers what you're looking for. It's more for discussing treatments. However, there are other forums out there which cater more for patients interacting with each other. Good luck with pillow. I use mine, when needed, with a thin flatish pillow underneath and the Cerv pillow tilted slightly to one side...seems to suit my neck, maybe different for you. You could also try sleeping or napping ocassionally on a sofa with head more upright, supported by pillows/sofa arm. It helps shift the aches about, and you might be surprised how different it feels when you wake. It's all trial and error/success until you find postures that suit your neck...bearing in mind that these are my suggestions only and not what a P/therapist would recommend. But that's another story !
Gerry
Hi again
PS...
Re comment 'initial flare up'. I said that because you said you were fine before recent events. You may have tried to move or lift something heavier than you can manage and thus set it off. It becomes a bit of a learning process assessing what we can and cannot do physically to avoid setting it off continually. For instance, digging in garden, or working overhead can set mine off, but I won't feel it for a couple of days...and then it kicks in and can take days or weeks to shift. I think it's good not to have total reliance on painkillers during these phases because they hold their own dangers with long term usage.
Gerry
Hi
\"Good luck with pillow. I use mine, when needed, with a thin flatish pillow underneath and the Cerv pillow tilted slightly to one side...seems to suit my neck, maybe different for you.\"
Hi Gerry,
Slept the 'best' ever last night; only woke up twice!!
My pillow came from Dunelm Mill in Barnsley. It is called a 'Clusterdown' - Orthopaedic contoured pillow, £12.99!!
http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/clusterdown-orthopaedic-contour-pillow-110549
I am not going to rush back and get another one (although I want to) but will wait and see how it goes. If I continue to sleep better than before then certainly will buy another.
I have my Orthopaedic Doctor appointment tomorrow (21st) and back to GP on Wednesday!! I must find out if the prognosis for me is 'hopeful' or 'dire'!!
Have a nice Sunday!!
Good luck with pillow. I use mine, when needed, with a thin flatish pillow underneath and the Cerv pillow tilted slightly to one side...seems to suit my neck, maybe different for you.
Hi Gerry,
This site 'sucks' really as if a webaddress is included in a post it goes off somewhere never to be seen again. I posted something to you on the 12th and it's still not been moderated!!
I slept reasonably well last night with my new pillow from Dunelm Mill; only woke up a few times. It is called a Clusterdown Orhopaedic contoured pillow £12.99. I see why you told me to 'google' for the amazon pillow! I am not going to rush off and buy another just yet- will wait and see; might have been a 'one-off'!!
I do not think the 'moderators' are doing their job or they are on strike perhaps!!
Hi Jean
You need to Google
Healthboard Message Board
Scroll down message board on the right side till you get to
( Spinal cord disorders ) you may find it helpful.
Bob2
This site 'sucks' really as if a webaddress is included in a post it goes off somewhere never to be seen again. I posted something to you on the 12th and it's still not been moderated!!
I do not think the 'moderators' are doing their job or they are on strike perhaps!!
I am currently the only moderator and work a \"normal\" working week so therefore if any posts are left over the weekend, as these 2 were, with a weblink in it will take until Monday morning to be approved. There wasn't a post from the 12th otherwise it would have been OK'd before now. The 2 in this thread were from Fri 18th and Sun 20th.
In the FAQ section there is info on how to leave links if you do not wish the post to be sent for moderation, basically miss the http and first \"w\" off of the start of the link. So ww.amazon.com... for example.
It means it's not \"hot\" but other users can copy into the browser and add the w. We have to auto alert links in posts otherwise the forum would be flooded with spammers.
We are going to launch a new site in the near future where more users are able to moderate so hopefully this might help speed up the process.
I hope this helps.
Emis Moderator.
[quote:5528da1524=\"B0b2\"]Hi Jean
You need to Google
Healthboard Message Board
Scroll down message board on the right side till you get to
( Spinal cord disorders ) you may find it helpful.
Bob2
Hi Bob2
and thanx for this!!
I had my appointment with Orthopaedic Doc. and got a referral to see a Physiotherapist. He wrote on the Referral, \"As soon as possible.\" Which made me feel like things were moving at least. He prescribed me Lyrica 75mg hard capsules, Pregabalin. I think I've seen other folks write about this medication somewhere but can't remember what was written. He said it takes a couple of days for it to kick in. Had another good night with my 'pillow' so will get another one next weekend.
The Ortho. Doc. also said my xray looked 'very good' and that any woman my age would have a similar xray. Not sure I am 'falling' for this as not all women my age are walking around in constant pain, if not 'drugged-up' and do not have a pinched nerve, which he said was causing my pain.
I took NO medication today before seeing the Doctor and I was in agony at work and could not do my job right and felt angry/depressed!! Took a co-codamol as soon as I could after wards to 'numb' me!!
Any comments on my new meds anyone?
Hi Jeannie
Doc. also said my xray looked 'very good'?
x-ray only good for looking at bones and is cheaper than an MRI scan which is what I needed,well after Physio and years of going back and foe to the Doctors and loosing work,now I am going to have ACDF so I maybe able to go back to work.
I did damaged my discs after being rear ended by a car 20 years ago and now c4-c5 disc has giving up.
[quote:48e179e417=\"B0b2\"]Hi Jeannie
Doc. also said my xray looked 'very good'?
x-ray only good for looking at bones and is cheaper than an MRI scan which is what I needed,well after Physio and years of going back and foe to the Doctors and loosing work,now I am going to have ACDF so I maybe able to go back to work.
I did damaged my discs after being rear ended by a car 20 years ago and now c4-c5 disc has giving up.
Hi Bob,
I did not believe what the doc. said for a moment! I have never felt so bad or so much pain before, in my life. I got up this morning JUST and put that down to the fact that the 'Doctor' made me do things with my neck; like try to put it in positions it was obvious it could not go. Like that's how I came to be here, in the world of pain, by 'twisting' my neck doing something stupid. I guess it will take days for my neck to recover from his 'tender' ministrations!! Have you ever tried the medication he gave me (earlier post); gabapentin I think it is called. I take 2 a day and it's supposed to stop the nerve pain. How can that work then if the nerve is pinched? Or if the discs are Kaput! I looked up your operation and got this information below. I think it will be where I will end up but there is no guarantee of long term success. I have looked on the 'net and it seems people have recurring problems a few years later! All I can think about is the things I wanted to do that now I can't. I had recently joined a geological society and cannot go with them on 'digs' as it will hurt my neck. I am gutted!!
Overview
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure performed to remove a herniated or degenerative disc (Fig. 1) in the cervical (neck) spine. The surgeon approaches the spine from the front, through the throat area. After the disc is removed, the vertebrae above and below the disc space are fused together. Your doctor may recommend a discectomy if physical therapy or medication fail to relieve your neck or arm pain caused by inflamed and compressed spinal nerves. Patients typically go home the same day; recovery time takes 4 to 6 weeks.
ww.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-ACDF.htm
Left a 'w' off the address as apparantly it gets moderated if written in full!!
Hi
Jen
After taken pain killers and ubrofen ,ice packs, naproxen and having physio and needles in arm, neck hands and shoulders over the last four years they can only do so much and can’t do anymore, I got this from ebay
Neck Support Traction Cervical Collar Item number: 230665147309 .
Got the pressure off my trapped nerve feeling in my neck down to my arm, hand and thumb ,then used a soft collar for a few hours and with rest I managed to get back to work for a while but then I had to give work up as I just got worse, now I have to try ACDF there’s are no guarantees that I will be fit and able to get back to work or I may be worse off after it .Anyway see how it goes .
Hi guys
Traction is great! I'm very tempted to buy an over the door one. I'm currently having a major flare up. Feels like a disk has slipped again or another one has decided to join the party :shock: Been having horrible nerve pains in my arms and legs and been prescribed pregabalin at the same dosage as JeannieMC. It has only started working today and I have to say it's pretty good. I havent needed as much co-codamol and I'm sleeping really well.
I see the pain clinic consultant and physio in the next couple of weeks and also a rheumatologist, but the bu**ers are only interested in my back not my neck.. what can you do?
Hi,
Well the Pregabalin capsules were great FOR 2 DAYS!!
Have had a veryyy sore shoulder and especially my forearm and back of hand (right side) most of the day and night. Have also taken 1 Co-codamol to no avail. Had really thought I had 'cracked' it; how very disappointing!!
Have Physio appointment 6th December and am asking for an MRI scan to determine what is really wrong with my neck.
Had an appointment on Wednesday with my GP who finally explained what CS is all about in terms of my x-ray (5 weeks later!!). She said my 'discs' are fine; that I have a 'calcium' spur(s) which is probably catching on a nerve. She said her son had a 'spur' on his elbow although not sure how that was supposed to make me feel any better or?? Her husband, a plastic surgeon, has also had a back problem requiring surgery when it affected his hand. Why do I think he might have received 'better' treatment than I can ever hope to receive, or is the pain making me feel 'cynical'??
Hope I get to feeling less pain over the weekend.
Hi
Yes, you are gettimg cynical.....but it's not the pain ! It's your intuition telling you how far down the pecking order your condition has raised you to !
The spurs are common to C/S, and they can interfere with nerve roots, sometimes requiring surgery. There's also an argument that suggests that they grow in order to stabilise the joint, and that having them removed can unsettle the rest of the neck and lead to further trouble down the road. It could be said that the spurs are the neck's natural defence for C/S...in fact they are, and I think the neck is it's own best therapist and surgeon Which is best...to live with and manage what's already there or take the risk of improving or worsening the symptoms. Removing the spurs definitely restores hand / arm back to normal, but it can have different effects on other symptoms, especially in tne neck area. I'm at the same crossroads myself, and I've decided to choose no surgery for as long as poss. In fact, 2years on from initial hand problems and a lot of power and flexibility has restored naturally. I can write ok again, hammer a nail again, and even play guitar again...better than ever I reckon ! Probably best to check out forums for patient's comments after they've had Foraminal Laminectomy op and see for yourself, before opting for anything.
Gerry