cervical spondylosis

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi Coulkd anyone tell me if they sufferdizziness and fainting spells with this condition ..Joyce x

2

Hi Joyce, the experts must be off line at present.  Welcome anyway.  I am a newbie and was diagnosed with PMR November there.  I was put on 20mg of pred (steroid) you don't state what medication you are on, if any.  I have no medical background but other on this site do.  You will get all the info, support and advice here, they are a great bunch and they really do care, so hang on in.   Good luck on your journey.  Pat

3

Hi Pat thank you so much for your reply..

I take 5mg of prednisone every day( I have rheumatoid arthritis) I also take oramorph 10 mls every 4 hours  daily for recent back surgery (spinal Fusion ). I get Rituxamab I nfusions every 6 months for the RA

Thanks again Pat

4

Hi Joyce!  I had dizzy and fainting spells some months ago and after a very public fainting session was rushed into hospital.  They did every imagineable test but could find nothing basically wrong.  I was released after a week and I came to the conclusion myself that it was pobably old age (I'm 75!).  I've been OK since then, but still get dizzy occasionally.  If you don't mind me asking - how old are you?

Good luck!  Constance

5

Hi Constance I am 67 yrs old... I have had Rheumatoid arthritis for 35 yrs. I recently had a spinal fusion done on my lower spine

I have had heart tests... blood pressure tests done  for the dizziness and fainting spells and they all came back ok

Joyce

6

Poor you!  RA as well!  The joys of getting old?!!!  Still, it's better than the alternative!

7

That is so true Constance..

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Hi Joyce, hope you got a wee bit sorted out today.  I will keep you in mind when I say my wee prayer tonight.  Keep using the forum Joyce and check in when you can.  There is always someone knocking about.  You will get the support you need and information and advice.  People on this forum always have time for fellow sufferers.    Pat

9

Hi Joyce

Yes.  Occasional dizzyness or fainting can occur with C/S.  It usually results from vascular compression   i.e.  a pinching of the arterial blood flow to the brain,  thus reducing the amount of oxygen supply to brain.  Mostly, it should just pass quickly,  but worth mentioning to your GP because it can sometimes indicate a vulnerability to stroke.  I've had it several times, over a few years,  usually lasting about 20 to 30 seconds,  but it passes.  It maybe connected with a particular turning of the neck,  and different for each person depending on severity of C/S.  With me,  it's never a full faint....just a sense of loss of power,  and I have to steady myself until it passes.  If it were to happen a few times in quick succession,  or the fainting got more serious,  I would tell my GP about it.

10

Hi Gary

 Thank you so much for your reply.I have actually just came in from seeing my rheumatologist and that is exactly what he told me was happening with my neck.

I really appreciate your answer.I feel better knowing I am not the only one its happening to .Did they ever check out your aterial blood flow to the brain. I have never ever fully fainted thank goodness 

Joyce x

11

Hi Joyce

Seems they can't really predict whether it might happen,  and therefore any interventions are reserved for after the event.  The vascular restriction only happens with certain movement or manipulations of the neck....osteopathic deep massages etc are currently under scrutiny for inducing instances.  Perhaps the best way to control it is, next time it happens,  try and remember what particular movement or twisting of the neck may have kicked it off...usually looking upwards suddenly, or looking behind when driving etc.  If you slow down whatever movement causes it,  then the compression shouldn't happen.  I first got it after cervical neck traction at hospital years ago.  Lesson learned !   Now I feel confident that if I just stop and steady myself,  it passes quickly.  Only happens about 5 or 6 times a year.  A full faint would warrant a visit to A&E, because of the stroke risk.  It's probably more likely with anyone who has had a previous neck injury,  and a vulnerability already exists which is exacerbated with the C/S.

12

Thanks for the info Gerry.... I know mine is worse when I have to look up and turn my heard to far around .Yes I think a full faint would warrent a visit to the A&E .X

13

Thanks for your support Pat I really appreciate it

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Hi Gerry I for got to mention I once had to go to A AND E cos I thought I had a stroke they done 2 scans of my brain CT &MRI blood tests etc;  they  all came back perfect .I went on a return appointment to see the doc who treated me when I was in hospital for it and he said my symptoms were not stroke related and said I didnt need to see him again . I asked if he thought it was from the CS and he said it could be xx