Diagnosed over a year ago with Cervical Spondylosis (or Degenerative Disc Disease as my doctor calls it). I have little or no life now. I have had every medication they can think of. Only thing that worked was morphine with a concoction of other meds i.e. diazepam, paracetemol, anti-sickness tabs etc, Only problem is morphine has to be increased on a regular basis. Now on 60mg tabs twice daily with oramorph 3-4 times daily. I get very little relief from pain which rules my life. I am at my wits end. Doc now want me to try tablet called Duloxetine 60mg whcih is used for neuro pain in diabetics but I have read it has terrible side effects. I am afraid to try it. Has anyone else been prescribed this and did it help the pain. I am also seeing private doc but so far it is not helping. I am often screaming with the pain in my neck and even when it calms down a bit I am left with severe pain in both arms, shoulders and hands. Depression sets in often as I am unable to do any of the things I used to. I cannot lift anything heavy (even my little grandson) . Any form of housework is a no no and my social life is almost nil. I had my driving licence revoked from DVLA because I am on so much morphine (could hardy drive anyway because of the pain). Although I am 67 up until a year ago I had a very active social life with only severe headaches. Now my pain rules my life. Good to find this site and let off a bit of steam as not many people understand this type of pain (Ihave had two children and childbirth was nothing compared to this kind of pain).Would be good to talk to others and find out if anything helps their pain. Been to pain clinic and physio neither of whom could help me. I feel I have been abondoned by NHS. My doctor is sypmathetic but is struggling to help me. Tried ice, heat, baths lidocaine patches (even an alcholic drink on occasion) but nothing helps. Anyone out there help me please?
Hi Arran
so sad to hear you are not coping well with pain and you feel depressed. try to look on the positive side you have a wonderful grandson.(even though you cant pick him up! I know what you are going through i to am on morphine(patches) and also oramorph plus other pain relief. I think you should you should look at what you can do not what you cant!! I was very active as well and i was in a dark place so i do know how you are feeling! Did the pain clinic not help you?I was refered to the clinic and i have made some good friends and i still see them once a month for lunch but we can phone each other any time to have a good moan because no one knows what it is like to be in pain all the time unless you have been there?I have had physio and that did nothing for me had facet injections again done nothing for my pain. I have pain all the time had pain since i was 10yrs old(59) now so i have not known a day without pain and it is getting worse but i look as i said at the things i can do not what i cant.But this site hopefully can help you nad keep on to GP if he is sympathetic to your pain and he will refer you to the right doctor to help you.Sorry to ramble on but i look forward to your next post. If you feel depressed talk to your GP and he should send you to get help or help you himself so please keep positive and write again 
hi arran.........i am new to all this, whilst i went to a neurologist surgeon privately, with spinal stenosis ( which will have to wait - keyhole for that one ) he was thorough and spotted my upper reflexes..... I have csm, and it is compressing the spine. so i am due a fusion in a few weeks............
In my case i have not neck pain, but have the other symptoms only though from time to time. clumminiess, slight balance& handwriting wobbly...
which i had not mentioned to my dr.
The surgeon decided on a fusion to prevent any spinal decay.
Might be worth a rererral to a neurologist -
kind regards cheshire guy
hi arran......... just thought- i would add......... i changed my mattress to a firmer one ( a john lewis ortho 1400 ) it's not a plank of wood!!!, and also a tempura pillow which is firm........... and have found the pillow amazing..... takes a few nights to get used to but very good.................
Thanks for replying. I have seen 3 neurosurgeons who are not willing to try any kind of operation as it would have the possibility of leaving me paralysed. I already have spinal decay so op is not an option.Damage is too severe to attempt any op. Thanks for trying g to help. Hope all goes ok for you.
Best wishes
ARRAN 103
thanks arran, and i do wish you well, thank you for repyling... would appear i just have the compression..... and he is doing the op to prevent any deteroration - not loking forward to this one bit but if it will save me huge problems later on - it has to be done.
many thanks
If anything, alcohol makes things worse in my case. If I drink enough to numb the pain, after the effect goes away, I'm in agony.
Thank you so much for your reply. This site is a God send. I do feel gratitude for the good things that I have in my life. If have five grandchildren - four live near me and I do see them on a regular basis. I feel so much gratitude for my partner. Without him I couldn't cope. I dont know how he puts up with me at times. Within a year I have gone from being able to jive 3 times a week, do charity work every week, look after my 3 year old grand son, cook, clean, garden write books, help others, drive to being able to do almost nothing. Anything causes me excrutiating pain. I am no so limited in what I can do. I can't even change the bed! I have a wheelchair but need someone to push me as my hands are useless. I drop everything, need help with washing, dressing etc. I cannot use public transport on my own so I need someone to take me wherever I have to go, hospital appointments etc. I have lost my independence in such a short time. I know it sounds as though I am grumping but it is hard. Pain clinic dismissed me as they can no longer do anything for me. They have no facility to meet up with others to talk etc.which I would love. I tried the Pain Association Scotland,. They have ONE meeting every 8 weeks and the last two were cancelled at short notice. The venue is quite far from me so I need someone to take me and bring me home. I rely so much on my partner to drive me places and he is so willing but I feel I dont want to burden him any more than I already am. He still takes me to dance class once a week although I can only do a few short moves with him before the pain sets in but at least I am getting out, getting dressed up and able to talk to friends so that is a plus, Doctor did send out someone re my depression. All they could offer me was anti-depressants! I asked could I talk to someone on a regular basis but they would not offer that facility unless I took the anti-depressants! I feel anti-depressants wont help me or the pain and I am on 30 odd pills a day. I don't need more pills. I need someone to listen to me and sympathise. The anti-depressant my doc gave me is called Duloxetine. Report on it are not good. On top of all my other drugs, I would be a walking zombie. I am afraid to take them. Have you heard of them. Sorry for rambling on but its so good to be able to talk to someone who unerstands. Thank you for replying and giving me hope. We discussed buying am adjustable bed. Have you or anyone else tried this? Don't want to spend a\round £1,800 if its not going to help.Again thank you and keep in touch please. It is so good to be able to communicate with someone who understands.
Many thanks
Arran103
Arran,
all I can offer is sympathy,I too suffer from CS,nowhere near as severe as your self,but it does get on my nerves;it is good to talk with fellow sufferers.I always think,"what have I done to deserve this"and then think a lot of people are in a far worse state with life threatening conditions,so I suppose I am not to bad.
Good luck in the future and bst regards.
Hi Cheshireguy we had thought on buying adjustable bed as I have been in hospital a few times and found their adjustable beds were good - less pain in the morning and easier to get to bedside lamps etc. Would really like to know if anyone has bought one and if they helped. Anyone out there bought one and did it help? At the moment I use three pilows with various bean bags to support my neck and I tend to sleep sitting up. I feel this lessens my pain in the morning. Its amazing what you will do to help lessen the pain. Thanks for your help
Arran103
Hi Michael b
I don't tend to drink much alcohol as it doesnt really mix with all the morphine I take. The odd sherry at dinner time is my limit. On holiday recently I did drink a bit more but didn't find it lessened the pain, maybe at the time but next morning it was right back there! Wish there was something to take away this constant pain. I vomit a lot as it is so severe and have to have my drugs by injection from doc. I am trying to learn to live with it but it isn't easy when you are lying in bed in agony at least five days out of seven. Anyone else out there with any suggestions which works for them? I am tired of this constant agony. Thanks again michel b
Arran103
Hi Benggo
Thanks for your reply. I do know there are people out there a lot worse off than myself but when I'm rolling about in agony I do feel sorry for myself and just want the pain to go away. I always think "if I can just stand this for another two days it will go away". The pain seems to get worse every few weeks and it takes 2-5 days to ease off. Then it takes me another few days to be able to get out of bed, move around and start to eat again. I just seem to be getting over one bout when another one starts. It's never ending! I try to enjoy life inbetween but its not easy. Thanks for replying. Best regards
Arran103
Hi Arran103 Its nice to meet you and welcome you. This is a great place because everyone on here understands what it is like to have chronic pain. I too have CS but by no means as severe as yours is. I really feel for you because to be in pain constantly is bad enough but to go through what you are going through is horrendous.
I do hope you can find something that will give you some respite, I'm afraid I can't advise you of anything to help you as tyou seem to have tried much stronger pain meds than I have yet.
I have real problems sleeping and have on some occasions had to resort to being propped up in bed like you. However when lying down I can only bear one pillow.
I hope someone comes along that can help you more than I can at the moment, but do keep posting and letting us know how you are getting on, and remember we don't mind if you just want to have a moan or a rant.
Take care hun xxx
>> Arran103: I do know there are people out there a lot worse off than myself but when I'm rolling about in agony I do feel sorry for myself and just want the pain to go away.
Hell is hell, no matter how you get there.
Hi Kats56
thank you so much for replying to my "rant". Its great to know that there are people on here who can identify and give me some encouragement, no matter how little. It doesn't matter whether you can help or not, at least you are there for me when I can't cope.Past few days were bad. Felt as though my head and neck were going to explode, then came the arm pain which feels as though someone is trying to saw my arms off- horrendous pain which I can't explain to anyone - and no amount of meds including morphine really works. It just makes me sleep which is a bonus as when i'm asleep I have no pain. Today has started off bit better and i'm hoping it will continue that way and allow me to do at least a little normal stuff like housework. Been told it doesn;t matter what I do, the pain will come anyway as it is due to a build up of fluid which presses on nerves and it won't go until it feels like it! So absolutely nothing I can do to stop it.Will keep trying though. I don't give up easily. Seeing a chiropractor but after six treatments and £200 lighter it doesnt seem to be helping so thinking of seeing a friend who does Bowens (kind of acapuncture without needles). It has a good write up on NHS and although it won't take pain away totally it may help to relax my body. Doc wants me to take a drug called Duloxetine which is used for diabetics for pain and is alo an anti-depressant. Have you heard of it? I am afraid to add another drug to my collection of 30 pills a day plus morphine. Don't want any more side effects as I can hardly cope as it is. So for now, I have not started it. Again, thanks for writing. Am so glad I found this site.Please keep in touch. It gives me a lift no matter if you can't help and gives me something to look foward to.
Thank for thinking of me
Arran103
Hi Michael b
I so agree with you and "hell" is the only way you can decribe this pain. Today has started off a litle better - only arm pain and a little in neck - so hoping I can have some sort of "normal" day and even catch up on some household chores although will take it easy. I know the feeling of just wanting the pain to go away. I shout to God to take it away at times but obviously he has given me this for a reason - but I can't understand why.So good to talk to people on here and know you are not alone in your "hell". Keep in touch.
Best wishes
Arran103
Hi All
Just thought I would tell you I actually had TWO HOURS with no pain at all last night! A miracle for me. This morning I have managed to do a little light housework athough pain is back. Got a busy week with hospital appointments, chiropracter and a few social events so hope If I take it easy I might just manage to do them all. Especially the social events I so need to get dressed up and go out every so often, even though I'm drugged up to the eyeballs and my Lidocaine pataches don't match my outfit (they are white and on my neck and arms so very visible)! Sorry guys its a woman thing! We like everything to match. One youngster thought they were to help me stop smoking! They measure 6 inches by 5 inches and I wear three at a time! At least it gave me a laugh.Hope you all have a pain free weekend. I will try my best to enjoy what I can this week. Keep in touch please. Your posts, even if they are grumps are keeping me going and giving me something to look forward to every day.
Best wishes to you all
Arran103
Hi Arran103
so pleased to hear you have at last had a slight respite from your pain if only for a couple of hours!! But as i am aware every little helps! And at least you get some small rest from it and I hope you have a good weekend and you manage to get dressed up and feel good because as i say you always feel better when you have you get dressed up even if your patches dont match your outfit!! Ihave had mine that long i forget i have them on and sometimes when i change them i have a white spot on my arms where the old one was LOL!! grab the free pain couple of hours with both hands and enjoy your weekend you deserve it as does every one so have a good one and i will keep on posting grumps and what ever else comes up!!!
take care and hope to read your posts soon xx jeanette
Hi Jaeanette43594
Had a good sleep last night but pain is back big time. It's lunch-time and haven't managed to wash or dress yet. Pottered about doing little bits of housework until pain got too bad. Partner off on a day's shooting so have time to myself to do very little if I don't feel like it. I's good that he has his hobbies as it takes him away from me and my grumpy days and gives him time for him (although he never complains bless him). Covered in ice packs at moment (it helps sometimes), reading my kindle. Partner's turn to make dinner tonight so I can totally rest up. Hoping to go to dance class tomorrow night if i am up to it (even if I just have one dance with my partner) so I can get dressed up and chat to friends which takes my mind off the pain. Sometimes I get a couple of pain free hours later at night so hoping that will happen- and yes I do so enjoy that wonderful feeling of having no pain! My daughter coming round later to give me a hand to have a bath. Too painful today to do it on my own. I feel safer if someone's there. Off to have my lunch-time pills and hope the pain subsides a bit. Thanks for keeping in touch, no matter what you have to say. It gives me something to look forward to. Hope things are ok with you.
Arran103 xx
Hi Arran 103
Yes it is good for them to have own hobbies mine is the same bless them!!! Not doing to much sons and grandchilren not here today (day off)lol hope you can have a dance with partner (i miss that) mind you hubby says i could not dance in first place!!!! (cheek?) hubby has to be there for me i suffer with dizzyness just to make me feel a bit safer some times he has to wash my hair cant reach up. Not to bad today had bad night cant sleep at best of times didnt go to bed till 2 30 up again at the crack of dawn!!!hardly slept with pain.Have you tried heat i have the animals that you put in microwave (granddaughters) that sometimes helps.I have always had pain not a day goes by when i am pain free and getting worse but i have lived with it all my life so you could say i dont know what it is like to be pain free.I hope your pain free days/hours are are getting more and you have found some form of relief that is working for you well enjoy your dance even if it is just one i think it does you good to get dressed up and it helps if you have good friends but sometimes they dont understand what you are going through because you cant see what is wrong with you?well enough of me rambling on (again) take care jeanette xx