Arthritis is a Pain in the Neck

Deadeye · August 07, 2019, 07:21:25 AM

At least for me it is.

Finally had an MRI done a month or so ago and it showed that the arthritis that my Neurosurgeon took out back in 2016 has come back with a vengeance. It has built up in the Right side from the C-4 down to the C-7 with the C-6 to C-7 on both sides showing it has now reached the Severe Level.

That means the Nerve exit holes are just about closed off.

Which in turn causes burning and pain running across my left shoulder and down to my left wrist. The Meds I'm on help and usinging OTC stuff like Biofreeze helps but it's getting hard to wait until the November Appointment to get Injections in that area...... and that is to just see if they work.

Really not looking forward to having another Surgery done there at all. But if that is the only choice then I'll do what I have to.

It's got to the point where if I do any overhead work like painting I'll pay for it all night from the pain. Have to do something, can't have my shoulder and hand buzzing all the time.

Lipripper · August 07, 2019, 07:32:30 AM

Sorry to hear this Deadeye and that's a long time to have to wait before you can get that injection that may or may not help. Mine hasn't gotten that bad yet but after looking at my CAT Scans my Cancer doctors remark about mine and how someday it might get bad enough to need surgery. At my age and still under the effects of that chemo and radiation I sure don't want to have to think about having to go under the knife for surgery.

Mike Cork · August 07, 2019, 12:55:49 PM

Sorry to hear about your pain. I know it's brutal...

Must be something to do with fishing

That and I spent a career looking over my head working on aircraft...

But I get my injections tomorrow, two different types. I can't remember what they are called, but I told my pain management doc that I wasn't doing another surgery yet and he said "Well fine, we'll do this and that" I said good

Seems like all they want to do is cut on people anymore. Even my pain management doc agrees but he doesn't complain because it keeps him in business. As he put it, half of all surgeries are ineffective and that keeps his patients coming back...

Not much we can do with Arthritis. For me heat before I go fishing and cold after seems to help.

merc1997 · August 07, 2019, 04:33:38 PM

Quote from: Deadeye on August 07, 2019, 07:21:25 AM
At least for me it is.

Finally had an MRI done a month or so ago and it showed that the arthritis that my Neurosurgeon took out back in 2016 has come back with a vengeance. It has built up in the Right side from the C-4 down to the C-7 with the C-6 to C-7 on both sides showing it has now reached the Severe Level.

That means the Nerve exit holes are just about closed off.

Which in turn causes burning and pain running across my left shoulder and down to my left wrist. The Meds I'm on help and usinging OTC stuff like Biofreeze helps but it's getting hard to wait until the November Appointment to get Injections in that area...... and that is to just see if they work.

Really not looking forward to having another Surgery done there at all. But if that is the only choice then I'll do what I have to.

It's got to the point where if I do any overhead work like painting I'll pay for it all night from the pain. Have to do something, can't have my shoulder and hand buzzing all the time.

been having some of the same issues. after having an mri, they are going to try an injection of steroids to see if it will get rid of all the inflamation. sure hope it will help because i am not getting any beneficial sleep. don't want to be cranky down at the big g.

bo

BarryFL · August 07, 2019, 05:40:56 PM

Have you tried lidocaine patches. My wife uses that and bio freeze.

~Barry~

Deadeye · August 11, 2019, 09:26:20 AM

Sorry got caught up in life and didn't get back.

Working over my head is the worse. I did work for years that required a day of grinding over my head while balancing to not fall out of the opening I had just made. I'm sure that has a part of it and also flipping down the weld helmet.

Barry I have a Store of stuff I try. Prescription Lidocaine patches.
OTC Aspercreme with Lidocaine.
Bio freeze spray
Icy Hot Spray
Icy Hot Creme
Apercreme Spray, which didn't like.

Then I take 3 Super Advil pills, 800 mg each and 2 Flexeral MR and 4- 7.5 Hydrocodone a day.

I just do what I can until I can't. Lol.

Also found out my Neck Shot are next week instead of Nov, so hopefully they help.

Mike Cork · August 12, 2019, 02:12:32 PM

Had mine last Thursday and of course the first two days are awesome from all the Novocaine they pump in there. But so far I've been pleasantly surprised. Went from a pain level of 8 to about 3 so I'm happy...

Keep us posted.

Deadeye · August 13, 2019, 08:55:11 AM

Quote from: Mike Cork on August 12, 2019, 02:12:32 PM
Had mine last Thursday and of course the first two days are awesome from all the Novocaine they pump in there. But so far I've been pleasantly surprised. Went from a pain level of 8 to about 3 so I'm happy...

Keep us posted.

That's great news. Yes you are correct immediately the relief you feel is from the Novocaine. Some people don't know that and then when it backs off within a couple of days they feel the shots didn't work.

Truth is from my Dr it takes about 2 weeks for the shots to fully take effect.

Mike Cork · August 13, 2019, 10:14:32 AM

Mine too, I'm excited that I've had some significant relief so early. He did two different kinds of shots. Seven straight up my neck and then 6 on the right side, the right side ones were some sort of block that is/was supposed to help with the migraines. So far, I had my first last night, but suffered through it and woke up without one. So what that means.... Hell I don't know, I'm pressing on.

Wishing you the best of luck with your injections. If you're like me, any relief will be greatly welcomed.

Deadeye · August 22, 2019, 06:26:25 AM

Had the shots on Monday Morning. Normal after procedure pain was expected.

Tuesday Morning I woke without pain or buzzing in my left shoulder for the first time in so long I can't remember. However I knew it was from the Numbing Agent and not the real relief I was seeking.

Did some painting on Tuesday and that night was a tough one. Didn't sleep well at all. Once I did I slept later than I wanted to. Finished up the painting in the new Great Room and took the rest of the night off.

This morning woke to less Buzzing and further down the arm then at the top where it had been. I'm taking that as a Good Sign that the stuff they put in there is starting to work. I also was able to flex and crack my neck in both directions while painting yesterday and what a relief that was. The binding was lifted and the endorphins released felt great.

See what today brings. Got some work here to do then need to get my Daughter's Lawn done and put a Child Lock on her Kitchen Cabinets so her Cats stop opening them at night and eating their Cat Food.

merc1997 · August 22, 2019, 11:05:44 AM

i got the injection done on my neck and so far so good. will see how long it will last. finally getting some good sleep and it sure does help.

bo

Deadeye · August 23, 2019, 07:46:25 AM

I'm at the point where I feel it when I wake up, but by the time I'm done with Breakfast (of course I take meds) I'm feeling much better.

When I had the shots first done in my low back it took 3 weeks to the day for relief to hit. It was awesome when that happened. I can only hope it works as well for my neck area.

Deadeye · September 11, 2019, 05:51:19 AM

I'm happy to report that the Shots have seemed to work. I'm not 100% but well enough to say my neck rarely hurts anymore. I will get a 2nd set done, but my low back in next in line.

Got those set up already.

Oldfart9999 · September 11, 2019, 06:15:53 AM

I had a set of 8 injections Monday, and yes the Novocaine wore off and my lower back is a bit sore this morning but I'll take a level 2 over a level 8 any day. This is my second go around and I was quite pleased with the first go around. My back isn't as bad as what you guys have but it can be bad enough to lay me up. The last MRI showed 5 discs shrinking, stenosis in 3 vertebrae and arthritis on the vertebrae and a couple of them going up inside. My back guy didn't even talk surgery except to say it was too early so he sent me to pain management. I was told about 2 weeks before full affect and that was true the first time and will be this time but they are already taking starting to work.
Rodney