New Girl on the Block
 

Hi Everyone
I am a very scared and hurting person. I have been suffering a sore neck for a few years now. I have had 2 CT scans one 2 years ago which they saw a little OA but considered it unremarkable. The past 6 months have been agony. These are the findings from my CT on July 8 / 15 .
C1/2 very severe OA involves the left atlantoaxial joint with mild OA on the right
C2/3 no significant disco genie abnormality is present and the central canal is widely patent. Unconvertebral osteophyes and severe left facet OA contribute to mild left neural foraminal stenosis
C3/4 right posterolateral disc osteophyte complex and severe right facet OA contribute to marked right neural right foraminal stenosis. The left neural for amen is mildly narrowed by uncovertebral osteophyte said.the central canal is also slightly narrowed on the right side. No significant left-sided facet OA.
C4/5 no significant discoggenic abnormality or central canal stenosis is identified. Uncovertebral osteophyes contribute to mild to moderate right and mild left neural formalin all stenosis. Bilateral facet OA is graded as mild to moderate on right and mild on left.
C5/6 Mild to moderate degenerative disc disease is identified with a posterior disc osteophyte complex that causes a mild to moderate degree of central canal stenosis. Unconvertable osteophyte contribute to marked bilateral neural foraminal narrowing. No significant facet OA.
Impression:
Multilevel degenerative changes as described with severe OA on the left atlantoaxial joint and involving the left C2/3 and right C3/4 facet joints. Severe neural foraminal stenosis on the right at C3/4 and bilaterally at C5/6.
Not really sure what all this means , :confused:
I am only 53 and in good health otherwise, no vices. I am on gabapentin for past 5 months which helps quite a bit. I can not do any of the things I like: fishing, gardening, hunting, and lately not even much photography, Scrapbooking , travel, cooking, or crafting. Never mind the things I have to do like laundry and housework, this is terrible. Legs and arms weak and fuzzy with shooting pain. Terrible headaches and neck pain. Just want to curl up and die

Hi, I'm 77 soon, and OA first came on in my lower back at 18. I remember the day and where I was telling my mom of the pain.

I got thru a long life with massage, chiro, osteopath work, moving but not hurting myself more. Worked out at a gym but was not fanatic with my exercise routines.

I've had MRI's and have all the listed problems with the back, etc. and yes it's a mess....almost everyone with aging, have back issues and more.

I'm committed to Bio Oxteo Flex and other glucosamine products, I took these off and on over the years but never stayed with it. Now I am daily.

I take Turmeric Phytosome, Christopher's Muscle and Tissue supp and have tried so many others over many years.

My friend has a lot of C area issues, she cannot turn her neck in either direction...long story. She started with a new chiro to see if she can get her neck moving...the chiro uses the activator and laser therapy and some massage.

My neck area is OK, I know there is arthritis there but I move it and work on all the other body areas that are a mess. Have you worked with joint supplements? How about topicals too.

Keeping off imflammatory foods are important. Eating clean and healthy does not hurt. Take care..

This sounds VERY difficult and it was sad to read your last sentence, but certainly understandable!!!

I have various muscle and nerve pain throughout my body. I can share some things I have been doing about bad neck pain. I'm having more and more issues there and I suspect they are of varying origins....perhaps all combining and at times giving me great pain. I have two cracked vertebrae, I have been dx'd with occiptal neuralgia, I suffer from lupus and other auto immune "stuff," so inflammation and various odd aches and pains are common.

For me, right now, I'm using Aspercreme mixed with my new favorite OTC nerve cream: Ortho-Nesic Pain Relieving gel....you probably have to get it on line. This mixed with Aspercream works well for my neck pain (usually).

By the way, I have other nerve pain in my face that is severe. For this area, my neurologist prescribes a cream that I have made up by a compounding pharmacy. In this cream is Gabapentin, Lidocaine and capsaicin. It helps a lot for my facial nerve pain, but is a little expensive. This is also something to think about...but it isn't always easy to find a doctor who works with compounding meds. These creams can have prescription strength anti inflammatories put into them.

I also really like the medication Baclofen, which is a muscle relaxer, but for some reason seems to also mildly help nerve issues...a double whammy.

I often have to lay down with a heating pad and I really like baths with Epsom salts.

I haven't tried chiropractic yet...I'm a little afraid as sometimes just touching my shoulders or neck lightly causes extreme pain.

I periodically take Gloucosamine. My spouse takes it with great results for arthritis and because of this I am considering seeing if taking it regularly will help me.

I take the RX Topamax for my headaches. It is a great one to try if those nasty headaches are out of control.

I agree that eating in a healthy manner helps reduce pain a little and every little bit makes a difference. I have reduced sugar and no longer eat flour. I also avoid junk food and drink a lot of water. If nothing else, it has helped my energy levels significantly. When you have a lot of pain, energy goes out the window.

It might sound crazy, but if you can do gentle walking, especially in the mornings, it might help. Hubby and I both improved upon our back pain this way several times. I suspect it has to do with oxygenating the cells. Again, every little bit helps.

Please don't give up. Keep seeking a good doctor to help you. Leave no stoned unturned. I do know of people who got on the right medication and their neck pain got much better. I know of others, that ended up needing surgery. Just keep searching for the right answers.

I'm only a little older than you...I "get it." Some days I want to scream due to all my painful health issues....but the support of a good doctor can bring much hope.

Blessings.

DDD ,, Degenerative Disc Disease
 

i'm new here and not quite sure 'where' to reply ' .. so i'm typing at the end of your post . hope that's ok .

i've been diagnosed over 10 yrs ago with DDD . in my neck, my thoracic spine and my lower lumbar.. so basically from my neck to my bottom . .

i have not had any surgery on any of these spots . other than a few different procedures on my lower spine , back in 07-09 when i was first diagnosed with the DDD in my lower lumbar . . .nerve ending blocks, epidurals, and a few others that i don't remember now .
but i am fortunate with my back pain . if i can sit down for 3 or 4 min , the pain will go away and i can continue on walking for another 10 min or so . not much more than that tho . . so i bought a 'cane /seat on the net' , and i carry it everywhere with me . and as i said , as long as i can sit for just a few min ,i can get rid of the pain . i had my last MRI 2 yrs ago and was told that i also now had a pinched nerve .. .
my Neck is my main problem .. i think its from being online or reading for long periods of time . .. those are my main activiities these days cause i really can't walk or stand for long periods of time .
for my neck , i found a Menthol creme , at Dollar General store .. of all places . . after all the expensive cremes i'v e been sold thru various drs and p.theratpists . .Muscle rub is the name of it . and it works for about an hr or so . . when the pain comes back , i just re-apply .. and i'm good to go . .
if it really gets too bad, and that's not working . . i lie down . and put a cushion under my neck and usually within 15 min . the pain is gone .

i'm wondering if you know of anyone with this disease . .. and what i can expect in the future . .because i know its 'degenerative' , i know it WILL only get worse . .

thanks for any help you can give me. i'm 68 yrs old .. .and have Osteo Arthritis all over my body too . . Jeanne Loriol

Hi Jeanne,

And Welcome. I am sorry you are dealing with these issues, but am pleased you are able to cope so well at this time - long may it continue!

No-one can really forsee the future, we can only hope for the least amount of pain or degeneration. Another thing is to look after yourself as much as possible, reduce the risks - that includes using your cane all the time to avoid falls. I sometimes don't use mine for a few steps around the house, consequences last week - a fall putting me in Hospital on a backboard and brace, having an emergency MRI.

So, keep taking things steadily and use your lotion. It is amazing where people find relief. You are doing things right.

Dave.