Arthritis of the neck?
 

I really don't know what I am dealing with at this point. I do have TOS and RSD and I am thinking this is more from the TOS but my Dr. says he thinks I have arthritis in my neck and chest.

I do know I have disc messed up in my neck and back. I would have to go through my records to see which ones but I am dealing with a lot of pain and a severe headache. I never have headaches so this is new to me.

I was wondering if any of you have arthritis of the neck and what kind of meds seem to help for neck pain. I am on Methadone for RSD but it's not helping with this pain.

Thanks for the help.

Ada

I think arthritis should show on an xray - might be something to check just so you know if it is that or something else. So you get the best /correct treatment.

I think that Jo is correct; customary x-rays (flexion and extension), MRI or CT scan should enable a radiologist to discern whether there is arthritis affecting the C-spine. It would most likely be cited as DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease), DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease), or osteophytes (bone spurs) within the clinical findings or impressions.

Occipital neuralgia and other neuralgia(s) - don't know the plural for it all - are usually secondary to something going on within the C-spine. Thus, unrelenting headaches.

There was no medication that I was Rx'd that quelled the headaches; it was thanks to having my nerves nuked via radiofrequency that liberated me from awful headaches.

Hi Ada, I have been diagnosed with arthritis of the neck-doctor says neck is just worn out, so that was a comfort.
My pain starts at lower neck and spreads across the shoulders. Severe pain often at left rear skull on bump, and then at top of neck where it meets the skull.
I have cortisone shots now which give good relief.
When that has worn off though, it is a bit of a battle to find meds that work. My usual one is Tramadol 50mg every 4 hours, but have found that it keeps me awake if taken at night. So I then use a codeine/paracetamol/muscle relaxant-Mersyndol- at night. I also take Restavit at night to help me sleep. Sleeping is still a problem as I'm always waking to alter position-sore shoulder, back or neck. This poor sleep leads to a fuzzy head during the day.On the rare occasions that I have a good sleep I feel much better.
I think that the constant neck soreness leads to a degree of muscle tension too, so a muscle relaxant is needed.
I fill my days in thinking about medications......