Cervical spine

[Magsta]

I have an ongoing neck problem, and have just recently had to have a fresh MRI scan done, as some of my symptoms have changed (basically most of my symptoms were on my left side but have since moved to the right aswell) I was told in 2010. I had pretty bad wear and tear, disc disease, protruding discs at c6 and c7, and was put on tramadol and given some physio. I then moved out of the area I lived in, and had to start all over again, and was referred to a Neuro Surgeon locally, he decided to offer me a nerve root injection, which didn't help at all, and referred me for accupuncture, again with no benefit to me. 4 months later he decided a frest MRI scan would be sensible and nerve conduction tests, so that he had a clearer picture of what the current situ is. I had these tests done a few weeks back, and received my appointment letter through yesterday to go back for the results. The appointment is for 28th May 2013 (10 months away) I rang the hospital, and to cut a long story short, they faxed my results to my GP (who I luckliy had an appointment booked with yesterday afternoon with) She told me what the report said, which is as follows, I still have the protruding discs, the wear and tear covers a fairly large area of the neck high up, there is also some narrowing, some pressure on the spinal nerves and some slight pressure on my spinal chord, and the natural curve in my neck, is now starting to straighten due to the pressure. It has been left that I will be seen by the Neuro surgeon in May 2013, I have been told to increase my Tramadol to ensure total pain relief and have been told there is no chance I could do any more damage to my neck in the meantime.. I have been left really confused, as in 2007 I just had wear and tear, 2010, as mentioned above, and now there seems to be some pressure on the spinal chord together with some straigtening of the curve in my neck, also my right side has become effected (I get numbness in my finger tips, pins and needles, have dropped things etc) this was just on the left side initially but has now become left and right, so to me, things have become worse, so being told, to up my pain killers to enable full pain relief and not worry about anymore damage, has left me wondering how things appear to have got worse over time already then.... At present I am having no physio, or any form of treatment other than Tramadol and paracetomol to manage the pain, my biggest worry is pressure on the spinal chord itself and this straightening, If I am having to wait until May 2013 before I see the specialist, I don't know what to do in the meantime??? Any advice would be gratefully received. Many thanks to anyone out there, who has taken time to read this.

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[nmarman]

Degerative joint disease is progressive no matter watch anybody says. It would normally start from either a trauma (childhood) or due to disc damage. Either one gives you a weakness/ instability in the neck. This column instability is compensated for by the body - essentially it puts up a boney scaffold around the unstable region of the neck. This scaffold or osteophytic formation is what generally presses on nerves as just like scaffold on a house takes up more room (the nerves room). So what can you do? Well making the neck better at stabilising it's self is a good idea but is very hard tokeeps hole keeping the neck stable and not causing further problems (i know of a new clinic offering a specialist rehab programme) A home traction device used every day (afternoon or everning) 10 mins max helps a lot of people. Does that help

[towsw001]

Just a few quick points.

I find it strange that your GP stated you couldn't do any more damage. Of course you can, dont be alarmed, this is just the natural degeneration of the spine u will be more susceptible to with your injured neck. This is also the reason your neck has been getting worse. The straightening of your neck is also a natural process. However i more commonly see a more curved or forward head posture in my practice.

My advice to you would be dont stress, as for starters this can make your chronic pain worse. Ask around for a decent physiotherapist in your area and get them to give you a decent assessment. There are many ways you can manage your pain and symptoms. The easiest being heat packs, something you can do at home without a physio.

Keep us posted

[Magsta]

Thank you for the replies. They are both of help, as at the moment, I am still awaiting to be referred for a sooner appointment with a specialist. Its hard because to date, I have had doctors scratch their heads and tell me, my guess is as good as there's as to whether things will get worse, or I have been told they won't get worse, just up the painkillers (when judging by the scans, things have already got worse, as has been said). It is difficult, being in a lot of pain, having scan results I have little understanding of, and am not getting the answers from the doctors and am having no treatment at the moment, other than painkillers...thank you again, and I will keep you posted.