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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / February 2005Six weeks of PAIN
Hello everyone, For the past six weeks I have had the strangest pains. I have osteoporosis, fibro and RA. It starts with pains in my neck and then eventually it works down into my shoulders and back. The pain starts (top to bottom back) from the base of my neck to the middle of my back, (top to bottom front) from my neck to right above my rib cage. From (side to side front) from my armpit to my sternum and (side to side back) from my armpit to the middle of my back. Both of my shoulder replacements were x-rayed in January and they show no problems. If I am sitting up the pain is worse and unrelenting. About ten times now it has resulted in a headache traveling up the left side of the back of my neck, behind my ear and ending right above my left eye. This is the first time I have had any type of headache in over ten years. While I feel pain in both shoulders the left one is the most painful. On the left side right below my shoulder blade it feels as though someone has hit me with a two by four. I have tried ice and hot packs neither seem to make any great deal of difference in relieving any of the pain. My stretching exercise seemed to exacerbate the situation so I finally stopped them. Pain medications (tramdol (100mg) and bufferin have had little effect. If I take 20MG to 25 MG of extra prednisone it will give some relief, but let's face it all that is doing is covering up the problem When I lay down on my back it helps somewhat. Lying on my side helps somewhat but the pain moves back in the minute I sit up. Has anyone here had any similar type experience? I do have RD and Ortho appointments 2/28 and 3/3. I am also seeking suggestions as too what questions anyone things I should be asking of these Docs. Does anyone think it could be nerve impingement? Thanks, Don W. I've had a lot of the symptoms you mention. Actually, if I put together several rounds of neck & back problems, I've had all of it, though somewhat different causes are possible in all that stuff. It sounds to me like you've definitely got something spinal going on, possibly some other stuff along with it, but there's definitely something going on around the spine and all the nerves and muscles there. In fact, as you have fibro, anything else going on in the neck has probably triggered some muscle cramping in the area which makes it all even worse. You seem to have pretty well pinned down where it hurts and what makes it worse and what helps, but you might see if you can identify anything else before your appointments. Also, do you have any numbness or tingling anywhere? You may end up having to see your PCP, but do mention this to your RD and see what he says. Heck, you could even print this out and take it along - it lays a lot of it out quite nicely and can serve as a good starting point.. A good doc can do a lot of tests in the office to get an idea of what is going on. I actually find it rather fascinating. Then they'll decide about whether you need Xrays or another other imaging studies. Depending on what they find, you may be helped a lot with chiropractic or physical therapy and/or massage. Or you may have to morve on to shots or something more invasive. I hope not. I've been fortuante enough to be helped by the less invasive methods thus far. One thing my physical therapists are TRYING to get into my head this time around is to stop something when my symptoms appear rather than waiting until they become unbearable. I'm really not good about that, though I'm trying to be better.  SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare > Hello everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > Don W. Nann, You had a good point here. I should also include the fact that I have a disc separation at the base of my neck.. This may be also useful in the DX for whatever is going on. Don W. > You seem to have pretty well pinned down where it hurts and what makes it > worse and what helps, but you might see if you can identify anything else [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > along - it lays a lot of it out quite nicely and can serve as a good starting > point.. > Nann, > > You had a good point here. I should also include the fact that I have a > disc separation at the base of my neck.. This may be also useful in the > DX for whatever is going on. ah, yes, disc separation makes it even more likely that the source of the trouble is in your neck. Once something goes askew there it affects all the nerves and muscles in the vicinity. I've been really impressed with the PT I've had lately - they're doing a lot of work to strengthen the upper back muscles as well as relieve pressure on the bulging discs and teaching me how to stretch out some of the more obscure back muscles when they get to cramping with the fibro and neck probs et al. Of course, physical therapists vary and it may not be the apprpriate treatment for whatever you have going on, but I thought I'd add my two cents about one less invasive treatment.... :) SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare Hi Don, That sounds really painful and like a pinched nerve problem in your neck. RA does inflame the first joint at the top of your neck where it joins the head. I am glad you have those appointments coming up and they both need to hear about your problem. Harv > Hello everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > Don W. Harv, Thanks, I guess I had discounted the fact that I have a disc separation at the base of my neck. I will add it to the list. Don W. > Hi Don, That sounds really painful and like a pinched nerve problem in > your neck. RA does inflame the first joint at the top of your neck where > it joins the head. I am glad you have those appointments coming up and they > both need to hear about your problem. > Harv |
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