Neck/Shoulder Diagnosis for those interested

Fit_mommy

Fit_mommy

Cathlete
Hi all.

First off, to everyone who knew about the problems I have been having and wished me well and consisitently nagged me to go to the doc, thank you! ;)

I guess there could have been a better diagnosis and well as much worse ones....osteo arthritis in the neck...that is what I was told. He said it's just the very beginning of it and it's NOT gaurunteed to get worse, which is good.

He prescribed a med called relafen (sp?). It's an antinfammatory to help alleviate the discomfort when it acts up. He also prescribed some phys. therapy because he said they can help me with exercises, etc to use to combat it. I don't really want to go but I will. Atleast to the first one to see what it's all about. If I think it's garbage then I won't continue. The prescription is for 3x per week for 4 weeks. The doc said if this bothers me often to come back and he will send me for an mri to get a closer look-NO!!!! I PRAY I can keep it under control! An MRI just scares the cr@p out of this girl!x(

I will be getting my meds filled today. I didn't feel too bad all day yesterday. It was just slight discomfort. Today seems to be the same. Hopefully it's on it's way out again and WON'T come back right away like it did the other day! I'll just have to remember not to stretch my upper body in bed! LOL

According to the poster on the wall in the office, exercise is GOOD for it and laying or sitting still will make it worse! That's exactly what was happening to me! That explains why running was making it feel better! I now have to do some research on line. I need to find out about u/b weight training during flare ups to see if that is reccommended or not and just what to AVOID in general if anything when it's bothering me.

Well, enough babbling...just wanted to keep you posted as I promised that I would!

HUGS to all!
You gals are the bestest!:+
 
Wendy-
Can I comment? Go to that physical therapist with your mind open. You could learn much from a person who specializes in exercise as therapy. If you don't click with the first therapist, try another one, and another on until you do.
Keep us posted and keep active, but learn what kind of exercises will help yoor situation and which ones to avoid.

!! ((((((((Hugs)))))))) !!

Judy "Likes2bfit"


If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.



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Hey Wendy, I hope that there is some relief for you in the diagnosis as now that you know what you are dealing with, you can network with health care professionals and the many other fine folks who share your 'pain in the neck'.
Physical therapy is a great and empowering thing as it gives you personalised skills and strategies specific to your condition to assist in managing the osteo. I guess I've been fortunate as I have never had, or heard of for that matter, a PT that was anywhere close to 'garbage'. I second Judy's advise for an open mind. All PT's that I know (and I know a lot) are knowledgable and caring individuals who make a real difference in their client's day to day life. PT can be tough as it's not like dropping your car off at the garage and having someone else take care of it, the onus is on the client to keep up with remedial exercises, hydrotherapy and the like.

Exercise and staying active really does help with OA, it's as important as listening to your body when something doesn't feel right. I have degenerative disc disease in my c-spine (neck) and much to my chagrin have had to lighten up my weights for barbell squats and have to be super vigilant when doing military presses as they can aggravate it. Through PT and massage I manage it and keep the fussy joints in my neck mobile by maniplating them myself (as taught to me by a wonderful PT). As much as I could be frustrated about my whacked out neck it doesn't help it. Good luck with your meds and PT, I sincerely hope that they help to alleviate your discomfort, scepticism and frustration.:)

Take Care
Laurie:)
 
Hey Tig -
I'm glad you know what it is, and that relief is in sight. I agree with Judy that you should give PT a chance. And take those drugs. My mom has arthritis and is one of those who resists taking meds. Then she complains about the pain. I tell her to pop a pill - and amazingly enough, she feels better! I'm glad the doc thinks it may not get worse, but of course it probably won't go away either. So just take care of yourself and pamper when needed! :D
 
Hi Wendy,

I'm glad you found out what was up early. If you end up needing an MRI, I know there is an "open" one in Hoboken, and I'm sure there must be others. In Hoboken, I am pretty sure they allow you to have a friend in the room to help you relax.

Be well!
 
Greetings,

I too have OA of the neck and going to a good PT will really be beneficial. Another source of relief I have found is The Trigger
Point Therapy Workbook (Your self-treatment guide for pain relief)
The tecniques in this book have given me great relief; no only for my
neck but also with other aches and pains.

Also, maybe try Cathe's Stretch Max.

Good Luck and Have a Great Exercise Day!

:)

Dianne
 
I do agree with Judy too. And Lauries post is great!! The times I have gone to a PT they have helped tremendously. I do of course try to avoid going (meaning I try not to get myself injured), but most PT's have alot of knowledge, so give it a try Wendy...:)
 
Hey TiG!

I'm so relieved that you have an answer and there's something you can do. I have to agree with Judy, Laurie, Carol, and all. I had to have extensive PT when I herniated the disc in my neck and I'm telling you, it was great. They know how to zero on the problem and give you specific exercises and stretches to do. I looked forward to those appointments and never missed them. It was my PT that got me started with weight training. I'm sure you won't have to go for long. They will evaluate you and administer whatever treatments are necessary, but the bulk of the work will be up to you to do on your own at home. They will most likely send you home with a booklet or folder with exercises and stretches that you will need to do. I think you'll be glad you went.

As for MRI scans..they don't hurt. You just lay on a table and the machine does all the work. Some people get a little claustrophobic because it's a small space, but it doesn't hurt at all. It simply scans your body and creates an image. It doesn't take very long and it doesn't require any shots or IV's. It just scans and gives an image. It's just a great big magnet.

Here's a website I found that pretty much tells you all about MRI's and what to expect:

http://www.med.umich.edu/rad/preps/outpt/radmri.htm
 
Thanks to everyone for thier positive feedback on PT. It makes me more willing to go and more open to it. I am willing to do it if it works. :)

As far as MRI's go...I have a few problems with that...claustrophia is one as I DO get a bit freaked in tight spaces but more so than that is my positional vertigo that I suffer from. If I have to go in on my back I simply will not be able to do it unless they can knock me out. The claustrophia will also feed the vertigo as I am more susceptible to it getting dizzy when I am nervous,upset, freaked out and the like. My pain is on the side of my neck and the back of my shoulder so I am praying that if, god forbid, it comes down to an MRI that maybe...JUST MAYBE...they'll tell me I will be getting the test done while laying on my belly.

Thanks for the website Michele. I will definately check it out to be prepared just in case!

I am dropping of the prescription for the meds on the way into NYC this morning and will be picking them up on the way home.

Thanks again girls!
I knew I could count on you!:*
 
Wendy, are you saying you can't lay on your back with getting vertigo? Does that mean you have to sleep on your side? How do you do crunches? I'm just curious because I've never heard of it before.

-Nancy
 
Dear Wendy,

I am glad you finally have a diagnosis, and I hope you are on the road to recover. Does the upper body weight training bother you? I just lay off anything that bothers a joint or a muscle for a while.
 
Wendy,

I am so glad you have found the source of your pain, but so sorry you have to deal with this. Cervical arthritis is my problem and while I've learned to live with it, it's a constant and I have to deal with it daily. And you are right, it hurts like he!! when you are inactive!! Movement actually helps, but there are times to rest.

Listen to your doctor and follow up with all his Rx - meds and therapy. I take no meds, but do have constant nagging pain. I have to take medications for other things which tax my liver and have opted to deal with cervical arthritis without meds for years. I am approaching the mindset of starting meds.

I'll be glad to PM with you and compare my experiences as you work through this and find what options are best for you. Right, now follow your doc's orders and physical therapy. I do not want to give "medical" adviced to you, but once you find out more about what you should and shouldn't do, I'd be glad to offer my 2cents and how things have affected me.

Take care of yourself. {{{{HUGS}}}} love ya!:)

ETA Your dizziness could actually be caused from the neck problem - misaligned vertebrae pressing on nerves, lessened blood flow to the brain. I can't lie or sleep on my back. BTW there are "open" MRI's now.
 
Wendy, thank you so much for posting the update. It must be a relief
at least to know what you are dealing with and that it is very treatable! I think some good PT will benefit you greatly and if it comes to an MRI definitely check to see if there are open MRIs available in your area.

The really good news is that you can continue running :7 :7 :7

ShellyC
 
Hi Wendy,
I'm glad you finally have some information. Now, when it does flare up, at least you'll understand why, even if you won't always be able to prevent it.

And I agree with Judy, if you don't click with the first PT, find another one. A good PT can make a world of difference. Also, if an exercise hurts when you do it, then make sure the PT knows it. My PT said if the exercises hurts, it's not the right one for me. He came up with alternates that accomplish the same goal but aren't painful.

Best of luck!
 
Hi Wendy,
I'm glad you got a diagnosis and have some information. I agree with the others, give PT a try and it might help. I had PT for my hip and it was really helpful. I hope you feel better soon.

Sending you lots of smiles and hugs!
:) :) :)
Barb
 
Nancy-I can not sleep on my back for more than a few minutes. I can drift off on my back but then need to roll over or I will get dizzy. I can do crunches most of the time w/o an issue but sometimes it DOES bother me. What I absolutely CAN NOT do is lay flat on my back with no pillow or anything to keep my head atleast SLIGHTLY elevated. That bothers me almost immediately. I have trouble getting my hair washed at the hair dresser so I have started washing it before I go so that they don't have to. The dentist is a definate challenge so they keep me more elevated than other patients. It makes it harder on them to do thier job but a bit easier on me. One time years ago when I was having work done-the dentist was filing away a chip in my front tooth when I got really dizzy and "flipped out". Luckily he was able to react quickly enough to ge the file out of my mouth and away from my face or it could have been bad news. :-(

Melody-I would love to talk to you about this! Thank you for offering! That's very sweet of you. :)

As far as the vertigo and the AO being related...I've shown sypmtoms of the vertigo since I was a little girl. I would roll on to my back in my sleep for too long and then get so incredibly dizzy that I would hurl myself off my bed in a panic while trying to make it stop.

ShellyC-I had to smile at your post about the running. I must say that I am sooo happy that running actually HELPS it! I didn't want to have to stop. :)

Gym mom-I am very warey of weight work. I have only done it 2 times since this started. I am dying to lift cause I don't want lose the muscle I have but I am afraid of it hurting me instead of helping me. Not every exercise causes pain though so I imagine if it doesn't hurt, it's okay. I'll have to discuss all of this at my first PT appointment I guess.

To everyone else who has posted...Thank you so much for the good wishes and advice. I really appreciate it and will keep you posted once I start the PT.:+
 
Wendy,
Good that you caught the problem early enough and can take action now to ensure it doesn't get worse. I don't have personal experience with PT, but I imagine it is worth a try if it might give you some relief and help you get back to your former level of activity. Great that the running doesn't make it worse! And fingers crossed that an MRI won't be necessary.

Sending well wishes your way,
Cathy :)
 
Hi Wendy,

I have osteoarthritis also, and it is a pain to live with. Keeping myself moving and with w/o's has helped. I can't take the meds as it cause flare up's with ulcerative colitis which I have also. I've learned to live with my pain, only because I can't take the meds. I wish I could. I hope the meds work for you, and I hope your PT helps with this as well, it did with me, I'm ready to go back! :) Best wishes to you!

Melody girl - I was reading your posts and I have Narrowing of the Cervical spine, it sounds very much like what you have. Do you have any suggestions of how you manage your pain?

Thanks!
 
Hi Wendy! Wow, have I ever been out of the loop. I miss you guys so much! I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with this. I sooo hope that the PT & meds work for you and also that it doesn't get worse. Glad to hear that you can continue to run/exercise. Good Luck and I'll keep you in my thoughts & prayers.


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Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
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