Learning to live with cervical neck stenosis — Scope | Disability forum
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Learning to live with cervical neck stenosis

bluewater
bluewater Community member Posts: 10 Listener
I'm new to this but here goes , I am struggling with terrible pain,was diagnosed this week with cervical neck stenosis wanted to read about how others learn to live with it. I'm married oh and I'm 62.thankyou.

Comments

  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @bluewater   Pleased to meet you welcome.

    Thank you for joining and sharing. Sorry what happened.

    There will be members of our community who can identify what you are going through, be in touch and offer support..

    I am one of the team of community champions who help and advise new members. Who join.

    Please ask if we can help and advise.

    Some one will know from our team o our community.

    Please take care.

    @thespiceman
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  • bluewater
    bluewater Community member Posts: 10 Listener
    Thankyou just learning how to use this forum.
  • Pippa_Alumni
    Pippa_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,793 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @bluewater, and a warm welcome to the community!

    This community guide may help you get started, and you may be particularly interested in our dealing with chronic pain discussions. If we can be of any assistance, do let us know!
  • bluewater
    bluewater Community member Posts: 10 Listener
    Thankyou Pippa will have a look.
  • Graham53
    Graham53 Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    Hi bluewater, I too have the same problem and was diagnosed a few weeks ago.
    I suppose our symptoms may be different dependent on which levels of the spine are giving the most trouble. My first symptoms were dizziness and instability staying on my feet without falling over or feeling like I was going to. This is still with me and getting worse. About a year ago I also got numb fingers in my right hand and terrible pain with numbness in my right arm going up to my shoulder and neck. This seems to be C8 nerve root Radiculopathy. So those two main symptoms plus severe headaches that thankfully only last 20 or 30 seconds but are the worst you can imagine on the pain scale. I have always had back trouble at different levels and those are still happening but 'come and go' along with various cramping in my legs. So a bit of a wreck really. I joined this forum to see if I could get help and advice. Maybe we could share anything we find out on our journeys? By the way I am still trying to carry on as normal as possible, still working, mainly from home, have been told that there will be no surgery for me (NHS) and I have to 'manage my symptoms'!.......
  • bluewater
    bluewater Community member Posts: 10 Listener
    Hi Graham I've only just recently been diagnosed but have had neck pain for years but nothing like the terribly pain I am having now along with right shoulder and arm,numbness,pins and needles ect. I'm seeing a specialist tomorrow so don't know much yet. I'm sorry to hear you are having similar symptoms ,it's easy for them to tell you to learn to live with it they obviously don't know how badly it affects ones life and how debilitating it can be. Maybe I'll be told the same tomorrow I was hoping for a better outcome.thankyou for your reply .
  • bluewater
    bluewater Community member Posts: 10 Listener
    Hi ive been put on gabapentin for nerve pain with servical neck stenosis,I've read about possible side affects and im really scared about taking them.i would love to hear from anyone else who are on them or have taken them.thankyou.xx
  • Saffy5
    Saffy5 Community member Posts: 8 Connected
    Hi I've had problems for several years, 3 neck surgeries the last one a year ago so I now have c4/c5  c5/c6 fused due to prolapses discs which have caused permanent damage to my spinal cord. 
    I have horrible headaches cervicogenic migraine I am told.
    I have also had radio frequency denerveation of the neck , lower back  etc etc. The radio frequency denerveation does help with pain so maybe getting a referral to your nearest pain clinic would help even if they don't think surgery is an option this certainly could be, I have bulging discs in my lower back which are not eligible for surgery and the pain clinic has really helped. 
    Gabarpentin is different for everyone and certainly worth trying I didn't get on with it but I know many others do.
    When the pain is awful I would try anything.
  • bluewater
    bluewater Community member Posts: 10 Listener
    Hi you certainly have been through so much by the sounds of it and still. I've recently tried gabapentin but made me so sick i decided ididn't want to stay on it,so been prescribed zapain and amitriptyline and have been referred to kings in London so not sure if they can help or not as waiting for appointment.                  Thankyou for sharing your experience and wish you well.
  • Graham53
    Graham53 Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    Hi again  I have not tried Gab. But am on Zapain with Pregabalin.
    Couldn't get on with Amitryptiline though. Was like a zombie and couldn't drive when I was taking. I hope you find a solution. I can vouch for Saffy5's suggestions about radio frequency pain block. I had for lower back pain a few years ago and it is still helping me. I have just been told I am being sent for nerve block neck injection soon to help with my C8 nerve Radiculopathy (right arm) pain. Take care both. Regards, Graham. 

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