Has anyone heard of or experienced or experiencing the pain and agony of Cervical spondulosis?
My hubby has it and is in chronic pain with it. He is due a hospital visit this week.
He first had symptoms causing pain in his neck and right arm. It has left him with muscle wasteage in his arm and chest. He had an op to release what nerves were left and to do what they could to relieve the pain. He now has it in the left hand side of his neck and arm/shoulder. It is driving him (and me) crazy.
He is suicidal at times and I just don't know how to help him. I do all I can but there comes a point when even I hit a brick wall.
He is frightened to sleep. As soon as he wakes he is in constant pain... it's terrible to see such agony in another person. I am at my wits end.
If there is anyone out there that can give me some clue as to how to help him I would be sooo eternally grateful. He can't have any manipulation due to the nerve placement and them being crushed by his spine.
I know eventually he will have to have another surgery on his neck and I know that scares him. In the meantime, I wish I could help him somehow.
Thanks *guys*.
HUGS
XXXX
The fact that your husband has had to have surgery suggests that he has already been down the normal avenue of physiotherapy and pain management.
Cervical spondylosis is very common and is another word for wear and tear or arthritis of the neck. Most people just get intermittent problems of an aching neck and some reduction of movement which resolves within days or weeks but can recur. Neurological symptoms such as numbness, pins and needles or muscle weakness are much less common and can be more difficult to resolve.
The fact that your husband has developed symptoms on the other side does not necessarily mean that he will need to have surgery again - he needs to see a physiotherapist that specialises in the treatment of this condition s that he can have a full assessment and treatment that would include things like lifestyle advice, sitting posture, exercises etc.
I hope that this helps.
Hi Affinity
I'm biased but recommend that your husband sees an osteopath, there's often much that can be done to help with cervical spondylosis and is just the sort of thing that osteopaths treat people for everyday. As Kaz1 points out it is a common condition, it's just that your husband has more degeneration than most in cervical spine. It's essentially arthritis of the cervical (neck) spine.
Osteopaths have much more in their tool kit than just manipulation and in cases of severe degeneration an occasional maintainance treatment may be needed to keep symptom free. Personally I often use some acupuncture in these cases for 10 mins before osteopathic treatment.
Self Help Stuff
A) Drink plenty of water - good hydration is essential for maintain intervertebral disc height.
B) Supplement with glucosamine sulphate (unless allergic to shell fish). There are several sulphur bearing compounds on the market now with positive research for arthritis, but glucosamine sulphate has some specifically for helping maintain the integrity of discs.
C) Copper (supplements) also have supporting evidence for disc health. ONe shouldn't take too much. I usually recommend taking one pot & if thought to help, then a copper bracelet (not magnetic) may be sufficient to supply the trace amount needed.
D) Use of one of the several 'heat rub' type creams, especially before bed. As opposed to aspirin/ibuprofen based cream, not only because he may be taking tablets with these in already, but long term use can increase the rate of degeneration.
E) There are a few DIY neck traction devices on the market, but please seek advice on this form appropriate health care professional.
All for now - hope something there helps - Andrew
Same goes for chiropractic, not much to add, except maybe to consider TENS for pure pain relief.
If you can read the occassionally technical language, this is a good site for further information (run by an electrotherapy researcher)
LOL - a physio, osteopath and chiropractor all in a row :):):)
I am happy for anyone to see any of the above bearing in mind that even within the 3 professions mentioned above, the practioners will have developed their own particular skills and one therapist will never be a clone of another.
See someone that you have report with and whose explanation of the condition and treatment fits closely with your ideals and expectations.
tee hee, was wondering when that might might happen, though I can't resist a pedantic snipe about the difference between a report and a rapport :015:
I agree completely with what you say though, and have said more-or-less the same elsewhere. Whilst some in our professions may have a problem with each other, I suspect they'd be a bit too close-minded for a site like this one
tee hee, was wondering when that might might happen, though I can't resist a pedantic snipe about the difference between a report and a rapport :015:
Hi KAZ, I hear what you say but I know what you mean and probably everone else on HP does to. Please ignor the above close minded post.
Regards steve
Having cervical and lumbar spondylosis - I know what your husband is going through. I've been there, through the suicidal bit as well. My Dr tried to tell me it was stress:mad::mad:
In 2004 I had to give up work as I was experiencing chronic pain 24/7. I was basicallty confined to my chair in the lounge - couldn't walk motre than a few yards. Pain killers together with an anti inflammatory did help - but I was never pain free.
However, October 2005, at Complementary and Natural Healthcare Expo in London, I was drawn to the KI stand - where healing was being carried out in the form of accupressure and breathe control. For the first time, I was pain free for 24 hours after my first treatment. After the second I was pain free 90% of the time. I continued monthly treatments in London for a year and a half until I moved to the Isle of Wight. The treatment is painful - but only lasts 10 minutes and is worth every ouch:):):)
Have been on the island for 6 months now, without further treatment, and am still relatively free of pain - I say relatively because I am now able to walk a couple of miles and am actually gardening ( I love it) and go Line Dancing as well:):):):) However, my body is complaining somewhat because I'm using muscles I've not used for years - but I can at last get on with my life and enjoy it.
So there is hope.
Ki Health International 33 Margaret Street London W1G 0JD Tel: 020 7636 3500 E-mail: info@kihealth.org Website: www.kihealth.org Gives information on Ki ...
[Hi I have had cervical spondulosis for five years and have had treatment with accupuncture etc. for the past two years the pain was less severe but recently the pain has got much worse. A ridge has appeared on my scalp which my doctor tells me is ossification caused by the spondulosis and I am experiencing severe daily headaches which are not helped by painkillers, the only relief I get is by lying down.
this is my first attempt at this method of communication and I hope i am making sense. thankyou .don.quote=affinity;401445]Has anyone heard of or experienced or experiencing the pain and agony of Cervical spondulosis?
My hubby has it and is in chronic pain with it. He is due a hospital visit this week.
He first had symptoms causing pain in his neck and right arm. It has left him with muscle wasteage in his arm and chest. He had an op to release what nerves were left and to do what they could to relieve the pain. He now has it in the left hand side of his neck and arm/shoulder. It is driving him (and me) crazy.
He is suicidal at times and I just don't know how to help him. I do all I can but there comes a point when even I hit a brick wall.
He is frightened to sleep. As soon as he wakes he is in constant pain... it's terrible to see such agony in another person. I am at my wits end.
If there is anyone out there that can give me some clue as to how to help him I would be sooo eternally grateful. He can't have any manipulation due to the nerve placement and them being crushed by his spine.
I know eventually he will have to have another surgery on his neck and I know that scares him. In the meantime, I wish I could help him somehow.
Thanks *guys*.
HUGS
XXXX
donlow it's really weird that you mention that about your scalp, as I have felt a dent in my head, I know I haven't hit my head and I have headaches or a "heavy" head every day, and am getting migraines at least once a week. A chat with the doc is in order me thinks.
jojo sounds exactly like my problem, would be very interested to hear your docs opinion, don.
tee hee, was wondering when that might might happen, though I can't resist a pedantic snipe about the difference between a report and a rapport :015:
Hi KAZ, I hear what you say but I know what you mean and probably everone else on HP does to. Please ignor the above close minded post.
Regards steve
LOL - I've only just noticed it and couldn't find an edit button - I'm sure you know what I meant!
I treat backs and necks all day but some of my most rewarding treatments are when someone comes to me with an acute problem (for example whiplash) with a chronic underlying problem like LBP or neck pain and by showing them how to cope/posture/exercises etc I can discharge them at a level better than before the whiplash - RESULT!
agreed completely, the chronic, intractable cases are by far the most rewarding.
whiplash and discs are also highly rewarding.
Oh, and apologies to anyone who felt my post, close-minded, petty etc - I thought smilies showed tongue-in-cheekiness
No offence taken here:)
I shall just have to watch my spelling from now on:)