Hi all

[Minette53]

I would love some advice too about whatever I am suffering from especially lately. Everyday I am in distress. You mentioned psoriatic arthritis and I think this is what I have. I was diagnosed with multilevel cervical spondylosis back in 2014. 2016, I started feeling some mild pain on my left side like neck, shoulder and light tingling or numbness in my 2 left small fingers. Then a weird sensation on left side of my face and head which always comes if I carry a bag a little heavy on my left shoulder. I was sooo worried about all this thinking it might be stroke or heart attack or something to do with my heart. I have seen the cardiologist in 2018 who said everything was fine with my heart. I was really relieved then I

Battled to get referred to a rheumatologist after many normal X-rays and blood tests, physio and different supplements, only to discharge me at the 1st appt saying it’s all coming from my neck. Slowly things got worse, I started feeling this horrible deep dull pain, always on my left side on my ribs just at the same level as by left breast

Under my armpit with pressure on my chest and short breath with rest of the others symptoms I mentioned. back to square one with worries about my heart. Did a cardiac MRI: normal then MRI on head and neck last November Which showed degenerative changes at C5/C6 with narrowing of the right side foramen.

And discharged. Now this pain on my ribs is present everyday all day with pressure on the epigastric area which gives me short breaths and I have to always breath deeply in the attempt to get rid of it ans open my blocked chest.

Now I am at lost as I don’t know what is wrong with me and everyday I think maybe I am going to have a heart attack and die.I suffered with psoriasis when young then disappeared for many years now it’s back slightly. That’s why when you mentioned psoriatic arthritis I thought maybe this what I have. What are your symptoms if you don’t mind me asking. I am very sorry for the long message and grateful for any help I may get. My Gp is not much interested

[Happyrosie]

We don’t mind long messages! Getting things down in writing in itself is sometimes helpful.

I’m pinning my thoughts on your C56 problems. I’d have thought that a chiropractor or physio or similar might be able to help.

You’ve had tests for heart trouble and whilst it’s still marginally possible that you do indeed have something wrong with your heart, this has, basically, been eliminated. Hooray!

With psoriatic arthropathy you will have psoriasis so it is indeed possible that PA is the diagnosis.

My daughter has this, her father had severe psoriasis when younger but it’s almost disappeared, and he had a severe bout of ankylosing spondylitis sixty years ago. There is a hereditary element in psoriasis though I don’t know that such an element has been established in PA.

sadly, many arthritis or rheumatoid conditions are hard to diagnose even by specialists. For example, it takes an average ten years for ankylosing spondylitis to be diagnosed. And this is by the experts!

Your GP not being interested is not good enough. Ask to for another consultation with a different GP with the thought of being referred for physio or similar. Or go to see a chiropractor or similar.

In the meantime make sure you’re taking suitable painkillers. If you have epigastric problems then ibuprofen is maybe not the answer - ask your pharmacist for advice on this.

Do keep us posted

[Minette53 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hello Happyrosie,

Sorry for the delayed answer. Thank you for your reply and kindness.

Your advice is valuable, I agree that ibuprofen is not for me especially that I suffer my acid reflux, I am reduced to paracetamol as I was discharged with no treatment, there is nothing to do, it’s wear and tear and it’s normal with age, I was told. I am so fed up with the pain so I started trying anything in the hope that I find something the pain will respond to.

I have tried the chiropractor in the past, had about 6 sessions, then I stopped because I couldn’t see any improvement. I also had physio, not much helpful either. Every time I go, I come back home with a list of new exercises and that’s it. Before the lockdown, I use to go to the gym for Pilates , yoga etc and that was helpful. I don’t think my psoriasis is hereditary as nobody in my family had or has it.

I will try for another opinion, hopefully I will get some answers.

Thanks again

[Hidden]

Just an add-on to HappyRosie - you live in the UK so you should be able to self refer for physio, without seeing a doctor first.

I did this after my dr told me I didn't have carpel tunnel - then the physio said I definitely DID!!!!!

[Minette53 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply JackAM, it’s much appreciated. Didn’t know that you can self refer for physio. Good to know. How do you do that?

[Happyrosie in reply to Minette53]

To Sal53 and JackAM - self referring for physio in my GP practice is done by completing an online form which the practice provides, from the practice website. I’m not sure if this is throughout the NHS though.

[Hidden in reply to Happyrosie]

I can actually self-refer using the physio website, it obviously is different for the area you live in.

[Minette53 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. Oh ok. Will try and see if it works in my area

[jacobite33 in reply to Minette53]

Morning Sal hope your feeling a bit better!

I’m having issues with my neck and being told different things

Get a lot of your symptoms with tension headaches dizziness teeth pain earache bad tinnitus and crunching sensations behind my nose area when I move my head.Also pain and inflammation around my C4/C5 and a clicking part when I press there.Doctor told me I have cervical spondylitis and sent me to the physio who told me it’s my trapeze muscle.That was at the beginning of last year and now I have to see another physio

Thing is I have been looking in to cervical instability and there’s a lot there that’s starting to make sense for me

I have seen 3 different chiropractors then one of the 3 again with (socks and shoes of here to count above ten) around 13 sessions and it hasn’t helped

Thing is I went for a procedure (thats apparently not recommended) called AtlasProfilax last year just before lockdown.Now I thought it was a waste of money until I got home and my family noticed my walk and head movements.I wasn’t slouching over and I could turn my head from side to side easily with no pain or discomfort.Even noticed when walking I was like a beanpole and felt I was walking taller.It all felt more relaxed and natural shoulders dropped and breathing easier.The major differences I also felt was the clarity of my hearing was better I could pick up more background noises than before.When I walked upstairs I felt my legs directly underneath me pushing me up back straight and head up.I was always slouched over dragging my legs.Even when picking things up I was keeping my back straight and using my legs.Went for a swim four days later jerked my neck and went back to square one! Would have went back immediately but lockdown was on.I can’t explain what but something definitely happened to make me feel as better.l Will be going back as soon as the lockdowns ease

I’m not saying it’s an answer to your problems or anything as such but if there’s a possibility it could help ease your pain and discomfort it could not do any harm looking in to it with an open mind

Oh and meant to say they say cervical manipulation can cause aneurism and strokes but I took that risk with the chiropractors and never got anywhere

Take care and stay safe and strong!