Cervical spondylosis

[Glenr78]

Morning all I was diagnosed with cervical spongiosis about 18 months ago was given gabapentin for the pain and the headaches I'm still getting the headaches but so much worse and I think I've had neck pain sometimes really bad every day since.i go back to my doctor and she says it's just my arthritis and up my gabapentin I'm taking 900mg 3 times a day, any ideas thanks 👍

[Happyrosie]

there’s no “cure” as such for arthritis, just ways to relieve it.

If you go to the website of one of the specialist charities, such as Versus Arthritis, you might get some help.

[13cats-lives in reply to Happyrosie]

There are better options, and if you know very much about arthritis you will know that physiotherapy can help along with the Pain Management Team at most hospitals. Let’s try to be helpful to each other.

[Happyrosie in reply to 13cats-lives]

Thank you, 13cats. I was very dismissive and I apologise.

[SecondAngel]

I was prescribed etoricoxib for the same reason as you. It has worked for me (fewer bad days but I still take paracetamol in addition sometimes, can't take ibuprofen at the same time). So try what the Dr suggests but if it doesn't help, maybe talk about alternative meds. It might also be that you are sensitive to one of the bulking agents in the pills so another thing you might try is talking to the pharmacist about swapping to another brand.

[13cats-lives]

Hello lovely lady,

Firstly you should not have your pain dismissed as ‘just’ anything by anyone. Have you been referred to the Pain Management Team at your local hospital yet? I have the same problem and whilst age is a factor, it is not the sole cause. I have been fortunate to have seen several specialist doctors because I have scoliosis in my cervical and thoracic spine. Some GP’s are sadly dismissive of pain, and I have had to change my GP when I felt unheard. Ask your GP if he could refer you to a pain specialist. If he refuses to, he must give you a good reason for doing so. If not, always seek a second opinion. Extra pain medication is available like Celecoxib and paracetamol from your doctor.

I hope that I have helped you in some way. Best wishes to you xx