Hi everyone, I have been attending physio for severe neck problems.

[huggs]

I have cervical spondylosis which has always been manageable until the last few months. I am going to physio and he thinks that the pain I am experiencing now is due to the prolonged and violent coughing I had for about a year. Anyway, the other day I asked him to look at my upper back because I have had burning, tingling, itching and discomfort there. He said there was a definite lump there and it was called Dowagers hump, but was completely harmless and a lot of people had then and were unaware of it. Needless to say I looked It up and was quite alarmed about what I read. Now I know not to believe everything on the internet, but I went to reputable sites and they said the same things basically as to the cause. old undiagnosed fracture, early sign of osteoporosis and a few other things. I was wondering if any of you have this, come across it or heard about it? Thanks hugs xx

[cofdrop-UK]

So sorry you are having all these health issues huggs.

I have inflame arth (poly) and attended for physio as movement was so painful and movement quite restricted in my neck. Physio noticed my shoulders were a bit forward stoopy and put it down to struggling with breathing for so long (you kind of bend forward and concentrate on getting the air in from the front in that makes sense). He also offered me a course in the hydropool and it was so beneficial and much easier to move when doing exercises than with land physio.

Hope things improve for you soon hun - pain is so draining.

love cx

[huggs in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thanks cofdrop, for replying and your sympathy. The idea of a hydropool sounds heavenly. Unfortunately we don't have one of those on the island. I might suggest they get one though! I saw my GP (one of two plonkers we have here), about my neck pain and he gave me tablets called Tizanidine to be used only on days of physio. It wasn't until I left that I thought, "what the heck have I got to do in between?" Honestly! Glad you are getting proper help and hope your neck movement improves soon. Take care. hugs xx

[cofdrop-UK in reply to huggs]

Awe that's a shame - I guess they must cost a lot to keep going and manpower too - they always have a physio on the outside and one in the pool. cx

[Hidden]

Hello Huggs, you've probably have the correct information by what you say. Firstly, I also have cervical spondylosis (which adds to the already frequent headaches) and although not normally troubled by a cough I can imagine how this would add to the pain that you're already experiencing. I do know that physios/doctors don't encourage the use of a soft collar but I occasionally wear mine just to try and get some relief. (A bit like pain killers, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't?? )

The other point you mentioned and the lump on your back can be due to osteoporosis and spinal fractures - at the grand old age of 59 I have been diagnosed with both! Not sure if eventually a Dowagers hump will be apparent.

Have you had any fractures Huggs or been tested for osteoporosis? I do hope you can get some relief from the coughing soon....Lovelight xxx

[newlands]

Hi i have the same along with my other back problems i was told it was bad posture that causes it and yes lots of people have them and don't know.

Dont worry about it take care

Dorothy xxx

[huggs in reply to newlands]

Thanks newlands. take care too . hugs xx

[huggs]

HI Lovelight, Thanks for replying and your support. I do wear a soft support collar at times but my neck problem seems to be getting worse, although my cough has improved! The physio definitely said there was a distinct swelling on my upper to middle area on the left side of my back. I have had no fractures that I know of or can remember. I say this, because I have epilepsy with severe memory problems, and I have had a few tumbles down flights of stairs. One of which landed me in hospital for 4 days and I could hardly move and when I did walk I was all distorted. Nothing was done in terms of x-ray or anything like that. That is the only time I can remember something that could potentially cause a fracture. However, I don't really think it was that. I am a year younger than you lovelight so its possible I have osteoporosis or something. The physio kept assuring me that a dowagers hump was harmless and was just like having a callous on your finger or foot, except that it was under the skin on my back. I am not convinced by this at all. Hope you keep well and take care. hugs xx

[peege]

I learnt from my osteopath years ago that I was beginning a dowagers hump, that it was due it poor posture and tension pulling me into 'wrong' positions. (no-one seems to take into account that it's dificult to have great posture when you're well endowed. It's not funny and niether is it lucky as I've been told so many times grrrr).

I learnt & practiced Alexander Tecnique about 20 years ago. You make it become a habit so it's always there.

Your post has reminded me to take it more seriously and practice it more every day..

I have osteopenia, the pre-osteoporosis condition. Only recently found out I had it 10 years ago, if only they told me when I called for the result then. B******s. I could have been building up my bone density, exercising more and taking supplement instead of allowing it to deplete grrrr

[huggs]

Thanks Peeg for replying and giving me informative support. I will certainly be following this up and asking for a blood test or bone scan to find out if I have either osteopenia or osteoporosis. What kind of supplement would you recommend for this? I love this forum! I can come on here, ask a question and get a reasoned, factual and supportive response. Thank you everyone and hugs all around. hugs xx

[Hidden]

Hi huggs,please don't be upset by everything you read! As Peeg said,it's often caused by poor posture etc,if you look around you,you will probably notice a few people slouching forward,with round shoulders.

It's a shame there is not a pool there,to Excercise in,makes it so much easier! I do feel for you,being in pain,is never nice.Do get onto the quack,for something in between the physio visits,he doesn't sound very sympathetic,poor girl.

I can only hope the physio will help you.Can you get tested for osteoporosis? Or as I have osteopenia.

Do hope you feel some improvement soon,let us know how you get on,fingers crossed for you,love Wendells xxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

PS.do you take calcium tablets,if not I would advise you to take them xxx

[huggs in reply to Hidden]

HI Wendells, thanks for getting back to me and giving me support. The pysio (who I trust and is a near neighbour) definitely said it was a dowagers hump on one side only and that there is nothing to worry about. It is probably caused by poor posture, but when I looked up several reputable websites they all said there were other causes, and that of course is what the brain homes in on - the worst possible scenario. I will stat taking calcium supplements, but will have to find out if I can because I take vitamin d (prescribed), and somewhere at the back of my mind there is a thought that you have to be careful taking those 2 at the same time. I would love to have access to a hydropool. Just the thought of it is pure ecstasy! There are so many painkillers that I cannot take due to interactions with other medication and bad side effects, that another physio is going to try acupuncture on me......as soon as they can get the needles that is. They have run out of them! This is the kind of thing that happens on a small island. I will get back on to a GP on Monday, and hope that the one I like and has been helpful is back from holiday. You take care of yourself too and have a good day or night where you are. Thanks again hugs xx

[Scars1]

Yes I've got cervical spine spondylosis, and recently developed arthritis in my fingers. Had neck problems since an accident at the age of 6. As I got older it hurt more often and for longer periods. Now I occasionally get woken up by the pain spreading up my neck over my head and behind my eyes.

Is annoying though when you tell someone and they go "spondylitis?" and you say no, I said spondylosis..

[huggs]

Thanks for replying Scars1. I am sorry you have cervical spondylosis too and arthritis in your fingers. Hope you are getting some treatment for it. It funny you saying that you have occasional pain behind your eyes, because for the past few weeks my eyes have been aching. I have just been ignoring it and putting it down to maybe an allergy or something. Its not a problem really, and is way down the list of the other things that need dealt with! I hope you keep well. hugs xx

[Suzy6]

Hi huggs I have cervical spondylosis and was told not to wear my collar. The Physio taught me exercises to strengthen the muscles to compensate. When it strikes me it is lethal neck, head eyes and I feel like screaming or banging my head against the wall. A Doctor told me to put something like a warm hot water bottle or one of those things you heat in the microwave and read a book, relax the shoulders because when in pain I hunch them up. It does help. xx

[Scars1 in reply to Suzy6]

that's exactly what mine is like. I use a heat pack, muscle relaxants, painkillers, anti inflammatorys..

still only eases it a little when its really bad. Tried physio and it just made it worse.

[huggs in reply to Scars1]

You have my sympathy Scars1. Every single little movement is just searing pain at the moment, and I have tried various things. I will be getting acupuncture when the needles arrive in about 2 weeks, so I am hoping that will help. hugs xx

[huggs]

Hi Suzy, I forgot to mention that the physio can't get near my neck to help it at the moment. He initially gave me exercises but it made it worse, even when I cut down the amount of times I was to do it. To give me treatment he needs me to lie flat with one pillow or two at the maximum. I could not do this at all, so I am trying very mild exercises, have been prescribed a muscle relaxant (which GP has never prescribed before) and wearing a collar at times when it is so bad. It provides a little relief, but not that much. The other physio is going to give me acupuncture when the needles arrive in about 2 weeks. I think that when the pain is under more control I will be in a position to do strengthening exercises. The GP said I was only to use the muscle relaxant when getting physio, and I was so silly, that it wasn't until I was away that I wondered what I am suppose to do in between. I'll try and get hold of another GP on Monday and see what happens. Hope you are well and having a nice lazy day. Hugs xxx

[Scars1 in reply to huggs]

I had a gp years ago who did acupuncture and once he did it I was pain free for two years. Trouble is now I can't find someone I trust enough to stick a needle in my spine lol

[Hidden]

I also have Dowagers Hump which a gp told me was caused by arthritis.I have lost a few inches in height

In the last 7 years but don't think about it most of the time. A stool used for reaching top cupboard.and reaching to unbolt my back door is making things easier for me. I used to talk to a lady who was almost bent double but was always cheerful which made me feel a little better.Hope the pain doesn't affect you too much,keep well Joyce

[huggs]

Thanks Evelene, it just came as a bit of a surprise to me when the physio mentioned it, and what I read on line seemed to contradict what he said. Its the neck pain which is debilitating me at the moment. Also if I have osteoporosis I would like to know about it and take supplements if required. Hope you are keeping well and thanks again for replying. hugs xx