spondylosis of the neck with severe arm/hand pain

[neelou]

I have spondylosis in my neck and get shots for severe hand pain. Between shots, there days when I can't even turn a key in a lock. How long can I continue getting shots? I will need my hands to care for my husband as his parkinsons worsens

[tettridge]

Hi

Firstly I am so sorry to hear of your problems, it some times puts thing in perspective when one hears/reads of others problems.

I have had Cervical spodylosis diagnosed many years ago and have had operations on my neck and both carpal tunnels done. all this had made no noticeable difference to the pain in the long term but they say that is the most they can do surgically and three out of the four operations were private so without them i have no idea how I would have coped certainly not had the neck done under NHS.

Shots for hand pain? What are those I have had cortisone for my elbows but I believe you can only have so much of that.

Best wishes and Kindest regards

Terry

[neelou in reply to tettridge]

Terry: they are epidural cortisone shots in the neck. They give me a good 2 1/2 months of freedom from pain before it starts up again. I put off getting another one as long as I can. Right now, only my left hand is affected. The right is aching some, but not bad enough to get another shot. I also had carpal tunnel 20 years ago. This is a different pain that radiates from the shoulders, down the arms and eventually into some fingers. (Different fingers than are affected by carpal tunnel). I will probably go for a shot sometime in July. My concern is how long can I put off the surgery before my husband get's worse? I had to have my low back fused last Nov and am just now feeling like myself again. Would like to put off the surgery for as long as possible.

[Hidden in reply to neelou]

I have the same kind of pain as you, spondylitis in the neck and shoulders with pain radiating down the arms and into the fingers, had the nerve conduction test which was fine and the fingers are not the same ones. I'm presuming it's due to trapped nerves. Reading people's comments about surgery I will be very cautious in agreeing if I am offered that.

[neelou in reply to Hidden]

The surgeon who did my fussion said its a simple procedure, only one day in the hospital. They just put in a plate to stabilize the neck. But he said to try the shots first. They end my pain for 2 1/2-3 months. I want to give myself another year before I have another surgery. That will be a more permant fix for when I'll need to become my husband's care taker

[Hidden]

Have you had a carers assessment done ,a carers assessment for you and one for your husband. depending on your age age UK have lots of useful advice and information,I am 54 and they helped me with accessing advice.they sent me factsheets one being assessment for community care services. the number I rang was 0800 169 65 65. it sounds like you could really do with some help and advice,I found age uk to be the most helpful for advice.they can help advise with sorts of things.

[neelou]

Thanks for the advise. My daughter and I plan to make a visit to the doctor soon. I'm not in the UK so what is there won't work for me. My husband is 77 and I'm pushing 76.

[neelou]

The bad news is that when I went to the pain clinic for another shot, he sent me back to the surgeon. I've lost at least 20% of the strength in my left hand. The surgeon sent me for a new MRI. Basically the only difference from a year ago is that the word "moderate" has changed to "severe" now. I'll get the official word tomorrow from the surgeon. I worry about having another surgery so soon at my age.

[basketcase54]

i have spondylitis in my neck and i have trouble sleeping as cant get comfortable i now have O/A in my collarbone i have had one operation on my shoulder as the pain was unbearable i have an inpingment there that was 5 years ago but its back again and ive put op of once but well cant sleep or lie on my right side i have trouble doing things with right arm because of this x