cervical spondylitis

[joyce21248]

Hi Can you tell me if any of you get really bad headaches a numb feeling on one side of my head ear and cheek.

Joyce x

[Caza]

Yes I get this often, although the headaches are not to bad but the numbness is. Are you saying it's connected to RD?

[joyce21248 in reply to Caza]

Yes I was thinking it might be related to the caervical spondoylosis .I don't know what RD is sorry xx

[nomoreheels]

I have cervical spondylosis Joyce & cervicogenic headaches as a result. Mine are typically from my shoulders, up my neck & over my head forming a 'T' across my forehead. No numbness but it depends on which nerves are impinged & how or what it affects.

RD is Rheumatoid Disease, many of us (& increasingly medical professionals) prefer to use it instead of RA which is misunderstood by those who don't have it as Osteoarthritis, not that it's any less painful just not the same. I've used it when asked what I have to good effect. I don't get the "oh I have that" or "my next door neighbour's auntie's cat has that" any more!

[joyce21248 in reply to nomoreheels]

Oh right .You would have thought I knew what RD stands for I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 40 years..lol I think I will start and use that title RD as well fr when people ask what is wrong with me.

I think you are right when you say it depends what nerves are being impinged at the time .My headaches are the same as you explain yours

Thanks for letting me know x

[nomoreheels in reply to joyce21248]

You're welcome. If they're increasing in intensity or frequency do see your GP. I'm prescribed amitriptyline which certainly helps sleep wise but struggling a bit as the headaches though less frequent are still happening. I've tried gabapentin, in fact I take the last of my tapering dose tomorrow, unfortunately it didn't work for me. There are other neuropathic meds though so don't suffer it.

I've found using RD I'm asked what it is which opens the door to explaining it's autoimmune & elaborate if needed or requested. Far better reaction & understanding. x

[Jenpadden in reply to nomoreheels]

Hello Nomoreheels,

I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia & my dr said it's a form of arthritis, however, with Fibro it's not progressive or degenerative. I've had various areas of pain over the years but with the rib pain I eventually became incapacitated. My thumb on right hand has a huge swelling in the bone at the joint. This is the worst side for pain of my hands & I also get a lot of pain when lifting pits or even just a cup of coffee. These areas of pain have been my jaw, cheek, neck, back, ankles, legs, wrists & I've also had horrible insomnia. My dr has me on Amitriptyline to help with pain & insomnia. Can you tell me a little bit about your RD? I've not been tested for anything Rhuematoid but am wondering as there is RA on both my Mother's & Father's side. I have hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's & Vit D deficiency. Had lumpectomy for breast pre-cancer cells 3 yrs ago. I just feel like I'm falling apart as there seems to be a new diagnosis with every dr visit. Sorry for such a long post but all this pain has troubled me for some time. Have a great weekend.

Jen

[nomoreheels in reply to Jenpadden]

Morning Jen. I understand just what you mean & honestly you're not alone! I take it that you had all this joint pain when your GP gave the fibromyalgia diagnosis? All you mention would indicate something inflammatory going on though normally in RD, but not always, it's symmetrical. Already having related autoimmune disease should alert your GP to request bloods to determine if you do have RD or enough reason to refer you to Rheumatology, or at least rule it out. It does seem a little odd he's not taken them into account, particularly as you have visual inflammation it seems he's focussed on the pain & not a possible cause. I take it you've told him of the familial connection? I'm wondering why he's not pieced it all together so I would bullet point list all your symptoms with an approximation of how long you've been troubled with each & work out how many of family connections you have both those with RD & to anything autoimmune them book another appointment, maybe even book a double one then it's not so rushed. It might also be worth considering if you're not confident in your GP & you have the option of choosing another in your Practice to see then do so. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes helps, they're not bogged down with what's gone before if you understand?

As you've probably read I'm prescribed amitriptyline for neurological problems & it does also have the (positive) side effect of being a good relaxant but is this is all you've been prescribed?

Good luck & do keep me updated.