Too spine sore

Hi folks

Just a quick post, I've got stiffness and pain at the top of my spine, the bony part bottom of the neck. Can anyone advise. X

[LizzieR]

Hi,

I get a lot of pain there too. I was told it was just part of my psoriatic arthritis. If you've not had it before though,it'd be worth asking your doctor about it.

[Hidden in reply to LizzieR]

Thanks Lizzy

I meant to put Top of spine sore. Typical predictive text., I have different conditions to you. I have RA x

[donnalouisec in reply to Hidden]

Hi.

I have a post on here for spine/neck pain. I'd had it for years but kept getting told it was wear & tear I was only 33! I got diagnosed with RA in 2011 due to other symptoms. My rheumatologist kept saying my neck pain had nothing to do with RA as you didn't get it in your neck. After 2 years I put my foot down & demanded an MRI. Turned out I needed a c1- c2 fusion as I was below the minimum amount of room on my spinal cord, basically it was life threaten so I had the fusion. My neurologist went mental that rheumatologist thought you couldn't get it in your spine. It's one of the worst places to get it. Turns out I now need c5-c6 fusion. My advice is stand your ground you know your body better than anybody. Xxx

[Hidden in reply to donnalouisec]

Goodness that's terrible. Hope your well now. X. I'm. Changing doctors very soon. Hopefully this one will reinstate my thyroid meds and help me with the pain.x thank you for sharing x

[helixhelix in reply to donnalouisec]

That's dreadful. Everything I've read suggests that C1 & C2 can be damaged by RA! So. Not a big secret. Hope things are improving for you now.

[donnalouisec in reply to helixhelix]

Unfortunately not. I've just had a preassesment & am now waiting for a date fire fusion of c5 - c6. This is a bit more scary for me as they go in through the front & theirs risks with your voice box & swallowing. Needs must I suppose. I will have further restriction of movement but it beats all the pain fingers crossed. X

[helixhelix in reply to donnalouisec]

Good luck x

[Jay2 in reply to donnalouisec]

Wish you a speedy recovery x

[linda-5502 in reply to LizzieR]

I have just seen your reply. I too have PsA and i have pain exactly where you describe i did not know it is due to our condition very interesting.

Linda xxx

[Hidden in reply to linda-5502]

Let me know how you get on. XxX

[KayEP]

I have had problems with my neck for years. Recently had x-rays and was informed that it is OA in my neck, middle of back and hip region.

[Hidden in reply to KayEP]

I get it there too except the middle back x. So it could be Osteoporosis, is that right x

[KayEP in reply to Hidden]

Possibly - need to have some x-rays done.

[nomoreheels]

Sounds like it could be what I (& many others) have Caroline, OA in the neck, or it's medical term is cervical spondylosis. It can cause rotten headaches too (cervicogenic headaches). Mine have worsened since we had a shunt in the car in 2013 resulting in whiplash. I had 8 weeks of physio on it then & it really helped generally. Since then I've had X-rays again which confirmed what I already knew, more physio on it, a steroid injection into my shoulder (due to trapped nerves, problems with neck OA can affect other areas) but my main treatment is with meds... amitriptyline, co-codamol & Lyrica, plus NSAID that I take for more general OA. I find heat helps, particularly in the mornings (I have my neck microwaveable wheat bag on it as I type) so you could try that as intermediary help. Do mention it at your next Rheumy appointment though but as I said you could try heat on it to see if it helps.

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you x I didn't think to get the wheat bag out. I've not heard of the painkillers you mention other than Co Codamol. Worth looking into. Xxxx

[helixhelix]

The synovial joints in your neck (the type of joint that RA likes to nibble on) are higher up - first & second vertebrae. So it is more likely to be OA as NMH describes. But the bit at the base of your neck is also a top spot for muscle and posture related problems, particularly as we age. So as well as GP to discuss OA also think about physio and exercise. things like Alexander technique can be particularly useful for that area.

[Hidden]

Thank you x. Your right about posture. Mine needs improving for sure. Worth a mention to the rheumatology Ivegot an appointment very soon. Great help xxxx

[nomoreheels in reply to Hidden]

You could test yourself to see if you're doing what my Physiotherapist says I'm doing. Apparently I stick my chin out. This is a response to the pain, I'm subconsciously doing this in response to the pain, to alleviate it. I'm working on not doing it but it's not easy. I've to pull my head into my chest & pull my shoulders back.