Cervical arthritis

[indysteel]

Catrin, I sure hope that the MRI doesn't reveal any serious issues related to Degenerative Disc Disease. I think it's important to note--perhaps with the hope of allaying some of your fears--that most people develop some degree of degeneration in their spine as they age. It doesn't necessarily lead to significant problems. This might provide some helpful information. Of course, I'm not trying to dismiss your fears; only trying to keep them in perspective for the time being. Easier said than done, I know. I remember how upset I was when I heard the word arthritis with respect to my hip. Hang in there. Keep us posted as to the MRI and BD scan.

[Catrin]

Indy - thanks for the link. Interestingly enough most of what I've found on the internet is in reference to the lower back, not the neck - but of course, the spine is the spine. That is likely more common.

I am just talking myself out of a funk related to this - at least they said "moderate" osteoarthritis rather than "advanced". They have also called in an anti-inflammatory into my pharmacy so hopefully that will help the neck strain as well. At least the MRI will show if I have true whiplash (damaged ligament) or just a pretty strong neck strain involving muscles only.

[Catrin]

MRI in the morning, I reluctantly agreed to it. As active and stubborn as I am, I figured we had better figure out if I've any nerve problems (my doctor is a bit concerned about this) in my neck. The cost of the MRI is better than finding out the hard way... At least there isn't a co-pay for the bone density test.

There is still swelling on the sides of my throat and some muscle spasms, but the neck strain is starting to feel a bit better. Then again, I started taking muscle relaxers 4 days ago...but I choose to believe my neck is calming down...but I won't stop the drugs just yet

I still have the goal of mountain biking before the snow flies...hopefully we will have a LATE snow this year

[Roadtrip]

Thinking of you Cat.

Shannon

[Catrin]

I got the call today from my doctor's office on the results of the MRI for my cervical spine....

degenerated disks (C5, C6)
bulging disk
bony protrusion pressing on a nerve

The word "surgery" was suggested...but apparently there is an injection therapy that might work to shrink the protrusion (how would that work?) Obviously there is much to be considered, and I see my doctor next Wed morning.

They found other things as well, but my brain pretty much had shut down by that point. No wonder my neck has been bothering me in recent months, and here I thought it was stress

[OakLeaf]

Oh, man. Hoping the least invasive options can give you relief.

[Crankin]

Get a second (or third) opinion, Catrin.

[Trek420]

I got the call today from my doctor's office on the results of the MRI for my cervical spine....

degenerated disks (C5, C6)
bulging disk
bony protrusion pressing on a nerve

The word "surgery" was suggested...but apparently there is an injection therapy that might work to shrink the protrusion (how would that work?) Obviously there is much to be considered, and I see my doctor next Wed morning.

They found other things as well, but my brain pretty much had shut down by that point. No wonder my neck has been bothering me in recent months, and here I thought it was stress

Get the book "Treat your own neck" by Robin McKenzie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgl3Qud_GV0 and find a McKenzie therapist in your area. http://www.mckenziemdt.org/ The injection therapy does nothing for the bone. You can't shrink bone with an injection. The injection may shrink the nerve.

They either have to remove the bone or ... you can correct your posture which may keep the nerve and bone lined up properly.

Source of knowledge: If I was a horse they'd shoot me (disclosure; no horses were hurt in this post). I have a compression fractured spine, torn ACL (both knees), torn meniscus (both knees) and arthritis from the ears down from an impact sport. You're doing the right thing which is get your bike fit to you and keep moving.

We've pretty much all got arthritis after 20 or so especially if you're an athlete. However since you're truly having pain see if you can find a certified McKenzie therapist in your area first before exploring further choices.

[Catrin]

Thanks for the book recommendation Trek and I will check it out! That post was about a year ago, and it turned out that my pain and discomfort was much more from the whiplash injury than the disk/arthritis problems. The injections really helped a lot with my symptoms, and then I went to a great physical therapist who helped me a lot. There was so much going on with my neck that my doctor (osteopath) wasn't sure if the pain was from the disc problems or the whiplash. Turned out to be the whiplash, hands down

A year later we've learned that my whiplash injury still isn't quite healed - it was a severe injury. I've learned how to deal with it however, and I am always working to strengthen that area and to do things that are neck friendly. Thankfully I didn't need more than that first set of injections - the dr who gave them warned me if I didn't get the right therapist that he would be seeing me again...