Spondylosis

[Thaiwrath]

I was diagnosed with the above in my thirties, decided not to opt for an operation, and have led a pretty normal life, the last eleven years of the over here, until a few weeks ago.

I have been to the hospital, had the tests/scans done, but most days I have a constant pain down my left arm, as well as both shoulder blades.

They referred me to the physiotherapy department, and although the treatment there (electrolysis, ultrasound and neck traction} gives me great relief for a few days, the symptoms then return.

I am sure there are many fellow board members who also suffer from the same, and was wondering if anybody has any good ideas on how to reduce the pain on a daily basis. 

[Sheryl]

Pain management has to be geared towards the underlying cause and it is critical to be evaluated by a spinal specialist.

 

If there is sufficient space for the nerve root to exit the spine and there is no bone impingement onto the nerve root then conservative management with medications and physical therapy will usual;y be sufficient. medications commonly used for this include prednisiolone (short course only e.g. 1 week), lyrica or gabapentin, and B12. These must  be prescribed by a doctor.

 

If however there is bone impingement onto the nerve root (either because the space has grown too small or because a bone spur has formed which is impinging on the nerve) then surgery is usually necessary. In many (but nto all) cases this can involve a minimally invasive approach.

 

If you have not yet, you need to see a good spinal specialist.

 

Be forewarned that surgery can relive pain (assuming the cause of the pain was correctly diagnosed and fits with the surgical solution) and prevent any future nerve damage, but if nerve damage occurs prior to surgery it cannot be reversed. Numbness or weakness in the arm,. hands or fingers are warning signs of this. So while surgery should not be done if it is not essential, it also should not be unduly delayed if it is essential. Many people suffer permanent nerve damage as a result of putting off necessary surgery for too long. Again, the opinion of a good spine specialist is critical to making such decisions.

[Thaiwrath]

Thanks Sheryl,

The twice weekly physio is starting to gradually improve things, along with my early morning walks.

I have a follow up appointment late December, so I will ask the doctor if he can refer me to a spinal specialist. 

 

[Thaiwrath]

Thanks Vickie, I also do daily exercises, and am going to the physiotherapist twice a week.

I have a follow up appointment just before Christmas, so I will ask the doctor if it is possible to see a specialist in the near future.

[longball53098]

If you are looking for a spine specialist in the Bangkok area I highly recommend Dr WIcharn at the BNH Hospital spine clinic. Personal experience.

[Sheryl]

Ditto.

[chubby]

electrolysis ; what is that ?

is there a "grade" to your disease diagnosis ? 

 

what is your lifestyle like otherwise, re: sitting x   hours/day ; do you use pain meds? if so how many and often ;  what is the worst the pain is in typical 24 hours, on 0/10 scale , etc ........

[Thaiwrath]

6 minutes ago, chubby said:

electrolysis ; what is that ?

is there a "grade" to your disease diagnosis ? 

 

what is your lifestyle like otherwise, re: sitting x   hours/day ; do you use pain meds? if so how many and often ;  what is the worst the pain is in typical 24 hours, on 0/10 scale , etc ........

 

On the first physio appointment, the was some electrical current administered to the shoulder area, I am not a doctor, so I am not sure what it's purpose was.

You are correct about the lifestyle. I worked in offices most of my working life, and many of those years were pre-computer days when many hours were hunched over writing. Now I am retired here, and on the advice of the physio, I try to not sit for longer than a 30 minute period, after which I get up and walk around for a while. I also walk 4k every morning before the sun comes up, which also seems to help a lot.

I have Tramadol, but use them only in times of severe pain, but since the twice weekly physio sessions started, I rarely need to use them.

I have 2 more physio appointments before my follow up appointment, when I will be assessed in comparison to my first visit. 

[chubby]

oh "e stim" ; you sure it isn't this one , instead ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spondylolisthesis

 

sounds like spondylosis is more age related OA of the spine 

[ballzafire]

spondylosis - osteoarthritis of the spine

 

Mid-50's here.  Diagnosed with this.  Researched on how to restrengthen bones rather than go the useless 'pain meds with P/T route'. 

 

Found out I was sorely lacking in Vitamin K2 (see http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/06/28/vitamin-k2-health-benefits.aspx ).  Fermented foods like Japanese Natto and others are RICH in Vitamin K2 (but I mostly rely on supplements from US-based suppliers).

 

That, combined with Calcium Citrate (~1000mg/day), and Vitamin D3 (2000 IU/day), and weight-bearing exercise GREATLY strengthened my bones and teeth over the course of several months, to the point where I have hardly any bone pain now at all -- even in cold weather.  I can lift and carry 40 lbs of groceries, for example, with NO resulting pain afterwards.  Before starting this regimen,  there was no way  I could do that...

 

I still have arthritic joints, but that is controllable with another regimen, involving the cartilage-reparing supplement combination of Glucosamine HCL, MSM, Chondroitin and Magnesium Glycinate.  I get my Chondroitin from diet rather than the supplement form (too expensive).  I also add a handful of pumpkin seeds (rich in Magnesium compounds) to each of my two meals.

 

Anyway, I highly recommend at least the Calcium + D3 + K2 approach, as it is a long-term, natural solution to the age-related issue of thinning bones and teeth, with the associated problems that result.

 

(FYI: Dr. Mercola is an M.D. doctor, but with the most practical holistic approach to medicine that I've encountered).

 

Best of luck.

Edited December 15, 2016 by ballzafire