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Not sure if I am in right place - severe arthristis in spine

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Posted 2/2/2012 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey group,

After a MRI and exam, my dr has diagnosed me with severe arthritis down my spine starting in my cervical area.  She has me on Cymbalta 30mg, Amlodipine (for Raynauds), Tizanidine, and Hydrocodon.  I have had 2 neck surgiers which unfortantely has added to the arthritis.  I am only 33 years old and she says my MRI looks like an 80 something year old woman's spine.

I have only been on the Cymbalta for a little over 1 week. Not sure if I am having sucess yet.  I have not had ANY of the nasty sides effects, except for waking up in middle of night wide awake. But even that is getting better and easier to go back to sleep.

Just trying to reach out and see if anyone else is in the same boat.

TIA,

Lauren

Posted 2/2/2012 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Did your doctor mention which type of arthritis you have? Maybe seek out a second opinion
from a different doctor...as for the Cymbalta, I did not get that side effect until I got up
on a higher dose...except for me it did not get better...
Others will come by with better advise so be a little patient yet...many well wishes
and do keep us posted as to how your doing...
Posted 2/2/2012 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Lauren,

The comment your doctor made reminds me of one I also heard. While in may late 30's a PCP I was then seeing, after looking at my back x-rays said that I have the back of a 70 year old.

Spinal issues are the underlying cause of the chronic pain for many members of this board.

I'm sure others will chime in and say hello as the day advances.
Posted 2/2/2012 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lauren and welcome aboard, I do not think I have met you before. Sorry to read about what is going on with you. Hopefully your meds will kick in and start giving you some relief.

I was put on Cymbalta a few years ago and like you I did not have to deal with any nasty side effects. I did very well once my dosage was adjusted and got me on the right track. Like most meds after being on them a while they can stop working and thats what happened with me. I was on it for neuropathy in my hands & feet. Its used for different conditions. If you want you can go to Drugs.com and read up on Cymbalta. I use that site a lot when given a new medication.

Arthritis can be a very painful condition no doubt and cause a person a lot of pain. Try to keep yourself moving around as much as you can, that helps keep some of the stiffness down. There is a lot of different things you can do at home to help too. Do a google search on arthritis and try to lean as much as your can about your particular type of arthritis, as there are several types.

Take care and keep us posted on how your are doing.
Posted 2/2/2012 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for responding.

I have an appt set up with a Neurologist, my dr says being my spine she feels most comfortable them reviewing my MRI and going from there.  I DONT want another surgery 2 in 5 years enough I cant go for 3 in 5 years.  I have a 2 year old and 4 year old and it is too hard w/ the recovery especially after moving to TX away from all our family.

What other type of dr can I go to regarding the arthritis?  I saw a Rheumatologist (prior to MRI) and she told me to go to therapy and talk out my pain.  Really great advice LOL

Posted 2/2/2012 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lauren, I think for now I would see what the neurologist has to offer. If you are having severe pain and no one wants to give you pain meds then perhaps being referred to a pain mgt dr for care. Just so you know there are two types out there now, on that does procedures & injections only-no meds, then the other will do the same but will also write a script if he/she feels its warranted.

I care sure see where you are coming from in the surgery dept, I totally understand. Sounds like the trip to the rheummie was a total bomb, talk about your pain, who to, yourself? What a goof, lol, just what you needed to hear right??

Keep us posted and take care.
Posted 2/3/2012 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like your on the right path with going to the neurologists first, then from there to
pain management and once your on with that then maybe seek out a rheumy doctor,
depending on where your at in Texas, I live just South of Houston, I might be able to
give you a good doctor...many well wishes... and do keep us posted...and Howdy...
Posted 2/3/2012 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lauren, and welcome from me. You've been given some good advice so far.

Please do keep in touch and let us know how you get on - and remember we're always here if you need to ask anything or just need to vent.

Laura
Posted 2/4/2012 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Lauren....Welcome to HW forum...Like Laura I think you have been given some very good advice. I think you will find this forum full of helpful and encouraging members. Keep us posted and let us know how you are getting on. All the best to you.

Blessings, Amy
Posted 2/5/2012 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much, the good thing is that my PCP is very good about understanding my level of pain and I have xanaflex and vicodine for pain management w/ meds. I am glad I have found a place to be able to talk about the pain and the people listening understand.

My PCP is a new Dr to me, I have only lived in TX since August and before that my dr had been my Dr for almsot 10 years so she had been through everything with me.

But I really like my new PCP she listens and takes my feelings and pain honestly and does what she can to help. Just not sure about the Cymbalta, almost done with week 2 and I have noticed my patience for others is running very very thin.
Posted 2/5/2012 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lauren, when I was in my early 30's my ortho I went to said I had arthritis of the spine and basically the same thing your doc said that my Xray/MRI looked like that of a 70 year old. Don't ya love how they make you feel so good (attempt at humour) A few years latter I was parked in front of my daughters school and the lady in front of me backed into me. I was kinda on a funny angle, but the disc at C5/C6 blew out completely and I couldn't hold a pen, so into surgery I went. I know how painful surgery is and how difficult the recovery is. Long story short I had other accidents that also impacted my spine, lower now too, so I have a fair share of arthritis or arthritic conditions as well. However I found someone that is noted as a "spine specialist" typically an orthopedic, seem to be a bit better in spinal interventions. My neuro was a good surgeon but their are Orthopeadics and Orthopeadic surgeons. They are different because one just does surgery (the Orhtopediac surgeon) opposed to a Orthopeadist, that do more weaving in and out of other modalities that may be helpful. Also, with little ones I know how tough it can be, but, if you're able, a good manual physical therapist can be helpful too. I wish you well and I'm new here as well. Linda
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