Anyone else here with Cervical Arthritis?.

Hi everyone.

I am a male in his late 40's with a history of Tourette's Syndrome (mostly head and neck tics - sometimes pretty severe) and cervical osteoarthritis affecting C-4 and C-5 with a bone spur. At various times (and depending on posture or activity) I can hear/feel popping, cracking, crunching and grinding noises/sensations in my neck.

My symptoms vary in type and severity depending on many factors such as posture, time of day, engaging in different activities, etc. Sometimes there are "good days" and some days are pretty rough. When I do have symptoms they can include...

1) Weird feelings in my head (ie; I feel spaced-out, dazed, foggy, "pressure", etc).
2) Pain and/or sensation of numbness or mild buzzing/vibration at the base of my skull.
3) Numbness on the edge of my right foot.
4) Random aches and pains in various parts of my upper body that usually linger for a day or two and then go away (today it's the right side of my rib cage and toward the back).
5) A "bugged out"/strange feeling in my eyes, un-focused vision, etc (had this off and on for years so not sure it's even related).
6) Mild headache-like feeling but not really even a headache. Sometimes I get stabbing pains on just one side of my head (had this for years).
7) Sometimes I feel slightly off-balance or like my legs are just a bit wobbly.
8) Various other sensations that come and go like prickling, tingling, goose bumps, etc.

I woke up one morning about a year ago and my right hand and arm were almost completely useless. I couldn't even hold onto a cup of coffee. Sometimes I wake up with the top of my scalp completely numb or have this prickly needle-like sensation on the top of my head. Other times, I wake up and my neck is sore for awhile. Once in awhile it feels like there is very mild pressure on the front of my throat/neck. I have other aches/pains/sensations but I can't rememeber them all. I'm afraid to take Nsaids because I read they can cause heart attacks, strokes and sudden death. Not sure what else I can take.

I have other issues like GERD, Gastritis, IBS, Lactose Intolerance, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, OCD, ADD, Chronic Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, a deviated septum, etc.

I'm currently take Z-Pack for a sinus infection, Prevacid, Atenolol, Atarax and Ativan.

Over the years, I've had a great number of tests (boxes and boxes full). More recently, I've had a brain and neck MRI, Extensive (I mean VERY extensive blood work), A full exam by an Opthamologist, a full exam by a Neurologist and about a week ago I went to the ER and got checked out there by the supervising doctor.

I would be interested in knowing if there is anyone out there like me with the same symptoms and/or going through the same circumstances. Anyone who can relate actually. I feel very depressed and alone and just need someone with the same issues to talk with.

Thank you, Seth

Hi,

Sorry about your rough times but i do sympathise with you. I'm 45yrs old female.

I have o/a in my lower lumbar and it's pretty shot away.

On friday last week i got my thoracic and neck xray results briefly over the phone by the nurse and i don't see my dotor till the 24th july coz she's on holiday.

But my thoracic has wide spread bad spots.

And my neck as c5-c6 problems too with bone spurs and it is moveing the other way plus i have a slight narrowing there too.

So yes i know your pains bumps and grind's your defo not alone

lexy.