Neck pain and MRI results

[Jenny]

I was sooooo hoping my neck pain was muscular. At least that has a possibility of getting better. But no, like my low back, my upper spine is a wreck too. Four cervical discs show bad Arthritis, bone spurs, herniation, retrolisthisis and stenosis. I'm going to put off surgery as long as possible. I'll have an Epidural next month, and of course more drugs. I already had Arthritis in my shoulders, low back, hands, wrist and big toe and possibly one knee. The Pain Management doctor couldn't really tell me if this is at all related to Sjogrens. Any thoughts from you guys?

[Joe S.]

Ask the surgeon for his success rate. This was a tip given to me by a surgeon. About 20 years ago, I was told that the best rate for success was for this surgery was 15%. The doctors consider a surgery a success if you remain the same or get better.

You may want to look for other options.

[jazzlover]

I feel for you. I'm just about as bad as that. I won't do surgery until I get to the point I can't sleep at night and am unable to do ANYthing during the day. For about 2 mo I could do virtually nothing around the house. That was rough. I got a TENS unit before Christmas and I'm doing better now. Still bad, but can do more now.

I suspect most of the damage I have is from Lyme disease and two bad car wrecks.

[Scottietottie]

Hi

I'm sorry you are in so much pain and that the pain is to do with the spine and not muscles. I'm not a medic so I can't say whether anything is Sjogren's related or not but there are a lot of people out there suffering from arthritis and degenerative disc disease that has nothing to do with Sjogren's.
It's a fact that SjS can cause connective tissue inflammation. Unfortunately having SjS doesn't stop us getting other stuff as well.

I hope your medical team can make life easier for you.

Take care - Scottie 

[Joe S.]

A TENS unit runs at about 10 kHz and triggers localized endorphin release. If you know how to work a soldering iron you can make one yourself with a 555 timer for under $20 US.

Sorry, I got off topic. Stretching exercises range of motion exercises help me.

[jazzlover]

Yes, I read about the endorphin release. That is GOOD!! I'm not electrically minded in any stretch of the word! They gave me a set of exercises too. That has helped. At first I couldn't do any exercises, so progress is being made.

[lolo1979]

Jenny,
have you heard of ehlors-danlos hypermobility syndrome? In all of my research, it is something I have come across. From my undrstanding, it can be an often underdiagnosed/missed cause of arthritis.  Not that treatment would really be different, but it could be something else that explains the arthritis besides the sjogrens.

[Luna]

Im sorry you have to deal with this. That kind of pain is so awful. I hope somehow you get some relief.

Luna

[Shade]

My doctors have told me that Sjogren's makes the pain from osteoarthritis worse.  If your doctor offers any physical therapy, give it a try.  It may help.  Hope you find some relief.

Shade