7 years ago i woke with tremendous pain in my neck. Took 5 years and many doctors before first MRI. MRI showed bilateral cervical ribs. Tests were performed which suggested TOS. From 1 specialist to the next, I have now been told to basically go home and live in pain. They won't perform the surgery because they told me 60% of patients are worse off. Have to live in this horrible pain forever. Lost in the system
View 1 RepliesI'm 42 and i have just found out that i have this condition. The 1st doctor i saw after having an x ray didn't bother to tell me that i had this condition, and it was the next doctor that did. I have been having symptoms for the last year or so , which are dizziness, some numbness in my little finger and ring finger, neck ache, which is muscular and nerve extending to my shoulder and arm i have also been getting jaw ache, and i've had tension headaches for years.
i'm not sure if all these symptoms are due to having 2 ribs. i'm waiting to have an mri in october.
However i am seeing a 'sacral-cranial' osteopath who is really helping, and i am also having homeopathy which is also helping.
I'm not sure what is going to happen and it's comforting to know that there are others out there that will know what I'm talking about and who i can talk to.
I have recently been told after 15 years of going to the doctors asking for help i have 2 cervical ribs and need to see a respiratory specialist.
I have been suffering with breathing problems which they did put down to asthma which might not be now, pains in my back, stomach, neck and arm. and sometimes get numbness in my arm and fingers.
I am cold and feel weak and tired all the time. I can sleep for days and still feel tired, the more i do the more i feel ill.
I have a large bone showing above my left collarbone which i can feel a large tube or vein above it going over the top of the bone which i measure to be about 2" wide.
Just wanted to know what the average size and width of cervical ribs.
I have Bilateral Cervical Ribs. I also suffer Cervical headaches. Do the Cervical Headaches always come along with the ribs? Also, is it the Arthritis in the Cervical Ribs that are causing me so much agony? I have pain every single day. It gets so old, and boring. What does it take for them to remove them? I have a Kidney Disease as well, so I'm not able to take many pain meds, and the ones I have taken really don't do much of anything for me. I don't believe I have the TOS....think it would still be possible they would end up removing them WITHOUT having the TOS?
View 1 RepliesWhen I was first diagnosed with CFS/ME, my specialist at UCLA prescribed doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant. The target dosage was 40 mg, and I was able to tolerate 37 1/2 mg. I started out on a very low dosage, emptying out most of a capsule, and very gradually ramped up. I started feeling better almost immediately. I mean, way better. My doctor said doxepin was shown to help CFS/ME in a clinical trial. Just another treatment to consider...
View 14 RepliesI am 43 yrs old and just been diagnosed with GS.I have had terrible pain in the rt rib area for ages,has anyone else any experience of this? The pain comes and goes and alters in severity.My other main symptoms seem to be nausea,dizziness and anxiety.The medical books say i should be symptom free not in my case-any views welcome!
View 14 RepliesFor about 6 weeks I've had stomach irritation, intermittent pain in left and right side with tenderness under the ribs, headaches, lower and upper abdomen pain, bloating, belching, an intermittent sharp pain like an electric shock at the top and just to the right of my abdomen, and most recently floating stools.
To be honest the pain isn't unbearable, just irritating, very uncomfortable and persistent which is getting me down. I wake every day with the same series of pains and bothersome bloating and burning. I've been on omeprazole for about four weeks which doesn't seem to have sorted it.
I've felt something, fluid-like, under my right rib for some months. I had my gallbladder removed last September and had no problems for several months. Recently I have had irritation under my rib with soreness. It feels like a fluid sac that moves around. It's uncomfortable at time and I have to watch how I sleep on my right side.
View 2 RepliesI'm 15 Years Old , And I Have An Extra Rib. Mom Found Out When I Was A Baby. It Hurts Every Now And Then ! But When Its Hurts It Feels Like Something is pinching it from the Inside . Like Its Jammed Or Something. I Cant Run Or Walk For To Long Because Of The Pain It Causes , Sometimes I Cant Even Lay On That Side. The Pain Goes Through My back Too. Its Sometimes Unbearable. Is This A Bad Thing? I Haven't had it checked Since I Was Maybe 6 or 7 . could Be Younger. Ill Be 16 In May . and i Definitely Don't Want Rib Removal. What Can I Do?
View 1 RepliesIm looking for some advice,I have been diagnosed with cervical rib on both sides and also thoracic outlet syndrome. I have had loads of tests and been told I have got to have the ribs removed but before they can do anything I have got to have one more test that is a VENOGRAM of the upper limbs, they have told me I will need anorectic and I will be in for the day but I'm still none the wiser of what they are doing other than having the dye. I was hoping someone on here has had it done and could tell me more about this procedure.
View 9 RepliesI (have) had Thoracic outlet syndrome. It took approx 8 years to figure out what I had. Finally found a doctor I could agree with. He found cervical ribs both right and left. Only had symptoms on my right side. Pretty sure symptoms were brought on by a car accident (whiplash). Anyway.. Had the cervical rib removed and the first rib removed along with the scalene muscle that was in a spasm. It has been 5 weeks and I am still taking pain meds, although I am finally starting to feel some relief. Not ready to quit the pain meds though. Although I'm gonna have to since my dr wants me off them. Wish he could feel this pain. My chest is numb but it is painful underneath. It burns like heck and the muscles, or it may be the fascia that runs from my neck to my chest that is so tight it kills me. I try to do my stretches but it hurts. Mornings are awful. Be prepared to not sleep at first. I am thankful to have found this site. You feel like you are the only one out there who has been through this since it is such a rare anomaly. If you are going to have this surgery prepare yourself for not only the pain but the mental challenge of being in pain for so long. You will have some really down days.
View 53 RepliesI am diagnosed with DISH about 10 years back. My cervical and lumbar spine is fused due growth of calcifications and having lot of pain. my neck movements are restricted and with lot of pain. my posture is also disturbed and could not walk straight. My neck is bent forward and could not lift it straight to its original position. I underwent laminectomy surgery for lumbar spine L3 to L5 and S1 and its is fused by fixing pedicle screws. At present i am not taking any medicine for DISH. of course i am diabetic and hypertensive but under control. Recently a stunt is implanted as there was a block in LCX vessel.
I'm 47 and have just had an x ray to confirm I have an xtra rib on my left side.My symptoms are mild at present - slight pain,numbness and extreme coldness at times. My doctor advised to do nothing and carry on as I have been. I do some yoga and fitness classes. Are there any specific exercises that help this condition?
View 1 RepliesHave been suffering for 3 months with pain from cervical issues (diagnosed through MRI) - bulging discs, some stenosis, degenerative disk disease that is causing severe pain from neck through shoulder blade, underarm and down left arm. As I've had arthritis in my neck for a long time I know this pain came about from a stress injury to my neck. Have tried much conservative treatment (some physical therapy, chiropractic, and medication - currently 900 mg gabapentin and hydrocodone and ibuprofen and various others that I stopped.) I just had a Epidural Injection last week and thru this week experienced a bit of relief but not what I was hoping for. My question is has anyone gotten better with this type of problem doing these measures and had their problem resolve or at least get about 75% better without having any surgical intervention. My doctor thinks we can resolve this without surgery but also said surgery would be extensive as I have about 4/5 bad levels. I'm thinking of trying acupuncture and would appreciate anyone's input. Very tired of the pain and getting a bit depressed.
View 6 RepliesI've been having pain and neck stiffness for years, and also have rheumatoid arthritis. Several months ago I started having "pins and needles" feeling in my left arm that became more and more intense from my shoulder down into my hand, mostly my thumb. I had an MRI, this is the result:
C2-3: There is a small posterior right lateral disc osteophyte complex as well as advanced facet arthropathy, particularly involving the right facet joint. This causes marked narrowing of the right neural foramen.
C3-4: There is moderate facet arthropathy, causing moderate narrowing of the left neural foramen. No evidence of canal stenosis. Right neural foramen appears patent.
C4-5: There is mild disc space narrowing and a right paracentral posterior disc/osteophyte complex causing minimal ventral impression on the thecal sac and mild narrowing of the right neural foramen. There is also moderate right facet arthropathy.
C5-6: There is advanced disc space narrowing, with prominent spurring both anteriorly and posteriorly. There is endplate sclerosis on both sides of the disc space. A prominent central posterior disc/osteophyte complex causes moderate to severe canal stenosis at this level with mild flattening of the cord. There is also moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. Neural foramina are significantly compromised at this level.
C6-7: There is a small posterior disc/osteophyte complex with minimal ventral impression on the thecal sac, but no significant canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing.
C7-T1: Normal.
OTHER: There is degeneration and narrowing at the C1-2 articulation with some irregularity of the dens.
CONCLUSION: Advanced degenerative disc disease involving the cervical spine, which is most severe at C5-6 with canal stenosis and bilateral neural foraminal narrowing at this level.
My doctor never called me, just sent me an email that said "no bulging disks, just arthritis", and he suggested I go see a pain management doctor. What should I do? I am having a really bad day today, my arm has been asleep more than it has been awake, and it's becoming more painful.
I'm 48 suffered with cervical spondylosis for around 6 years, in the last two years it's got so painful. I have tried all meds, last year I had an op foraminotomy where they drilled the left side spurs C4 to C7. But the last year has been a nightmare the pain is worse. I have now had more MRI & CT scans more meds and having two injections next week. I asked the long term affect of my neck I was told I have a neck of a 70 year old. What dose this actually mean? Wheelchair what?? I am also on the list for a anterior cervical discectomy & fusion.
I have a fall time desk job which doesn't help at all but have a mortgage... holiday is taken as sick days.
I am recovering from Anterior Cervical Discectomy, which became necessary to avoid drastic further deterioration.
I would like to tell you about my experience and what helped me. My problem started quite unexpectedly with a persistent back ache at work (I am an office worker). Within days it was so bad that I was vomiting with pain and had to stop working (I was commuting to London). I was on morphine within three weeks, but it did not help either. I won't list here all the various painkillers I was prescribed, which helped to certain extent, but the pain was so bad that I was suicidal. The doctors communicated with me hardly at all except writing another painkiller prescription. I felt totally abandoned by them. I tried osteopathy, ordinary physiotherapy and Bowen's therapy. Bowens worked the best but nothing would give more than a few hours relief from the extreme pain. My husband then hit on the Tens machine and that was the only thing that really helped. I would recommend it without hesitation. I dropped the morphine, which was a bit of nightmare for me anyway, and managed to live with the Tens machine.
Unfortunately my problem rapidly progressed to me losing strength from my arm and from my fingers and a neurologist recommended the dissection and fusion. It is not an easy fix, but to me it saved my life. I went back to work four months after the operation, seven months after first feeling the pain. I could not say I'm as good as new, but the pain has gone. My neck is stiff, gets tired very easily and a bit uncomfortable. I cannot lift, push or pull anything heavy. But I'm here, enjoying my family and grandchildren. I couldn't ask for more. I'm 63 and now feeling my age, that's all.
I was diagnosed with cervical spondylitis when I was 27 ( had a severe fall when I was 16 yrs old...fell 2 stories), am 48 now and moved to Wales almost 2 yrs ago from South Africa and since being here, my pain has increased in intensity. Used to get steroid injections and am aware that I won't get that here in the U.K. I now suffer extreme nausea due to the pain and can only dry retch, as the valve below the oesophagus was tightened yrs ago and now prevents me from throwing up. I would appreciate if others with this condition could tell me what the maximum dosage of Ibuprofen one can take. Taking the normal dosage (2) does not alleviate the searing pain or spasms.
I am also very confused. After x-rays, all dr,s have said cervical spondylitis and not cervical spondylosis. Been told that I don't have arthritis and yet this is not ankylosing spondylitis, which 1 dr said it was..(he never saw the x-rays)...really confused even after numerous x-rays and dr,s. I am almost on the verge of giving up hope of getting effective painkillers from dr,s here. Do the exercises, use heated neck bags and nothing much helps, especially when I get a flare up.
Need to know if increased dosage of Ibuprofen would help.
I dont know i have cervical spondylosis , but MRI said i have a cervical spasm < now even after eating food my heart rate increase some times and there are weird feeling all day long in the chest ,pain in arm .. i feel tingling numbness, in legs ,arms , shouledrs some time. disbalance when i just stand up
Mty Doctors are sending me to neurologist,Cardio , Rheumatologist,Internal medicine .
nothing solved . Heart is ok , ECG is ok, x-ray of heart is ok.Blood test was ok ...
Tonight I went to the urgent care clinic because my asthma was really acting up, doctor thought it may be pneumonia, so he had my chest x-rayed. They found that I don't have pneumonia, but they did notice that my heart was enlarged. I now have an appointment with my regular doctor on Tuesday who will probably send me to a cardiologist for tests. I am 28 years old, trying to lose weight, and I am afraid I am going to die young. I can't shake the anxiety off. I am freaked out that doing any slight exercise is going to send me into cardiac arrest. I didn't mention the findings to my husband because I don't want him to be worried if it is nothing. I am just really scared and I don't know what to do or what to expect.
View 3 RepliesMy Son is now 21 yrs of age and has been battling with perthes since the age of 5yrs. He has bilateral perthes. the left leg was the first and this was treated with non weight bearing, callipers and restricted activity and is now near normal, at the age of 8 it appeared in his right hip which he had a surgery ( varus osteotomy) with further surgery to remove plate and pins. He still struggled with pain and had hinged abduction and leg discrepancy. He was then given a valgus osteotomy as a salvage operation and further surgery to remove plate and pins at the age of 14. He struggled on through school still in pain. He has now grown to 6 ft and this has produced more problems as his thigh muscles do not work probably due to the position of the femur that the valgus placed it in. The ball of the femur is mushroom shaped and the main pain is directed through the knee which gives way unpredictably causing him to fall. He has been told by a specialist that he is too young for a hip replacement and to grin and bear with pain management for as long as he can. He has been able to do office work part time, but even this is painful do to the sitting position.His left leg does give him trouble from time to time. Nobody actually follows perthes up into adulthood as once you reach 18yrs you are discharged from the children's hospital and left to the care of your GP. There should be a call back system for check ups even if it was to help doctors to understand the disease. I don't know if surgery benefitted my son or if treatment with callipers was better, all I know was I could not bear to put him back in them for another 3 years and did what I thought was right at the time. Has anybody around this age experiencing similar problems ?
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