Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Neck Fusion

Those of you out there with neck fusions, don't you hate it.

I was hoping that after my neck fused that some of the pain would go away, but thus far no luck, It keeps coming back trying to stop the little movement I still have in my neck. I probably only have about 5 degrees movement in one direction and about 2 degrees in the other.

All I can say is that I am sick of the neck problems.

My SI joints and chest are fused and the rest of my back is fusing, but my neck always reminds me that I have AS.

Lucky for me, I tortured my self a few years ago, before I joined KICKAS, and straighten my self out over a few months. I found the stooped posture to be extremely painful and annoying and decided to take control. I layed on a bed, on my back without a pillow, until I could get my head to the matress. All I can say is it was a extremely painfull process, and not one I would recommend to anyone.

Now AS is trying to focus its attention on my hips and knees, when I walk it is clunk clatter klunk clatter. AS has got too much of me already, and I am not willing to give up my ability to walk. AS has also tightened my muscles in my hips and knees. It can take more than half an hour of walking to start loosening up my hips and knees.

But, my neck always reminds me that I have AS.

Sometimes (more often that I like to admit) I really hate what AS has done to me.

If it wasn't for Jacqui, this torture would not be worth it.

Sorry for a depressing post, but sometimes AS really gets to you.

Take Care
Wayne

Dont despair, tomorrow will come, maybe with less pain.

Hey Wayne

I know how you feel. I thought after they fixed my neck the pain would stop but guess what it doesn't. Everytime I look to the left or right with my eyes my neck tries to follow and then I get the pain that will bring tears to a mans eyes. Hang in there Buddy.

John

I thought I was fusing straight, but seems I have lost one of the last remaining joys of my life,, swimming, unless I am on my back in the water, it is now a painful experience because I have difficult getting my head up to breath.
Think I will have to invest in a spa!!!
rat

Wayne,

I'm sure the prayers & support of all the KAer will aid you immensely in your quest to become pain free.
Best of luck.

Glenn

Hi Wayne
Welcome back Cooper Stout without the meds Wayne now you back in Australia this sounds silly but anything is werth trying As I mention before AS has come on very slowy for me I am 52 and I am sure I had AS for 25years My grandmother look like the Hunchback of the Notredam poor woman those days no modern Meds After reading all the story's in this side I think I am lucky Sure I have Pain and my body is stiff had the iritis the pain in the heel but I can still do allot of things the more I get around the better it is but I think there is something in my diet is the reason for AS eating away at me so slowly it could be Cooper Stout
Take care Bert

Edited by Berty on 04/11/04 09:48 PM (server time).

Hi Wayne,
Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Neck problems sure are annoying. Don't have any neck fusion, but before starting Humira 2 weeks ago, my neck was bothering me to the point that I wanted to rip my head off just to get some relief.

Hope you feel better soon,

Nina

Guys, thanks for the replies.

I am still hoping to get some improvements, lately I have only been going downhill and things are just getting worse and worse.

Take Care
Wayne

Neck stiffness is still my major worry, but i know how to lessen it for me.
I have to be totally strict on my diet, avoid milk,
Ensure i spend time with prone lying and strict with my posture,
Whenever i'm driving or at the keyboard i actually take my left hand to my chin and push it back - away - vertical. I've developed a habit of perrenial consciousness about better head position - my neck stiffness just won't let me forget.
And the killer is...aarrgghhh
the demon
alcohol
Sorry, taking all the fun out of life is enough to drive one to drink
or drugs

Ted

I've got Crohn’s disease...
...and he's got mine...
Spike Milligan

The thing that bothered me the most is you can't look at a good looking woman without being even more obvious then most men ;-). As far as the swimming problem I toyed with it but never really enjoyed swimming. The local pool allowed me to use a scuba mask and a snorkel though because I could not move my head at all.

Have fun ... René