[BlueJay49]

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, BlueJay

[Leed]

Hi ~ I have a "good share"' of those symptoms, and I do have osteoarthritis in my whole spine, along with osteoporosis. I also have severe degenerative disc disease, and have had several surgeries (lumbar) and now have a cervical herniation but I'm not going to do a darn thing about it unless the spinall cord becomes compromised or nerves become endangered of permanent damage. You name it, I've had it done to my spine. LOL Just about every procedure known to man. ACH

For the numbness/tingliing/zaps/feeling of water running down my legs I take Topamax 200mg twice a day.
I also take Lyrica for nerve pain 75mg twice a day
For chronic pain I take Opana ER 40mg twice a day
For severe depression I take Cymbalta 60mg twice a day

All these meds keep me pretty "ok" although I'm new on the Lyrica and while it has helped immensely with the pain, it makes me a little loopy and a LOT sleepy. I'm hoping that will ease up the longer I'm on it.

Maybe some of these meds will help YOU too, such as the Topamax for the numbness/tingling. Now this med was originally used for seizures, and i don't know if it messes with your meds for Tourettes or not. Your doc or pharmacist would know.

I wish you the very best. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee

[BlueJay49]

Wow, sounds like you have a lot going on. Sorry to hear that but also very glad that you have been able to find meds that help ease most of the symptoms. thanks for the advise and list of meds. I'll have to look some of them up and see if maybe my doctor can try me on one or two of them. Do you mind sharing which one of the symptoms I mentioned you have (by number)?. I'd really be interested to know. Thanks again for the reply!.

Originally Posted by Leed

Hi ~ I have a "good share"' of those symptoms, and I do have osteoarthritis in my whole spine, along with osteoporosis. I also have severe degenerative disc disease, and have had several surgeries (lumbar) and now have a cervical herniation but I'm not going to do a darn thing about it unless the spinall cord becomes compromised or nerves become endangered of permanent damage. You name it, I've had it done to my spine. LOL Just about every procedure known to man. ACH

For the numbness/tingliing/zaps/feeling of water running down my legs I take Topamax 200mg twice a day.
I also take Lyrica for nerve pain 75mg twice a day
For chronic pain I take Opana ER 40mg twice a day
For severe depression I take Cymbalta 60mg twice a day

All these meds keep me pretty "ok" although I'm new on the Lyrica and while it has helped immensely with the pain, it makes me a little loopy and a LOT sleepy. I'm hoping that will ease up the longer I'm on it.

Maybe some of these meds will help YOU too, such as the Topamax for the numbness/tingling. Now this med was originally used for seizures, and i don't know if it messes with your meds for Tourettes or not. Your doc or pharmacist would know.

I wish you the very best. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee

[Leed]

Sorry it took me awhile to answer -- Okay, here are the numbers I experience: #l, #3, #4, #5, #6 #7

How's that for ya? LOL

#4 usually goes away with the medication, but if I forget a dose (which I'm known to do on occasion) oh boy do i suffer!!!

Plus I have awful low-back pain, and have had sciatica for 26 years -- that's always fun. I asked them if they'd sever the sciatic nerve, but they said i'd lose the use of my leg -- so that was out. NUTS. There's not a thing they can do about it. And they don't know what's causing it either. I've been everywhere - to teaching hospitals, etc.

Anyway -- maybe your doc can use one of those meds for you! I sure hope so. Good luck and let me know. Hugs, Lee

[missbelle]

LOL....Leed sounds like me here.......I just love arthritis!