...that keeps giving...

Kent Cass
Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Couple weeks ago my regular Dr informed me that Arthritis has shown between my 5-6 and 6-7 vertebrae in the Cervical section of my spine. I was telling him about the worsening spasms on the sides of my neck, and how the left Ulnar nerve issue from years ago appears to have reared it's ugly head. He was reading the CT results when he laid this news on me. ENT didn't bother to mention it. Asked him if he thought it's a by-product of the rads, and he did not rule that out as the cause, and said that at the very least the rads contributed to this new diagnosis. Had a CT in 10/11, and I forgot to ask if that report showed it. Go in later today for some Onco tests at the place I got the CT, and plan to ask them if they could access that report.

So- anybody else told of (new) Arthritis in the Cervical part of the spine? And, if so- attributed to the rads? And, possible options to deal with?

kcass

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Getting Old...
    LOL, just teasing with you bud...

    I'm not sure if rads is a contributor or not, more than likely it is as we already know it can cause damage to the jaw area because blood vessel restriction.

    I do know the older I get, the more aches and pains I get.

    I've had two scopes to my right knee in the last ten years. Mainly due to many, many years of running while in the USMC and several years of semi-competitive racketball after.

    More than likely I'm going to have to get a knee replacement within the next year or so...fun, fun.

    Hoping they can find some meds to help with your pain.

    Best,
    John
  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    #3
    Skiffin16 said:

    Getting Old...
    LOL, just teasing with you bud...

    I'm not sure if rads is a contributor or not, more than likely it is as we already know it can cause damage to the jaw area because blood vessel restriction.

    I do know the older I get, the more aches and pains I get.

    I've had two scopes to my right knee in the last ten years. Mainly due to many, many years of running while in the USMC and several years of semi-competitive racketball after.

    More than likely I'm going to have to get a knee replacement within the next year or so...fun, fun.

    Hoping they can find some meds to help with your pain.

    Best,
    John

    Happy Belated
    Birthday John.....November 10th that is! My husband is a former Marine too and we never go a Birthday without cake and a bit of celebration. He too has bad knees from his time in the Corps!
    Billie
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    Billie67 said:

    Happy Belated
    Birthday John.....November 10th that is! My husband is a former Marine too and we never go a Birthday without cake and a bit of celebration. He too has bad knees from his time in the Corps!
    Billie

    TY...
    Thanks, and to you both as well...

    LOL, you never think of the abuse you put your body through when you are young and seemingly invincable.

    I guess humpin 75# rucks around didn't help much either.

    Semper Fi,
    JG
  • hawk711
    hawk711 Member Posts: 566
    #5
    Kent
    I'm still trying to answer your teeth questions pal! Sounds like you made the decision I was going to offer on the crowns. Now on your arthritis, I don't have a clue. I have some arthritis but none as a result of treatment. My jaw bone cracks all the time and my ears ring constantly so I guess I'm lucky to have just these issues. Just wanted to wish you the best and let you know I am thinking of you. All the best. Steve

    Hawkeye football was terrible this year. Illinois not much better. Maybe basketball season will be better.
  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    #6
    Skiffin16 said:

    TY...
    Thanks, and to you both as well...

    LOL, you never think of the abuse you put your body through when you are young and seemingly invincable.

    I guess humpin 75# rucks around didn't help much either.

    Semper Fi,
    JG

    So true
    The abuse sure does catch up with us!

    When and where were you in?
    Billie
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #7
    I HAVE CERVICAL NECK / DISK PROBLEMS TOO
    I have 3-4 cervical discs that were fried and dried as a result of the radiation. Doc's say the years of heavy powerlifting probably started it, and the rads finished it.

    I will eventually need surgery, but will wait until absolutely necessary.

    Mike
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #8
    hawk711 said:

    Kent
    I'm still trying to answer your teeth questions pal! Sounds like you made the decision I was going to offer on the crowns. Now on your arthritis, I don't have a clue. I have some arthritis but none as a result of treatment. My jaw bone cracks all the time and my ears ring constantly so I guess I'm lucky to have just these issues. Just wanted to wish you the best and let you know I am thinking of you. All the best. Steve

    Hawkeye football was terrible this year. Illinois not much better. Maybe basketball season will be better.

    Hawk
    Illinois football was worse, Steve- they got a comedy act going in Champaign. But not in basketball. Problem is- the greatest football player to ever live went to Illinois, and his last name is Butkus, and he's NOT LAUGHING! And who has the highest salary of anyone on the state of Iowa payroll? Iowa coach Ferentz. State of Iowa AIN'T LAUGHING, either!

    Did get my 2011 CT summary today when I had some more tests done- nothing about Arthritis, but it did note: a reduction in the fat planes due to radiation! Am going to make more inquiries. Technician gal (who wasn't laughing, either) told me the MRI is the best test for finding arthritis and spine issues.

    kcass
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #9
    Billie67 said:

    So true
    The abuse sure does catch up with us!

    When and where were you in?
    Billie

    Twice Actually...
    SEP1973 - SEP1977
    Parris Island SC - 1st BN
    MCAS Cherry Point NC - MAG-14, H&MS-14
    MCALF Boguefield NC - MATCU-61
    FMFPAC HQ - FSO - Camp Smith, HI

    With some schools in between...,
    Millington, TN
    Norfolk, VA
    Meridian, MS

    JUN1980 - JUN1982
    MCAS Cherry Point - 2ndFSSG-DET-1

    But, I was also in the Reserves for several years... Mainly 4th Marine Amphipious Assualt Unit in Tampa, FL

    JG

Discussion Boards