Wellness

[highmaintenancejan]

It is pretty severe and is much worse at night.  Really interfers with my sleep and has been going on for 4 months.  My doctor kind of poo poo's me.  At this age, they really don't listen to you...(over 70).

It's getting to be too much...really interfering with my life and making me very grouching and depressed.

Any ideas?  TIA

[Dominosmom]

try a new, larger pillow. I had great success with replacing my standard pillow with a king size pillow. Gives me much better support of my neck and shoulders. I am 70.

[highmaintenancejan]

@Dominosmom

Thanks, tried that...

[MorningLover]

@highmaintenancejan

It could be something like. 

Cervical radiculopathy, commonly called a "pinched nerve"

occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated

where it branches away from the spinal cord.

This may cause pain that radiates into the shoulder, as well as

muscle weakness and numbness that travels down the arm

and into the hand.

[ellaphant]

Jan- PLEASE do not look for medical advice here. If your doctor is poo pooing you- get another doctor! 

[Vivian]

Call an orthopedic practice. If you are over 70 you are on Medicare and can choose your doctor. Your GP was obviously useless. It’s time to see a specialist. Good luck!

[highmaintenancejan]

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@ellaphant wrote:

Jan- PLEASE do not look for medical advice here. If your doctor is poo pooing you- get another doctor! 

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@ellaphant

But, I don't know what kind of doctor to go to....neurologist, cardiologist, etc.????

[Cats3000]

What do you mean "your doctor poo poo's you".  You describe what's going on including it's been 4 months and it interferes with your sleep?  What does he or she say?  If nothing, you may have a problem with your doctor.

Any ideas"  Sure. If you're gettting blown off by your doctor, you've got to find another one quickly.  You shouldn't have let the symptons and no help go on for 4 months.

If you believe that doctors really don't listen to you because you're over 70, your wrong.  Most do.  You should have been looking for one 4 months ago if your current doctor is no help.

[highmaintenancejan]

I live in a retirement community area...so all the doctors see are people 55 and over.  I don't think they really "listen".  Not a really good selection of "Good" doctors here.  We are isolated. (Really!!!).  It is very frustrating!!  Nearest BIG towns are all an hour away.  I can't drive that far each time I need medical care...so I'm in a pickle.  When I see my doctor I will lay it on the line and see if he takes me more seriously...he just pushes it off as fibromyalgia...but this is different...

[Cats3000]

You have to start with a "family doctor" who'll look at you, understand the symptoms, maybe do some testing, and refer you to a specialist if needed.  No one here can tell you what kind of doctor to see because that's a medical question that can be answered only after there's some hint at what the problem is.

Again, when you tell your current doctor what's going on, what does he/she say?  If nothing, you need another "family practice" doctor to start the diagnosis problem.  And you need that now.