[Sherryg683]

I went last week to a pain management specialist to finally get some relief from the shingle pains I've had for 8 months. They did MRI's of my spine, neck. I met with the doctor today, it seems that I have a very bad case of arthritis in my spine, lower back and neck. I also have what looks to be a bone fragment on the left side of my neck that is pressing down on a nerve. And I have a degenerating disk in my lower back. He said that the arthritis is what is causing me all the pain and not the shingles. The compressed nerve in my neck is what is causing the radiating pain around my head. He said that he could not believe I was still as mobile as I was considering the severity of the arthritis. I guess all those years of playing tennis and punishing my body has taken it's toll. I go in on Thursday for an epidural block to help block out the pain. I still believe I have shingle pains but this block should help that also. Any advise from any of you that have arthritis to keep it from getting worse...sherryg683