These symptoms have become worse, I feel so much pressure on the back of my head/neck it feels like someone is pushing my head down all the time I can't hold my head up for long periods of time,it's so exhausting ,so I stand up and work on my computer looking down...makes the neck worse but I don't know what else to do.. I have to stand at meetings because I'm too uncomfortable to sit for even a few minutes. People tell me I look like I "lost my neck" and in fact, I used to be 5'4 1/2 " now I'm 5'3" . I'm starting to look like the little old people who are stooped over. I have a lump at the base of my neck.
Walking has become increasingly difficult because the pressure and ache spreads down my back and my neck and my back become totally rigid ! My feet are becoming more numb . I started out with the soles of my feet feeling numb. That has spread to my Big toes now it's spreading to the rest of my toes.I can really feel the numbness in my toes when I lie down.I wear fleece lined slippers when I'm home so that the numbness isn't as noticable. I can't go barefoot at all.
I've had MRI's (C,T and L) and Xrays and Neurological tests(needles) The MRI's indicate "Multilevel Degenerative Disease" with right moderate to severe neural Foraminal narrowing AND left mild to moderate. Disc space narrowing is most prominent at C5-C6. C6-C7 Severe Spinal Canal Stenosis etc. A cervical MRI comparison done a year later indicates Degenerative Desease Increased. An XR of my hands indicates Extensive degenerative disease of the PIP joints and the DIP joints narrowing,productive change,sclerosis and deformity etc.

Docs say Phisical Therapy is best for me, Doesn't think surgery would help me. He says surgery is best for pain not as effective for the numbness and pressure that I have .
Doc. wanted me to go for Steroid injections on either side of my neck., Pain Management Doc, evaluated me said injections wouldn't help me. Ortho Doc says I should try to get them for diagnostic purposes. If injections help that indicates that surgery might also work. I am terrified of shots into my neck!!!
Phisical therapy is just OK, helps a bit with range of motion but does not last even a few hours.
All Doctors are just ignoring the numbness in my feet! I am miserable with all symtoms getting worse. I'm not THAT old (63) to be falling apart with quality of life going downhill so fast! Help! any thoughts? I'm Scared. Probably has nothing to do with anything but my memory is really getting noticably bad.Also depression increasing.