sublimejg
04-04-2004, 11:23 PM
:wave:
I got some meds for my pain but not a real diagnosis yet!!
Brief history...Burning sensation and spasms in the back of my neck that runs across my shoulders..Left pinky and ring finger is numb and stiff..
I woke up this morning in the worst pain yet>>It felt like my hand weighed 10 lbs and i had tngling all over.I couldnt even close my hand.It hurt real bad and my neck was just on fire!!!!
I had no strength in my hand whatsoever so i decided i am going to at least get meds for this pain..
Tomorrow i am going to call about getting an MRI done .the ER doc says it sounds like a disc that is pinching the nerve but cant confirm w/out an MRI.They wont do that unless your whole arm is numb.I have to follow up in the morning with my doc.I hope he accepts this new insurance...I also had a lump on the side of my neck he says it is just a lympnoid..I dont have any tumors growing in there that was a relief to hear..so my journey begins!!
Thanks to everyone that helped me get through this weekend..I am forever greatful for all the info...I also have a splint on my hand..I am probably not gonna work for a few days either.I have today and tomorrow off thank goodness but am suppose to work on tuesday .I doubt that i will though..
Yet another health problem ..i am starting to wonder when it will end .It seems like i get one thing taken care of and something else happens...
I got some meds for my pain but not a real diagnosis yet!!
Brief history...Burning sensation and spasms in the back of my neck that runs across my shoulders..Left pinky and ring finger is numb and stiff..
I woke up this morning in the worst pain yet>>It felt like my hand weighed 10 lbs and i had tngling all over.I couldnt even close my hand.It hurt real bad and my neck was just on fire!!!!
I had no strength in my hand whatsoever so i decided i am going to at least get meds for this pain..
Tomorrow i am going to call about getting an MRI done .the ER doc says it sounds like a disc that is pinching the nerve but cant confirm w/out an MRI.They wont do that unless your whole arm is numb.I have to follow up in the morning with my doc.I hope he accepts this new insurance...I also had a lump on the side of my neck he says it is just a lympnoid..I dont have any tumors growing in there that was a relief to hear..so my journey begins!!
Thanks to everyone that helped me get through this weekend..I am forever greatful for all the info...I also have a splint on my hand..I am probably not gonna work for a few days either.I have today and tomorrow off thank goodness but am suppose to work on tuesday .I doubt that i will though..
Yet another health problem ..i am starting to wonder when it will end .It seems like i get one thing taken care of and something else happens...
Sponsor
carol632
04-05-2004, 12:35 AM
Well, at least you got some meds....are they helping? What did they give you? I wonder why they will only do an MRI if the whole arm is numb? There are some strange criteria out there for sure.
Yes, you have begun the journey and I am sorry. As you said, get one thing fixed and then it is something else; a never-ending trip it seems like some times. My saga began almost 23 years ago; I can't remember what it was like to move about unhindered, to not watch where I step, to run across the street....and on and on.
Be sure and keep us posted, and good luck.
Carol
Yes, you have begun the journey and I am sorry. As you said, get one thing fixed and then it is something else; a never-ending trip it seems like some times. My saga began almost 23 years ago; I can't remember what it was like to move about unhindered, to not watch where I step, to run across the street....and on and on.
Be sure and keep us posted, and good luck.
Carol
injured betty
04-05-2004, 12:56 AM
At least you got some meds to help you through. It may take awhile to get an MRI, keep pushing. After the MRI you will need an EMG so set up an appointment with a Neurologist now. Just tell them that you are paying cash but make one with a doctor that is covered by your insurance. That way, when you go in, you can use your insurance but will get an appointment right away. Push for lots of tests, which ever ones that your insurance will cover.
The last word that you want is surgery so explore all of your options.
Next time, tell them that your whole, entire arm is numb. :)
There has to be something serious going on or your fingers would not be numb.
Meantime, make an appointment with whoever you can so that you can get some sort of meds to take down the inflammation. At least they didn't send you for a cortizone shot. Don't do that unless they force you to and then ask for any information that they can give you and then look at them and tell them that you read that it causes tissue damage, they make back pedal on it if you are informed.
Your first concern is to get the inflammation down. If it is the nerve in your neck, don't raise your arm over your shoulder, and don't tilt your head to your neck or back, especially in the shower when washing your hair. That traps the nerve.
Your next concern is to set up appointments. This is a biggie as it takes a lot of pushing to get one in the next month. They are all booked up. There will be a lot of hoops and hurdles. Familiarize yourself with what it takes to move through the system quickly.
Pain meds are great, but they also dull the pain and you end up doing things that normally send pain signals to the brain. Pain is an indicator that something is wrong. Keep in touch with your pain and your pain level.
The last word that you want is surgery so explore all of your options.
Next time, tell them that your whole, entire arm is numb. :)
There has to be something serious going on or your fingers would not be numb.
Meantime, make an appointment with whoever you can so that you can get some sort of meds to take down the inflammation. At least they didn't send you for a cortizone shot. Don't do that unless they force you to and then ask for any information that they can give you and then look at them and tell them that you read that it causes tissue damage, they make back pedal on it if you are informed.
Your first concern is to get the inflammation down. If it is the nerve in your neck, don't raise your arm over your shoulder, and don't tilt your head to your neck or back, especially in the shower when washing your hair. That traps the nerve.
Your next concern is to set up appointments. This is a biggie as it takes a lot of pushing to get one in the next month. They are all booked up. There will be a lot of hoops and hurdles. Familiarize yourself with what it takes to move through the system quickly.
Pain meds are great, but they also dull the pain and you end up doing things that normally send pain signals to the brain. Pain is an indicator that something is wrong. Keep in touch with your pain and your pain level.
sublimejg
04-05-2004, 09:43 AM
Hi carol and betty
They gave me ibuprefin 600mgs..Flexeral 10mgs..hydrocodone 5/500..
I am also wearing a splint on my hand.It is not as fierce this morning..
It still doesnt feel normal but with the meds it is tolerable..I will be calling my old doc this morning to make sure he accepts my new insurance.
Once that is set up i am requesting an MRI..I am suppose to work tomorrow am thinking of calling off ,just to give myself obne more day of meds.
You girls have given me lots of info very helpfull to me!!
I have been pushed around for years so this info is more appreciated than you could imagine!! I used to have recurrent cysts on my ovaries.. For years this went on..Long story short and 3 surgeries later.I went to the library and did my homework to find out ...
They could have put me on birth control to regulate things so i wouldnt get any more..Would you believe when i told the doc he said..Well that may be an option for you.since i had my tubes tied yrs before i didnt need it for birth control but cyst control.Why they didnt tell me is beyond me!!! Lots of other incidents as well..In short terms .I dont have alot of faith in doctors anymore.I prefer to be armed with info before i go..you ladies have helped me to gain that.thank you for taking the time to help me.I really feel for you guys having been through so much pain.I am not real knowledgable in this field but if there is anything i could ever help you with .dont hesitate to ask..They only do an MRI in ER if your whole arm is numb.I have to call my doc for that...I probably will have to tell them its worse than it is in order to get help..
I WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!! You can believe that..I need to make that call.Have a good day ladies..I came back to edit..I have called to get in for an MRI.I read on anther post i may need an EMG..Does the MRi only show the disc problem?Will i need an EMG to show if there is nerve damage?I really hope i dont get the runaround and get the proper tests.I cant work like i used to but havent been fired as of yet!!!I really hope i can find an answer.I cant afford to lose my job until i find another one!!!Thanks again
Sublime~~
They gave me ibuprefin 600mgs..Flexeral 10mgs..hydrocodone 5/500..
I am also wearing a splint on my hand.It is not as fierce this morning..
It still doesnt feel normal but with the meds it is tolerable..I will be calling my old doc this morning to make sure he accepts my new insurance.
Once that is set up i am requesting an MRI..I am suppose to work tomorrow am thinking of calling off ,just to give myself obne more day of meds.
You girls have given me lots of info very helpfull to me!!
I have been pushed around for years so this info is more appreciated than you could imagine!! I used to have recurrent cysts on my ovaries.. For years this went on..Long story short and 3 surgeries later.I went to the library and did my homework to find out ...
They could have put me on birth control to regulate things so i wouldnt get any more..Would you believe when i told the doc he said..Well that may be an option for you.since i had my tubes tied yrs before i didnt need it for birth control but cyst control.Why they didnt tell me is beyond me!!! Lots of other incidents as well..In short terms .I dont have alot of faith in doctors anymore.I prefer to be armed with info before i go..you ladies have helped me to gain that.thank you for taking the time to help me.I really feel for you guys having been through so much pain.I am not real knowledgable in this field but if there is anything i could ever help you with .dont hesitate to ask..They only do an MRI in ER if your whole arm is numb.I have to call my doc for that...I probably will have to tell them its worse than it is in order to get help..
I WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!! You can believe that..I need to make that call.Have a good day ladies..I came back to edit..I have called to get in for an MRI.I read on anther post i may need an EMG..Does the MRi only show the disc problem?Will i need an EMG to show if there is nerve damage?I really hope i dont get the runaround and get the proper tests.I cant work like i used to but havent been fired as of yet!!!I really hope i can find an answer.I cant afford to lose my job until i find another one!!!Thanks again
Sublime~~
injured betty
04-05-2004, 04:57 PM
sublime:
You are going in the right direction.
You will need an EMG to prove nerve pain. Your MRI might now show it.
Push for it and if they offer you surgery then, ask for a discogram. Never accept surgery unless you ABSOLUTLEY have to have it, which in 99.9% of the cases is not neccessary. That only opens up a whole other can of worms.
When you are at your doc ask for Neurontin. You want the ramp up method to about 3000 mg.
take care,
You are going in the right direction.
You will need an EMG to prove nerve pain. Your MRI might now show it.
Push for it and if they offer you surgery then, ask for a discogram. Never accept surgery unless you ABSOLUTLEY have to have it, which in 99.9% of the cases is not neccessary. That only opens up a whole other can of worms.
When you are at your doc ask for Neurontin. You want the ramp up method to about 3000 mg.
take care,
carol632
04-05-2004, 06:16 PM
Your MRI might show some nerve impingement. Some doctors will want an EMG to verify the severity of the damage, others won't.
One word to the wise; get a second opinion if surgery is the only option offered. Surgery may be the only was to prevent permanent damage but even so you should get a second opinion. One thing you don't want to do is wait so long that the damage gets more severe but do be sure it is the only way. I would suggest you check out some websites about cervical surgery and learn some of the terminology so you aren't totally lost when the doctors start slinging around those medical terms, lol.
Good luck to you.
Carol
One word to the wise; get a second opinion if surgery is the only option offered. Surgery may be the only was to prevent permanent damage but even so you should get a second opinion. One thing you don't want to do is wait so long that the damage gets more severe but do be sure it is the only way. I would suggest you check out some websites about cervical surgery and learn some of the terminology so you aren't totally lost when the doctors start slinging around those medical terms, lol.
Good luck to you.
Carol
injured betty
04-05-2004, 10:02 PM
I totally agree with Carol.
Did you read The Burton Report? Well worth your time. You can print it out and read it at your leisure.
Also painonline (approved by Moderator1) has some great information.
As I stated before, pus :) h for the EMG.
I would get as many opinions as possible before I even thought about surgery. There are so many options.
Surgery is not really a necessity.
As long as you get the nerve inflammation down you can afford to wait until you find someone with answers besides surgery.
Did you read The Burton Report? Well worth your time. You can print it out and read it at your leisure.
Also painonline (approved by Moderator1) has some great information.
As I stated before, pus :) h for the EMG.
I would get as many opinions as possible before I even thought about surgery. There are so many options.
Surgery is not really a necessity.
As long as you get the nerve inflammation down you can afford to wait until you find someone with answers besides surgery.