boxer_dog_luv
05-09-2004, 08:19 PM
:confused: So frustrated and depressed. Have had progressively worsening left sided neck pain since 11/2001. Self-referred to chiropractor; no improvement over 2 years & 'fessed up to family physician who ASAP referred for MRI, then neurosurgeon in 5/03. Family MD said neck problem with left sided neck and arm pain then--MRI showed deg. changes. Neurosurgeon dx'd carpal tunnel & perf. release on left in 7/03. I am a teacher; off for summer then, seemed to improve w/ no symptoms until 3/04 when all the neck pain came back and much worse. Now I have constant 24 hr. numbness and stabbing pain in the mid-back with neck pain and stiffness. Family doctor sent me back to same neurosurgeon who last week said it can't be a neck problem. (If I had a neck problem it must be new or I would not have improved after 7/03) He has seen worse MRIs and the patients were asymptomatic was his exact quote. Ordered 2nd MRI (done yesterday) & during the scan due to position I was in intense pain with left arm and left thumb numb the whole time and frankly it hurt so much & was numb being immobilized for 30 mins. in MRI unit that I was afraid I would not be able to dress myself afterward. I am just able to work and then usually hurt so bad I come home and go to bed. I follow up with the original neurosurgeon 5/13/04 and my family doctor says if he does not address the real neck problem he will refer me to another orthopedic surgeon-neck spine specialist (who has been highly recommended on this board). What does anyone make of this? I have never had surgery; am not eager to do so, but my quality of life needs to improve. I know the neurosurgeon personally and respect his judgment but my family MD is playing the devil's advocate here and doesn't feel the same.) My neck/arm symptoms are with me all the time and it wears me down.
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Hurdy
05-10-2004, 01:40 AM
Hi There, First of all i would like to tell you that i can relate to how you are feeling and i am sorry that you have to endure such pain. Hurray for your doc to suggest referring you to an ortho doc if needed! Your symptoms sound alot like mine were. I had herniations in the neck at C4-5 and C5-6 and i am 5 weeks post op today. I had the pain in my neck, left shoulder and arm and sometimes the pain would go all the way to my fingertips. I also had the pain in my back as well. So i say shame on your neurosugeon for suggesting that your problem is not in your neck because your back hurts. The results of your MRI will tell all. The best advice i have for you is to be aggressive with this whole thing, it wont get better on its own and you shouldnt have to spend another minute in such pain. Has your doc even given you anything for the pain? If i can answer any questions for you i would be more than glad too. Keep us posted as the results of your MRI. Good Luck, Hurdy
X-man
05-10-2004, 10:38 AM
:
progressively worsening left sided neck pain since 11/2001.
Self-referred to chiropractor;
Now I have constant 24 hr. numbness and stabbing pain in the mid-back with neck pain and stiffness.
Family doctor sent me back to same neurosurgeon who last week said it can't be a neck problem. (If I had a neck problem it must be new or I would not have improved after 7/03)
My neck/arm symptoms are with me all the time and it wears me down.
You just described my history of symptoms. I also visited chiro first. After no relief, an MRI showed the disk problem at C-6/7. Tried PT and vowed I would tough it out rather than opt for surgery. I also temporarily IMPROVED last summer...don't know why as PT didn't make much difference but pain was manageable/tolerable. Maybe it was the warm weather? Anyway, all those symptoms came back with a vengance late last fall. Like you, the pain, numbness down the left arm (I described it as feeling like I had a tourniquet tied at my shoulder...felt like my arm was "pressurized," numb and painful) and stabbing pain by the left shoulder blade just dragged me down. So it was surgery for me (4/6). I'm glad your Doc is not blowing you off and is willing to refer elsewhere if necessary. You need answers. This stuff is sometimes tricky to get a handle on. Only you know how you're feeling, and if you hurt you deserve answers and a plan of action. Keep on this and on your Doctors. I hope you find the guidance you're looking for soon. Let us know how it's going and good luck to you!
progressively worsening left sided neck pain since 11/2001.
Self-referred to chiropractor;
Now I have constant 24 hr. numbness and stabbing pain in the mid-back with neck pain and stiffness.
Family doctor sent me back to same neurosurgeon who last week said it can't be a neck problem. (If I had a neck problem it must be new or I would not have improved after 7/03)
My neck/arm symptoms are with me all the time and it wears me down.
You just described my history of symptoms. I also visited chiro first. After no relief, an MRI showed the disk problem at C-6/7. Tried PT and vowed I would tough it out rather than opt for surgery. I also temporarily IMPROVED last summer...don't know why as PT didn't make much difference but pain was manageable/tolerable. Maybe it was the warm weather? Anyway, all those symptoms came back with a vengance late last fall. Like you, the pain, numbness down the left arm (I described it as feeling like I had a tourniquet tied at my shoulder...felt like my arm was "pressurized," numb and painful) and stabbing pain by the left shoulder blade just dragged me down. So it was surgery for me (4/6). I'm glad your Doc is not blowing you off and is willing to refer elsewhere if necessary. You need answers. This stuff is sometimes tricky to get a handle on. Only you know how you're feeling, and if you hurt you deserve answers and a plan of action. Keep on this and on your Doctors. I hope you find the guidance you're looking for soon. Let us know how it's going and good luck to you!
boxer_dog_luv
05-10-2004, 10:44 AM
Thanks, Hurdy. My family MD simply says take Advil, Aleve and I have had to police myself and save 800 mg. of Advil for when I really have to do something or am worse than usual. I don't want to build up a tolerance to Advil or get stomach irritation. It is a terrible situation at work--maybe something has caused more injury since last year. School has run out of classrooms and we have to float (first time). I must take all my books, supplies out of class, and exit in 5 mins. then for my planning period must find a public area to "plan." Appr. 20-40 lbs. moved back and forth every day. The school does not provide a cart (which would help so much) so I sometimes move 1-3 canvas totes at a time. The position that kills me is leaning down to help a seated student from a standing position. My husband says if I survive this I should get a cart and help students from a wheeled chair and change my work habits. How does one go about this--so far I have been swept along with no one doctor taking responsibility for my day to day worklife. As a teacher, I am afraid to let anyone know I hurt because it could look like I am not able to perform my job.
boxer_dog_luv
05-10-2004, 11:31 AM
I also temporarily IMPROVED last summer...don't know why as PT didn't make much difference but pain was manageable/tolerable. Maybe it was the warm weather? Anyway, all those symptoms came back with a vengance late last fall. Like you, the pain, numbness down the left arm (I described it as feeling like I had a tourniquet tied at my shoulder...felt like my arm was "pressurized," numb and painful) and stabbing pain by the left shoulder blade just dragged me down. So it was surgery for me (4/6). !
X-Man: What kind of surgery? Your description of symptoms is excellent-exactly me. I had the 2nd MRI on Sat. and emphasized to the tech my symptoms & the fact that the neurosurgeon said it didn't show anything. The tech. showed me the films afterwards (under the pledge of secrecy) and helped me "see" that to the "untrained eye" it certainly did appear to be impingement at C6-7. I return to neurosurgeon on 5/13 and while I appreciate the carpal tunnel release (I earned the CTS with a prof. of computer work & I commend him for fixing the simpler problem first. CTS was confirmed by EMGs.) I hope that the neurosurgeon will have a treatment plan in mind. My family MD said to call him ASAP if the neurosurgeon proposes cervical traction, epidural steroids or more PT; feels like this has gone on too long. X-Man: How was your recovery? Sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing. It sounds pretty terrifying to move the esophagus & neck structures aside. Back in 2001 I would have died before having surgery. The chiro turned out to be a total quack--his dx. was created to fit my symptoms and the original MRI did not show the chiropractor's osteophyte at C4-5. My family MD is not even sure the chiro's x-rays were really me. The more pain I was in--the more treatments and money it cost as far as chiropractic. Thanks.
X-Man: What kind of surgery? Your description of symptoms is excellent-exactly me. I had the 2nd MRI on Sat. and emphasized to the tech my symptoms & the fact that the neurosurgeon said it didn't show anything. The tech. showed me the films afterwards (under the pledge of secrecy) and helped me "see" that to the "untrained eye" it certainly did appear to be impingement at C6-7. I return to neurosurgeon on 5/13 and while I appreciate the carpal tunnel release (I earned the CTS with a prof. of computer work & I commend him for fixing the simpler problem first. CTS was confirmed by EMGs.) I hope that the neurosurgeon will have a treatment plan in mind. My family MD said to call him ASAP if the neurosurgeon proposes cervical traction, epidural steroids or more PT; feels like this has gone on too long. X-Man: How was your recovery? Sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing. It sounds pretty terrifying to move the esophagus & neck structures aside. Back in 2001 I would have died before having surgery. The chiro turned out to be a total quack--his dx. was created to fit my symptoms and the original MRI did not show the chiropractor's osteophyte at C4-5. My family MD is not even sure the chiro's x-rays were really me. The more pain I was in--the more treatments and money it cost as far as chiropractic. Thanks.
X-man
05-10-2004, 12:45 PM
X-Man: What kind of surgery?
The tech. showed me the films afterwards (under the pledge of secrecy) and helped me "see" that to the "untrained eye" it certainly did appear to be impingement at C6-7.
My family MD said to call him ASAP if the neurosurgeon proposes cervical traction, epidural steroids or more PT; feels like this has gone on too long. X-Man: How was your recovery? Sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing. It sounds pretty terrifying to move the esophagus & neck structures aside.
The chiro turned out to be a total quack.
Bingo. I had ACDF surgery 4/6 for impingement at C6-7.
RE: Chiro. I'd gone off/on for treatments over 10 years or more to get relief from similar pain around my neck/shoulder blade area (but no numbness or arm pain back then). Chiro helped and I think I had a minor disk problem at that time, then worsened it in the fall of 2002 during a home remodeling project and also started in w/arm pain. Went to appx. 1 mo. of chiro treatments and didn't improve. To his credit, my chiro said "What I'm doing isn't helping...you need to get to a Dr." which I did. My GP didn't mess around w/x-rays and sent me right for an MRI. When radiologist's report came back, my GP said immediately, "You need surgery," and referred me to a nerosurgeon. My NS said the same thing, but also advocated a more conservative approach first, to see if we could get it under control that way (I appreciated the fact that his first reaction wasn't to rush into surgery). I had 8 weeks of PT and a round of steroid treatment. This was from last May through June. I didn't get any real relief from the PT or drugs (did not take pain meds until just this Feb) but like you, I didn't like the idea of neck surgery (sounds creepy doesn't it??).
Sometime around late July I found myself improving to the point where I said, I can deal with this. This lasted until around Christmas when I took a turn for the worse and started in with significant numbness/tingling in my arm down to my fingers. My NS and GP said that if this was prevalent, I really should bite the bullet and go through the surgery as you start to run the risk of permanent nerve damage, the longer this goes on. So that's what I did.
I'm not sure you'd enjoy traction treatment (I found it pretty painful) and drugs like Vioxx/steroids, etc. didn't do anything for me. Based on what I was told above about numbness/permanancy possibilities and the fact that you acknowledge this has "gone on too long" I hate to say it but you'll probably need to think in terms of surgery. I know it sounds scary to have this done. It's not a minor procedure to be messing around by your spinal cord. Just do your homework on your surgeon, the number of procedures done, any info on success/failure. Pay attention to how they respond to questions and write them down as you think of them.
Having said all that (and understand this is just one person's experience) I must say that the surgery itself and immediate post-op experience FOR ME was less difficult than I anticipated. Yes, you'll have some pain at the incision, some difficulty swallowing and so on. But in my case this has been manageable and tolerable. Finding a comfort zone while sleeping has been the toughest for me, but I was a stomache sleeper and that's a no-no for around 3 mos.
If I can answer any more questions or give some insights, feel free to ask. I had only a single level done and the surgeon used the Rabea implant...I don't have any plates or screws. So maybe my situation is different than others. But I have to say if I knew pre-op what I know now at appx. 5 weeks, I'd have done this much sooner and skipped the pain.
Best of luck and keep us posted on your situation!!! :)
The tech. showed me the films afterwards (under the pledge of secrecy) and helped me "see" that to the "untrained eye" it certainly did appear to be impingement at C6-7.
My family MD said to call him ASAP if the neurosurgeon proposes cervical traction, epidural steroids or more PT; feels like this has gone on too long. X-Man: How was your recovery? Sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing. It sounds pretty terrifying to move the esophagus & neck structures aside.
The chiro turned out to be a total quack.
Bingo. I had ACDF surgery 4/6 for impingement at C6-7.
RE: Chiro. I'd gone off/on for treatments over 10 years or more to get relief from similar pain around my neck/shoulder blade area (but no numbness or arm pain back then). Chiro helped and I think I had a minor disk problem at that time, then worsened it in the fall of 2002 during a home remodeling project and also started in w/arm pain. Went to appx. 1 mo. of chiro treatments and didn't improve. To his credit, my chiro said "What I'm doing isn't helping...you need to get to a Dr." which I did. My GP didn't mess around w/x-rays and sent me right for an MRI. When radiologist's report came back, my GP said immediately, "You need surgery," and referred me to a nerosurgeon. My NS said the same thing, but also advocated a more conservative approach first, to see if we could get it under control that way (I appreciated the fact that his first reaction wasn't to rush into surgery). I had 8 weeks of PT and a round of steroid treatment. This was from last May through June. I didn't get any real relief from the PT or drugs (did not take pain meds until just this Feb) but like you, I didn't like the idea of neck surgery (sounds creepy doesn't it??).
Sometime around late July I found myself improving to the point where I said, I can deal with this. This lasted until around Christmas when I took a turn for the worse and started in with significant numbness/tingling in my arm down to my fingers. My NS and GP said that if this was prevalent, I really should bite the bullet and go through the surgery as you start to run the risk of permanent nerve damage, the longer this goes on. So that's what I did.
I'm not sure you'd enjoy traction treatment (I found it pretty painful) and drugs like Vioxx/steroids, etc. didn't do anything for me. Based on what I was told above about numbness/permanancy possibilities and the fact that you acknowledge this has "gone on too long" I hate to say it but you'll probably need to think in terms of surgery. I know it sounds scary to have this done. It's not a minor procedure to be messing around by your spinal cord. Just do your homework on your surgeon, the number of procedures done, any info on success/failure. Pay attention to how they respond to questions and write them down as you think of them.
Having said all that (and understand this is just one person's experience) I must say that the surgery itself and immediate post-op experience FOR ME was less difficult than I anticipated. Yes, you'll have some pain at the incision, some difficulty swallowing and so on. But in my case this has been manageable and tolerable. Finding a comfort zone while sleeping has been the toughest for me, but I was a stomache sleeper and that's a no-no for around 3 mos.
If I can answer any more questions or give some insights, feel free to ask. I had only a single level done and the surgeon used the Rabea implant...I don't have any plates or screws. So maybe my situation is different than others. But I have to say if I knew pre-op what I know now at appx. 5 weeks, I'd have done this much sooner and skipped the pain.
Best of luck and keep us posted on your situation!!! :)