neckache35
05-28-2004, 09:01 AM
Hi Everyone,
I am a 35 year old [ removed ] and have been suffering with right sided neck, shoulder and arm pain for about 2 months. Approx 2 weeks ago I started getting numbness/tingling in my right shoulder and down my arm into my thumb. I had an MRI 3 days ago and the report said "Normal MRI", no evidence of disc bulge or herniation. Yesterday I went to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon to figure out what else could be going on. He looked at my my MRI, and basically said that it was a "poor quality film", and he is pretty sure he sees a disc herniation at C5-6. So now I am even more confused. He wants me to get a repeat MRI, which I am going to do next Wednesday. In the meantime he gave me a Medrol Dose Pak and ordered PT for 3 weeks.
I have been diligently reading as many posts as I can on this site. I like to gather as much information as possible. Some of the posts are very encouraging and some scare me to death. I have had "neck problems" for years which I see a chiropractor for. I get the occasional headache and stiff neck, but nothing like I am experiencing now. My ortho doc said that "most" people with herniated discs get better without surgery. I'm really hoping I'm one of those people. Besides, I don't even know if that's what the problem is. Although I have a pretty good idea. I'm honestly scared about PT. I'm so afraid that will just make it worse. I'm really hoping that with time it will get better. The pain isn't too bad. What really bothers me most is the numbness/tingling and the slight weakness I have in my right hand.
Being a [ removed ] and obsessive/compulsive about everything, I have worried myself sick about this. I am fearing for the worse and hoping for the best. The thought of neck surgery terrifies me. But then the thought of permanent nerve damage and muscle weakness scares me even more. My ortho said that after PT and steroid injections if I am not any better he would consider surgery at that point. I think that's probably about 4 weeks down the road.
Anyways, I am sorry to be rambling on and hopefully not boring too many people. I would be grateful for any advice or suggestions that anyone would like to give me, whether you have had surgery or not.
Thanks and God Bless Everyone on this site! I'm so glad I found it.
Debbie :angel:
I am a 35 year old [ removed ] and have been suffering with right sided neck, shoulder and arm pain for about 2 months. Approx 2 weeks ago I started getting numbness/tingling in my right shoulder and down my arm into my thumb. I had an MRI 3 days ago and the report said "Normal MRI", no evidence of disc bulge or herniation. Yesterday I went to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon to figure out what else could be going on. He looked at my my MRI, and basically said that it was a "poor quality film", and he is pretty sure he sees a disc herniation at C5-6. So now I am even more confused. He wants me to get a repeat MRI, which I am going to do next Wednesday. In the meantime he gave me a Medrol Dose Pak and ordered PT for 3 weeks.
I have been diligently reading as many posts as I can on this site. I like to gather as much information as possible. Some of the posts are very encouraging and some scare me to death. I have had "neck problems" for years which I see a chiropractor for. I get the occasional headache and stiff neck, but nothing like I am experiencing now. My ortho doc said that "most" people with herniated discs get better without surgery. I'm really hoping I'm one of those people. Besides, I don't even know if that's what the problem is. Although I have a pretty good idea. I'm honestly scared about PT. I'm so afraid that will just make it worse. I'm really hoping that with time it will get better. The pain isn't too bad. What really bothers me most is the numbness/tingling and the slight weakness I have in my right hand.
Being a [ removed ] and obsessive/compulsive about everything, I have worried myself sick about this. I am fearing for the worse and hoping for the best. The thought of neck surgery terrifies me. But then the thought of permanent nerve damage and muscle weakness scares me even more. My ortho said that after PT and steroid injections if I am not any better he would consider surgery at that point. I think that's probably about 4 weeks down the road.
Anyways, I am sorry to be rambling on and hopefully not boring too many people. I would be grateful for any advice or suggestions that anyone would like to give me, whether you have had surgery or not.
Thanks and God Bless Everyone on this site! I'm so glad I found it.
Debbie :angel:
Sponsor
boxer_dog_luv
05-28-2004, 11:08 AM
Your symptoms almost identical to mine. I spent 20 years as a "[ removed ] before retiring before a second career in education. I woke up one a.m. in 2001 like so many others thinking I slept wrong. After a week, went chiropractic x 2 years who treated w/o benefit of MRI. I regret this decision but felt like a physical manipulation could "work out" original prob. Like yourself, I had first MRI in May 2003 with no stenosis or obvious herniation, just a bulging C6-7 right but symptoms always left. After lots of research, now I know why the NS felt the MRI results didn't look that bad. Over this school year, symptoms worsened, numbness 24/7 on and off all day started 3/1/04 down left arm and I re-presented or "complained again" in May 2004. NS thought I had new injury. Second MRI=same as first, no change. Now until 6/10 I am on a one month course of NSAID (Arthroflex), Soma and Darvocet for extreme pain. I know I have no improvement. If I am still complaining, then he will schedule to "remove the disk" (his words) when I return on 6/10. Bless my family MD, he understands what I am feeling and saying & has ref. for a 2nd ortho (neck spec.) on 6/14. From my research, MRIs may miss some things; myelograms are billed as more definitive.
I am just like you--reading every post and now more frightened. I didn't fully realize the gravity of the recovery. My family MD is encouraging the neck surgery--says I should do fine, not that bad and is being very positive. To me, numbness is more serious than frank pain indicating nerve damage. Also the whole entire time, I have been having left sided tinnitus/snapping that coincides with my neck symptoms and the left muscle tone (cheek) feels more loose than right when I shake my head. Is it related? Some posts also ref. the tinnitus. I notice all these little things & wonder if they add up to a cervical problem that is screaming to be fixed? I am agonizing in my own mind if this is the "time" to have surgery. Nobody wishes a myelogram on themselves but I don't want to stumble through each day doing irreparable damage. The NS was very busy, a man of science/objective findings, rather than patient complaints. My husband who is a weight lifter (never injured) doesn't want me to have surgery, "You may be sorry." This board has been a great source of information to see that others do have very similar symptoms. I appreciate the candor and pros/cons of this board. I am far better armed with all the information gleaned here. Good Luck! You are not alone.
I am just like you--reading every post and now more frightened. I didn't fully realize the gravity of the recovery. My family MD is encouraging the neck surgery--says I should do fine, not that bad and is being very positive. To me, numbness is more serious than frank pain indicating nerve damage. Also the whole entire time, I have been having left sided tinnitus/snapping that coincides with my neck symptoms and the left muscle tone (cheek) feels more loose than right when I shake my head. Is it related? Some posts also ref. the tinnitus. I notice all these little things & wonder if they add up to a cervical problem that is screaming to be fixed? I am agonizing in my own mind if this is the "time" to have surgery. Nobody wishes a myelogram on themselves but I don't want to stumble through each day doing irreparable damage. The NS was very busy, a man of science/objective findings, rather than patient complaints. My husband who is a weight lifter (never injured) doesn't want me to have surgery, "You may be sorry." This board has been a great source of information to see that others do have very similar symptoms. I appreciate the candor and pros/cons of this board. I am far better armed with all the information gleaned here. Good Luck! You are not alone.
garion64
05-28-2004, 02:30 PM
all i can say is when i woke up from my surgery i noticed right away the feeling came back to my hands the pain i had was gone and im 3 weeks post op all pain is still gone. the pain from the surgery it self is bad the recovery is tuff. but id do it 10 times over if i had to. the pain i had before surgery was awful the headach was blinding to the point where i could not even hold my eyes open for long the pressure in my head was so painful . at least now each day i feel a bit better. and im also a bodybuilder so each day passed is one day closer to getting back to the gym i wish you both luck and my prayers are with you :wave:
pattymelt
05-28-2004, 02:43 PM
I certainly would not undergo surgery without a second NS opinion. I had been treated conservatively by three separate neurosurgeons for over a period of 15 years for degenerative disc disease. I underwent physical therapy, arthritis pool therapy, Medrol Pak (three times), epidural steroid injections three times, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (many different kinds), four MRI's, traction, before I would agree to surgery this Spring. The fear of paralysis was the deciding factor. In March I finally had ACDF and PCDF at four levels - C2-3, 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 and believe me this surgery is no picnic and the recovery is slow, but I feel it is worth it if conservative measures cease to work. The numbness and pain in my arms is gone, although I still have the feeling of a lump in my throat and pain in my shoulders which hopefully will go away with time. As I said, please consult more than one neurosurgeon before you make a decision. This is major surgery and if your problem can be treated with conservative therapy, I certainly would go for that before considering surgery. Good luck!
starrfish
05-28-2004, 05:59 PM
I have a c5-6 herniation with cord compression and have been ordered a short course of pt by my neuro. He says if this does not work, he will discuss surgery. My Family Doc is saying surgery is likely, as this is the only way to repair the damage. He thinks the Neuro just didn;t want to order surgery after only seeing me 1x, so as not to seem too eager to cut. He makes it sound like a piece of cake, but it sounds alot more than that to me. He explained that the disc will only continue to degenerate further exacerbating my symptoms and that surgery is inevitable. He says pt will only possibly "give me more time". I am not to keen on surgery, but if it only gonna get worse, I think I would rather have it done before there is permanent damage.
neckache35
05-28-2004, 09:04 PM
Hi Everyone. I just want to say thanks to all who have responded to my posting. This whole neck injury is a scary thing, but it is comforting to know I am not alone. It seems like for the most part those that have had the surgery do not regret it and feel better. I am going to try to avoid it at all costs. Do the PT thing, the injections and give it time to heal. But if all else fails then I will probably have to consider the surgery.
Is it better to have a neurosurgeon or an orthopaedic surgeon operate? Also, has anyone had any luck with traction? After having ACDF, how limited is one's range of motion in the neck. Is there always a feeling of stiffness in the neck? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks
Debbie :)
Is it better to have a neurosurgeon or an orthopaedic surgeon operate? Also, has anyone had any luck with traction? After having ACDF, how limited is one's range of motion in the neck. Is there always a feeling of stiffness in the neck? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks
Debbie :)
jacki56
05-29-2004, 03:52 PM
I know exactly how you feel. I had an MRI which showed a major herniation of C5-6. I am also 35 years old. No clue how this happened.
I first had neck pain, but figured it was just your average pain, and I had to deal with it. Well, then 2 weeks later, I got the numbness down my arm and that concerned me. I went to an ortho because I didn't know what I was dealing with. But, I just got a second opinion by a neurosurgeon.
They both said that my herniation is pretty major because there is one spot where there is no spinal fluid. My problem is that I really don't have too much of the pain right now, but more of the numbness from time to time. Can this cause permanent damage?
I was told that this may or may not get worse, but anatomically it will not get any better from Physical Therapy, and that PT is only for the pain not to "heal" it.
So, what should I do????
Thanks,
Jacki
I first had neck pain, but figured it was just your average pain, and I had to deal with it. Well, then 2 weeks later, I got the numbness down my arm and that concerned me. I went to an ortho because I didn't know what I was dealing with. But, I just got a second opinion by a neurosurgeon.
They both said that my herniation is pretty major because there is one spot where there is no spinal fluid. My problem is that I really don't have too much of the pain right now, but more of the numbness from time to time. Can this cause permanent damage?
I was told that this may or may not get worse, but anatomically it will not get any better from Physical Therapy, and that PT is only for the pain not to "heal" it.
So, what should I do????
Thanks,
Jacki
jbabbit
05-29-2004, 05:15 PM
Everyone is different...but, Since Nov 2003 I have been suffering with a herniated disc c5c6. I have had good and bad days with the pain but kept on going,,,I am still working and doing things around the house. If the pain is too bad I rest and take prescription ibuprofen for inflammation. It seems to give me more relief than the pain pills,,,which do help but put me out of commission. I have pain across the shoulder area, between shoulder blades, and down my right and left arm all the way to my thumbs... The right arm started hurting from the beginning,,,just in the last two or 3 months did my left arm start giving me problems. I have numbness also in both arms... I have done everythihng I know to avoid surgery. My NS wanted to do surgery 3 months ago, but I didn't want to do it... I have weakness in both arms also but that does seem a bit better the last couple of months. 2 weeks ago I had a repeat mri to see if anything was better before I had surgery. It isn't and is a bit worse on the cord compression so I am scheduled for an ACDF on June 7. NS said I could wait on surgery or have it now but it had to be done. Since I work at the school I am having it as soon as school is out. I am hopeful to be better after the surgery. I am scared to have it but scared not to...
feelbad
05-31-2004, 10:30 AM
Jacki, did the NS say just what the consequences of not having spinal fluid in that spot would be if it is not corrected?That would scare me more than just a little.This is strictly my opinion but i would think that if there is no fluid constantly bathing that area that the tissue would start to some how deteriorate or break down some.like i said that is strictly my opinion but it makes some kind of sense,i mean the spinal fluid is MENT to be thouroghly "touching" all areas of the inside of the cord,and if its not, there has to be some sort of consequence.The fact that both of your docs are concerned over this would make me think that surgery at this point,even though you aren't having much pain,might be in your best interest.
There are other reasons that people have surgery besides pain.i think this really needs to be corrected before it really does you major harm.I would definitely ask your NS just what the possibilities are if there is no spinal fluid in that area.I would be very curious as to the possible consequences.Good luck in your decision, and find out as much info as you can before doing anything.Keep me posted, marcia
There are other reasons that people have surgery besides pain.i think this really needs to be corrected before it really does you major harm.I would definitely ask your NS just what the possibilities are if there is no spinal fluid in that area.I would be very curious as to the possible consequences.Good luck in your decision, and find out as much info as you can before doing anything.Keep me posted, marcia
Rolex
05-31-2004, 02:13 PM
I had herniated disk at 5-6 with lots of bone spurs. I was in pain almost 2 years with weakness down my left arm. It then started down my right arm. I parbably asked the neurosurgeon 15 times, "are you sure this will not get beter without surgery?" and each time he said NO. I finally had surgery 3/9/04. I was lucky to get selected for the artificial disk trial study.
I am a lot better now after surgery. I still get some pain in my left shoulder blade and shoulder, but it is so much better. The strength is back in my arms. My throat still
bothers me sometimes.
I would definately recommend having surgery especially if it is pressing on your spinal cord.
Good luck, keep us informed..
Ava
I am a lot better now after surgery. I still get some pain in my left shoulder blade and shoulder, but it is so much better. The strength is back in my arms. My throat still
bothers me sometimes.
I would definately recommend having surgery especially if it is pressing on your spinal cord.
Good luck, keep us informed..
Ava