lil'missdiagnosis
01-28-2008, 06:43 PM
Hi there,
I have been told that I have degeneration in my upper spine. I got that information about 2 years ago. I was also told that it was nothing to worry about now. Recently I have been experiencing some horrible symptoms and I'm wondering if these things can be caused by the degeneration. When I turned my head I hear a pretty bad grinding sound and it always creaks. I get headaches a lot, pain in my neck, pain in my shoulders, pain in my chest. My left arm gets so sore and weak, numbness and tingling there too. My muscles (neck, arm, chest) feel very weak and sometimes it feels like they are burning. I also get these horrible knots on my left side, neck and shoulder muscles. Stabbing pains too. Could this mean that my cervical degenration has gotten worse? Also, when I wake up in the morning my spine feels stuck, like I can't straighten it out. It's also very painful and can wake me in the middle of the night. It takes about 20 minutes of activity to work out the kinks in my back in the morning. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone?
Thank you for your help,
lil'miss:confused:
I have been told that I have degeneration in my upper spine. I got that information about 2 years ago. I was also told that it was nothing to worry about now. Recently I have been experiencing some horrible symptoms and I'm wondering if these things can be caused by the degeneration. When I turned my head I hear a pretty bad grinding sound and it always creaks. I get headaches a lot, pain in my neck, pain in my shoulders, pain in my chest. My left arm gets so sore and weak, numbness and tingling there too. My muscles (neck, arm, chest) feel very weak and sometimes it feels like they are burning. I also get these horrible knots on my left side, neck and shoulder muscles. Stabbing pains too. Could this mean that my cervical degenration has gotten worse? Also, when I wake up in the morning my spine feels stuck, like I can't straighten it out. It's also very painful and can wake me in the middle of the night. It takes about 20 minutes of activity to work out the kinks in my back in the morning. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone?
Thank you for your help,
lil'miss:confused:
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poopoopadoop
01-28-2008, 07:58 PM
Hi,
I wonder who told you about the degeration in your spine. I would recommend that you see a neurologist, neurosurgeon, or orthopedic doctor and tell them about these new symptoms. Numbness can indicate some kind of spinal compression or nerve damage that can be critical. It would be important to have new tests done (like an MRI, etc.). A lot of people on this board have degeneration and other problems. There are lots of treatment options.
Good luck,
Lisa
I wonder who told you about the degeration in your spine. I would recommend that you see a neurologist, neurosurgeon, or orthopedic doctor and tell them about these new symptoms. Numbness can indicate some kind of spinal compression or nerve damage that can be critical. It would be important to have new tests done (like an MRI, etc.). A lot of people on this board have degeneration and other problems. There are lots of treatment options.
Good luck,
Lisa
lil'missdiagnosis
01-28-2008, 08:12 PM
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your response. I'm sorry I forgot to post that it was an orthopedic doctor who told me about the degeneration after any MRI of my spine. At that time he said that I shouldn't worry about it then but to worry about it later on when it progresses. Could all of these symptoms I'm having be caused by degeneration? I guess if so my next step would be to go back to the doctor. Should I go back to ortho or try neurologist? Thank you for your help.
lil'miss
Thank you for your response. I'm sorry I forgot to post that it was an orthopedic doctor who told me about the degeneration after any MRI of my spine. At that time he said that I shouldn't worry about it then but to worry about it later on when it progresses. Could all of these symptoms I'm having be caused by degeneration? I guess if so my next step would be to go back to the doctor. Should I go back to ortho or try neurologist? Thank you for your help.
lil'miss
Fiona_Jo_324
01-28-2008, 08:18 PM
It sounds like you need follow-up. It does sound like your condition is worsening and needs additional medical attention. For the issues with your arm you may need an EMG to find out the level of nerve compression that's going on.
If you don't currently have a good Spinal Specialist, I would find one. It sounds like additional testing would be beneficial. Some people see Neuro Spinal specialists and some see Orthopedic Spinal Specialists. I think the important thing is finding a surgeon you're comfortable with and who has really strong credentials.
I'm sorry about the pain you're experiencing.
~ Fiona :wave:
If you don't currently have a good Spinal Specialist, I would find one. It sounds like additional testing would be beneficial. Some people see Neuro Spinal specialists and some see Orthopedic Spinal Specialists. I think the important thing is finding a surgeon you're comfortable with and who has really strong credentials.
I'm sorry about the pain you're experiencing.
~ Fiona :wave:
lil'missdiagnosis
01-28-2008, 08:47 PM
Hi Fiona,
Thank you so much for your reply. I will make an appointment tomorrow to see someone. This is sooooo painful! Does surgery make the symptoms better?
lil'miss
Thank you so much for your reply. I will make an appointment tomorrow to see someone. This is sooooo painful! Does surgery make the symptoms better?
lil'miss
Fiona_Jo_324
01-28-2008, 10:45 PM
Hi Fiona,
This is sooooo painful! Does surgery make the symptoms better?
lil'miss
Right now I'm probably not the person to ask that question. I think many people do find surgery beneficial and have excellent results. Unfortunately, right now I'm not that person. But, I know my surgeon has many patients that leave his care, post surgery with excellent results.
I think it really depends on your condition. I think the more information your Doctor gains pre-surgery can only benefit you. eg, MRI, EMG (nerve conduction testing), etc. Many Doctors want to take it very conservative to begin with, so all options are tried prior to surgery.
It does sound like you're in a lot of pain, so I would definitely get the ball rolling and start seeing someone, the pain your experiencing definitely does sound like pain associated with spine issues (so many of your symptoms are very similar to what I've experienced - so I can certainly to relate to you). I would say just remember to keep asking lots of questions and definitely seek a specialists that wants to run the tests that will give you the most answers as to what's going on.
Keep us posted on what you find out. :angel:
~ Fiona :wave:
This is sooooo painful! Does surgery make the symptoms better?
lil'miss
Right now I'm probably not the person to ask that question. I think many people do find surgery beneficial and have excellent results. Unfortunately, right now I'm not that person. But, I know my surgeon has many patients that leave his care, post surgery with excellent results.
I think it really depends on your condition. I think the more information your Doctor gains pre-surgery can only benefit you. eg, MRI, EMG (nerve conduction testing), etc. Many Doctors want to take it very conservative to begin with, so all options are tried prior to surgery.
It does sound like you're in a lot of pain, so I would definitely get the ball rolling and start seeing someone, the pain your experiencing definitely does sound like pain associated with spine issues (so many of your symptoms are very similar to what I've experienced - so I can certainly to relate to you). I would say just remember to keep asking lots of questions and definitely seek a specialists that wants to run the tests that will give you the most answers as to what's going on.
Keep us posted on what you find out. :angel:
~ Fiona :wave: