Rosarita
09-10-2003, 01:37 AM
Hi Everyone,
My name is Rosa and I have a question. I had surgery April 9 for DDD/spinal stenosis in my lower back and I knew something was also wrong with my neck. After surgery, my husband was told I have arthritis in my lumbar spine. Neck was bothering me but my ns said to get over my back surgery first. Okay, no problem. One thing at a time. Well, about three weeks ago my neck popped. Went to internist and he did x-rays. Other things have happened too but I chose to ignore it. Today I went for follow-up with my internist and he told me I definitely have arthritis in my neck. Forgot to ask which vertebrae...what a dummy!!!
Has anyone have this happen to them. I figure that if the arthritis is bad enough to show on x-rays, I may also have DDD/spinal stenosis in my neck like I did in the lumbar region of my back. He said if I need surgery it may not be for a year or two. The pain is in my ear and travels to my shoulder. He offered injections and I said no. I want to go the PT route for now.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Rosa
My name is Rosa and I have a question. I had surgery April 9 for DDD/spinal stenosis in my lower back and I knew something was also wrong with my neck. After surgery, my husband was told I have arthritis in my lumbar spine. Neck was bothering me but my ns said to get over my back surgery first. Okay, no problem. One thing at a time. Well, about three weeks ago my neck popped. Went to internist and he did x-rays. Other things have happened too but I chose to ignore it. Today I went for follow-up with my internist and he told me I definitely have arthritis in my neck. Forgot to ask which vertebrae...what a dummy!!!
Has anyone have this happen to them. I figure that if the arthritis is bad enough to show on x-rays, I may also have DDD/spinal stenosis in my neck like I did in the lumbar region of my back. He said if I need surgery it may not be for a year or two. The pain is in my ear and travels to my shoulder. He offered injections and I said no. I want to go the PT route for now.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Rosa
Sponsor
juju-bee
09-10-2003, 04:37 PM
hi rosa.
i have lumbar issues too (bulges 4-5mm on 4 discs, with ddd, stenosis, & annular tears), and my neck is causing me trenmendous pain too. it also pops all the time. an mri revealed a couple of bulging discs in the neck also (2-3mm). i can't remember which ones, and i don;t have the report. i'll get a copy.
i was told that because of the ddd and the stenosis it is very probable to have issues with my entire spine. i don't know how i hurt myself. other than years of sitting at a desk job.
i have been off work since april. the neck area is a little better, but have times whem it is very painful even to the touch. i ice it. and because of my lower, i take vicodin (twice a day 1000mg), 800 motrin 3 x per day, and magnesium plus a whole other slew of vitamins.
i wish i could tell you all these things work, but they don't. i'm in chronic pain. i don't know what to do. ddd is in my family. other members of my family that have had surgery, have had so many problems that i am trying to figure out what to do.
take care rosa. and i hope you can get an mri soon. xrays are basically useless in my opinion.
i have lumbar issues too (bulges 4-5mm on 4 discs, with ddd, stenosis, & annular tears), and my neck is causing me trenmendous pain too. it also pops all the time. an mri revealed a couple of bulging discs in the neck also (2-3mm). i can't remember which ones, and i don;t have the report. i'll get a copy.
i was told that because of the ddd and the stenosis it is very probable to have issues with my entire spine. i don't know how i hurt myself. other than years of sitting at a desk job.
i have been off work since april. the neck area is a little better, but have times whem it is very painful even to the touch. i ice it. and because of my lower, i take vicodin (twice a day 1000mg), 800 motrin 3 x per day, and magnesium plus a whole other slew of vitamins.
i wish i could tell you all these things work, but they don't. i'm in chronic pain. i don't know what to do. ddd is in my family. other members of my family that have had surgery, have had so many problems that i am trying to figure out what to do.
take care rosa. and i hope you can get an mri soon. xrays are basically useless in my opinion.
juju-bee
09-10-2003, 04:43 PM
rosa, i forgot to mention that mine travels to my shoulders, arms and what i call "my chicken wings" in my upper back. sometimes it can be a stabbing pain. also before insisting on the mri, was told that it was my lower back radiating all the way up my spine.
good luck with the pt. let me know how you do. you are so very courageous to have surgery!
good luck with the pt. let me know how you do. you are so very courageous to have surgery!
cardinal
09-10-2003, 04:56 PM
Hi Rosa, mine started opposite, I had lumber L5/s1 removed 1999, no fusion, now collapsed-ddd- arthritis. March 2003- had cervical fusion c 5-6-7 ddd arthritis, also l3-5 ddd and bulging, arthritis. The numbnes is traveling up my neck, face and ear, also the arm and leg. What a mess! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif It seems once you have a disc problem it just dominoes...My jaw is locking up and have speech trouble off and on, maybe related? or ms? I am seeing a neurologist Fri. hope to get some answers. Its so hard for others to understand us because everyone has had a back problem, but until it hits as hard as the people on this board they don't know! Just be so careful on lifting!! that is what did my final herniation, not much just a water jug! Best wishes and hope this board gives you some encouragement! :angel:
Rosarita
09-10-2003, 10:47 PM
Hi juju-bee and Cardinal,
Thanks for getting back to me. I knew I wasn't the only one out there. I started on the back problem boards, now I'm here and there...lol!!! I wanted to make sure I responded tonight before it got too late, West Covina time.
I haven't worked in over a year and believe me I had to have surgery. I didn't feel right for years and went from doctor to doctor and they all told me my blood and thyroid were fine. I told my husband to screw it and he convinced me to give it one more try. The new doc did back x-rays that were clear so he ordered a MRI. The MRI showed it all and he referred me to a ns. I told my husband that if I have trouble in my lumbar area, I guarantee I have it somewhere else. He didn't want to hear that.
Juju-bee, I didn't have any accidents but I had to have surgery because I was starting to fall. Chronic pain is no joke and people do not understand how you feel. I can't take Vicodin at all because it makes me sick and boy does that hurt my neck!!
My new symptoms are pulling in my right ear, rt side of neck hurts, pain down to shoulder, constant pressure on my shoulder blades like someone leaning on me, sometimes can't open my mouth, singing is a problem and the list goes on.
Cardinal, I agree with you 100% about the dominoe effect. I could feel it before my lumbar surgery and I know there's arthritis lurking somewhere else. It's easy for other people to say "when I had my...", well that was them, they can be quiet now. Ready to rant. The results of my x-rays were faxed to my ns and this time my husband is listening to me. I'm so sorry about your current situation, a water jug. Dang! Good luck Friday and I will keep checking to see what your ns says.
Thanks,
Rosa
Thanks for getting back to me. I knew I wasn't the only one out there. I started on the back problem boards, now I'm here and there...lol!!! I wanted to make sure I responded tonight before it got too late, West Covina time.
I haven't worked in over a year and believe me I had to have surgery. I didn't feel right for years and went from doctor to doctor and they all told me my blood and thyroid were fine. I told my husband to screw it and he convinced me to give it one more try. The new doc did back x-rays that were clear so he ordered a MRI. The MRI showed it all and he referred me to a ns. I told my husband that if I have trouble in my lumbar area, I guarantee I have it somewhere else. He didn't want to hear that.
Juju-bee, I didn't have any accidents but I had to have surgery because I was starting to fall. Chronic pain is no joke and people do not understand how you feel. I can't take Vicodin at all because it makes me sick and boy does that hurt my neck!!
My new symptoms are pulling in my right ear, rt side of neck hurts, pain down to shoulder, constant pressure on my shoulder blades like someone leaning on me, sometimes can't open my mouth, singing is a problem and the list goes on.
Cardinal, I agree with you 100% about the dominoe effect. I could feel it before my lumbar surgery and I know there's arthritis lurking somewhere else. It's easy for other people to say "when I had my...", well that was them, they can be quiet now. Ready to rant. The results of my x-rays were faxed to my ns and this time my husband is listening to me. I'm so sorry about your current situation, a water jug. Dang! Good luck Friday and I will keep checking to see what your ns says.
Thanks,
Rosa
juju-bee
09-11-2003, 01:38 PM
dear rosa and cardinal:
cardinal my heart goes out to you. i have two very dear friends, whose husbands were both recently diagnosed with m.s. they both have cervical issues too. please let us know what you find out on friday. again my thoughts and prayers will be with you. i also agree with your theory of the dominoe effect.
my older sister began having problems with her neck and arms and had a fusion three years ago. once that was fixed, her lumbar/shoulders began giving her problems. she had surgery on both shoulders. she was a ups driver and all that heavy lifting did a number on her body. she is the one telling me to hold out on surgery. but in the meantime my back is getting worse. i had a full spine mri last week and get the results today. i'm lucky rosa, i haven't been falling down (how frightening!!!!), just walk all bunched up, and hoping it doesn't come to that. i am so tired of the pain which is traveling down to my knees, ankles etc.
rosa, i love your humor. i'm glad you came to this board. i feel terribly for you too. bummer about not being able to sing. i can't carry a tune, but love the 101.1 oldie station and rock out daily to it. it feeds my soul and brings back so many wonderful memories.
well got to run. my 18 year old son contracted mono two weeks ago. he is so very ill. it's been like the blind leading the blind. he is up at night with fevers and breathing issues. i am going to beg the doctor to admit him. he isn't getting any better and i am so worried. he is my one and only and i am so worried something else is going on with him. he's lost 20 pounds. everyone reassures me that he will get better soon, but so far that hasn't happened. so off to the doc we go.
talk to you soon.
julie
cardinal my heart goes out to you. i have two very dear friends, whose husbands were both recently diagnosed with m.s. they both have cervical issues too. please let us know what you find out on friday. again my thoughts and prayers will be with you. i also agree with your theory of the dominoe effect.
my older sister began having problems with her neck and arms and had a fusion three years ago. once that was fixed, her lumbar/shoulders began giving her problems. she had surgery on both shoulders. she was a ups driver and all that heavy lifting did a number on her body. she is the one telling me to hold out on surgery. but in the meantime my back is getting worse. i had a full spine mri last week and get the results today. i'm lucky rosa, i haven't been falling down (how frightening!!!!), just walk all bunched up, and hoping it doesn't come to that. i am so tired of the pain which is traveling down to my knees, ankles etc.
rosa, i love your humor. i'm glad you came to this board. i feel terribly for you too. bummer about not being able to sing. i can't carry a tune, but love the 101.1 oldie station and rock out daily to it. it feeds my soul and brings back so many wonderful memories.
well got to run. my 18 year old son contracted mono two weeks ago. he is so very ill. it's been like the blind leading the blind. he is up at night with fevers and breathing issues. i am going to beg the doctor to admit him. he isn't getting any better and i am so worried. he is my one and only and i am so worried something else is going on with him. he's lost 20 pounds. everyone reassures me that he will get better soon, but so far that hasn't happened. so off to the doc we go.
talk to you soon.
julie
Rosarita
09-11-2003, 07:44 PM
Hi Julie,
Just got to my computer and the strangest thing just happened. I got my husband to read some of your post...the part about your sister. My husband works for UPS and when I was 18 I wanted him to get me a job while I went to school. He absolutely refused and I hated him. He explained that the women were expected to do what the men did and that it was too much for a woman's body. He tried to help some of the ladies and was written up. He works small sort and drives. I've hated him for more than 20 years and today he read it and said I don't mean to be chauvanistic (sp) but the packages get too heavy, etc. I didn't apologize but I did smile. I believe her back problems are injury and yours are different. I can appreciate her apprehension because it does take a while to heal but the longer you wait, the more chance of causing irreversible damage. By the way, hubby is a record collector and that's one of the radio stations he listens to. I'm anxious to hear about your results.
Did the docs admit your son? 20 pounds is worth worrying about. I know nothing about mono and I could lose 20 pounds but that's not the way to do it. Let us know.
Cardinal, we're just all over this board. My brother, who was given six months to live more than two years ago, told me this morning to get the papers because I can't work. I sew a lot and I can't even cut my outfits out so that should tell you something. I'm going to call for the appointment as soon as I get off the computer. I wish you well and will keep checking in for an update on your condition. Keep us posted.
Luv,
Rosa
Just got to my computer and the strangest thing just happened. I got my husband to read some of your post...the part about your sister. My husband works for UPS and when I was 18 I wanted him to get me a job while I went to school. He absolutely refused and I hated him. He explained that the women were expected to do what the men did and that it was too much for a woman's body. He tried to help some of the ladies and was written up. He works small sort and drives. I've hated him for more than 20 years and today he read it and said I don't mean to be chauvanistic (sp) but the packages get too heavy, etc. I didn't apologize but I did smile. I believe her back problems are injury and yours are different. I can appreciate her apprehension because it does take a while to heal but the longer you wait, the more chance of causing irreversible damage. By the way, hubby is a record collector and that's one of the radio stations he listens to. I'm anxious to hear about your results.
Did the docs admit your son? 20 pounds is worth worrying about. I know nothing about mono and I could lose 20 pounds but that's not the way to do it. Let us know.
Cardinal, we're just all over this board. My brother, who was given six months to live more than two years ago, told me this morning to get the papers because I can't work. I sew a lot and I can't even cut my outfits out so that should tell you something. I'm going to call for the appointment as soon as I get off the computer. I wish you well and will keep checking in for an update on your condition. Keep us posted.
Luv,
Rosa
juju-bee
09-12-2003, 01:57 AM
rosa.... it's so nice to hear from you. i just got home from the hospital and they admitted my son. i am so thankful. he has been so sick for two weeks, and it has been like the "blind leading the blind" over here.
he has a really bad case of mono and his tonsils are so swollen that he cannot swallow solids. they gave him an iv with steroids, antibiotics and fluids. his neck is twice the normal size. we are hoping that he will not require an emergency tonsilectomy. please keep your fingers crossed.
my sister came to give me moral support from redlands. i was so glad to see her. i read her your email right now. your husband did the right thing by never getting you hired on. ups has ruined her body. i left out the two hernia surgeries (which will have to be repeated). she was a full time driver for 18 years. i am very proud of her. she is the jock of the family. also, she is battling with ups to get workers comp coverage. it's pathetic how they treat their employees.
i am so thrilled to hear your husband is a record collector. i will have to think of some of the songs i would love to own and find out how to attain them from you. "wake up sleepy jean, oh what can it mean to the day dream believer and the homecoming queen" i think it's by the monkey's. you'll have to ask him. i have several that pop in my head all the time!
also, my mother made all of our school clothes until we all graduated. there were three girls in our family. she use to make the patterns from newspapers. she would take us to the mall and ask us what we liked, and she would sketch them and cut the pattern from the newspaper. do you sew too?
anyway, i am going to bed. it's been a very long day and i want to get up early and go see my handsome son. he is my one and only. i am so blessed.
take care, and hope to hear from you soon.
he has a really bad case of mono and his tonsils are so swollen that he cannot swallow solids. they gave him an iv with steroids, antibiotics and fluids. his neck is twice the normal size. we are hoping that he will not require an emergency tonsilectomy. please keep your fingers crossed.
my sister came to give me moral support from redlands. i was so glad to see her. i read her your email right now. your husband did the right thing by never getting you hired on. ups has ruined her body. i left out the two hernia surgeries (which will have to be repeated). she was a full time driver for 18 years. i am very proud of her. she is the jock of the family. also, she is battling with ups to get workers comp coverage. it's pathetic how they treat their employees.
i am so thrilled to hear your husband is a record collector. i will have to think of some of the songs i would love to own and find out how to attain them from you. "wake up sleepy jean, oh what can it mean to the day dream believer and the homecoming queen" i think it's by the monkey's. you'll have to ask him. i have several that pop in my head all the time!
also, my mother made all of our school clothes until we all graduated. there were three girls in our family. she use to make the patterns from newspapers. she would take us to the mall and ask us what we liked, and she would sketch them and cut the pattern from the newspaper. do you sew too?
anyway, i am going to bed. it's been a very long day and i want to get up early and go see my handsome son. he is my one and only. i am so blessed.
take care, and hope to hear from you soon.
Magnum4x
09-12-2003, 03:41 AM
I can only say I had same problem rose I had caged fusion of L3-4-5 Jun 2000 and had neck problems back then. I have since found out my caged fusion failed and the screws are loose causing me pain. After all the pain and agony I was afraid to even mention my neck. I was suppose to have my fusion reparied with a bone transplant or something from my hip but now that I found out about my neck I it is cancelled. Wow what a mess. Thanks for sharing and i hope things go well for you
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"Definition Of insanity is doing the same things over and over again exspecting different results" Magnim4x
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"Definition Of insanity is doing the same things over and over again exspecting different results" Magnim4x
Rosarita
09-16-2003, 01:35 AM
Hi Everybody,
Jujubee, I'm so happy your son was admitted. I'm sorry he's ill in the first place but fever is something one should not play with and he's been sick too long. They'll do what's necessary and he'll be home with you soon.
I actually did something this weekend. My daughter is in Dance Drill and Friday was the first football game of the season. My entire family helped out: husband was on the pit, boys were working and I made sure condiment containers were full. Did get tired and took one painpill but I was happy to be outside.
I'm so sorry about your sister. I finally left my husband alone about the job years ago. It's very hard work and very stressful. I pray that your sister gets everything that she's entitled to. I know w/c is difficul just by reading other people posts. My trouble is not work related, so I have no first hand advice, but good luck to her. Also, I'm pretty sure hubby can tell you how to get some of the records you want.
Oh yeah, my mother taught us all to sew. I was tall for my age and she insisted that we learn. Well my daughter is small and it's hard to fit her. I wanted her to wear the expensive clothes in the children's boutiques and even if I could pay the prices, I refuse. I have to buy the patters, go to the mall so I can see what the difference is and then I put it in the cleaners. Nobody can tell the difference. I even have labels. My kids have designer clothes. The boys even like it when I make their things, I'm just a little behind right now but I'll figure it out.
Magnum - it's very nice to meet you. I'm so sorry about your pain. I don't understand what it's like to have to have your back surgery re-done. My repeat surgeries had to do with my feet and I believe that's what led to my back problem. Other than PT, I don't want them to touch my neck at all. It would have to say "ouch" very loud.
Okay that enough for one day. Will talk to you tomorrow.
Have a good day,
Rosa
Jujubee, I'm so happy your son was admitted. I'm sorry he's ill in the first place but fever is something one should not play with and he's been sick too long. They'll do what's necessary and he'll be home with you soon.
I actually did something this weekend. My daughter is in Dance Drill and Friday was the first football game of the season. My entire family helped out: husband was on the pit, boys were working and I made sure condiment containers were full. Did get tired and took one painpill but I was happy to be outside.
I'm so sorry about your sister. I finally left my husband alone about the job years ago. It's very hard work and very stressful. I pray that your sister gets everything that she's entitled to. I know w/c is difficul just by reading other people posts. My trouble is not work related, so I have no first hand advice, but good luck to her. Also, I'm pretty sure hubby can tell you how to get some of the records you want.
Oh yeah, my mother taught us all to sew. I was tall for my age and she insisted that we learn. Well my daughter is small and it's hard to fit her. I wanted her to wear the expensive clothes in the children's boutiques and even if I could pay the prices, I refuse. I have to buy the patters, go to the mall so I can see what the difference is and then I put it in the cleaners. Nobody can tell the difference. I even have labels. My kids have designer clothes. The boys even like it when I make their things, I'm just a little behind right now but I'll figure it out.
Magnum - it's very nice to meet you. I'm so sorry about your pain. I don't understand what it's like to have to have your back surgery re-done. My repeat surgeries had to do with my feet and I believe that's what led to my back problem. Other than PT, I don't want them to touch my neck at all. It would have to say "ouch" very loud.
Okay that enough for one day. Will talk to you tomorrow.
Have a good day,
Rosa
Rosarita
09-18-2003, 04:23 AM
Hello Everyone,
Nothing important to say. Just didn't want my thread to end up on another page.
Have a pain free day!!!
Luv to all,
Rosa
Nothing important to say. Just didn't want my thread to end up on another page.
Have a pain free day!!!
Luv to all,
Rosa
juju-bee
09-20-2003, 08:15 PM
hi rosa, hi cardinal, hi magnum:
cardinal, what did you ever find out from the doctor?
rosa, so glad you got out. it does help! glad you took the pain pill! that's what saves me! how fun, high school stuff with your kids. how many do you have?
magnum, sorry about the pain, i am in a lot of pain too. it sucks. i'm lucky that a few vicodin help. atleast it lets me get around.
wow... my son is doing better, he has lost 32 pounds. he's 6'... so 160 is a little thin for him. he is asking for all of his favorite foods so he's feeling much better. i'm slaving away in the kitchen. they want to take out the tonsils/adenoids in a few weeks, and i'm freakin out! his voice has changed too, from all the steroids!! he's lost all of his muscles. i'm so glad he's better....
i'm dragging. i have the ebv virus and feeling so run down. i'm not sure if you can get a touch of the mono or not. i'm feeling a little bit better today.
they want me to have a laminectomy, my back is getting worse. but rosa, i haven't fallen yet!!! so hopefully i have a ways to go. i have to get my son thru everything first.
also rosa... i wanted you to know, my (kinda) sister-in-law (i've been dating the same guy for 8 years).. had a disectomy on her lower back, coughed last week and blew the disc between t1 and t2. she had many of the same symptoms you do. soooooo, please..... be careful! she had surgery friday and says she's feeling pretty good.
rosa, i'm gonna pull out my sewing machine, and make me a "carmen miranda" outfit for the jimmy buffet concert. it's a "sears" and i hate it becos the bobin jams. wish me luck. sounds like you're a professional. sorry you can't do it anymore. that sucks. i made an outfit about 20 years ago for my niece. we still laugh becos it was too tight in her crotch. she was a loud and boisterous child, and would shout about it everytime she wore it, grabbing at her "cuu-chee" as she called it.
sorry it took me so long to get back to you.... i will check this every day now!!! take care... and hopefully hear from you sooooon!
cardinal, what did you ever find out from the doctor?
rosa, so glad you got out. it does help! glad you took the pain pill! that's what saves me! how fun, high school stuff with your kids. how many do you have?
magnum, sorry about the pain, i am in a lot of pain too. it sucks. i'm lucky that a few vicodin help. atleast it lets me get around.
wow... my son is doing better, he has lost 32 pounds. he's 6'... so 160 is a little thin for him. he is asking for all of his favorite foods so he's feeling much better. i'm slaving away in the kitchen. they want to take out the tonsils/adenoids in a few weeks, and i'm freakin out! his voice has changed too, from all the steroids!! he's lost all of his muscles. i'm so glad he's better....
i'm dragging. i have the ebv virus and feeling so run down. i'm not sure if you can get a touch of the mono or not. i'm feeling a little bit better today.
they want me to have a laminectomy, my back is getting worse. but rosa, i haven't fallen yet!!! so hopefully i have a ways to go. i have to get my son thru everything first.
also rosa... i wanted you to know, my (kinda) sister-in-law (i've been dating the same guy for 8 years).. had a disectomy on her lower back, coughed last week and blew the disc between t1 and t2. she had many of the same symptoms you do. soooooo, please..... be careful! she had surgery friday and says she's feeling pretty good.
rosa, i'm gonna pull out my sewing machine, and make me a "carmen miranda" outfit for the jimmy buffet concert. it's a "sears" and i hate it becos the bobin jams. wish me luck. sounds like you're a professional. sorry you can't do it anymore. that sucks. i made an outfit about 20 years ago for my niece. we still laugh becos it was too tight in her crotch. she was a loud and boisterous child, and would shout about it everytime she wore it, grabbing at her "cuu-chee" as she called it.
sorry it took me so long to get back to you.... i will check this every day now!!! take care... and hopefully hear from you sooooon!