I have been diagnosed with cervical disk herniation at C4-5 and bulging and ridging down thru C6-7. I also have nerve root impingement and have been in quite a bit of pain for going on 3 years. I have an appt. monday with a neurological surgeon, saw an ortho before that but I didn't like him. I have been thru 3 months of physical therapy which only helped for a couple days and at this point I actually relish the idea of surgery.
My ? is, does anyone else experience the nagging pain between the shoulder pains and the burning pain in and behind the shoulder blades? I am currently taking hydrocodone and bextra for the pain. They seem to help the neck pain somewhat, but don't touch the pain in my thoracic spine. I am also experiencing nueral pain that runs down the back of my arms to my elbow that feels like an "electric rubberband". Sometimes there is no position I can get into to relieve the discomfort of this pain. Does anyone know of anything I can do to relieve these pains? Any exercises? I'll try anything!!!!!

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Broad based right sided disk herniation with bulging and ridging at C4-5 with encroachment on the right C5 nerve root.
Bulging and ridging at C5-6with foraminal narrowing
Bulging and ridging at C6-7 with foraminal narrowing