Help! I need your guys advice ASAP! (Neck herniation) (m).. - Hernia Message Board

greenacres · 08-20-2008, 07:25 AM

Well, here again, I woke up this AM with my neck in severe pain. My back of neck is swollen a bit (again) and my left upper back and arm hurts all the way down to my fingers (back side of arm) and I should not be driving although I had to drive to work cause my ROM is horrible. Last time this happaned in march. I could not get out of bed without help from my husband and I cried I wasi n so much pain there and at chrio's office. I went to my chiro and after about 3-4 weeks he fixed me up but never ordered an MRI to see what had happened. NOW, it's not an amergency, so I don't feel like I should go to ER - should i go to my family physician or go to urgent care? Or should I do nothing? If you look at my past posts, youc an see my history - SIGNIFICANT for neck problems - herniations/bulges throughout C3-C6. Last MRI was in October of I think 2007. What should I do? It hurts to sit here at mydesk.

Ugggh, I don't even know what I did. I'm 38 years old. THanks.

Here's my MRI from 10/07.

Here's October 2007 MRI: - MRI Cervical Spine without Contrast.
The vertebrae are normally aligned. Stature of the vertebral bodies is maintained. Spinal cord is of normal morphology with exception of ventral impression on the cord in the left paramedian location at C6-7 secondary to moderate protrusion of the nucleus pulposus.

There is mild/moderate broad-based bulging in the disk/endplate complex at C5-6, but this finding does not cause impression on the spinal cord, there is no spinal or foraminal stenosis at this level.

Impression: Significant protrusion of the nucleus pulposus at C6-7, finding is positioned in the left paramedian location and causes mild ventral impression on the spinal cord. It is also possible that this finding may impinge the traversing left C8 root. Otherwise unremarkable MRI of the cervical spine.
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Trans Am Tony · 08-20-2008, 08:41 AM

Hello. Sorry to hear you are in pain. I can share my experience with neck and arm pain. I woke up on Sept 11, 2003 in severe pain in the arm and upper back. I went to work and stuck it out for a couple hours, but I had to leave. Called the Dr and got an X-ray scheduled for the next day. I sat down and slightly bent over to turn the computer on, and I felt a numb sensation in my legs. I thought nothing of it and carried on throughout the day.

The next day I went to the Dr. I barely made it into his office. My wife had to help me stagger into his office, and I almost fainted because I was so physically spent. Had the X-ray and the Dr also scheduled the MRI for that day. The MRI was to take place at 3 and the results to be read afterwards, but my appt got moved back to 6. I called the ortho that was going to read my MRI and told them about the change, and they said they would not read the results until Monday (it was a Friday afternoon).

I get to the MRI place and I can barely walk, but my pain is completely gone! I had the 2 MRI's and they gave me the films. I went home, got upstairs and laid down. The next day, I just plain could not walk anymore. Since I was in no pain, I thought it was not a major thing. I ate breakfast and lunch normally, but when I felt a need to urinate, I couldn't do it. I struggled, with my mother's help, to get to the bathroom, but I fell onto the floor and could not get up. At the time, I was 325 lbs and my mom was recovering from a knee replacement. My wife got home from work and urged me to call an ambulance. I begrudgingly did, and it saved my way of life.

I brought the MRI's to the ER with me, so the hospital called the neurosurgeon to read the results. He was shocked to see that my C7-T1 disc had completely ruptured and the cartillage had dislodged from the vertebrae, completely crushing my spinal cord. I was sent to a spinal institute in Rochester, NY for a fusion surgery. Thankfully, now I have all my motion back.

My point is, please go to the ER and have your neck checked out. I could have avoided a lot of the situation if I wasn't so hard headed just by going to the ER. It sounds like your C8 nerve is at least pinched by a bulging disc. When it says the nucleus pulpous is involved, it is a significant problem. If your disc annulus cracks, it will release that nucleus pulpous and you can suffer a total rupture like I did. Please go to the ER asap. I wish you well, and hope things turn out for the best.......

Tony

chefjosh · 08-20-2008, 09:25 AM

Hi greenacres....

That mri doesn't sound so hot...if i know what i'm talking about (and that's about a 50/50) the center of your disk is popping out and causing a c8 nerve irritation.

My advice is STOP going to the chiro!!! I can't stand those guys! They take away your pain sure...for about a 1/2 hour. Go get looked at by a real doctor who does more than crack your neck for you. A chiro will never be able to put your disk back into place for you.

Your pain is real and it must be dealt with! If you don't have a spine doc, find one. Go to your family doc and ask for a referral to a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon. Disks and nerves require very specialized care...these docs go through years of extra training in order to receive the specialized degrees...please take advantage of that knowledge.

Wish I could give you more info, but that's all i got. Hang in there and don't give up hope. Keep us posted...i'll be thinking about you.

-josh

"Keep on keepin' on..."

Mod08 · 08-20-2008, 07:09 PM

Your post has been relocated to the proper message board. All neck/cervical problems should be posted in the spinal cord disorders message board and all lower back/lumbar problems are posted on the back problem board.

Thank you.
Mod 08

skych · 08-20-2008, 07:25 PM

Hey Green,

I hope by now you have made it to the ER. Everything that has been said is right. You just never ever want to take a chance when the spine in involved.

Please come back and tell us whats going on and in the mean time I will pray for you!
Chrissy