neck pain - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

boxer_dog_luv · 05-09-2004, 05:19 PM

So frustrated and depressed. Have had progressively worsening left sided neck pain since 11/2001. Self-referred to chiropractor; no improvement over 2 years & 'fessed up to family physician who ASAP referred for MRI, then neurosurgeon in 5/03. Family MD said neck problem with left sided neck and arm pain then--MRI showed deg. changes. Neurosurgeon dx'd carpal tunnel & perf. release on left in 7/03. I am a teacher; off for summer then, seemed to improve w/ no symptoms until 3/04 when all the neck pain came back and much worse. Now I have constant 24 hr. numbness and stabbing pain in the mid-back with neck pain and stiffness. Family doctor sent me back to same neurosurgeon who last week said it can't be a neck problem. (If I had a neck problem it must be new or I would not have improved after 7/03) He has seen worse MRIs and the patients were asymptomatic was his exact quote. Ordered 2nd MRI (done yesterday) & during the scan due to position I was in intense pain with left arm and left thumb numb the whole time and frankly it hurt so much & was numb being immobilized for 30 mins. in MRI unit that I was afraid I would not be able to dress myself afterward. I am just able to work and then usually hurt so bad I come home and go to bed. I follow up with the original neurosurgeon 5/13/04 and my family doctor says if he does not address the real neck problem he will refer me to another orthopedic surgeon-neck spine specialist (who has been highly recommended on this board). What does anyone make of this? I have never had surgery; am not eager to do so, but my quality of life needs to improve. I know the neurosurgeon personally and respect his judgment but my family MD is playing the devil's advocate here and doesn't feel the same.) My neck/arm symptoms are with me all the time and it wears me down.

Hurdy · 05-09-2004, 10:40 PM

Hi There, First of all i would like to tell you that i can relate to how you are feeling and i am sorry that you have to endure such pain. Hurray for your doc to suggest referring you to an ortho doc if needed! Your symptoms sound alot like mine were. I had herniations in the neck at C4-5 and C5-6 and i am 5 weeks post op today. I had the pain in my neck, left shoulder and arm and sometimes the pain would go all the way to my fingertips. I also had the pain in my back as well. So i say shame on your neurosugeon for suggesting that your problem is not in your neck because your back hurts. The results of your MRI will tell all. The best advice i have for you is to be aggressive with this whole thing, it wont get better on its own and you shouldnt have to spend another minute in such pain. Has your doc even given you anything for the pain? If i can answer any questions for you i would be more than glad too. Keep us posted as the results of your MRI. Good Luck, Hurdy

X-man · 05-10-2004, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxer_dog_luv

:

progressively worsening left sided neck pain since 11/2001.

Self-referred to chiropractor;

Now I have constant 24 hr. numbness and stabbing pain in the mid-back with neck pain and stiffness.

Family doctor sent me back to same neurosurgeon who last week said it can't be a neck problem. (If I had a neck problem it must be new or I would not have improved after 7/03)

My neck/arm symptoms are with me all the time and it wears me down.

You just described my history of symptoms. I also visited chiro first. After no relief, an MRI showed the disk problem at C-6/7. Tried PT and vowed I would tough it out rather than opt for surgery. I also temporarily IMPROVED last summer...don't know why as PT didn't make much difference but pain was manageable/tolerable. Maybe it was the warm weather? Anyway, all those symptoms came back with a vengance late last fall. Like you, the pain, numbness down the left arm (I described it as feeling like I had a tourniquet tied at my shoulder...felt like my arm was "pressurized," numb and painful) and stabbing pain by the left shoulder blade just dragged me down. So it was surgery for me (4/6). I'm glad your Doc is not blowing you off and is willing to refer elsewhere if necessary. You need answers. This stuff is sometimes tricky to get a handle on. Only you know how you're feeling, and if you hurt you deserve answers and a plan of action. Keep on this and on your Doctors. I hope you find the guidance you're looking for soon. Let us know how it's going and good luck to you!

boxer_dog_luv · 05-10-2004, 07:44 AM

Thanks, Hurdy. My family MD simply says take Advil, Aleve and I have had to police myself and save 800 mg. of Advil for when I really have to do something or am worse than usual. I don't want to build up a tolerance to Advil or get stomach irritation. It is a terrible situation at work--maybe something has caused more injury since last year. School has run out of classrooms and we have to float (first time). I must take all my books, supplies out of class, and exit in 5 mins. then for my planning period must find a public area to "plan." Appr. 20-40 lbs. moved back and forth every day. The school does not provide a cart (which would help so much) so I sometimes move 1-3 canvas totes at a time. The position that kills me is leaning down to help a seated student from a standing position. My husband says if I survive this I should get a cart and help students from a wheeled chair and change my work habits. How does one go about this--so far I have been swept along with no one doctor taking responsibility for my day to day worklife. As a teacher, I am afraid to let anyone know I hurt because it could look like I am not able to perform my job.

boxer_dog_luv · 05-10-2004, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-man

I also temporarily IMPROVED last summer...don't know why as PT didn't make much difference but pain was manageable/tolerable. Maybe it was the warm weather? Anyway, all those symptoms came back with a vengance late last fall. Like you, the pain, numbness down the left arm (I described it as feeling like I had a tourniquet tied at my shoulder...felt like my arm was "pressurized," numb and painful) and stabbing pain by the left shoulder blade just dragged me down. So it was surgery for me (4/6). !

X-Man: What kind of surgery? Your description of symptoms is excellent-exactly me. I had the 2nd MRI on Sat. and emphasized to the tech my symptoms & the fact that the neurosurgeon said it didn't show anything. The tech. showed me the films afterwards (under the pledge of secrecy) and helped me "see" that to the "untrained eye" it certainly did appear to be impingement at C6-7. I return to neurosurgeon on 5/13 and while I appreciate the carpal tunnel release (I earned the CTS with a prof. of computer work & I commend him for fixing the simpler problem first. CTS was confirmed by EMGs.) I hope that the neurosurgeon will have a treatment plan in mind. My family MD said to call him ASAP if the neurosurgeon proposes cervical traction, epidural steroids or more PT; feels like this has gone on too long. X-Man: How was your recovery? Sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing. It sounds pretty terrifying to move the esophagus & neck structures aside. Back in 2001 I would have died before having surgery. The chiro turned out to be a total quack--his dx. was created to fit my symptoms and the original MRI did not show the chiropractor's osteophyte at C4-5. My family MD is not even sure the chiro's x-rays were really me. The more pain I was in--the more treatments and money it cost as far as chiropractic. Thanks.