i had bad pain in my neck that went to my arm and hand and i got an Mri done last week. They say that it is a degenerative disorder that has to do with my bones in my neck, and my discs. I am not too familiar with all this so bare with me. They put me on Felxil (mispelled)for 10 days and want me to go to physical therapy if the medicine doesnt work. Also the doctor wanted me to consider a neurosurgeon. Anyone have problems with their bones that cause the neck pain etc?
You ARE in the right place myself and many others have this same problem.
I,ll be having surgery jan. 8th aftr 11 yrs of constant and at times debilating
pain.Surgery was not an option for a longg time.
This disorder can be bad or irratating.Its diff. for evryone.
Hang around here,ask questions ,get multiple Dr.,s opinions and then make up your own mind.
Imo opinion do NOT let yourself get in the postion off taking pain meds for a long period of time if surgry is cure for you. GOODLUCK and god bless
P.s. these are my opinions only, and most people on here arent the people who can manage there disorder w/o meds or surgery.
thanks i took pain meds but they arent helping yet but i am gonna give it time. Does physical therapy help though? cause i may just need surgery. The doc said in the report for me to contact a neurosurgeon and the doctor assistant i saw today said try pain meds then physical therapy then last resort neurosurgeon.
Hi tinymom
I suffered from Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) - trouble with the bones and discs in my neck - for about 12 years before it was diagnosed, and have had 4 surgeries since then to try and stabilize things. I certainly had fear of surgery, especially on my neck, but I am much better off now, and would have opted for the surgery sooner if I had it to do over again. I would be better off now, had my problem been addressed sooner.
Each case is different, and the big thing is to get hooked up with doctors that you trust, and then follow their advice. DDD can have consequences that are worse than having surgery.
The doctors may have you pursue a course of conservative treatments (like medication, physical therapy, and time, etc) to see if that can resolve the problems. But the risk of letting this go on too long is permanent nerve damage, and that is why you need to have a good team of doctors monitoring your situation. This is a good place to learn more about this condition, and how others are dealing with it.
I would recommend you consult with the neurosurgeon sooner than later - getting that opinion now doesn't necessarily mean you are deciding to go ahead with surgery now, but you might as well find out if your particular condition is the type that could reasonably be expected to improve with the conservative treatments.
I have DDD in the neck also, although not bad enough for surgery at this time. I am going for shoulder surgery & was told by that surgeon that only after meds, pt, injections... would surgery be done. I am sure that it depends on how bad the condition is when it comes the the neck/back but it sounds like docters like to save surgery as a last resort. Since it can take awhile to get in & make progress with a specialist such as a nuero. I would start that now. I know when they sent me for Pt of the neck I had to stop it triggered violent headaches at first I did get some relief but not for long, then again everyone is different. With the surgeon for my shoulder he did ask me if I attempted pt so I am glad I did or I would have to exhaust that option first. Hope this is helpful. Good luck.
just what do you have going on up there besides just the DDD?the DDD is a very common finding in many peoples MRIs,but it is usually just part of the problem.from what you described as symptoms,it would appear you DO have something that is actually compromising a nerve root somwhere?do you have your own copy of that MRI report?if not,get one and read thru it for yourself as to what the more significant findings were that the radiologist found while doing the interpretation of your hard films.docs just do not always tell us everything that is in our own MRI reports,really.happens alot and way to often but it happens.you just need to see what it states in that end summary?that is where the rad pulls all the most remarkable findings together.this is what you really need to take a look at.if it was recommended that you actually seek out a consult with a neurosurgeon,i would most definitely go that route.it doesn't always mean surgery but you just need his more expert opinion on whats going on and what your options actually are.it just really needs to be done.but get a copy of that report either from your docs office or the place where you had it done.they will give you one.all you have to do is call them and ask.they will send out a form for you to sign.you just fill out the request and sign it and send it back.within about a weeks time,the report will be sitting in your mailbox.i do this all the time.getting all of your medical records can be done this way too.its just a good way to manage your own healthcare.
you just need to really know what you are dealing with.this will determine any possible options or treatment plans.please keep us posted on what you find out.Marcia
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3-22-01,herniated C-6-7
11-20-01,placement of hardware for failed fusion
9-22-03,removal of cavernous hemangioma that was inside spinal cord. Neuro damage to L hand L leg and R leg.
