What now?????????? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

IdahoBlonde · 10-31-2003, 03:51 PM

For anyone who has not read my previous posts, here is short history. After 2 to 3 years of chronic neck pain my doc sent me for an mri and it was discovered that I have a herniation in my cervical spine among other things. My doctor referred me to an orthopedic surgeon who after getting a myleogram and an EMG suggested cortizone shots. I wanted to get a second opinion so I went to a neurological surgeon, who sent me for some more neck x-rays. The only thing the x-rays showed was some arthritis. So they mentioned something about maybe sending me to a pain clinic for treatment. That was yesterday. Then they call me today and say they want to send me to a regular neurologist to find out why i'm in so much pain!!!!!! Unbelievable....why in the hell do they think i'm in pain? They said that my mri results say "mild herniation" and "mild stenosis" etc. But I have the classic symptoms of a herniation. I have burning pain behind my shoulder blades, especially on the right. Pain down my right arm and sometimes numbness and tingling. What else could it be? I am really at my wits end and don't know where to go from here. Which doctor is right? Why won't they listen to me? I feel like i'm being brushed under the rug because my pain isn't "severe enough". What the hell is that supposed to mean? Right now i'm thinking i'm just going to give up and live with the pain like I have for the last 2 years. But that idea doesn't thrill me either.
I will take any advise anyone is willing to give me. Pleeeeeez!

------------------
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

CLJones64 · 10-31-2003, 05:12 PM

Hey Idaho,
Don't give up! Go to the neurologist and see what he has to say...whadya have to lose? Explain your situation to him from the beginning, not telling him what the other doctors or reports have shown, and see what direction he wants to go. I know the cortisone shots are one of the many conventional treatments they will try before surgery. I had one already, in the cervical region, and am scheduled for another next week in the thoracic region...which come to find out is the culprit for my pain, which sounds very similar to yours--- burning pain around the shoulder blade and down my right arm, with numbness and tingling in the fingers and wrist. It's my T1/T2 causing the problem, so make sure they look at it for you, too, and not just focus on the cervical area. Hang in there girl...someone will eventually figure out what is wrong and hopefully help you with your pain. And speaking of pain, I'm on Neurontin now, and it does seem to be helping, so you may want to mention that to your doc, too. Don't give up, and don't let yourself get overwhelmed by all the doctors...your health is still in your control...just keep searching until you find a doc that listens.

Hugs,
Carla

LisaM · 10-31-2003, 07:27 PM

Hi Idahoblonde,
I think I know what you're feeling right now and to say the least it is frustrating. I lived with the same symptoms you have for 3 years. I was told by a chiro that it was a pinched nerve....Ha! Then, when I first went to an orthopedic doctor. He said "I see old damage to a vertebra but I don't know why you're in so much pain." I demanded an MRI and when I went back for the results would you believe he walked in and apologized to me for not believing me. He wanted me to see an orthopedic surgeon. I refused. I went straight to Birmingham and the best Neurosurgeon I could find. There was no problem once I got there but it was an uphill battle getting there. Noone believed me. I also felt like you that I was being pushed under the rug. I felt like they thought I was just trying to get pain medicine. You know, when I did find out what was wrong, it was almost a relief to know that I wasn't crazy and there really was a reason for my pain and that it wasn't in my mind.I just wish, I had not let it go for 3 years. In my case, my disc had ruptured. I was a mess when I finally had surgery.
Anyway, my point is hang in there and fight for yourself. You will find a doctor that believes you and will help you. We pay good money for medical services and we forget sometimes that WE pay them. We are the customers and what's the old saying......The customer is always right! Don't let anyone dismiss your pain. I suggest a neurosurgeon. I've also had the cervical blocks. But after my surgery. I had one this past week. I had my surgery the first of Sept but caught a flu bug and a stomach virus 2 weeks ago which irritated the healing. So, they went in this past week and did the cervical block. My doctor thought it would help settle things down.It didn't hurt a bit. They knocked me out for it and although I was a little sore for a couple of days.I truly feel better now than I have in years. I hope this helps.
Take care,

------------------
Lisa
Anterior Cervical Discetomy w/donor bone and fusion C5-C6 on Sept 9, 2003

[This message has been edited by LisaM (edited 10-31-2003).]