Re: No surgeries No relief....What Now?

[Guest guest]

I have degenerated discs in my neck with bone spurs that affect my entire

left side. It just turns weak, arm and leg. I use cervical traction for a

while and it goes away for a while. I've been told there is no surgery to

fix the neck problem, only an epidural as needed. I had one almost 10 years

ago and don't have much trouble out of it.

I'm also having trouble with R5-R6 the same way, but it's affecting my right

leg and hip mostly. Again, it's not surgically repairable, only an epidural,

and that's not guaranteed. I'm using my own version of traction using a step

ladder to lean over. That stretches my spine back out and it's ok for a few

more days. I also had to sleep on my right side with a thick pillow between

my legs to align my spine. This is caused by DDD, and can only get worse if

anything. It's what I have to deal with.

Dennis in Eastexas

" It's not Rocket Surgery "

[ ] No surgeries No relief....What Now?

> Hi all. I am fairly new and would like to thank those that have

> given me such a warm heart felt welcome. Believe me I needed it.

> When I first joined I had explained I was diagnosed with RA, and

> Degenerative disk disease, with several herniated disks in my neck

> and back.

> After my first apointment with the Rhuemy he doesn't believe the

> Rheumatoid Arthritis to be the case. I am Rhuematoid Factored?!?!

> He then told me I was suffering from what he believed to be

> Fibromyalgia. He does support the DDD diagnoses. He had started me

> on Zanaflex to help me sleep, Ultram ER, and Lidoderm patches. I am

> probably 75% pain free now which is a big relief.

> I also was sent to get a nerve test on my arms to see if the

> herniated disk in my neck are compromising any nerves in my arms. I

> have a lot of problems with my elbows down to my figer tips going

> numb.

> Which is my number one reason I don't get very good sleep. I got

> more sleep when my kids were newborns!Atleast then I slept in a 2-3

> hour stretch. Now I get up every hour so I can gain feeling in my

> arms and re-adjust myself in bed.

> The nerve test came up with a mild case of carpel tunnel. So no

> surgery there. Seems no one wants to surgically fix me. Which I have

> been hoping from the start.

> Is there anyone that can tell me from their personal experience

> anything I can try to get some relief? Maybe something else I can

> talk to my Dr about?

> Thanks,

> Kim

[Guest guest]

HI Kim & Dennis,

Why are you adverse to surgery on your neck?

Several years ago I had severe radicular pain down both arms. Tried

several rounds therapy and a few injections. Nothing helped. An MRI

showed I had been discs in my neck. A myelogram proved they were

very degenerated. Dec 1992 I had a cervical diskectomy & fusion of

C5, C6 & C7. Since then no more radicular pain! Just chronic muscle

spasms in my trapezius. Also limited neck extension.

Since my spinal surgery I have had 5 others. Last year I had my

thyroid gland removed. It's scar runs into my spinal scar.

Is it the spinal surgery you are concerned about? My good efriend

recently had her cervical fusions and it was much easier on her than

mine in 1992.

Good luck to both of you,

Debbie L

Round Rock, Texas

[Guest guest]

HI Dennis,

Sorry to hear your doctors can't fix your neck. I had a very good

one. As far as I know he is still on the Texas Medical Board,

. He is/was a neurosurgeon.

Best wishes,

Debbie L

>

> For me it's not adverse reaction to the idea of surgery. The

doctors just

> won't do it! That's all I can go by.

>

> Dennis in Eastexas

> " It's not Rocket Surgery "

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI Kim,

My herniated disks were most likely from working several years in as

a hospital nurse. My pain started down my lt arm in the late 80's

when I was in nursing school. Made it hard to concentrate. When I

moved to Austin I saw a rheum who gave me shots to control that.

Then the pain when down my rt arm and was more severe. My pcp

ordered an MRI which showed my disks were badly herniated. By 1991 I

was in severe pain. I took 2 tylenol es every 4 hrs and 2 ibuprofen

2hrs after the tylenol then every 4 hrs. So I was taking something

every 2 hrs around the clock. I found a neurosurgeon who was willing

to help me. My surgery was Dec 19, 1992. Shortly afterward I found

out I have fibro.

I drew a picture showing me hanging at the end of a rope. Neuritis

and neck pain were scissors and abd pain a match. I showed it to my

neuro and still have the drawing.

[Guest guest]

-Dennis,

Mine IS in my lower back, and still they say NO to surgery to fuse

it.I would gladly give up my radicular pain at this point! It would

give me one les thing that hurt!!.....but according to the Docs...no

surgery...it wouldn't help. I think they ought to get their dtories

straight!!jenna

-- In , " deebs87 " <dlohf@...> wrote:

>

> HI Dennis,

> Sorry to hear your doctors can't fix your neck. I had a very good

> one. As far as I know he is still on the Texas Medical Board,

> . He is/was a neurosurgeon.

>

> Best wishes,

>

> Debbie L

>

>

>

>

> >

> > For me it's not adverse reaction to the idea of surgery. The

> doctors just

> > won't do it! That's all I can go by.

> >

> > Dennis in Eastexas

> > " It's not Rocket Surgery "

> >

> >

>