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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
BROKEN NECK C1 & C7 - NERVE DAMAGE
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
BROKEN NECK C1 & C7 - NERVE DAMAGE
by c1, May 06, 2007 12:00AM
I was in a car accident 4 years ago and I broke C1 & C7. C7 has never healed and never will. I did not have surgery. I was only placed in a hard collar. I have complained about my hands, legs & feet alwasy falling asleep (pins & needles) and even having this sensation on the left side of my head. When I was life flighted to the hospital I also complained that I thought my right hand was broke because I could not move my right thumb or pointer finger - they took exrays on my hand and said that everything appears to be ok that it looks like I may have had an old fracture - 4 years later my neck still hurts all the time along with headaches behind my ears and into my left shoulder and left arm. Are these symptoms caused from nerve damage and if so, will they ever go away and if left untreated will my symptoms only get worse? Do you have any recommendations of treatment that I should seek? I did speak with a neurosurgeon, but he told me that performing the surgery doesnt promise that I will feel any better or that my symptoms will go away. Please advise. Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., May 07, 2007 12:00AM
, May 07, 2007 12:00AM
I am sorry to hear about your accident, and the residual effects, but without examination it would be impossible for me to help you with a diagnosis other than what you already have from the doctors who have examined you and seen your xrays...sorry.
Member Comments (4)
by SoulFeather, May 15, 2007 12:00AM
See a neurologist and or orthopedist if you haven't already.If you don't want surgery maybe they can recommend alternative treatments such as physical therapy. But since it involves your neck you have to be very careful. Maybe on your worst days you can try wearing the cervical collar to relieve some of the pain and pressure. I have degenerating cervical disc and sometimes that helps me on my worst days.
by SoulFeather, May 15, 2007 12:00AM
Sorry, wanted to add have you tried site injections or injections into/between the disc? The neurologist may be able to perform injections and use a soft but firm collar not the hard one.I bought mine at Walgreens for $15. I wear it at home when doing any lifting and vacumming and even at work sometimes. Some pain management specialist do the injections too. They didn't help me, but some people I know did get some relief for months and one person for a year. The injections aren't a permanent fix, but any relief is better than no relief.
by onroute, May 16, 2007 12:00AM
I could be wrong but when you are in a lot of pain like that the whole body seems to tense up and for me I am ge tting a massage for all my body pain. I didnt have your problem but long pain for 40 yrs stresses the body. Do what you can for what you need. Dont give up! Be good to yourself. Sometimes being in pain for so long makes a person feel worthless and unimportant and that is a lie.........you are important and need to be good to yourself and get the best help possible. Dont give up!
by neo7, May 21, 2007 12:00AM
You could try a specialized type of chiropractic. This method is mentioned on webmd on helping with high blood pressure. It helped me with a broken back. The creator of it got an award from President Ronald Reagan. They use a gentle adjustment and there is no danger. Copy and paste the url below. www.phifoundation.org/neck.html
