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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Severe Pain from Spinal Cord Cyst C-7 thru T-2
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Severe Pain from Spinal Cord Cyst C-7 thru T-2
by CGTMHI, Apr 16, 2004 12:00AM
, Apr 16, 2004 12:00AM
I have a cyst within my spinal cord at the c-7 through t-2.
I am a veteran and I use the VA for my healthcare. I have had shoulder pains and severe Headaches for several years. The VA finally gave me an MRI of the spinal cord and they said that I have a cavity within the spinal cord along with some bone spurs.
The neurologist that I spoke with said that they can only treat with pain management and they have put me on Tylenol #3 and amltryptolene. The medicine just aggravates a gastrointestinal problem that I have. My blood pressure goes up like crazy when I have the neck pain and HA. It can go as high as 175/110. The VA is so slow to act on anything that it took almost two years to just get the MRI, and the hospital is 200 miles from where I live.
I would like to know if there is some way to improve my qaulity of life, I am only 40 and I have a five year old daughter, who I would like to interact with more. If pain management is the only answer, what would be the best med to argue for to receive? I have an aunt who has degenerative back pain and she receives a durogesic patch and Demerol pills when her condition is severe. Is that what I will be reduced to in the future?
Please reply, I am at my minds end, I would like to be able to sleep a full night for once, without waking with this terrible pain.
sincerely, JR
I am a veteran and I use the VA for my healthcare. I have had shoulder pains and severe Headaches for several years. The VA finally gave me an MRI of the spinal cord and they said that I have a cavity within the spinal cord along with some bone spurs.
The neurologist that I spoke with said that they can only treat with pain management and they have put me on Tylenol #3 and amltryptolene. The medicine just aggravates a gastrointestinal problem that I have. My blood pressure goes up like crazy when I have the neck pain and HA. It can go as high as 175/110. The VA is so slow to act on anything that it took almost two years to just get the MRI, and the hospital is 200 miles from where I live.
I would like to know if there is some way to improve my qaulity of life, I am only 40 and I have a five year old daughter, who I would like to interact with more. If pain management is the only answer, what would be the best med to argue for to receive? I have an aunt who has degenerative back pain and she receives a durogesic patch and Demerol pills when her condition is severe. Is that what I will be reduced to in the future?
Please reply, I am at my minds end, I would like to be able to sleep a full night for once, without waking with this terrible pain.
sincerely, JR
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Apr 19, 2004 12:00AM
It is unclear to me, based on your description what type of pain you have. I am not sure, but I believe you are describing a syrinx of the spinal cord. This is a condition when a space in the center of the cord expands and can cause pain, or even loss of pain, and is some cases weakness. In some instances a syrinx may be drained surgically to relieve the pressure, however I can not tell this without seeing the scans. Regarding pain management, medications such as gabapentin, doxepin, and possibly topiramate and carbamazepine are good medications to control nerve pain. Otherwise a comprehensive treatment program through a pain specialist would be recommended. Good luck.
the same thing. I have spurs/cysts @ C7-T1. Went to several
neuros & lots of Net surfing. The VA might be helping. Depends
where & docs. Know folks that suffered yrs. due to lack of them
really evaluating things. Ask to have a copy of MRI report sent
to you to confirm they told you all. I had neck + temple pain for
yrs. till I finally found the right med (Lortab 7.5) that wk'd.
I only use 1/2 when burning starts in mid-back. I finally was
dx. w/ sub-occipatal neuralgia too. I was able to stop the pain
in neck/temple using a home-traction 2X a week. I'm so angry no
Dr. suggested it. The nerves in spine get inflamed & pinch near
your cyst. Traction helps to pull apart disks. Meds help to be
mobile. Tyl-3 = 0. A flat body-massager helps blood flow to the
spine I use off/on. A cheap foam collar helps after traction to
support head which relaxes spasms your getting. Most reading has
suggsted any surgery is a NO! Nerves get nicked or scarring makes
new problems. Don't slouch & correct posture constantly. A heat-
pad also helped yet other days ice took dwn inflammation. I read
that a `block' injection sometimes helps but must be done w/
great accuracy. You really need to get w/ a local Dr. You need
some direction for treatment soon. Don't lift w/o bending @ the
knees. Get reports & you'll need to fol/up perhaps ea. yr. to
see if cyst sz. has changed. Hope I've helped some.