TREATMENT: cervical herniated disk, bulging disk, ddd, djd, root damage treatments

[mylove4logan]

I'm 38/F
The MRI report showed:
*Herniated disc @ c5-6 with some mild bulges @ c4-5 & c6-7.
*Minimal arthritis.
*HNP (L) c5-6.
* (L) c6 nerve root damage.
*Mild  DJD-degenerative joint disease.
*DDD-degenerative disk disease.

My neurologist wants to do the Epidural Steroid Injection on C6-7.
My husband thinks I should just go to a chiropracter.  Is this too late for a chiro?  I think I'm better off sticking to my Neurologist.  Any opinions deeply appreciated!
Also, do you think my MRI report is bad news??  
Are there any limitations that I should not do??  (Lifting over certain pounds, etc.)??  
Anything else I can do at home to ease the pain in my neck, shoulder, tingling in my thumb & couple other fingers, and massive headaches?  My neck movement is limited.  
I'm on Tramadol & Neurontin, prescribed by my nuero.  I also take Ibuprofen 800mg when needed.  Heating pads.  Memory foam pillow.
Please help!!
Terri

[MRI67]

I have been diagnosed as partially permanently disabillied as a person of the whole.Vertical MRI C1-2 Normal, c2-3 no abnormal disk protrusion, C3-4 Mild posterior disk annular protrusion w/effacement of the space ventral to the cord, no chord impingement. c4-5 Disk degeneration w/annular bulge. C5-6 Mild disk bulging, narrowing of neutral foramina left larger than right due to posterolateral disk bulging and small osteophytes. c6-7 mild circumferential disk annular bulge. bilateral narrowing L greater than R. My exam was hampered by presence of patient motion. I have numbness on right hand/arm sometimes leg. Control loss of bladder and bowels if horizontal rest is not acquired every 4-5 hours. SSDisability denied once and so has workers compensation since case started in 2004. Age 57 suggestions welcome!

[fsacra]

i have a ruptured disc in my neck around c5 and c6 and my nero told me next titme it happened i would need surgery looking for advice please help

[Brndnsdad]

Terri,
I have similar issues to you and started out with Cervical Epidurals with limited success. I went to a new pain management doctor who thought Facet Injections might work better and they have. The Facet injections last a couple of months while the Cervical Epidurals only lasted a couple of weeks. I combine the Facet Injections with some alternative treatments which include electrical stimulation, lidocaine injections and acupuncture. My relief fom the pain lasts up to six months with the combined procedures. I also received some initial relief from physical therapy and my doctors recommend moderate exercise...which I am able to do now. I was told to stay away from Chiropractors because they can cause more damage to the existing problems. I see you are in PA...anywhere near Philly?

[Judy1961]

Wow, that's great if they are helping you.  They never helped me.

Did they give you the size of the Herniated nucleus pulposis  of c5 - c6?   I can see why you are having pain and arm problems.  You also have limited use of your neck.  Problems with the arm/fingers.    Are you seeing a neurosurgeon?    Usually epidural injections are performed by a pain management doctor at a ambulatory surgery center or outpatient at the hospital with flouroscopy x-rays to visualize the area of treatment.
If it is a trigger point, it can be done in the office without an x-ray.  

You sound like you are in a lot of pain.

Hope you get relief and soon.

Judy

[richmill1]

the injections are usually in a set of 3..at least 2 weeks apart..take 12 to 48 hours to work..if you are feeling better, that's a good sign..first injection works a small percent of the time..the effect is cumulative

[BKVB]

Read the McKenzie Method. It is a book for treating your own neck pain.

[yankeerose1970]

Yep, I called my doc and he said pretty much the same thing.  Just no heavy lifting :)  I hope the epidural gives you much needed relief.  I was a bit more active yesterday then I was the other days so now I am sort of hurtin' again.  I'm hoping that as time goes on that the steroid will do it's magic because no, I don't want surgery either! lol

Good luck and keep me updated k?

[mylove4logan]

Oh, I also wanted to ask you if you have called your doctor about the limitations??  
They just jokingly told me not to do any weight-lifting competitions...lol.  Stay active, don't sit around, gentle motion, a bit tender & sometimes painful, will help with the healing process.

[mylove4logan]

They do it at a local hospital.  Well, my neurosurgeon does anyway.  They sedate you lightly because of the using an x-ray with the needle, plus they don't want you to move your upper body (cervical spine) at all.  Too many risk factors I guess, chance of paralysis, etc.

And hey, guess what?!?  I had mine done @ 11:00 yesterday a.m....YEAH!!  Doesn't/didn't hurt at all!  We'll see if it helps or not.  Hopefully.  I know it's only a temporarily pain process, but don't really want surgery, ya know?
And the fasting wasn't bad at all this time...LOL!!

[yankeerose1970]

Why are they having you fast for an epidural injection???  Are they going to put you under for it?  Like I said, I have had 2 injections in my SI joint and then the one in my cervical and not once did they make me fast or use any sort of sedation.  I guess some facilities do that but it seems to be a waste because your whole day is gone.  And the shots really aren't that bad.

[mylove4logan]

Hi YankeeRose!  Thanks so much for your advice!
I was "SUPPOSED" to have my 1st cervical injection yesterday, but they had to cancel it because...all week I've had baaaad cluster headaches, which led to migraines yesterday and day before.  Yesterday was the worst migraine I've ever had!  PLUS, they told me to fast after midnight, and my appt. for surgery wasn't UNTIL 2:30pm.  That's a long time to fast, plus meds that I'm on require me to eat.  So, with my migraine causing vommiting (lots of it), low blood pressure, they didn't want me to go thru with the injections.  SO, now they want me to do it tomorrow (Thurs.).  Won't know till later today what time.  I HOPE TO GOD I don't have to fast 13--131/2 hours again!!!  If they do, would I be able to refuse if it's too long of fasting?  My migraine/headache has gone down quite abit now.
Sorry this is so long by the way!!
I also want this done ASAP.  Been having these problems for 4-1/2 months now.
Thanks again!!!!!  I appreciate it!!!!!

[yankeerose1970]

I have a bulging disc at C5/6 and a slight herniation at C6/7.  I just got my first epidural injection yesterday and I woke up this morning and even though I am not 100%, I do feel a lot better.  In my opinion, with a Chiro, you may not recieve instant relief as you would with the epidural.  It was a breeze btw and I hardly felt a thing.  The lidocaine injections felt like a little poke and the steroid was a slight burn and it made my arms feel a bit warm.  But I also have had epidural injections in my SI joints so I can honestly say after that experience that the cervical injections was a walk in the park!

I'm not sure about the limitations, I think this is best asked of your neurologist.  I was wondering the same thing and I may have to give mine a call since I don't have an appt to see him until August.

As for the pain, I found that ice packs work best to keep the inflammation down in the cervical area.  Also you may want to look into physical therapy if you haven't already.  This can help keep your neck limber because we have a tendancy of tightening up those muscles when we are in pain and that creates a new cycle of pain.  

I hope this helps a bit.