Re: started with a stiff neck

Posted By Tina on July 09, 1999 at 09:12:51
Dear Doctor,
  I am a 27 year old female.  I awoke one morning with a stiff neck.  I thought I had just slept wrong. I waited a few days and it just got worse.  I went to the doctor and he diagnosed me with a cervical strain.  Within a weeks time my neck was so bad that I could not move it at all and my right arm was numb and tingly and swollen and turning purple.  I again went to the doctors and this time was sent for cervical x-rays and a week later a cervical MRI.  The x-rays showed nothing and the MRI showed a very tiny protrusion of one of my c5 or c6 discs.  Right away I started physical therapy.  Now my whole right side of my body, from chin down, is affected by this.  My left shoulder is starting now too.  My doctor doesnt seem to show much concern and he says that I shouldnt be too worried or scared.  My therapist is more worried then my doctor.  I have been like this since the begining of May this year. I am just tired of being like this and need something done.  I went to see a neuro-surgeon, but he said my discs were fine and I didn't need surgery. I think I need to see a different specialist, but what do I do if my doctor won't refer me to one?  My therapist says my nerves are definitly being pinched somewhere, but he is not sure where and what is causing it.  I am so frustrated.  Any advice would be most greatly appreciated.  I am experiencing some burning and pain in my head too, as far up as the top of my ears.  I have also tried to switch doctors offices, but nobody is accepting any new patients.   Very scared in NY - Tina
ps....my boyfriend wants me to let you know that I am on Depo Provera and that I got my shot in the right arm 2 days before this all started, do you think it may be linked together?

[CCF Neuro MD msf]

Posted By CCF Neuro MD msf on July 09, 1999 at 14:25:10
Dear Tina,
Thank you for your question. It is difficult to give you very precise answers without being involved in your case. A bulging disk in the cervical spine is unlikely to explain your symptoms, if the MRI does not show any compression of nerve roots or of the spinal cord. The decision to run more tests mostly depends upon what can be observed on examination. If there is a suspiscion of pinched nerves, then an EMG would be appropriate. However, if your symptoms involve the whole right side of your body, pinched nerves are less likely. The symptoms that you are describing could also come from a problem within the brain. In this case, an MRI of the brain would be useful(it looks like you only had an MRI of the cervical spine done). I think it would be best to discuss your problem with a neurologist, who could select the most appropriate tests (if necessary). Medications such as Depo-Provera can cause circulation problems in the central nervous system. However, I cannot tell you at this point if there is a relationship between Depo-Provera and your symptoms. I hope this helps.

[Tina__0__0]

Posted By Tina on August 02, 1999 at 12:35:31
Dear Doctor,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me.  I have had changes in my sypmtoms.  As of now, my whole body is affected by this condition that remains unknown.  I have severe pain all over, from head to toe.  I have gone back to my doctor and this time he diagnosed me with fibromyalgia.  He is sending me to a allergy / immunology specialist.  I have done research on fibromyalgia and it sure does seem to be a match. I understand that this is a rheumatoid condition. I have every single symtpom.  My question here is if my doctor is sending me to the right kind of specialist?  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
ps....the neurologist says that my disks in my neck are fine.










Follow Ups:


Re: started with a stiff neck Mike M (nothing to lose????) 8/03/1999
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started with a stiff neck Tina 8/03/1999
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Re: started with a stiff neck Mike m 8/03/1999
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