herniated disks

[tracey194]

I AM A 38 YEAR OLD ,MOTHER OF 3 CHILDREN. I HAD A MRI DONE AND REVEALED C3-4 MARKED CROWDING OF THE THECAL SAC, AT C4-5 EXPOSED DISC BULGE WITH MILD HERNIATION/DISC OETEOPHYTE WITH COMPLEX PROTRUSION, THECAL SAC MARKLY CROWDED AT C5-6 MINIMAL DISC BULGE, AT C6-7 MINIMAL DISC BULGE. I HAVE TRIED 6 WEEKS OF PT WITH NO SUCESS, I HAD CORTISONE INJECTIONS, AND NOW I AM GOING IN THREE DAYS FOR MY THIRD CERVICAL EPIDURAL. I CURRENTLY HAVE EXTREME PAIN IN MY NECK, LEFT SHOULDER AND NOW THE PAIN IS RADIATING DOWN MY LEFT ARM WITH NUMBNESS IN MY FINGERS AND A PRICKLING FEELING. I TOSS AND TURN ALL NIGHT LONG. I CURRENTLY TAKE VICODIN ONLY ONCE A DAY AT NIGHT BECAUSE I AM A NURSE IN A PRISION AND THIS MEDICATION REALLY SNOWS ME. I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FUNCTION AT WORK. I AM FINDING IT HARDER AND HARDER TO DO MY TASKS AT WORK. I CONTSTANTLY DROP THINGS, BECAUSE OF THE NUMBNESS. I GO TO THE DOCTORS IN THREE DAYS. SHOULD I CONSIDER SURGERY??????????PLEASE HELP!!!!

[susan8888]

I took have terrible pain in my neck.  It involves the disks as well.  My problem is walking or laying down at night ....both give me awful pain.  I ws on naproxen and a muscle relaxant.  At the beginning of this, I had terrible muscle spasms and the muscle relaxant was the only thing that helped.  I still take 1/2 of one at night in order to lay down.  I get the pain down my left arm into my hand but no numbness.  I'ts been going on for a month now. I heard that surgery can cause paralysis and that should be your very last resort.   I have not had any injections except one in the leg and he said it was a anti inflammatory needle.   Maybe that will be my next step ..injections.  The dr wants me to go to physio but haven't yet.  I also am starting to get headaches which I never get.  

[miller1029]

Tracey-did you ever find out the cause of your headaches? I have the exact symptoms and have been trying to figure it out for 3 years now.

[m300]

tracey, you might want to try some meds such as oral steroids, neurontin, or lyrica.  these are intended to calm the nerves and other options for you if not considered.

it might be a good idea to rule out other causes of arm and hand pain such as cubital tunnel sydrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, shoulder impingement, etc.

another good book is 7 steps to a pain free life by reknown Robin McKenzie.  The Mckenzie extension exercises have helped alot of people.

I wish you the best.

[tracey194]

I ALSO FORGOT TO POST THAT I HAVE SEVERE HEADACHES DAILY IN WHICH I TAKE ADVIL MIGRAINE TABS, 3-4 TIMES  DAILY. THE HEADACHES ARE IN THE BACK OF MY NECK, AND IN THE FRONTAL REGION.     TRACEY194