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Welcome to the Back and Neck Community! Please Read Before Posting.
Welcome to the Back and Neck Community! You have accessed this site because you are probably experiencing symptoms, such as pain, that may be related to possible abnormal conditions of the spine. Members are here to provide assistance and support for you as you post questions regarding concerns you may have regarding your medical condition, treatment and rehabilitation. We are not doctors. Any advice given should not be acted on until cleared by your primary physician and/or spine specialist. We do not diagnose, and any advice given is based primarily on personal experiences.
Here are some helpful hints to navigate the forum to the best advantage.
POST A QUESTION: Use the green tab at the top of the forum to initiate a new question and or topic that you wish to explore. Questions will be answered by the members based on their familiarity with the topic and whether their personal experiences may provide some help to you in coping with your present conditions. If you require more detailed and specific information, please post on the "Ask A Doctor" forums and one of the medical doctors will assist you as appropriate. PLEASE NOTE; Questions posted previously are dated according to when they were posted. If the date is not current, please don't post a question at the end of the thread. You may not be answered, as older posts will be archived and are not active. Post a new question to initiate a new and active thread.
VIEW COMMUNITY ARCHIVES; You may use this option to view questions posted previously by other members. You may find additional information that will help you to clarify your situation and help you in formatting your questions.
HEALTH TOPICS: Located at the top of the page, use this option to investigate any other issues that may interest you. They can be related to your current problems or just topics that you would like to investigate. There are many different subjects that can assist you in managing your medical care.
FORUMS; Used to access other forums on the MedHelp site. You may want to become involved in other forums if you are dealing with several health issues or any topic that is beyond the scope of this community.
HEALTH PAGES; Located on the right side of the forum home page, this is a collection of health topics that address issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of topics interest to many individuals dealing with pain and its affects.
Browse through and gain some insight!
TRACKERS AND CALCULATORS; These tools are made available for use in monitoring moods, pain levels, etc.
These are often helpful when explaining to your physicians the extent and severity of your symptoms.
MEMBERS; Connect with other members of the forum for a more interpersonal relationship. Communicate by sending notes or private messages and share your experiences and learn aspects of their treatment that might be mutually beneficial.
MY MedHelp: Update your personal profile, make journal entries and keep reminders regarding important events.
This forum functions as a means of learning more about your medical condition, obtaining updates on new and advanced treatment options and communicating with individuals sharing similar experiences.
We hope that you find the forum helpful and that you achieve optimal health and well-being.
Kittyluv1
Community Leader
Here are some helpful hints to navigate the forum to the best advantage.
POST A QUESTION: Use the green tab at the top of the forum to initiate a new question and or topic that you wish to explore. Questions will be answered by the members based on their familiarity with the topic and whether their personal experiences may provide some help to you in coping with your present conditions. If you require more detailed and specific information, please post on the "Ask A Doctor" forums and one of the medical doctors will assist you as appropriate. PLEASE NOTE; Questions posted previously are dated according to when they were posted. If the date is not current, please don't post a question at the end of the thread. You may not be answered, as older posts will be archived and are not active. Post a new question to initiate a new and active thread.
VIEW COMMUNITY ARCHIVES; You may use this option to view questions posted previously by other members. You may find additional information that will help you to clarify your situation and help you in formatting your questions.
HEALTH TOPICS: Located at the top of the page, use this option to investigate any other issues that may interest you. They can be related to your current problems or just topics that you would like to investigate. There are many different subjects that can assist you in managing your medical care.
FORUMS; Used to access other forums on the MedHelp site. You may want to become involved in other forums if you are dealing with several health issues or any topic that is beyond the scope of this community.
HEALTH PAGES; Located on the right side of the forum home page, this is a collection of health topics that address issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of topics interest to many individuals dealing with pain and its affects.
Browse through and gain some insight!
TRACKERS AND CALCULATORS; These tools are made available for use in monitoring moods, pain levels, etc.
These are often helpful when explaining to your physicians the extent and severity of your symptoms.
MEMBERS; Connect with other members of the forum for a more interpersonal relationship. Communicate by sending notes or private messages and share your experiences and learn aspects of their treatment that might be mutually beneficial.
MY MedHelp: Update your personal profile, make journal entries and keep reminders regarding important events.
This forum functions as a means of learning more about your medical condition, obtaining updates on new and advanced treatment options and communicating with individuals sharing similar experiences.
We hope that you find the forum helpful and that you achieve optimal health and well-being.
Kittyluv1
Community Leader
My recommendation for anyone who has neck and back pain is chiropractic care. Not only have I been a chiropractic patient since I was 12 years old when I was in a sledding accident, but I worked for a chiropractor for 4 years. Even though I have always gotten relief for my pain from chiropractic care I didn't really know its effectiveness until I worked in a chiropractic clinic. I was amazed when I saw patients come in who were miserable because they could barely walk because of pain and be able to walk out with a smile because their symptoms were either gone or greatly diminished.
I myself was in two auto accidents with 2 herniations and 13 bulging discs between the two accidents. I receive chiropractic care and physical therapy for both accidents even though the neurologist recommended surgery. I'm not saying that surgery isn't necessary because there are definitely situations that require surgery, however personally I wouldn't want someone cutting into me if there was the slightest chance that there was another way to relief my pain.
I myself was in two auto accidents with 2 herniations and 13 bulging discs between the two accidents. I receive chiropractic care and physical therapy for both accidents even though the neurologist recommended surgery. I'm not saying that surgery isn't necessary because there are definitely situations that require surgery, however personally I wouldn't want someone cutting into me if there was the slightest chance that there was another way to relief my pain.
that last comment was for mommy52....i dont know why it dropped to: in the post????
I have 2 herniated disc in my neck as well as other back problems but will just stick with the neck issues for now. I have about the same symptoms as you do (sharp pain shooting in my arm pit...down my arm a bit, forearm and fingers going numb etc) i also get really bad migraines when i am flared up really bad...not to mention the neck pain. Anyway you had asked for any info on anything that might help. I have had epidural steroid shots before and have just started getting them again ( i had one about a week ago)
if done by a good doctor in a good clinic they can put you under and you will not feel it at all. The shots can help a lot with the nerve issues. I am also on neurotin and after less than a month it has really controlled the nerve pain to almost nothing while im on it. It takes a few days to get use to but don't give up on it the first day. Last....at the level of pain you are having vicodin wont do a thing....i want to use stronger language here but it will behave. I would ask your doctor to refer you to a pain doctor and I am sure he will be able to help you much more. Percocet 10/325 is pretty helpful. There are other things that they can give you also that can help that are much stronger and controlled release so that you are getting even pain relief all day. After you get the nerve pain under control you might find that you will need less meds. Also my sister just had surgery very close to yours and it took her quite a while for the swelling to go down and was having a lot of pain post surgery for about 2 months. She was having internal swelling that was causing pressure on the nerves etc. After a few months things started to calm down and she is doing much better than before the surgery. it just took a long time to fully heal. She was in the hospital for almost a week ( it was to be 1 day) due to all of the swelling she had from it and it causing breathing (and eating) problems. I pray you are on your way to healing a bit more every day. ( i would look into a pain doc in your area still.....you may need it for quite a while after both surgeries) i still cant believe they are only giving you vicodin post surgery. My husband had a spinal fusion of his lower back and he still has a lot of pain every day.
He was to the point that he was losing all function in his right leg and that was totally restored so it was very much worth it, but he still has a good deal of pain in his back.
He does see a pain doc also and they help him quite a bit....he is back to working full time + and moving much better than he was before surgery.
if done by a good doctor in a good clinic they can put you under and you will not feel it at all. The shots can help a lot with the nerve issues. I am also on neurotin and after less than a month it has really controlled the nerve pain to almost nothing while im on it. It takes a few days to get use to but don't give up on it the first day. Last....at the level of pain you are having vicodin wont do a thing....i want to use stronger language here but it will behave. I would ask your doctor to refer you to a pain doctor and I am sure he will be able to help you much more. Percocet 10/325 is pretty helpful. There are other things that they can give you also that can help that are much stronger and controlled release so that you are getting even pain relief all day. After you get the nerve pain under control you might find that you will need less meds. Also my sister just had surgery very close to yours and it took her quite a while for the swelling to go down and was having a lot of pain post surgery for about 2 months. She was having internal swelling that was causing pressure on the nerves etc. After a few months things started to calm down and she is doing much better than before the surgery. it just took a long time to fully heal. She was in the hospital for almost a week ( it was to be 1 day) due to all of the swelling she had from it and it causing breathing (and eating) problems. I pray you are on your way to healing a bit more every day. ( i would look into a pain doc in your area still.....you may need it for quite a while after both surgeries) i still cant believe they are only giving you vicodin post surgery. My husband had a spinal fusion of his lower back and he still has a lot of pain every day.
He was to the point that he was losing all function in his right leg and that was totally restored so it was very much worth it, but he still has a good deal of pain in his back.
He does see a pain doc also and they help him quite a bit....he is back to working full time + and moving much better than he was before surgery.
Hi,
Anyone got piriformis syndrome? ? Mine is posttraumatic piriformis syndrome. Really it is SCIATICA but the sciatic nerve is trapped at the point in the bum where the piriformis muscle crosses it not higher up in the spine as in disc prolapse. The symptoms are similar but no back pain just bum, hip and groin pain. Because of this I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and it has take a long hard slog to get here, where at least I am happy with that diagnosis. I knew it wasn't my back. I had a microdiscectomy ( L5 S1) 7yrs ago so I know that pain too well.
I still can't get my consultant spine surgeon to agree with this diagnosis. He doesn't believe it exists. I think Dr's in the states are more clued up on piriformis syndrome.
I think I need an op to remove scar tissue and leisions from the muscle as all conservative therapies have not worked. Acupuncture was a nightmare. Haven't had the botox injection tho' yet. I have also heard that MR neurography scan could identify this syndrome as it shows the nerve image. Anyone had it or know about that kind of scan.
Love to hear from you
Thanks Helen
Anyone got piriformis syndrome? ? Mine is posttraumatic piriformis syndrome. Really it is SCIATICA but the sciatic nerve is trapped at the point in the bum where the piriformis muscle crosses it not higher up in the spine as in disc prolapse. The symptoms are similar but no back pain just bum, hip and groin pain. Because of this I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and it has take a long hard slog to get here, where at least I am happy with that diagnosis. I knew it wasn't my back. I had a microdiscectomy ( L5 S1) 7yrs ago so I know that pain too well.
I still can't get my consultant spine surgeon to agree with this diagnosis. He doesn't believe it exists. I think Dr's in the states are more clued up on piriformis syndrome.
I think I need an op to remove scar tissue and leisions from the muscle as all conservative therapies have not worked. Acupuncture was a nightmare. Haven't had the botox injection tho' yet. I have also heard that MR neurography scan could identify this syndrome as it shows the nerve image. Anyone had it or know about that kind of scan.
Love to hear from you
Thanks Helen
can you become paralyzed by having this type of block? I had 4 strokes in june and am fallining still, hence the injury to my spine. but i'm scared is they do this i might be paralyzed again. i was paralyzed completely on my left side and have almost come back from that. so naturally - i'm scared for anyone to touch my spinal chord. ya know. if someone could please comment back, it would be real helpful!
Hello,
I've had chronic back pain for over 10 years now. I treated my back pain with exersise and walking. I've also taken a vicodin about 30 a month. Some days I don't need to take any pills but other days I need to take up to three. My Kaiser doctor recently asked me to come in for a consultation. He told me that he thinks I should stop taking vicodin and wants to refer me to physical medicine (what is that?). I am at a loss. I have been under his care for over 3 years with the same treatment and prescription amount. I've not asked for more nor do I think I need more. I do know that the vicodin helps me. He made me feel like an addict... I don't get why the sudden opinion on my treatment. Im starting to doubt myself. All I know is that my back pain can be so severe at times that i'ts hard to stand from a sitting position and walk. I've had MRI and CAT scans. No disc protusions so the doctor said it's all muscular. The doctor did say the CAT scan shows that I was born with a very minor case of Spina Bifida. He states that that wouldn't cause pain. Has anyone heard of this?
I live in the San Gabriel Valley. I am going to change insurance. Can anyone recommend a doctor that will be more understanding.
I've had chronic back pain for over 10 years now. I treated my back pain with exersise and walking. I've also taken a vicodin about 30 a month. Some days I don't need to take any pills but other days I need to take up to three. My Kaiser doctor recently asked me to come in for a consultation. He told me that he thinks I should stop taking vicodin and wants to refer me to physical medicine (what is that?). I am at a loss. I have been under his care for over 3 years with the same treatment and prescription amount. I've not asked for more nor do I think I need more. I do know that the vicodin helps me. He made me feel like an addict... I don't get why the sudden opinion on my treatment. Im starting to doubt myself. All I know is that my back pain can be so severe at times that i'ts hard to stand from a sitting position and walk. I've had MRI and CAT scans. No disc protusions so the doctor said it's all muscular. The doctor did say the CAT scan shows that I was born with a very minor case of Spina Bifida. He states that that wouldn't cause pain. Has anyone heard of this?
I live in the San Gabriel Valley. I am going to change insurance. Can anyone recommend a doctor that will be more understanding.
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