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Can anyone help? (Neck and back pain)
I can't take much more of this. I was up until 2:30am last night crying in pain! I am having anxiety/panic attacks like crazy and can't concentrate to save my life at my overly boring job! I had a fusion at C3-C4 in 2003 because of a car accident in 1999. I had an ESI in 99 and now the site where that was done is a specific point of intense burning stabbing pain between my shoulders on the left side. It feels like someone stabbed me from the back through my heart and is just twisting it..could that have been from the ESI? (I had no issues there prior to the ESI). I now have issues with C5-C6 & C6-C7 (bulging/herniated discs) as well as having a birth defect in my lumbar region in which the right side 2 levels are fused congenitally, I also have a 6th lumbar disc and vertebrae...which the issues I have are with L5-L6 and L6-S1. I feel like I am going insane! Sitting at my computer brings on headaches and intense burning pain in the thoracic region from the base of my shoulder blades up to the base of my skull which then creates a headache...feels like my eyes will explode from my head and my jaw hurts and then my teeth hurt. Am I nuts? I wake at night with both hands/arms numb, tingling, and in intense pain and it takes 10 to 30 minutes for it to stop enough to go back to sleep. I am exhausted, frustrated, and scared...I find myself crying at my desk by mid afternoon as the pain just gets worse... Is there anyone out there that understands or can give me some good advice..I have tried so many things it is unreal?
To all u guys,
I am right there w/u. I am suffering so badly in the exact same situation that u guys r. I also got hit in spine w/ESI and let me tell u it is hell. That is the only word 4 it. I am a Christian and wouldn't use it 4 no reason.I jumped on the table after doc hit something while doing an ESI and believe me I know that is when all of my severe pain started. I need help so bad and I think my PCP is finally giving up on me or I feel like he doesn't believe me and he's a DO...I don't understand. All I want is to not be in pain and he has helped me tremendously by giving me my meds. I have to take 50mcg Fentanyl Patches,in which he upped to 75mcg starting on Nov.3rd. I take Norco for breakthrough pain and Lyrica 150mg every 6-8 hrs(usually every 6 on the money)but the pain gets so intense that I feel I am going crazy w/it.I take Zanax 1mg.(usually1/2-1 a day). These are the meds that I have to take everyday. Now, I take Nexium when needed and Zyrtec every other day since I take enough medicine and don't like it as it is,but what ya gonna do when ur suffering and have no other choice..I wish there was something that would help me like surgery. I am definately ready willing and able as can be...My Neurologist told me @ some ball thing that is attached to ur spine that delivers med. straight way..Ummm..I donno..I am leary of it for some reason. Of course, I hate having to deal w/the patches and writing it all down and keeping up w/it so I get it right. I like things in order and don't ever over medicate..to scary and my body is the kind that can't take much. Heck, I used to get high off a stick of gum for heavens sake. If my pain is really high I can't take 2 pain pills like some people can..I just have to deal w/it because it makes me so sick. I am not saying that I haven't had to do it for my pain literally scares me to death. I feel like I must be dying it's so bad. I wish I knew what to do. I am going to look up a Physio..is that Physiologist? Also, I have a TENS and don't know what I'd do w/out mine...practically live w/it..sleep w/it too.It's not fun either waking up after one of the cords comes loose and electrocutes u just enough to make u sit up in bed and shed a tear sometime. The things we do just to get a little relief. All I know is that this is really hard on me and my family.
On another note,I have a 12 yr.old that needs me so much and I am there in pain or just a little pain. Either way he comes first and that will always be.It is so hard sometimes,but he is a good kid, but sometime like the other night after a bad day of pain we were in bed watching a movie...trying to watch a movie..sometimes he's so patient,but there are times when he just wants attention..and believe me he gets it. Well, I was on the phone w/my mom and said something @ a boy that had hit him a few months ago(the boy apologized for it so I told him we always give someone a second chance). Anyway, I was telling mom that I called the boy and told him that I apreciated what he had done and that we were working things out and he made a face like he was mad @ it. While I was talking to mom he reached over my head and pulled what he says was one hair from my head and actually pulled more than one. For I told him that my hair was really fine and that in reality pulled more than one. It hurt...I mean it felt like he pulled a bunch.In which he reassured me that it was only one, I reached over and tried to let him see what it felt like and he was so forceful to hold my hands to not let me do to him as he done to me. I wasn't going to hurt him...just let him feel what he had done. Anyway, I was still on the phone w/mom mind u and he has got a temper(Italian/Irish/german)yeah...but that doesn't excuse how he acted...he actually thought I was going to pull a lot and I told him that I wasn't.He really usually is a very good and understanding kid, but last night he showed how kids just like to feel grown up when they're not. I know this doesn't pertain to what we were talking @ but it's just shows how hard it is to be a mom,but I will always be a good mom regardless of what I am going through.
Back to what we were talking @. I feel for u guys because I know how it feels to hurt so severly that u think ur going out of ur mind and not know what ur going to do @ it.I just pray that there is an answer somewhere out there and I won't rest(literally) until I find it. Please if anyone has an answer to our pain...post it and I have a website or say a blog @ pain and suffering...It is called LIFE__AND THE THINGS IT BRINGS..check it out and it is fairly new. They switched servers on me and it is making things harder since I am not comp. literate, but I am stuborn(Irish,german)and will prevail. U guys hang in there and pray for that is the KEY to everything we seek. I will bb and check on this post for an update so get back to me k...
Q: My PCP has DO after his name, but never put it together since he's the only real doc in this one gasoline pump town...so does that mean Osteopathic?Is that good cause he seems to be uninterested sometimes..maybe he feels overwhelmed w/all his patients because he has prior treated me pretty good and as I said took care of my meds that I need for pain(more like agony and a few other words that I could think of)Take care and always GOD BLESS.. http://skeetelmore65.blogspot.com/
I am right there w/u. I am suffering so badly in the exact same situation that u guys r. I also got hit in spine w/ESI and let me tell u it is hell. That is the only word 4 it. I am a Christian and wouldn't use it 4 no reason.I jumped on the table after doc hit something while doing an ESI and believe me I know that is when all of my severe pain started. I need help so bad and I think my PCP is finally giving up on me or I feel like he doesn't believe me and he's a DO...I don't understand. All I want is to not be in pain and he has helped me tremendously by giving me my meds. I have to take 50mcg Fentanyl Patches,in which he upped to 75mcg starting on Nov.3rd. I take Norco for breakthrough pain and Lyrica 150mg every 6-8 hrs(usually every 6 on the money)but the pain gets so intense that I feel I am going crazy w/it.I take Zanax 1mg.(usually1/2-1 a day). These are the meds that I have to take everyday. Now, I take Nexium when needed and Zyrtec every other day since I take enough medicine and don't like it as it is,but what ya gonna do when ur suffering and have no other choice..I wish there was something that would help me like surgery. I am definately ready willing and able as can be...My Neurologist told me @ some ball thing that is attached to ur spine that delivers med. straight way..Ummm..I donno..I am leary of it for some reason. Of course, I hate having to deal w/the patches and writing it all down and keeping up w/it so I get it right. I like things in order and don't ever over medicate..to scary and my body is the kind that can't take much. Heck, I used to get high off a stick of gum for heavens sake. If my pain is really high I can't take 2 pain pills like some people can..I just have to deal w/it because it makes me so sick. I am not saying that I haven't had to do it for my pain literally scares me to death. I feel like I must be dying it's so bad. I wish I knew what to do. I am going to look up a Physio..is that Physiologist? Also, I have a TENS and don't know what I'd do w/out mine...practically live w/it..sleep w/it too.It's not fun either waking up after one of the cords comes loose and electrocutes u just enough to make u sit up in bed and shed a tear sometime. The things we do just to get a little relief. All I know is that this is really hard on me and my family.
On another note,I have a 12 yr.old that needs me so much and I am there in pain or just a little pain. Either way he comes first and that will always be.It is so hard sometimes,but he is a good kid, but sometime like the other night after a bad day of pain we were in bed watching a movie...trying to watch a movie..sometimes he's so patient,but there are times when he just wants attention..and believe me he gets it. Well, I was on the phone w/my mom and said something @ a boy that had hit him a few months ago(the boy apologized for it so I told him we always give someone a second chance). Anyway, I was telling mom that I called the boy and told him that I apreciated what he had done and that we were working things out and he made a face like he was mad @ it. While I was talking to mom he reached over my head and pulled what he says was one hair from my head and actually pulled more than one. For I told him that my hair was really fine and that in reality pulled more than one. It hurt...I mean it felt like he pulled a bunch.In which he reassured me that it was only one, I reached over and tried to let him see what it felt like and he was so forceful to hold my hands to not let me do to him as he done to me. I wasn't going to hurt him...just let him feel what he had done. Anyway, I was still on the phone w/mom mind u and he has got a temper(Italian/Irish/german)yeah...but that doesn't excuse how he acted...he actually thought I was going to pull a lot and I told him that I wasn't.He really usually is a very good and understanding kid, but last night he showed how kids just like to feel grown up when they're not. I know this doesn't pertain to what we were talking @ but it's just shows how hard it is to be a mom,but I will always be a good mom regardless of what I am going through.
Back to what we were talking @. I feel for u guys because I know how it feels to hurt so severly that u think ur going out of ur mind and not know what ur going to do @ it.I just pray that there is an answer somewhere out there and I won't rest(literally) until I find it. Please if anyone has an answer to our pain...post it and I have a website or say a blog @ pain and suffering...It is called LIFE__AND THE THINGS IT BRINGS..check it out and it is fairly new. They switched servers on me and it is making things harder since I am not comp. literate, but I am stuborn(Irish,german)and will prevail. U guys hang in there and pray for that is the KEY to everything we seek. I will bb and check on this post for an update so get back to me k...
Q: My PCP has DO after his name, but never put it together since he's the only real doc in this one gasoline pump town...so does that mean Osteopathic?Is that good cause he seems to be uninterested sometimes..maybe he feels overwhelmed w/all his patients because he has prior treated me pretty good and as I said took care of my meds that I need for pain(more like agony and a few other words that I could think of)Take care and always GOD BLESS.. http://skeetelmore65.blogspot.com/
I have chronic pain from an injury in the thoracic region (T5/T6), and sitting at a computer used to be my job. I too have had (and still get it) the tightness in the neck, especially down the sides, aching pain in the top cervical joints and behind the ears (sorry can't think what those spots are called), and this can progress to jaw pain, teeth pain, and then headache symmetric above and behind the eys.
In short, it seems to be driven by a stiffening up of the muscles around the upper thoracic, presumably to protect the "injured" area, and if I can't loosen it up this causes a change in posture which throws extra strain upon the neck. Physio manipulation and strong massage of the thoracic area often proves to be the circuit-breaker, which stops the progression to the neck/jaw/head. Once it gets to the jaw though, I usually have to spend a half day or more of rest. Exercise that loosens up the upper back and shoulders is fairly important in order to minimise the frequency of the cycle. A physio might be able to guide you there; personally I've used some basic warm-up moves from Tai-Chi and a lot of walking - the to and fro of the arms swinging naturally seems to loosen up the thoracic and shoulder regions quite well, after 20 or so minutes walking.
Medicinally lyrica (aka pregabalin) has helped me, partly due to relaxing the muscles, especially the tough ones in the neck/shoulder area. Doloxene, and to a lesser extent, ibuprofen with codeine (nurofen-plus in Australia), have helped in shutting down the pain when I used to work in front of a computer fulltime, but as with you I found the pain eventually won out as the day wore on. You may be able to find a medication to assist on a daily basis, at least to help near the end of the day. Unfortunately though, many medications have side-effects and/or may interfere with driving, bringing up legal issues should you get pulled over (for any reason) while driving.
Oddly enough I've found using a standard longbacked non-adjustable chair and a laptop to be superior to the full ergonomic chairs with desktop computers. Don't know why that is precisely, but I think the ergonomic chairs throw too much stress onto the wrong areas of the body/back, and a laptop may be moved around easily which allows frequent change of posture. Finally, I have lifted my home office desk upwards a few centimetres so that my elbows and lower arms can relax onto the desktop - my old work office desk was at a standard height which did not allow that, and this seemed to put more rigidity into the shoulders due to holding the arms rather than resting the arms upon the desktop.
All the best and don't give up on trying out new things to reduce the pain.
OtisDaMan
In short, it seems to be driven by a stiffening up of the muscles around the upper thoracic, presumably to protect the "injured" area, and if I can't loosen it up this causes a change in posture which throws extra strain upon the neck. Physio manipulation and strong massage of the thoracic area often proves to be the circuit-breaker, which stops the progression to the neck/jaw/head. Once it gets to the jaw though, I usually have to spend a half day or more of rest. Exercise that loosens up the upper back and shoulders is fairly important in order to minimise the frequency of the cycle. A physio might be able to guide you there; personally I've used some basic warm-up moves from Tai-Chi and a lot of walking - the to and fro of the arms swinging naturally seems to loosen up the thoracic and shoulder regions quite well, after 20 or so minutes walking.
Medicinally lyrica (aka pregabalin) has helped me, partly due to relaxing the muscles, especially the tough ones in the neck/shoulder area. Doloxene, and to a lesser extent, ibuprofen with codeine (nurofen-plus in Australia), have helped in shutting down the pain when I used to work in front of a computer fulltime, but as with you I found the pain eventually won out as the day wore on. You may be able to find a medication to assist on a daily basis, at least to help near the end of the day. Unfortunately though, many medications have side-effects and/or may interfere with driving, bringing up legal issues should you get pulled over (for any reason) while driving.
Oddly enough I've found using a standard longbacked non-adjustable chair and a laptop to be superior to the full ergonomic chairs with desktop computers. Don't know why that is precisely, but I think the ergonomic chairs throw too much stress onto the wrong areas of the body/back, and a laptop may be moved around easily which allows frequent change of posture. Finally, I have lifted my home office desk upwards a few centimetres so that my elbows and lower arms can relax onto the desktop - my old work office desk was at a standard height which did not allow that, and this seemed to put more rigidity into the shoulders due to holding the arms rather than resting the arms upon the desktop.
All the best and don't give up on trying out new things to reduce the pain.
OtisDaMan
To everyone who has posted in response to my initial post, I thank you and wish you luck as well!!!
I have had the TENS Unit in the past...it helped a bit..but had my doc "believed" me back in 1999 when I had my accident, I think muscular issue wise things would be different...but you never know...I do take a muscle relaxer..Soma..about the only one that works (I have tried them all) and I take Xanax as well..and pain meds too...and I even have meds for tension headaches....but those don't seem to put the "fire" out! My job...sitting at a computer 8+ hours a day is probably one of the main causes of my pain...I have an orthopedic chair with the lumbar cutout and I even use my pilates ball as a chair...but nothing seems to work!!! I have had nerve tests, and have verified moderate nerve damage in my legs, we have not done them on my arms...but based on the MRI a year ago...most likely that is due to the bad discs I now have at C5-C6 and C6-C7 sooo....anyways...
I wish you luck on your journey...and believe me...don't hesitate to push issues with your docs...I was young and afraid to speak my mind and accused of not really having the problems I was having for about the first 4 years...until my disc at C3-C4 literally exploded into 10+ pieces and I had to have a fusion....Please don't hesitate to ask questions either....I have found this site to be a god send and I will be happy to share anything I can with you!!! Good luck!
I wish you luck on your journey...and believe me...don't hesitate to push issues with your docs...I was young and afraid to speak my mind and accused of not really having the problems I was having for about the first 4 years...until my disc at C3-C4 literally exploded into 10+ pieces and I had to have a fusion....Please don't hesitate to ask questions either....I have found this site to be a god send and I will be happy to share anything I can with you!!! Good luck!
Hello and Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I hear the frustration and pain in your post and I am so sorry that you are experiencing such agony.
The numbness and tingling in your arms and hands could be related to carpel tunnel problem or could be coming from your spine. You very well could have multiple medical issues going on at the same time.
It is doubtful that the pain between your shoulder blades at the old ESI site is related to the actual injection. However it is possible that the reason you required an ESI has flared up again. If you are seeing a DO you know how all those areas can be related and one can affect another. I see a DO also and she is wonderful about explaining my pain at different sites and treating it.
There are many options out there for Chronic Pain Management. As you discovered not all PMP are equal, just as not all PCP are equal. I encourage you to discuss your symptoms with your PCP (DO) and ask for a referral to the PMP that he/she feels will offer you the best care.
Please let us know how you are doing. We are here to support you. I will look forward to your updates. Please take care, Tuck
The numbness and tingling in your arms and hands could be related to carpel tunnel problem or could be coming from your spine. You very well could have multiple medical issues going on at the same time.
It is doubtful that the pain between your shoulder blades at the old ESI site is related to the actual injection. However it is possible that the reason you required an ESI has flared up again. If you are seeing a DO you know how all those areas can be related and one can affect another. I see a DO also and she is wonderful about explaining my pain at different sites and treating it.
There are many options out there for Chronic Pain Management. As you discovered not all PMP are equal, just as not all PCP are equal. I encourage you to discuss your symptoms with your PCP (DO) and ask for a referral to the PMP that he/she feels will offer you the best care.
Please let us know how you are doing. We are here to support you. I will look forward to your updates. Please take care, Tuck
I noticed you said that your muscles are very tense and tight around the areas of your spinal injuries. This is going to make the pain more intense and cause nerve pain as well in your case, as it also does for me.
I don't know if you have tried a TENS Unit but I find that it works well for me although there are others that haven't had much success with them. I always apply the stimulation with Ice or heat simultainiously. In your case I would recommend heat as you want to loosen those muscles up around the damage discs. My back injuries are not as severe as yours but they are not mild either.
Do you take a muscle relaxer such as Flexeril as these may also help?
Your numbness and tinglnig in the limbs is almost certainly nerve related. Have you seen a Neurologist for an opinion? They are best suited for the spine and nerve issues you are experiencing.
I wish you luck.
I don't know if you have tried a TENS Unit but I find that it works well for me although there are others that haven't had much success with them. I always apply the stimulation with Ice or heat simultainiously. In your case I would recommend heat as you want to loosen those muscles up around the damage discs. My back injuries are not as severe as yours but they are not mild either.
Do you take a muscle relaxer such as Flexeril as these may also help?
Your numbness and tinglnig in the limbs is almost certainly nerve related. Have you seen a Neurologist for an opinion? They are best suited for the spine and nerve issues you are experiencing.
I wish you luck.
I am so sorry ur suffering so much..pain is such a lonely place to be in.
I have no new suggestions for you, just wanted to say that ur under a terrible amount of stress that can intensify the pain ur having(also visa versa)....keep looking for answers these forums are good reference points for u. good luck!
I have no new suggestions for you, just wanted to say that ur under a terrible amount of stress that can intensify the pain ur having(also visa versa)....keep looking for answers these forums are good reference points for u. good luck!
Unfortunately we all have worse pain as we get older and then add to that the chronic pain and we are really in some pain. I know that a DO can prescribe but you would greatly benefit from a PM doctor. Is there another one around? Even if you have to drive a ways it would be worth it to have a good PM doctor that will help you and offer you options.
Thank you both for the comments and concern!! I have been to a Pain Mgmt Doc, he never believed me about my lower back pain...found a new one who did a discogram, I think, where they inject dye to see if it causes pain..and umm yeah..about flew off the table!! I am thinking about returning to the PM, but I don't want to see the one I originally saw...and they won't let me see his partner soo...I also can't do the ESI's as I have bad reactions to them...My current doc (family) who is a D.O. does perscribe pain meds..etc...I do exercises, stretch, etc...but my muscles are like rocks...filled with knots, my neck is so tight it chokes me (or feels like that) which is why my jaw hurts I think and so does my doc (I was just rearended in my accident, but had an old car with no headrest so the back of my head hit my back actually...my jaw/teeth weren't involved and that pain is fairly new..past year or so...I do grind my teeth now too, which is new..and have discussed that with my doc too.....Right now with the economy the way it is and the money I make, I don't know if I have other options...My husband got laid off and just started a new job, but basically he is starting a new career, so pay is not awesome...I think I am just going through an extremely tough time right now...seems every few months it all intensifies...then maybe I get used to it and move on til next time..I don't know...I have to say that I am scared to death about having more surgery...it just seems like this is a continuous battle...last night I realized I have been dealing with this for over 10 years now..that blew me away..and I am 34 now...what is old age going to be like?
Hi, I'm sorry that i can't really say anything that might help alleviate your pain but I do sympathise with you. With your pain being sort of complex I think Sandee's suggestion of a pain management Doc is the right thing to do. You may have already done that, i'm not sure. Is working a different job possible? perhaps one where you aren't sitting down too much. sometimes not moving is the worst thing we can do as far as pain goes. I sure hope you find some way of making your life better as i feel a great deal of distress from what you've written. wishing you well.
Nick.
Nick.
Have you recently seen your doctor about all the symptoms your having now? It is important as you do have so many things going on all at once. You do have options though, talk to your doctor and see what he/she can offer you as in relief and or surgery.
You may need to go to a pain management doctor if there is nothing that can be done surgically. A PM doctor can offer you several options to control your pain.
I was wondering when you had your accident was your jaw or any teeth invovled? I ask because it does sound like you could have TMJ.
You may need to go to a pain management doctor if there is nothing that can be done surgically. A PM doctor can offer you several options to control your pain.
I was wondering when you had your accident was your jaw or any teeth invovled? I ask because it does sound like you could have TMJ.
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