Didn't I say I had learned my lesson??

[Golden Gate Geckos]

CRAP. The least he could have done is given you some meds (even though they don't help a lot) and ordered an MRI of your neck! I know how this feels because I live with it 24/7/365, and have for over 3 years. I wouldn't wish it on anyone!

Ice your neck, Shanti. Ice it for 30 minutes every 3-4 hours.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

He said he didn't want to order the MRI because he didn't know what tests the neurologist would want to do. He said IF the neurologist couldn't find the problem then he would look further into seeing if there was something wrong with my arm. Pretty disappointing.

I'll try icing my neck and see what that does. I've been icing my shoulder, but if that's not the root of the problem then it's little wonder why it never really helped.

 

[BalloonzForU]

I was hoping you'd have some good news to share with us.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

I've been icing my neck at night while relaxing in bed...with the help of muscle relaxers. In the morning I feel pretty decent. It's after I'm up and moving around that it starts to hurt. I can't wait to start DOING something about this. Lately my skin feels like it's burnt at times, or like I'm being zapped by static all over. It's not as much fun as it sounds.

I just pray that whatever it is, it can be fixed. I hate waiting!

 

[BalloonzForU]

Have you tried a neck brace?

 

[Grinning Geckos]

No, I haven't. I'm not even sure where I would find one.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Lately my skin feels like it's burnt at times, or like I'm being zapped by static all over. It's not as much fun as it sounds.

I'm so sorry you are experiencing this, Shanti! I'm certainly no Doctor, but what you are describing sounds a lot like a cervical vertebrae #6 (C-6) bulging disc. When the disc bulges from between the neck joints, it puts pressure on the main nerve that supplies your upper front arm, thumb and forefinger. Most of these bulging discs will eventually heal on their own unless they actually herniate or rupture. (Or unless you have degenerative bone disease like I do).

I often describe my symptoms as having my thumb and finger stuck in a light socket... kind of like when you wake up in the night with your arm asleep and it begins to wake up and feels like hot pins and needles.

I am having surgery on my neck this Fall, but I have gotten quite a bit of relief from epidural steriod injections directly into the affected vertebrae. They take a large gauge needle and run a catheter up your spinal column to the joints in your neck, and bathe them with steroids. It's a procedure very similar to the epidural you get during childbirth. It really doesn't hurt that much, but can take up to a few weeks for the steroids to fully work. I got over 6 months of relief from my last treatment, but I have only been authorized for up to 3 treatments before I have to have surgery.

I was told by my spine Dr. and the Neurosurgeon that wearing a neck brace isn't a good idea because it can cause the muscles in the neck to atrophy, and thereby adding to the problem when they can't support the weight of your head.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

Ah, good to know! I certainly don't want to be adding to my problems.

The Dr. did say they usually just go away on their own. Maybe that's what they're hoping for? It's been 5 full weeks now. The worst was a few days ago, but I'm still not feeling any better than the day of the accident.

I know just what you mean Marcia! I've had pins and needles from a limb falling asleep in the past, but this feels like I'm actually getting shocked by something.

How long have you been holding off surgery? It seems like people leave that as a last resort.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

How long have you been holding off surgery?

Nearly a year. I just need to get through Daytona, and 4 reptile shows between now and November! My problem is that my cervical and spinal vertebrae are degenerating which is causing the discs to herniate and rupture. There have been times that I have no use of both arms or hands, so it's inevitable that I will have to have surgery. They will be using cadaver bones and cartilage to restructure my neck joints, and then will rivet steel tabs like a chain between them. Fun.

 

[BalloonzForU]

I was told by my spine Dr. and the Neurosurgeon that wearing a neck brace isn't a good idea because it can cause the muscles in the neck to atrophy, and thereby adding to the problem when they can't support the weight of your head.

That would have been nice to know when I messed up all the muscles in my neck and shoulder from flipping my car. It took forever to feel right again, and I still have issues from time to time, but nothing that a Dr. can do anything about.

 

[BalloonzForU]

I was told by my spine Dr. and the Neurosurgeon that wearing a neck brace isn't a good idea because it can cause the muscles in the neck to atrophy, and thereby adding to the problem when they can't support the weight of your head.

That would have been nice to know when I messed up all the muscles in my neck and shoulder from flipping my car. It took forever to feel right again, and I still have issues from time to time, but nothing that a Dr. can do anything about.