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update on my condition

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 3/16/2012 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
So i just got my results from my Ct scan:

Right torticollis (twisted/stiff neck)....duh I knew that one
Spondylosis (degenerative osteo arthritis) of the cervical spine at C2 through T1
At C4-C5, a left paracentral (bulging) disc protrusion noted
At C5-C6, endplate spurring and a central to left paracentral disc extrusion result in mild central canal stenosis
At C6-C7, posterior endplate spurring causes mass effect upon the thecal sac
At C7-T1, there is some motion artifact noted (not sure what that means); however there does appear to be a right paracentral disc protrusion causing mass effect upon the thecal sac (membrane that surrounds the spinal cord & nerves)

So with all of this and my disectomy for a ruptured disc C6-C7 in 2006 and my herniated disc on the right at L5-S1, disc bulge on left at L4-L5 and facet arthropathy at L3 to S1 I am in soooooooooooo much pain.

Just had a few injections in my lower back that helped a little and yesterday got injections in my neck. I am hoping that helps. The pain doc added Loratab with my Percocet and now Robaxin and Voltaren for muscle spasms & arthritis pain. The painn meds help but only temporarily and I am worried that they will damage my liver.

I am just not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I know i am whinning and my friends and family probably get sick of hearing it. So this is why I come here to vent knowing that you all understand my pain.

Does anyone have any suggestions for pain relief? I have already done chiro, massage therapy, pt, tens but don't have the money to keep going. Now I am doing light yoga which helps a little, aromatherapy, massage bar for muscle relief, light meditation and joined a pain support group.

The pain is making my depression worse as well as my moods and since I suffer from bipolar II, high anxiety and a few other mental disorders I am about to have a nervous breakdown. I see my counselor tomorrow thank god, but I just don't know what else to do.
Posted 3/16/2012 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynn Welcome to our forum. So sorry to read that you are having so much pain and so many issues.

I dont have back problems but i do have pain. I have tried the butran patch, flexiril for body spasms, cymbalta for pain relief, hydromorphine which I became allergic to, percocet

I hope you find relief soon.
Soft hugs
Betsey
Posted 3/17/2012 1:22 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Lynn

Sorry to hear your not doing well. I've had back pain a long time and finally had a back fusion a few years ago. It did fix one problem but as I've read with others it caused more problems. In my case mainly chronic back pain. I've also had some back injections but none have provided any relief. I just had some injections yesterday but once again, no relief. I take a very high dose of pain meds to deal with the pain as nothing else seems to work even a little. I'm sorry I can't really recommend anything as you seem to have quite a list of things you've tried. about all I can do is wish you all the best and let you know your not alone. I'll certainly keep you in my prayers and should I come cross anything I think would be helpful I would certainly post it for everyone. If you don't mind me asking, What do they do in a pain support group? I've been thinking maybe I should look into finding one in my area. Anyway all the best to you and I hope you find some relief soon.

Stingray

Posted 3/17/2012 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
you have a lot going on with the MRI report. if it was i, i would look into surgery when the pain level becomes hard to manage. i would go to one of the better neurosurgeons in your area and see what they have to say. no matter what i then would seek out a different neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon and get a second opioin. they are doing a great anterior cervical fusion now days that comes out better that a posterior incision. anterior means from the front. in the mean time to prevent lifelong chronic pain your current pain should have the kitchen sink thrown at it. i would ask to switch to meds without tylenol. also changing to a sustained release opioid so 24/7 control can be gained. then have quick acting meds for breakthrough or activity related pain. a good muscle relaxant like Soma or Zanaflex or Valium and a nerve modulator med like Lyrica or Cymbalta to attempt to filter out as many pain signals from getting to the brain. NSAIDS may or may not help, a course of Medrol or Decadron whould help much more. and after that if you are still not sleeping good add on some Trazadone or Elavil or halcion. supplements that might help: GABA, DL-Phenylalanine, L-Glutamine, 5-HTP, Alpha-Lipoic acid, Taurine, L-Glycine, Inositol, Ester-c, fish oil, evening primrose seed oil, bromelain, ginger, holy basil, good multi-vit. and mineral.
Posted 3/17/2012 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynn, I am with Spinal Soldier, I would get me a couple of opinions with the best neurosurgeons I could find. No one likes surgery but with what you have showing up on the CT, I am surprised no one has sent you for a neurosurgical consult. If they both agreed on surgery, I would only agree to anterior approach. It would have to be that or nothing at all. I have seen many excellent results on the anterior approach.

Are you seeing a PM dr by chance? You would probably do much better on an extended release pain med plus something for BT pain. Again, the ideas given by SS sure are what many of us are doing while under the care of a PM dr. Do you have another appt set up to see the dr any time soon? I would be asking some questions about what we have discussed here in this post.

Take care....Susie
Posted 3/17/2012 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I had anterior cervical fusion on my C6-C7 in 2006 and it did help somewhat but still have residual pain. The bulging discs and osteo arthritis had developed over the past 3 or 4 years. I did consult a spinal surgeon a few months ago and he said he wouldn't recommend surgery at this point. He said I should lose weight (which I do need to do) and that would help alot. I am sure it would help, but I don't think it is going to fix my bulging discs and osteo arthritis pain. Maybe I am wrong, I don't know.
Regarding the meds: I have tried Lyrica (didn't help), I am currently on flexeril and robaxin as a muscle relaxant. We tried to get skelaxin but my insurance wouldn't cover it. I haven't tried valium yet, but I do take xanax so I think that gives similar effects. I am not sure what type of pain meds I can try that don't have tylenol in them. Any suggestions? I also tried to get the Butrans patch but insurance wouldn't cover that either. The injections seem to help, but I have to get so many of them in so many different places. I go for my 2nd round of neck injections. It has only been 2 days since the first set of neck injections, but so far it has helped a little.
I have only been to one pain support group so far. We get to share information about what helps others, vent and get information from the ACPA group which is online.

Thanks for your feedback.
Posted 5/8/2012 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
I got the 2nd round of cortisolsteroid injections in the upper part of my neck last Thursday and I can really feel a difference. I really hope it works this time. My pain doctor wants me to see a surgeon but I don't want to have surgery on my neck again. That's my last resort.
Anyway, just thought I would update you all. Hope you are all well.

HUGS
Posted 5/9/2012 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Lynn you need to remind your dr that you went to a spinal surgeon a few months ago, seems your dr has forgot about this. Do you think your dr is trying to push you off on someone that will do more surgery when one says more is not going to help at this point? I don't blame for how you feel and I would stick to my guns since you were told by the other dr no surgery right now.

Hope your injections continue to help.....Susie
Posted 5/11/2012 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
The surgeon said no to the lower back surgery. He hasn't looked at my cervial mri yet. But you are right, sometimes I feel like my pm is trying to have me get surgery to take care of it rather than keep treating me with pain meds. I did tell him that if this injection helped then I wouldn't be getting any surgery right now. So he will just have to deal with it. I will see the surgeon, but will explain this to him as well. At least I will have a report to give my pm so that I can show him I was being a good patient by getting an opinion from the surgeon. Thanks for the suggestion.
Posted 5/11/2012 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
Lynn I am so sorry that you arent recieving any relief in your pain yet.

I just wanted to pop in and let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Betsey
Posted 5/11/2012 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Betsey. I actually am receiving some pain relief finally with the injections I received in my neck and the tens unit I am using for my back. I hope you are doing well.
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