Update on chronic neck pain/headaches

thanks for the detailed update, my friend.

sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now, both on the medical side and on your life and work. at 36, you are very young to be going through so much severe pain. my CP didn't begin in earnest until I was 57, though I have been fighting various cancers since my late 40's.

I was on Lexapro for a few years ago for major depression. It worked very well for that, but the one side effect that hits many with it, is that it can completely cancel out any sexual interest from your mind. It doesn't take away any ability, but with me and others on it, it's like the subject never comes to mind. also, lexapro is the "corrected" version of the older drug celexa. some will ask to be put on celexa instead, because it is a generic drug, and is way cheaper to buy than lexapro. as far as depression goes, they work about equally well for most people, just something to think about if you think you will be on it long term.

For some with CP, its more of a short term thing, i.e. months or a handful of years, and for others of us, its a perm. thing. With me, with a progressing unstoppable cancer, my CP is going to be forever, and there's no chance outside of a real miracle that there will ever be any improvement. My oncologist, who is also my PM, and are planning meds in terms of very long term use, saving the strongest doses for later when they will even be more needed.

At your young age (You are only 1 year older than my oldest son), it would be hard to face CP if it is going to be perm. in nature. All I can advise you, is to not look at your whole life at once, but to concentrate on things one day at the time, then a week, then a month, etc. Try not to envelope the whole thing at once. This is how I survive all that I have gone through, and what lies ahead for me.

If you need to vent, be sure to do it here, as we can take it, and there will be no judgemental attitudes or bad feelings. It helps to get it off your chest, talking to people that truly understand what you are feeling and going through.

There is much medical advances taking place everyday as I speak. Breakthroughs happen on a regular basis. what seems hopeless today, may be solved tommorow. So I say to you, and this is the same advice I give myself and others, is to never, ever give up hope.

Keep checking back too, so we can see how you are doing, and if you need other help.

David in SC

Countrydad, I just saw your thread and wanted to say I can empathize greatly with what you are going through. I was surfing the internet tonight because I was trying to find any answers to my neck pain issues. I had a cervical fusion (of three discs) the end of January because I had cervical stenosis and a ruptered disc that was pressing on my nerve and causing me to lose use of my right arm along with constant pain. I am 37 and have a four year old, so I definitely understand the guilt of not being "all there" for your children. It's rough. I still suffer from stiffness and constant pain in my neck. I've been taking flexeril lately, but that seems to make me irritable and even more tense. I can't offer you any wisdom, as I, too am searching for answers. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

 

Post Edited (Ang37) : 8/26/2012 6:31:35 PM (GMT-6)

Hey Randy, just a thought for your basement, I live in Southern California, and even here, basements tend to the collect a decent amount of condensation. You might know a lot more about it than I do already, but just wanted to let you know to make sure you have very good moisture guard in place with your sub floor, or anything you put down will slowly take water damage, and to also make sure you have at least a 1 hp sump in place if you can, especially if you live in an area with a lot of rain. Good luck, and especially good luck with your latest addition to your family. Take care.

Continuing to have varying amounts of pain every day. Typically not bad, and I could definitely manage without meds. But it's every day. It's just wearing on me mentally. Last night I had an unbearable pain in my neck and headache so I did traction, took a vicodin and went to bed. I felt bad because I had been pretty short/impatient with the kids all night as a result of the pain.

I called my physical medicine doctor and moved my appointment up a couple weeks to the 17th. She also took notes on my complaints and was going to talk to the doctor and see if he wants me to come in sooner. I have also started keeping a pain log so I can have something to talk about when I go in. I feel like I have a hard time articulating where the pain normally comes from when I go there as well as how frequent/severe it is. So hopefully a journal/log will help.