Hey everyone - Intro

New here and thought I would introduce myself. I really like this site so far. I was asking about Lyme's for my dad and got a lot of useful info so I will try it out for myself. Not sure what I am looking for as I have kind of just acknowledged I will have pain forever and there is nothing I can really do about it. But here is my story.

My name is Jon and I am 31 years old. 8 years ago I was involved in a car accident one week and the next week I fell when drunk on my neck. So I now have chronic neck pain. Things I have tried include Acupuncture, Chiropractor, Cranial Sacral, Acupressure Mat, Physical Therapy, Chronic Pain Class, Yoga, Magnesium pills, and stretching. I have had 2 MRI's and it appears that nothing is wrong with my neck so they told me it must be a pain syndrome where my brain still registers an injury even though there is none therefore sending pain signals to my neck and shoulders. I feel like it might be spreading to my arms a little but I am not completely sure. That part sucks but then 2 years ago I herniated my lower back L5-S1. Now I can no longer feel my left leg from mid shin down to toes on the left side of it. I still have my strength in it so the Neuro Surgeon told me it was my choice if I wanted to have discectomy seeing as there was no feeling. He told me it wasn't anything to worry about as long as I had my strength, it was a matter of if I could live with a numb leg or not. Also my lower back rarely hurts as long if I stay up on my stretches. I opted not to have surgery in fear of causing more damage or creating more pain.

Anyways that is the gist of it.

Welcome to the Chronic Pain forum. Sorry you qualify for this one, but glad you found it.

Is the Neuro Surgeon the one who read your MRI's? I think I would consider a 2nd opinion on reading those, just in case.

Never too late for a 2nd opinion. My case for example went through 5 back surgeries thanks to that surgeon had to have a 6th bc he didn't fix the prob in the first place! NEVER to late for a 2nd opinion!

Welcome to HW x2jmor.Glad you're here but hate that you need to be.

My back problems started at L5-S1 and 20 years later all but L1-L2 are bulged.

Stretching to me is the best thing I can do.I found that it's too easy to hurt myself at the gym except on the stationary bike.The recliner with the TV mounted on it.

Make yourself at home and welcome aboard.

Rick

Hi Jon & welcome to the chronic pain forum. If you have a numb leg that generally means you have nerve problem going on & for a dr to tell a patient what you were told is just nuts. That is not a good symptom to have because if a nerve becomes compromised it can become permanent. The same with your neck, if you start having numbness & tingling in either arm, I would be finding myself a board certified fellowship trained neurosurgeon.

What type of dr are you under the care of now for treatment? You mentioned something about Epson salts & peroxide not so sure I would partake in this, does not sound healthy or safe at all. If you are wanting to taper off of medications do it the correct way by telling your dr you want to go off of your meds. Just because you read it on a public forum does not mean anything, anyone can write anything on a public forum.

Also, if you don't mind, please do not use the quote feature as it uses up expensive space here at Healing Well. The administrator is charged per letter when we post plus the cost of space when we post so by not using the quote its a way that us members can help keep the costs down & Healing Well free to us to use.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Welcome to the forum! I would not have any spine surgery unless it is to relieve a nerve impingement issue or severe pain from nerve compression. If all you have is numbness then leave it. Even if you have nerve damage and weakness at this point it is too late to restore it. I have permanent nerve damage in my left leg from ruptured disk. But I had disabling pain and had to have surgery to relieve it, and it did by about 70%. But I now have scar tissue that tethers my S1 nerve root so I have epidurals every so often to reduce the nerve pain. And the level above it is failing now. You will have more pain after your surgery than you do now. If you had severe pain now or new weakness that may be a reason to have surgery.

It seems to me that you should get a second opinion on your neck. A car accident and several falls also did my Neck in, but it took ten years before I needed surgery (if I didn't I would become paralyzed - I also had crazy pain for years). Maybe some injections in your neck may help? They can bring a lot of relief and they can even obliterate nerves that are firing too much. But it sounds like you probably have good reason for your pain. I once went to a neurosurgeon and he told me I should try running since my back wasn't that bad - he didn't even bother to look at me because at the time I had a broken leg! There are some great doctors out there and some real jerks! You may need three opinions!

Best of wishes for you. This is a great forum!

Jon, no problem on the quote as most folks are not aware of any of the costs involved at keeping HW alive & running, lol.

If its been over a year since you have had any MRI's on both your neck & back it would be a good idea to get new ones, along with a consult with a new neurosurgeon. Keeping updated to see if there are any new changes on those MRI's is important. Same as seeing a specialist.

Pitmom:

Your situation sounds very similar to mine. Fatigue in neck is big for me. I have a couple bone spurs but both doctors said they are not big and are not a problem. I have a tens unit, but for me it only makes it worse so it just collects dust.

The one thing that I have found to be beneficial is Soma Yoga. I would try that if I were you.

I am careful with my leg, it's weird cause I can kind of feel it but not really. Just a numb feeling. I can definitely feel heat and cold though.

I've never asked.I remember injuring my bottom 2.But L4-L3 and L3-L2 just followed.5 years apart.

My PMD told me I'll have to have surgery at some point.

Putting it of as long as I can.That and a knee replacement are in my 10 year plan.

Take care.

Rick