I finally got a half of a diagnosis!!!

Even though the news isn't that great at least I found the cause of my neck, upper back and shoulder pain.  I had an MRI last Monday of my neck and thoracic spine.  They found that I have 2 (maybe 3) bulging discs - on the right side of my C5 and on the left side of my C6 and maybe a beginning of one on my C7 - they couldn't get a clear view because I moved.  I am going to start a series of epidural injections to help ease the pain soon.  I am just tickled after being in pain for so long and NO doctor could tell me what was wrong, I find this sort of a relief!  I am still having lower back pain but the neurologist wants to address my neck first and once things get better he will start focusing on my lower back. 

 

When he told me what was wrong, I almost felt like jumping off the table and giggling like a maniac but I didn't want to appear a freak over news of something actually being wrong! LOL I'm to the point where it just doesn't matter as much anymore if something ELSE goes wrong ya know? I just go with the punches now. But what was upsetting the most is that doctors kept telling me that they didn't know what was wrong with me so I'm glad I persued this with a neurologist because I can imagine how bad the pain could get if the disc herniated.

Yes, I tried PT - did it for almost 6 months actually. I had to stop because my UC started flaring and getting out of the house while in a Uc flare is a bit of a challenge. I've even been on muscle relaxers and nerve pain pills - Skelaxin and Neurontin. You name it, I've tried it. :)

And yes, I was and still am having accupuncture for my leg weakness. I had to put a stop to it for a month or so because I have many vacations. I just got back from being gone for 9 days and I'm leaving again tomorrow. Accupuncture seemed to help my energy level in my legs. I don't feel as if I am walking thru sludge anymore - now it's more of a walking thru watery mud type feeling :)

Congrats on the DX!! I too just got a name to my pain! It feels great doesn't it? Other than us CRAZY cp'ers, who would be giddy over finding bulging disks (or in my case compression fractures)? Now that you know what the pain is from you should have some more productive treatment now. Good luck with the epidural shots! I hope you get some relief.