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Hello everyone...just found this forum while searching the web as to how long it takes a pinched nerve at C6 to heal. I fell on the ice just over two weeks ago....the pinched nerve didn't show up until a couple days later. The last two weeks I have spent going to the ER and getting xrays that revealed nothing, and pain meds that didn't take the pain away. Than to a regular doctor who told me I had a pinched nerve...didn't say where just that I had one and prescribed flexiril and Naproxen which has done nothing for me. Went to a chiropractor last week who cracked some bones in my back and in my neck and told me I had a pinched nerve at C6. I go back to see him tomorrow but I'm still having pain. The pain in my back is not no where as near bad as it was a week ago when I was literally crying it hurt so much but I still have quite a bit of pain in my arm and my thumb is still numb. It feels like my arm is dead...no strength in it. Does anyone know how long it will take to get back to normal? I hate this sitting and lying around and not being able to do anything. And I really need to get back to work I can't afford to be off much longer. I'm a nurses aide so I have to have strength in my arm before I can go back to work in order to lift patients. Thanks for any help you can give me ahead of time

Welcome Cin to the HW forums and sorry about your fall. Im in agreement with Char most of us Spineys avoid chiro's as they deal with bones and are not well versed in cord and nerve involvement and can actually cause more harm then good.

You definately need to have a Neurologist visit to see what exactly is going on. Nerve pain is tricky to treat but there are now several promising meds we have some success with,your not prescribed any as far as I can tell and thats another reason to see a Neuro.

Back injuries are nothing to play around with or ignore and the fact you have arm involvement with numbness and weakness all the more reason to be seen and tested by the correct dr. Xrays will not disclose nerve or cord damage as only an MRI and CT can detect them.

cinfullangel I don't want to sound like an alarmist but Please! Please! Please! be careful about having that chiropractor manipulate your neck! An x-ray will not show a herniated disc in your neck, and if you have a ''' pinched'''' nerve, something has to be pinching it! If it is a disc, then chiropractic manipulation could make the problem allot worse! So be careful!! I say this from personal experience! if you are having arm pain and weakness and numbness in your hands, then you need to see a neurologist, and have an MRI done! The sooner the better! Until you know what is actually wrong and causing your symptoms I would be leery about being manipulated. MRI is the gold standard for finding problems like this, it doesn't involve x-rays and it is painless, however if your claustrophobic then they might have to give you something to relax you, or mild sedation. so you might have to have a driver with you.

When I read your post it brought back some bad memories, so just be careful!

White Beard

Welcome to HW. I am so sorry you had a terrible fall skating, everyone that has replied to you, have given you valuable advice.

I had fusion on my c5/c6, so I understand the numbing sensation you are feeling. Yes, those uncomfortable feelings can be scary. Try not to worry, as stress can do a lot to the human body.

I urge you, to please be careful with chiropractors. I will not let anyone touch me there.

Also, please try to get an MRI, it is best to caution on the side of error.

Take care and let us know how you are doing. HW is a special place to be, for anyone in chronic pain.

Regards,
Sandra

Back from my chiropractor appt...he adjusted my back again and used some electric thing that pulses not sure what it is called but anyways...MRI scheduled for Friday afternoon. I just wish I had something to take the pain away....right now it's still just the flexiril and Naproxen and Tylenol. Back to the love seat I will go....UGH

cinfullangel, I know the feeling the first time I had problems like that, I spent, over three months in a recliner, because I could not find a more comfortable place to be! It took that long before I was finally diagnosed, and then when I finally was, I had to have emergency surgery because of a very severely herniated and ruptured disc in my neck. I keep my finger and toes crossed for you, and hope that everything is alright!

I keep you in my prayers too!

White Beard

Hello, that is a very good question. I don't think that should be a problem, but I could be wrong. When I had my MRI's, the only items that they request you remove are jewelry. Metal's are a big no, no!

I have problems with my neck. They gave me a pillow. To make the MRI
more comfortable. I had a choice of ear plugs or headphones that cover your ears. I opted for the latter.

Take care,

Sandra

Hi cinfullangel the main reason chiropractors can't write a script is they usually are not medical doctors! The closest thing to a doctor and chiropractor is an osteopath and they can write prescriptions. If your having that much pain in your arm, you should talk with your doctor about it before having that MRI and tell him your concerns about laying still and the pain in your arm. Maybe they can give you something to help you while getting the MRI.

I do hope they can get you some answers! Please just be careful on what you do, until you find out what is causing your pain.

I wish you all the best, and Good Luck to YOU!

White Beard

Made it thru the MRI yesterday, first one I've ever had...I closed my eyes when they started putting me in and kept them closed the entire time...I was afraid if I opened my eyes I would freak out being in the tube. Didn't get the medrol instead they gave me lidocaine patches. I have one on today but it doesn't seem to be helping a whole lot. Hopefully I get some news from the MRI soon...hoping the beginning of the week to know something so we can figure out what the next step is. I am really getting tired of just lying around...if my thumb wasn't numb at least I could crochet or something while laying there....UGH!