EMG shows pinched nerve in elbow and C7 irritation

Posted about the terrible pain in my neck/left shoulder/arm/fingers and lower back and left leg/toe.

Went for the EMG and it showed a pinched nerve in my left elbow and the C7 is irritated, the lower back shows nothing.

Neurologist was actually very nice so after awful neurosurgeon it was a relief and he was very caring.

He did say the C7 is what's causing pain in my left arm/fingers but not sure about my lower back, which is in agony as we speak, and my left foot/big toe, he did say he noticed on my paperwork I have a syrinx in the thoracic area, that was shown on an MRI and was I being taken care of for that as I should be having an MRI every 6 months as it can be very serious....well...my new Dr has never ever mentioned it to me.

The syrinx could be causing the leg/toe pain.

Now I am up at 2 a.m. in agony, my neck/back and left arm.

Don't know what to do here, neurologist today said to see a neurosurgeon...I saw one and he was not concerned about anything.

Why is my lower back killing me? tried all therapy for everything and don't know what to do now, I cannot stand this pain.

Is this a case now of trying to control this pain?

I feel like a puppet just being sent to massage/PT/chiro..nothing works.

any advice greatly appreciated, how can someone live with all this pain.

I regret that day I had the accident, I chose to go to a different post office that day instead of the local one, I know it's no good thinking it but I hurt so much :( was hit hard by 2 vehicles, one a hit-and-run, I hate all of this.

Hi Vickie and thank you.

Was up for most of the night in pain, going to see my Dr and let her know what the neurologist said, going to be very to the point and insist on seeing another neurosurgeon, I did some research about this and as you say it is nothing to play with.

From reading around it seems a lot of Dr's do not take this seriously and say the pain is not coming from the syrinx, at least this neuro said it could be, also did say paralysis can happen if not watched closely, which it is not.

Just so worked up about another neurosurgeon, the other did not care


In pain all the time, just want to feel better.

Hi Merrida,

Thanks for your reply. :)

Was up for most of the night worrying about seeing my Dr today then they canceled, she's out today.

I'm so worked up about seeing her and asking for more MRI's, feel like I'm telling her what to do but if I don't she just stares at me, for a year I just went along with what my old Dr was saying...which was to do nothing...so now I probably talk too much but can't be quiet anymore.

My lower back too is is killing me, was in a fetal position on Saturday because of the pain.

I asked earlier why my lower back is worse...well...I think I know...the chiropractor was aggressive the last time I saw him and cracked my back really hard, after me telling him how scared I was because of the pain...it's been worse ever since.

Seeing the physiatrist tomorrow.

Neuro suggested I see an ortho, anyone have any thoughts about that?

Feel like I'm on a conveyor belt

You need to ask for a referral to Pain Management.  Or have your neurosurgeon provide a referral until you get this sorted.  You should have some type of med to help manage your pain.

What you have is serious.  Nerve damage can occur and then you're really in big trouble.  My friend has had several nerve surgeries and she's still pretty much a basket case.  If your current Dr is staring at you then you need to move on.  You need someone who can help manage your pain.

You broke your ankle!?!?

Oh Lordy.....









M.

Once you get the results of the MRI, I would ask to be referred to another neurosurgeon, preferably a board certified, fellowship trained neuro.. I know you had a bad experience with one but not all of them are that way. At least get a consult with another one, just because they are surgeons does not mean you are a surgical candidate. The reason I push a neurosurgeon is they are more trained to deal with nerve issues if you have a nerve problem going on. They do delicate brain surgery & are the best. My PM dr only uses a neurosurgeon to implant pain pumps in his patients.

Your best case scenario for managing chronic pain is to be on an extended release medication with something for BT pain such as the Norco.

Good luck.....

Thank you everyone.

Was actually due to see the physiatrist on Tuesday but with the whole breaking ankle business on Monday evening I had to cancel, will see him next Tuesday and will ask him about something to go with the Norco.

When I get the results back from the next MRI I'll ask for another neurosurgeon to see.

My own Dr knows nothing about a syrinx, nothing at all, she did keep saying it was in the cervical spine when it's not, it's in the thoracic.....they could see the top of it when doing a cervical MRI but more clearly on the thoracic one.

Trying to keep from getting upset and just hope she has ordered the correct one.