Alfred,

You have my complete empathy. I too have been suffering essentially the same as you since July 2022. I have been diagnosed with multi-level DDD, the genesis I believe was a horrific whiplash injury I suffered in 1998. I now have constant muscle spasms on the left side of my neck and intermittent pain down my arm. I have lost the cervical lordosis, so my head always feels like it is being pushed forward. I had severe nerve root compression at C6-7 that has partially resorbed, but C4-5 is bad too. Problems at literally every level and arthritis due to the wishlash injury.

I have seen multiple surgeons, with varying opinions, with some not recommending surgery. They are all good surgeons, but I don't know who to trust, nor what to do. I simply cannot explain what it has done to me mentally. I am no longer the person I was. People see the anguish on my face. I am constantly depressed and feel trapped, with the darkest of thoughts going through my head on a daily basis. I am now a functional alcoholic, struggling to continue providing for my wife and kids. If there is a higher power, I wish I would be taken in the middle of the night so that I don't have to suffer any longer. I wish you the very best Alfred.