Oh, boy, am I grateful I found this support group chat. I have been battling nerve pain and dizziness for over a decade and was told by multiple providers that it’s just my anxiety. The pain would come and go up until last year when it started with a vengeance in September and never went away. I’ve also suffered from vestibular migraine symptoms since 2021 that have lasted upwards of three months at times. I was told I just had migraine and that I needed to manage my stress for the numbness and tingling in my left arm and hand.

The ongoing pain in my left shoulder blade is the only thing that got me to see a spine doctor in early March this year. I’ve had four MRIs and four CTs with contrast, an EMG and nerve conduction test, a C7/T1 CESI, and six weeks of PT with little to no relief. My MRIs show congenital spinal stenosis (head to tailbone narrowing), degenerative disc disease in lumbar and cervical spine, C3/4 bulging, and a C6/7 tear that is leaking fluid.

The pain is awful, but it’s manageable. The dizziness and vertigo symptoms are not.

I’m getting a targeted C6/7 ESI on the 8th but am not super hopeful it will help me.

I’m typically not afraid of surgeries - I’ve had several big ones and know the drill. The issue with a disc replacement/laminoplasty is that I am a professional singer, actor, producer, and director. Neck surgeries that involve manipulating my larynx are a terrifying prospect for me. I haven’t had a full surgical plan work up yet because we are trying conservative measures first, which I appreciate, but given the failed attempts thus far, I am feeling more and more that surgery is inevitable.

I am contracted to perform in a show in late September, and it would crush my heart if that can’t happen.

Any help or testimony on the recovery and voice affects would be much appreciated.