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Severe nerve pain in the C2 and C3 area of your neck
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Jul 17 12:52pm | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
Hi there. I have injuries and degenerative disease in C2 through T1. I actually had lots of issues all over my body, which seemed disparate and unconnected (and they weren't getting better with PT) and then my PCP did a quick test, I forget the name, and all of a sudden I was off to the races. MRI showed the spinal injury and that there was pressure on the spinal column from the disks etc. My rheumatologist also sent me to a geneticist, where I was diagnosed with 2 types of EDS and am being tested for other autoimmune diseases as well. (Fingers crossed that I don't have those). Anyways, I take Gabapentin, Tylenol Arthritis, Migraine meds, Ibuprofin as needed and hahve oxy but have only ever taken 1. I love my PT and especially when I hahve time in traction which is the only time I ever actually feel good! Cortisone shots help the joints and low dose radiation probably will as well. Toying with @loriesco idea re: botox.
Also having a really tough time bc my family is very dismissive and acts like I'm always whining even though they know I have chronic pain, neuropathy etc. It really sucks. The neck brace - for after a car accident - as someone else mentioned also helps just to support my head when my neck gets tired. Takes off the pressure. Good luck! I'd try the gaba. It took a while to work up to a good dose but I rarely wake in the middle of the night anymore with shooting nerve pain...
Replies to "@eddieboy143 Hi there. I have injuries and degenerative disease in C2 through T1. I actually had..."
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@krisingle1 I'm glad you are making progress! I was in SEVERAL auto accidents. My NECK, OMG... so I have surgery 3 years ago. Watch the steroids. They will weaken your bones on a regular basis. (I know, it feels so good!) I used the brace for 2 years after surgery when my neck got tired. but this last year I'm good! I hated the nerve medicines. Only one opioid for me, maybe a tylenol. Lots of neck rotations. My bones fell apart during surgery. They had to go back the following week and put a rod C2 - T1. My mobility is limited and I have a lot of stiffness but all the pinched nerve pains are gone. My back (behind the shoulder blade) itched like a son of a gun... all gone. No shooting nerve pains. I doubt the stiffness will go away but I love my heating pad! I can paint and do my artwork and manage. The botox I did the last year before surgery. It weakens/paralyzes the muscles but it took the pain and constant muscle spasms into my head, took that all away. I got tired of it all and wanted the surgery. I have degenerative disc disease. I have the best orthosurgeon but even he was unprepared for what they found when they opened me up. Find the BEST orthosurgeon you can. IN ADVANCE. Because you will end up needing one when your body can no longer hold the bowling ball we call a head on top of the neck. UCSD is where I am. They are outstanding, conservative, (and really backed up because of it). good luck. I had an MFR therapist put my head ontop of my neck and it was UNBELIEVABLE. The only problem was my neck couldn't support the head anymore. That is when I KNEW I was ready for surgery.