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DiscussionChronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 14 hours ago | Replies (7067)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Hi everyone! I am 47 years old. I have chronic pain that started in my early..."
I am currently 53 and also had spinal surgery at L4-L5. L5-S1(bi-lateral laminotomy at age 50) to relieve chronic pain from stenosis. I remain a side- or stomach-sleeper as sleeping on my back, pillows or not, still causes severe pain.
Approx. 3 weeks ago, I started experiencing almost identical symptoms you described —what felt like severe tension headaches at the base of my skull, along with neck pain, and stiffness, although the pain shooting down into my right arm has been going on for about 18 months, with both conventional & alternative therapies no longer working as well.
The thought of cervical surgery and potential limited mobility scares my to death, but the increasing severity and frequency of the headaches and neck pain is becoming unbearable. Did your doctor(s) or surgeon ever provide you with a specific diagnosis or alternative options to your cervical fusion?
Have you been tested for Lymes?
Hello @dphillips221, Welcome to Connect. You certainly have been through a lot. I can't begin to imagine trying to figure out what is causing it and what might help. There is a discussion started by @jenniferhunter that you might find helpful - Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Have you heard of Myofascial Release Therapy?