Hello Alfred -

I am sorry you are suffering in so much pain. I struggled with these issues myself for two years. I have degenerative disc disease & foraminal stenosis with nerve impingement C5/C6 & C7 bilaterally. After multiple conservative treatments including extensive physical therapy, I sought the opinion of a highly rated Neurosurgeon and had a 3 level fusion (C4-C7) ACCF 2 months ago. My symptoms were almost identical to yours. I’m also a healthy fit individual in my early/mid sixties. I had sought the opinion of 8 other medical professionals and Specialists prior to meeting with him. I was very distraught and mentally as well as physically exhausted.

The Surgeon found my discs were like dust - they were so degenerated. The bone spurs were like shards of glass against my nerves. He said it was unbelievable that I continued to be active and try and move past the pain. The surgery was successful and I’m in physical therapy now. It is a slow recovery in some ways, but the burning excruciating pain is gone. Post op pain consists of muscles and shoulder spasms adjusting to the new biomechanics of the neck. Recovery is not linear and it definitely takes time.

I wish you the best; it is a painful journey. I also had the injections and like you felt worse. I was told that due to the narrowing and compression caused by the stenosis, the cortisone had no way to distribute to the areas necessary for pain relief.

Wishing you find relief soon for a pain free life again.