← Return to Excruciating chronic left side neck pain plus lumbar issues

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@ab6540183

Hi jm1,
thanks for your reply.
When I said no one cares, I wasn't referring to the Mayo Clinic Forum mentors and helpers, but to my situation here in Melbourne Australia where my current doctors are not making progress with my condition. It is taking a long time to identify the source of the pain. I feel most pain between the left of C6 to T1.
Also the public hospital system in Australia is terrible. Basically when you call emergency due to excruciating pain, the ambulance will come to take you to the closest hospital. While in the ambulance they will give you a shot of morphine, then land you in a hospital bed overnight. The next people are discharged without any further investigation into the problem.

I have been told that if a nerve is compressed for too long it can get damaged and you may get paralysis.

Currently I feel a continuous left sharp stab between C6 and T1 that feels as if someone has placed a needle inside.

To make things worse my lumbar issues amplify the overall pain.

Best regards

Alfred

I read about the fusion problems after surgery, but have also read about procedures such as laminoplasty and ultrasonic type surgery where they preserve the spine structure.
Unfortunately I can't find any such procedures here in Australia.

I have been using ice but I do not notice any improvement.

For pain management I have been taking Endep 10mg, Lyrica 25 mg, Clonidine 50mcg, Diclofenac 50mg and Targin 10/5mg.

It doesn't always work even though it makes me really drowsy. At times I still feel the pain.

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Replies to "Hi jm1, thanks for your reply. When I said no one cares, I wasn't referring to..."

Our hospitals would do the same thing if they determine it is not emergency requiring immediate surgery. They want us to see our Dr's for ongoing care, the ER here is only for critical care and triage.
Several of those meds you mentioned never helped me, like I said before, Gabapentin really helped with nerve pain. Maybe dr can up the Targin to 10mg. Stop the endep and try a different anti flammatory. I had great results with 400mg of Lodine. OR get the steroid dose pack.
It is very difficult to isolate the focal pain generator. It took years and years to be sure with me.
Perhaps an MRI with contrast might help show your impingment better.
Don't let fear rule your life. I know the feeling of not knowing and wanting faster results will eat you up and make you worse.
Ice more, it takes a lot of icing.
Try and Take a few days of doing absolutely nothing.