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Excruciating chronic left side neck pain plus lumbar issues
Hi Everyone,
I just joined and this is my first post.
I am a 66 year old male that lives in Melbourne Aus.
Thankfully I found this discussion forum in order to get answers in regards to my deteriorating condition.
For the last 20 years I have been an active sportsman doing long distance bicycle riding and body building, but in the last 9 years I have been hit 3 times (2013,2015,2019) by negligent drivers while riding. These accidents have caused me severe whiplash and a multitude of fractures.
Each time I recovered and went back doing my riding passion.
4 months ago I noticed a pretty strong left sided pain around C6 therefore I went to see physiotherapists and osteopaths. But 4 weeks later at the end of August, this pain got even worse when one night while lying down on my loungeroom carpet, I got up and felt multiple crackles in the spine. It didn't hurt at the time therefore I went to sleep and woke up half hour later in extreme pain going from the left side of my neck, left side of my thoracic spine. I felt as if I was twisted. I was unable to sleep or sit. Standing provided some relief but I couldn't sleep.
Things slightly improved over the next 3 weeks.
I had some MRIs done at the end of August 2022 which showed:
C2/C3:
[No protuberant osteophyte, disc bulging, spinal canal stenosis or
neural foramina stenosis.]
C3/C4:
Minimal broad base central and bilateral lateral disc bulging with
associated minimal right intervertebral foramina stenosis
C4/C5:
Broad-based central and right lateral disc bulging with associated
moderate right intervertebral foraminal stenosis
C5/C6:
Disc bulging resulting in moderate bilateral intervertebral foraminal
stenosis
C6/C7:
Right lateral/foraminal disc bulging resulting in moderate right
intervertebral foramina stenosis
C7/T1:
[No protuberant osteophyte, disc bulging, spinal canal stenosis or
neural foramina stenosis.]
Conclusion:
Multilevel disc bulging and multilevel intervertebral foraminal stenosis. To see the complete reports open the attached PDF.
I contacted TAC which in Australia stands for Transport Accident Commission. They are responsible for paying medical expenses for anyone who has been a victim of a transport accident. Every driver in Victoria pays a premium yearly when they renew their car registration.
I arranged an appointment here to see first and orthopaedic surgeon and then a neurosurgeon. The first specialist told me that I had C6 nerve root impingement and the second specialist reported facet joint syndrome in the neck.
The injury is defined as a mechanical injury.
I noticed a discrepancy between the 2 opinions which left me frustrated. None of the specialists can pin point the exact source of the pain. They both recommended pain management and I am currently on Endep 10, Catapress 100 and Targin 10/5 daily.
Also I was told that no operation for this condition was required and ultimately a fusion, if non invasive, minimally invasive therapies didn't work.
This maybe ok as a temporary solution, but it can't be a life long remedy, because these medicines have side effects and I can't even drive the car to the supermarket when I am drowsy.
In the mean time I had C6 nerve root cortisone injection at the hospital on 1 of DEC 2022, but it didn't work at all after 3 weeks.
I actually have more pain than ever before something like 30% more. I queried the hospital, but they told me that it was done correctly.
Just a few days ago I have had fresh, new MRIs of the cervical/thoracic spine and a bone scan of the whole spine.
Yesterday 23.12.2022, according to the pain management specialist and the neuro surgeon, they couldn't find a lot of difference compared to the previous MRIs taken in August. They were perplexed as to why I feel so much pain. They can't pinpoint the source of the pain.
This is not very re-assuring and I have to keep taking drugs for the next 6 weeks. If I don't take the medication I have extreme, 10 out 10 burning pain that starts around left of neck at C6 going through C7, T1, T2, T3. The pain is also spreading aggressively in the left of my trapezius muscle. I have referred pain in the left shoulder, left scapula, left bicep/triceps and in the little, medium, index finger and left thumb. Referred pain is also felt in the right but not as bad. I also get pain going into my left pec muscle but it is not related to the heart. My cardiologist told that I am fine there even though I can get high blood pressure when I am anxious and stressed out.
To make things worse I have also been getting left/right headaches, left ear ache, left sided head scalp numbness and dizziness from time to time in the last 2 months. Just 2 weeks ago I developed a ringing tone in my right ear which is hypersensitive to sounds. I am a total mess.
The mental depression has been really bad and I have been isolated at home because I am unable to enjoy life like I used to.
Recently when I sit and lie down I feel numbness in my legs and feet. When I stand the problems seems to disappear.
My main frustration is the lack of answers and solutions to fix these problems and two specialists can't agree on a course of action.
I have been doing a lot of research and learned that referred pain can be caused by pressure on neck functional nerves and by facet joints sensory nerves but I don't which one is the culprit. Not even the specialists know.
I am worried that if the compression is not removed in time from those nerves (assuming that it is nerve related) I may get a neuropathy and get paralysis.
My bladder/kidney/liver functions are currently fine.
I don't know if anyone in the Mayo community has come across this and knows something about it.
While searching I found this site which looks promising:
spineconnection org
They can fix a lot of spine related problems.
I haven't received the December MRIs/Bone Scan yet.
Thanks and regards
Alfred
Shared filessummary of mri xray (summary-of-mri-xray.pdf)
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Go to a qualified chiropractor. He will want x rays. A lot have an x-ray on site.
Hello, Sorry to hear about your situation. Pain management starts with tramodol. I told him immediately it did not work and they moved me right on the hydrocodone. It's generally a step before you go to oxycodone or morphine. My gut cannot take systematic nsaids. I get great relief from celebrex. And they say solebrex is the easiest on your gut. But i've heard mobic and declofinac work well. I have dish. My left side of my spine is totally fused. Of course i'm totally diagnosed now. Only radiology reports show the problem. I have a good medical team and I get the prescriptions I need. Oxyco done,adderall,tizandine. I'm also able to use c b d because my primary doctor does not mind the thc in my blood. Pain clinics will not tolorate any kind of thc. I get great relief from cbd. Wish you well.
I really wish people would read the whole thread (6months worth) before posting comments. Manipulations by chiros osteos and physios have always severely worsened Alfreds condition. It has been recommended by several on here, as well as his doctor that he totally avoid them. Manipulations only worsen Alfreds condition. It has been recommended that He may be helped by neuromodulation or Scrambler type therapies, while he awaits long over due surgery decision.
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4 ReactionsHi jm1,
How are you?
Thanks for your input.
New rule for me:
No more manipulations!
I had enough! You tell them to be gentle to begin with then they do what they please on your neck.
Most of them are cowboys in Melbourne Australia.
You won't believe this. Last Wedbesday I had a lung function test because I was feeling breathless at times. I was asked to inhale and exhale fast and strong.
After the test now i have a deep pain at the mid thoracic spine on the right spreading in to my right ribs. I hope that it is of a muscular nature. It has been 3 days now but the pain has reduced marginally near the spine spreading into the right rear rib cage
I can't believe my bad luck .
My new doctors told me that there may not be a surgical solution for my neck and continue with pain management which is not helping much when going to sleep.
My life is very difficult and the severe neck pain is causing incredible amounts of anxiety and increased blood pressure. My neurologist told me that I may have cervicalgia.
Saturday next week I am getting a new MRI of my cervical and thoracic spine. I had to push hard for this with the transport accident insurance to get it financed. My new specialists didn't want to give me a new request for imaging services. In the end I asked my GP who was more understanding and got the request .
To be honest I have fear of a fusion surgery because multiple levels in my neck may be fused.
I am thinking about going to Melbourne Florida eventually to go and see Deukspine. There they use a disc repair laser to remove disc bulging and bone spurs. I watched a lot of positive videos of patients that got rid of their pain for good. Currently my problem is getting finance to pay for this surgery. I am not rich and I will have to raise funds through GoFundMe website.
My transport accident insurer in Australia would not pay for any surgeries done outside of Australia.
I keep praying 🙏 .
Alfred
Hi Alfred
Told you months ago to start a GO FUND me page. Also told you to raffle your bike and have your bike buddies hold charity events for you. Did you??
If you are going to come to Florida, please go to Mayo in Jacksonville Florida. They are the real deal. Personally I wouldn't trust anyone else other than Mayo, and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. They are the leaders in my book.
Your doctors in Australia are stalling for some reason, maybe so they can milk more money out of your case. If I had your MRI results and pain I would be begging for surgery. Just sayin......praying you can get to Mayo for some honest answers..jm
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3 ReactionsHi jm1,
how are you?
thanks for the advice.
I don't like the idea of fusion where you lose flexibility in your neck. I heard that people, I.E. @jenniferhunter , can have fusion without hardware.
I don't know how you qualify for this type of surgery.
Recently I am taking Neurontin (Gabapentin) 300mg, Nortriptyline 10mg, Diclofenac 50mg to manage the pain at night. During the day it is not so bad because I distract myself and move a bit.
I noticed that my stomach takes ages to absorb these meds and it can take up to 4 hours before feeling the effect. Once they start working, they can provide me with some sleep.
Now since March this year whenever I go to sleep, I place the right side of my head on the pillow because I can't sleep on the left or the back due to increased pain.
Even though I feel quite sedated, I noticed that my left sternocleidomastoid muscle is in constant tightness, spasm I believe. If I touch it, it feels very excruciating which is above any other types of pain that I have been experiencing. The pain starts half way in my neck and spreads to the bottom of it.
The intensity of pain of the left SCM is such that it wakes me up, despite the medication and causes massive mental anxiety. In other words I can't sleep at all and must get up to reduce the pain because in this position I feel better.
I try to massage the left SCM gently, but it feels horribly painful.
I don't know if cervical facet joints can cause such horrific pain.
Any thoughts and advice will be appreciated.
Thank you.
Alfred
How you qualify for what surgery depends how bad your neck issues are and what anatomy is effected. Your fear of neck fusion is overplayed, they have a very successful outcome ratio.
I personally take 600mg 3 times a day of gabapentin. Taking it in a steady stream avoids having to wait hours for relief. I have told you the critical importance of this before yet you insist on taking just nite time doses and sufferring.
I take 50mg of nortriptyline right after diner around 630 pm and 5mg ambien at 830pm. The dosages and timing you are doing are not providing you the optimum outcome of relief possible. You are also a much bigger person and could tolerate larger doses. Talk to your doctors. You may need a muscle relaxer prescribed as well to stop the spasms caused by the nerves.
Telling you for the last time, horrible burning radiating pain,numbness and tingling of hands is all caused by impingment or compression of the nerves. Its the nerves that dictate and control you they spasm the muscles, they send the signals to your brain. You didnt mention ice, so for heaven sake ice more, I can tell you don't ice nearly enough. .massage should feel good, a good relieving pain if deep tissue is done. At this stage you need to skip on this only the lightest touch, let the ice do the work. If not icing try Biofreeze or Cobroxin or Nyloxin topical gels or Lidocaine 4% patches. These help me. Prayers for pain relief and mental support
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1 ReactionQuote: I have told you the critical importance of this before yet you insist on taking just nite time doses and sufferring.
Hi jm1 I am taking what the doctor has prescribed me which is at night time.
I am using ice packs daily.
Since I have been taking these tablets I haven't been able to have a bowel movement for a week.
When I was on lighter dose I was able to.
The bilateral tinnitus adds to the stress also. I am also getting jaw, left ear pain. I am wondering if it has to do with cervicogenic referred pain.
Alfred
Glad you are icing, it didnt sound like it..
Still, I strongly recommend you inquire to your doctors about daytime dosing. Do so will spread the medicine in your system and reduce your pain and maybe less constipation also. For constipation, as I have said before. Eat salads, Senna tea or milk of magnesia and prune juice all work well. Good Luck Alfred, hope you make some progress soon.
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3 Reactions@jm1 @jenniferhunter @jenatsky
In the last 3 weeks I have been sort of OK doing short walks every second day. I was managing the pain with my pain management medication.
Yesterday everything changed for the worse. I opened the oven door to get a tray out, therefore I had to bend to the right and lower my head to see inside and suddenly I felt a extremely sharp pain in the left side of the neck near the base of it.
The pain was unbearable in an instant!
It felt like a massively tight knot, as if something was winding up inside. The pain was also shooting to the left groin, left leg and foot making them painful and tight. I became breathless for some seconds and my stress levels went up automatically. This was followed my headaches, left ear and jaw pain.
Also bicep, triceps, left hand and fingers pain. I feel pain in the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers intermittently.
I tried to do very gentle neck stretches such as turning my head left and right, gentle chin tucks, massages, but they didn't help. Then I reached for the ice pack, the the hot pack alternating every 20 minutes a few times, but it didn't improve my condition
I took more medication which attenuated the pain a little bit. All of yesterday I was in pain with hardly any relief. Last night I couldn't lie down and couldn't sleep at all.
This morning is the same as yesterday where I can't get relief, sitting, lying down and standing are difficult. My balance is not 100% when walking around the house.
The pain was above anything that I experienced before.
Can anyone with explain what might be causing this incredible tightness and pain?
What could have happened to make me so bad?
The left of my trapezius muscle feels very tight.
I am too scared to go to the physio because every time they touch me I get aggravated.
Thank you guys.
Alfred