Hello Alfred, so sorry you are dealing with such pain. I would suggest going to the ER as it sounds like things changed rather quickly and very debilitating. If your doctor isn't listening to you, there is another one out there that will. I would address this sooner rather than later. Best wishes.

@ab6540183 are you considering surgery? I have the same symptoms, left side as well, but not 10/10 pain like you.It varies 4-8 I would say. My left hand is starting to curl a little and my left arm is shorter than the right most days. Pain and numbness in the same places as you including left side of face and scalp, down neck, shoulder, arm, hand. I hope you have a good neurologist. I have had PT since Nov. 2022 which only helps at the time!! Tai chi helped me for years.

There are some serious pathologies evident in the MRI. I wanted to comment on going to emergency. I did that last year and they only did an x-ray and wrote in my chart something about being on chronic pain meds (I had had 2 cervical fusions already that year). I informed my spinal surgeon who saw the x-ray and ordered a new MRI and discovered my C3 had slipped behind C4 and had created serious narrowing of the spinal canal. So off to surgery I went again. If I had gotten in an accident, I was told I'd be paralyzed and this is one thing that needs to be ruled out for you. How old is the MRI?
I had just previously had a CT scan that was normal. Oh how I wished to tell that ER doc that he was wrong URGH! If you go to the ER, please bring a copy of your MRI report (unless it was done at the facility). If the doctor you're now with doesn't feel you need a new MRI or surgery, don't walk but run away from them. You need a new one. pronto

There are procedures that would help. Since I am new to the form I'm not allowed to post the links.
Nucleoplasty the easiest percutaneous procedure thereby the least expensive.
Laminoplasty they remove a section of the lamina more permanent than nucleoplasty
Artificial disc replacement the best most permanent solution with a 96% success rate.
Attempts to resolve the weak bone issue are pretty successful with the use of Forteo in advance of surgery. The loss of flexibility is only better than the pain and disability that can result from lack of treatment.
Central canal stenosis is the usual progress of increasing disc bulge. If the changes are dramatic since May, your physician should consider a repeat MRI with contrast or a CT. If the disc has herniated, you can have pain some distance from the disc. The nucleus pupolsus is caustic. Once released it will pain every nerve it touches.

Best wishes

Hi Alfred,
Have you tried the 'Facet injections'?
I have Facet disease, in the lower half of my back. I had some injections that didn't work, then the Ryzotomies, which did... thus avoiding surgery.
Each person is unique, having specialists that you know you can trust is a huge factor in plotting your course.
I do hope you are able to assemble your 'team' and get as much satisfaction that may be available to you.
All the best.

Amanda,
I wouldn't be disguised as knowledgable if I were to post links.
I have understanding of nucleoplasty and percutaneous discectomy having watched the procedures for my Mom. Laminectomy is from reading.
I accept all undeserved compliments. Thanks.
Terry

The numerical pain ratings from patients are supposed to try to identify levels of pain intensity a person is experiencing so they can be more clearly expressed to someone else. Shouldn’t understanding and empathizing be some part of treatment? It’s sad that a doc would tell you it’s in your head.

Alfred, medical branch blocks are used to discover if cervical impingement is causing shoulder and arm pain.
These blocks can result in lasting pain relief. Otherwise the patient can return to the source of this pain with facet joint injections. Facet joint injections can result in lasting pain relief. Otherwise the patient can have the nerve ablated with radiofrequency.
Increasing cervical facet nerve impingement is probably sequelae from the other serious pathologies that you don't delineate in your post. Central canal stenosis poses the greatest risk for you. The Thursday MRI. Wish it were a standing MRI (few places perform them) but it will give you treatment direction. Cervical facet impingement is not likely to cause pain or numbness in lower extremities.
There is the possibility of long term "steroid flare" causing increasing (frightening) neck back and shoulder pain without indicating a further compression of the joint.
I am sorry you have that silly doctor, they slow you down.
I'd erase the comment that repeats much of this I wasn't finished and accidentally posted. Mostly I wish you luck. As you already know, there are remedies for you.

Thank you for all this information guidance! It gives me some hope. A big problem is that I have allergy to synthetic opioids and any anesthesia makes my already extreme Central Sensitization Syndrome get permanently worse. I guess I should go ahead with getting an MRI? I haven’t had one since 2018. The rupture happened 12/2022

I am in the same boat. I Cannot sleep. My problem is in my Neck, shoulders, down the arms, and now just recently lower back pain. I could not get into position for the Fluoro-Scope Guided Needle procedure, because of the pain. I cannot lay on either side of my shoulders. I am stuck. Looking for another Pain Management Dr. that will work with me, instead of yelling at me to be still! Hoping you find some relief, somehow. This is torture, for all of us in this terrible position.