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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Chronic Pain | Last Active: 7 hours ago | Replies (7067)
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@liz223

Thanks for your response, Colleen. The most troublesome bulging disc is in my lower right side. I did see a spine surgeon after tests, MRI, etc. he said considering my age, the complicated surgery and recuperation time, it would be too risky for someone of my age. He recommended a pain management clinic which has been wonderful. They gave me injections and so far after months I am still able to walk.
My shoulder started hurting after I tried raking my yard. It has gone down my arm and now there is numbness in part of lower arm and thumb and two fingers. They are weak. I have an appointment this week with a diagnostic clinic to check out for me. There is pain, but not all the time

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Replies to "Thanks for your response, Colleen. The most troublesome bulging disc is in my lower right side...."
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jul 6, 2020

@liz223

Hi, Betty. I hope you're keeping safe from the corona virus. It sounds like Florida is being hit pretty hard.

I'm turning 70 in August, and I already have heard doctors tell me that "because of your age, you should..." I don't feel any older than I did at 60. I might even feel better.

Did you flex your shoulder in some way to make it hurt, and then start radiating down your arm? I'm no stranger to chronic pain. I have peripheral polyneuropathy, with bad pain in my feet and ankles, and last week I saw a neurospecialist who was going to talk with me about the next step in my treatment. But she had ordered an MRI of my lower back, and she showed me what my spinal column looks like. One disc is just gone, and the spine is squeezing the cluster of nerves that runs inside the spine, which could be what's causing at least some of the pain. It explains, as well, why I can't stand straight. My wife took a picture of me playing the piano at church a few months ago, and I look hunched over. I didn't realize I wasn't sitting up straight. The doctor said that opening up the space for the nerves could improve my posture. I'm surely hopeful that surgery will relieve some of my pain.

Pain specialists and management makes a huge difference for a lot of people. I haven't gone to a pain clinic yet. We live in the center of Oregon, a long way from any management clinics, but I've been seeing a pain specialist for a couple of years, and he has worked hard to find a treatment plan. I've heard lots of people tell how much their work with a management clinic has benefitted them. I'm glad you're one of their success stories.

I hope that you'll get the help you need on Thursday. I'll be interested in knowing what's going on with your shoulder.

Jim

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