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Excruciating chronic left side neck pain plus lumbar issues

Posted by AlfredB @ab6540183, Dec 23, 2022

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 files

summary of mri xray (summary-of-mri-xray.pdf)

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Profile picture for gently
gently | @gently | Sep 18, 2025
In reply to @ab6540183 "Hi Everyone,I have been suffering for 11 months so far with cervical nerves compression due to..." + (show)
Profile picture for AlfredB @ab6540183

Hi Everyone,I have been suffering for 11 months so far with cervical nerves compression due to disc bulging.My worst nerves are C6 and C7 bilaterally.Cervical/Thoracic MRIhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/10nJ0h2Bdz7BCdAKWNI9vzr_AVIkGFFDL/viewI was managing with medication and cold/hot pack but in the last few days the burning excruciating pain has doubled around those nerve.Sleep is impossible. Even opioids don't help on top of neuropathic medicines. My doctors haven't helped my much apart from prescribing drugs.The pain is unbearable, extreme, burning from the bas of the neck, referred in mainly the left shoulder, left scapulae, arm, hand, fingers.I also feel painful pins and needles, shocks in the lower back going to the legs, feet and toes.Before the pain was intermittent daily, but now the pain has become 10/10 permanent whether I stand, sit or lie down. There is no escape or relief anymore with hot/cold packs. I personally feel that the bulging pressure must have increased. Meditation does not help.Will I get paralysed if I wait for my doctors to recommend some corrective action?How long does it take for the human body to start losing sensation before it is too late?My doctors have not recommended any surgeries except for facet joint, nerve root injections.How can I bring down this immense pain? I have tried gentle stretching, isometric head exercises, hydrotherapy, sauna, gentle walks, arm exercises, shrugs, chin tucks but nothing works.Over to you.Thank youAlfred

Jump to this post

Alfred, your earlier post gave me information to advise others against surgery with this physician. You've saved more than one person. The institute went out of business, I think they were sued, settled out of court and went bankrupt because of it. Deuk, though, is in business again, alone.
Did you ever find resolution for the seroma. Or did it turn out to be something other than a seroma--infection, something left behind like a surgical sponge. Is that the nerve sheath tumor. From the photos it looked too large.
I wasn't thinking of fusion, but I know the osteophytes can be removed. But the osteophytes can stabilize the spine, so might not be advised, either. The surgeon I saw does the nerve blocks in the office. Are they doing much of that in Australia.
I'm saddened that you are still suffering, but happy to hear you are still fighting it.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for leigh17
leigh17 | @leigh17 | Sep 19, 2025
In reply to @ab6540183 "Hi Everyone,I have been suffering for 11 months so far with cervical nerves compression due to..." + (show)
Profile picture for AlfredB @ab6540183

Hi Everyone,I have been suffering for 11 months so far with cervical nerves compression due to disc bulging.My worst nerves are C6 and C7 bilaterally.Cervical/Thoracic MRIhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/10nJ0h2Bdz7BCdAKWNI9vzr_AVIkGFFDL/viewI was managing with medication and cold/hot pack but in the last few days the burning excruciating pain has doubled around those nerve.Sleep is impossible. Even opioids don't help on top of neuropathic medicines. My doctors haven't helped my much apart from prescribing drugs.The pain is unbearable, extreme, burning from the bas of the neck, referred in mainly the left shoulder, left scapulae, arm, hand, fingers.I also feel painful pins and needles, shocks in the lower back going to the legs, feet and toes.Before the pain was intermittent daily, but now the pain has become 10/10 permanent whether I stand, sit or lie down. There is no escape or relief anymore with hot/cold packs. I personally feel that the bulging pressure must have increased. Meditation does not help.Will I get paralysed if I wait for my doctors to recommend some corrective action?How long does it take for the human body to start losing sensation before it is too late?My doctors have not recommended any surgeries except for facet joint, nerve root injections.How can I bring down this immense pain? I have tried gentle stretching, isometric head exercises, hydrotherapy, sauna, gentle walks, arm exercises, shrugs, chin tucks but nothing works.Over to you.Thank youAlfred

Jump to this post

I have severe cervical stenosis in a large slippage at the C3 four. I am having a cervical fusion on Monday the 21st with two Neurosurgeon from John Hopkins that moved to Naples, Florida, where I live and opened a practice. They be fusing the first part through the front of my neck m C 3-4 and 4-5 after that is done, and my neck has been closed they will turn me on my stomach and finish by using the C6-7 to the T 1-2 . Living in this type of pain is no longer manageable.
Good luck to everyone suffering from this type of extreme pain. I saw four different neurosurgeons and knew that I was making the right decision.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for AlfredB
AlfredB | @ab6540183 | Sep 19, 2025
In reply to @leigh17 "I have severe cervical stenosis in a large slippage at the C3 four. I am having..." + (show)
Profile picture for leigh17 @leigh17

I have severe cervical stenosis in a large slippage at the C3 four. I am having a cervical fusion on Monday the 21st with two Neurosurgeon from John Hopkins that moved to Naples, Florida, where I live and opened a practice. They be fusing the first part through the front of my neck m C 3-4 and 4-5 after that is done, and my neck has been closed they will turn me on my stomach and finish by using the C6-7 to the T 1-2 . Living in this type of pain is no longer manageable.
Good luck to everyone suffering from this type of extreme pain. I saw four different neurosurgeons and knew that I was making the right decision.

Jump to this post

I wish you all the best. I hope you pain will completely disappear

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for AlfredB
AlfredB | @ab6540183 | Sep 19, 2025
In reply to @gently "Alfred, your earlier post gave me information to advise others against surgery with this physician. You've..." + (show)
Profile picture for gently @gently

Alfred, your earlier post gave me information to advise others against surgery with this physician. You've saved more than one person. The institute went out of business, I think they were sued, settled out of court and went bankrupt because of it. Deuk, though, is in business again, alone.
Did you ever find resolution for the seroma. Or did it turn out to be something other than a seroma--infection, something left behind like a surgical sponge. Is that the nerve sheath tumor. From the photos it looked too large.
I wasn't thinking of fusion, but I know the osteophytes can be removed. But the osteophytes can stabilize the spine, so might not be advised, either. The surgeon I saw does the nerve blocks in the office. Are they doing much of that in Australia.
I'm saddened that you are still suffering, but happy to hear you are still fighting it.

Jump to this post

Hi gently how are you?

Are you sure that the deukspine institute went out of business? His website is still up an running. I could not find any search results referring to the closure of his institute.
As far as my neck is concerned my so called seroma can't be explained by two neurosurgeons in Melbourne Australia. There is no surgical sponge. I had another MRI recently but the report doesn't mention anything about it. Yes I keep fighting because I want to live life even if it hasn't been perfect since 2022. The pain is experienced daily and nightly. I am 68 and have 4 beautiful and lovely grandchildren to spend time with.
Best regards

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for gently
gently | @gently | Sep 19, 2025
In reply to @ab6540183 "Hi gently how are you? Are you sure that the deukspine institute went out of business?..." + (show)
Profile picture for AlfredB @ab6540183

Hi gently how are you?

Are you sure that the deukspine institute went out of business? His website is still up an running. I could not find any search results referring to the closure of his institute.
As far as my neck is concerned my so called seroma can't be explained by two neurosurgeons in Melbourne Australia. There is no surgical sponge. I had another MRI recently but the report doesn't mention anything about it. Yes I keep fighting because I want to live life even if it hasn't been perfect since 2022. The pain is experienced daily and nightly. I am 68 and have 4 beautiful and lovely grandchildren to spend time with.
Best regards

Jump to this post

Alfred,
I haven't read through any of this. You probably shouldn't either. Deuk did open a different practice under his name. It looks like there were personal injury suits as well as over billing and over treating charges.
https://palmerinjurylaw.com/blog/laser-spine-institute-shut-down-after-lawsuits-and-financial-
https://www.youtube.com/watch
There were a number of suits like this one filed against LSI https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/superior-court/2020/617-eda-2019.html
There are surgeons in Australia that specialize in revision surgery. I don't know how it works there--if you can send your images or even if you can self refer. Pain specialists don't always stay abreast of what is available in surgery. I sure wish you could find help. There is a really good revisionist in Los Angles CA but I doubt you could be interested in coming back to the states for surgery that costs a ton.

REPLY
Profile picture for leigh17
leigh17 | @leigh17 | Sep 20, 2025
In reply to @ab6540183 "Hi Everyone,I have been suffering for 11 months so far with cervical nerves compression due to..." + (show)
Profile picture for AlfredB @ab6540183

Hi Everyone,I have been suffering for 11 months so far with cervical nerves compression due to disc bulging.My worst nerves are C6 and C7 bilaterally.Cervical/Thoracic MRIhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/10nJ0h2Bdz7BCdAKWNI9vzr_AVIkGFFDL/viewI was managing with medication and cold/hot pack but in the last few days the burning excruciating pain has doubled around those nerve.Sleep is impossible. Even opioids don't help on top of neuropathic medicines. My doctors haven't helped my much apart from prescribing drugs.The pain is unbearable, extreme, burning from the bas of the neck, referred in mainly the left shoulder, left scapulae, arm, hand, fingers.I also feel painful pins and needles, shocks in the lower back going to the legs, feet and toes.Before the pain was intermittent daily, but now the pain has become 10/10 permanent whether I stand, sit or lie down. There is no escape or relief anymore with hot/cold packs. I personally feel that the bulging pressure must have increased. Meditation does not help.Will I get paralysed if I wait for my doctors to recommend some corrective action?How long does it take for the human body to start losing sensation before it is too late?My doctors have not recommended any surgeries except for facet joint, nerve root injections.How can I bring down this immense pain? I have tried gentle stretching, isometric head exercises, hydrotherapy, sauna, gentle walks, arm exercises, shrugs, chin tucks but nothing works.Over to you.Thank youAlfred

Jump to this post

Hello Alfred, I am so sorry you were going through all this. I remember when you came to Florida, but I didn’t know where you had gone. I’m hoping that you’re able to find a solution to stop this pain. I’m so sorry you had your hopes up for everything to be corrected only to be let down.

REPLY
Profile picture for leigh17
leigh17 | @leigh17 | Sep 21, 2025
In reply to @ab6540183 "I wish you all the best. I hope you pain will completely disappear" + (show)
Profile picture for AlfredB @ab6540183

I wish you all the best. I hope you pain will completely disappear

Jump to this post

Thank you so very much.

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