Neck Pain: Cervical
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Thu, 10/29/2009 - 19:10
I Need Some Advice. Or, At Least, Some Support
I'm still fighting through the string of so-called "specialists" to figure out what we're going to do with my chronic neck pain. The last "specialist" I visited prescribed a migraine medication to fight the cervicogenic headaches. The problem is, the medication prescribed has a history of interactions with other medications I take that could be fatal.
Today, I visited my PCP to try to find a new "specialist". While at his office, I mentioned that the headaches are getting worse and last longer than ever before. I am also experiencing increased twitching. These twitches are often accompanied with an electric shock sensation. Very unnerving!
After explaining these symptoms to my PCP... he wants to set up a... wait for it... SLEEP STUDY. A sleep study?!?!?
I feel like I'm in a bad dream that I can't wake up from. I am really close to dropping my PCP. He obviously does not understand. I just have no idea what to do, at this point...
+dharvell
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DDD/Bone Spurs occurring from C3 to T1 with severe narrowing of nerve pathways at C5/C6 and moderate narrowing at C6/C7 resulting in chronic pain, headaches, twitches, and numbness in arms.
Currently taking Hydrocodone/APAP 10/325 (Norco) 6 times daily for pain; Morphine Sulphate Imm. Release 2 times daily, Flexiril 3 times daily.
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Have you worked with a Neurologist or NS?
When was your last MRI? What test have you had and when?
I completely understand your frustrations. This can be a slow process. But a sleep study? Heck I don't know many of us Spineys who sleep.
Maybe you can ask your local friends and business contacts about who they see? That is how I found my PCP and my NS (both are pretty easy to talk with).
Hang in there,
Julie
MRI 12/07 L4-5 Herniated w/Nerve Impingment. L5/S1 Posterior Central Protrusions- indents @Thecal Sac. L4/S1 Moderate Facet Anthropy. 6/08 MRI and Flexion Extension Xrays- revealed grade 3 Retrolisthesis L5/S1, Spondy L4
Constant LBP and Bilateral Radiculopathy going on 17 months. PT, MT, Chiro, Traction, Selective Nerve Root Injections........ You name it I probably did it.
*****L4-S1 PLIF 7/28/08******* Considered a perfect success!
Newest problem: Shocking sharp pain in neck, shoulders and elbows, burning painful hands, and constant numbness/tingling in both hands.
MRI C6-7 disc protrusion with right lateral recess narrowing, C5-6 disc protrusion & spondylosis with bilateral neuralformen bony stenosis.
I am currently waiting for my neck surgery to be schedule ACDF C5/C6/C7- Insurance has required conservative treatment (PT and elecromagnetic therapy).
Did your doctor say why a sleep study? If he had a patient like you who it helped, maybe. On the other hand, my migraines get worse if I do not get some decent sleep regularly. Do you feel better if you can nap? Maybe that is his thinking?
But I'd be very frustrated if I were you! We try everything to feel better, but do not want to grasp at weak straws to attempt to kill the pain.
Hugs,
Dee
Dee
ACDF C5-6, 2006 and again in 2007, DDD, Carpal tunnel release 2004, cortisone injections 2005. Also have a new problem with a herniation in my lumbar spine and pain down my back of my legs when standing. Too many physical therapists, chiropractors, neurologists, and other doctors to recall.
Find a great neuro who is not afraid to send you to another doc if that is necessary. Great thing about a neuro is they don't do surgery so you don't have to worry about a knife happy doc.
My guess based on your spine issues is that the nerve roots are being effected. A neuro would do an EMG to see what is going on. This could cause the headaches, shocks, tingling, etc.
You may need a neurosurgeon but I like starting with a neurologist because they look for other treatments first.
Remember the docs are going by what you describe and looking for something they can do to fix your problems.
Keep on doctor shopping until you find a doctor who really listens to you and you feel confident in his abilities. I had diffuse pain in my shoulders, arms, neck, hips, legs, and doctor after doctor told me I had fibromyalgia. None of them really listened to what I was saying and none of them did a through exam that included actually touching me. Finally I hit on a competent doctor. MRIs revealed disc problems in both the lumbar and cervical spine. Bottom line; if your sixth sense is telling you this isn't right, listen!
Thanks for the replies, all.
I have seen a Neurologist, but didn't get very far, with them. The first Neuro I saw kicked me out of his office before even seeing me, because I was "too young to have the symptoms, described". So, I went to a Neuro in a clinic about 150 miles away. This guy seemed pretty decent. He referred me to a NS at the same clinic. The NS simply referred me to the pain management clinic. That resulted in being prescribed that medication that interacted with another of my meds. I decided to stop going to that clinic, as there was a LOT of evidence that inter-office communication did not exist (resulting in potentially dangerous prescriptions, etc).
That brings us to this most recent PCP visit, where a sleep study was recommended.
With all of the miscommunication, noncommunication, and grasping seemingly random straws, I'm very close to transferring to a completely different medical group. At the end of the day, I'm still in pain and no closer to a possible resolution.
I feel for everybody on this forum. Chronic pain is NOT fun...
DDD/Bone Spurs occurring from C3 to T1 with severe narrowing of nerve pathways at C5/C6 and moderate narrowing at C6/C7 resulting in chronic pain, headaches, twitches, and numbness in arms.
Currently taking Hydrocodone/APAP 10/325 (Norco) 6 times daily for pain; Morphine Sulphate Imm. Release 2 times daily, Flexiril 3 times daily.
DEALINGWITHIT - That's probably my best option. Over the 5 years I have had the displeasure of deteriorating discs, I have seen two PCPs. The first PCP only lasted 6 months. I've been with my current PCP, since.
At first, things seemed to be getting done. Over the years, it seems that my health care has deteriorated with my neck!
So, I think it boils down to that... Let the shopping begin!
DDD/Bone Spurs occurring from C3 to T1 with severe narrowing of nerve pathways at C5/C6 and moderate narrowing at C6/C7 resulting in chronic pain, headaches, twitches, and numbness in arms.
Currently taking Hydrocodone/APAP 10/325 (Norco) 6 times daily for pain; Morphine Sulphate Imm. Release 2 times daily, Flexiril 3 times daily.
You appear very young to have all of this degeneration and resulting symptoms. This isn't to say you don't have them, just that something must be way out of wack. All of the drugs you are on are eventually going to be diluted in your system and this may be why you feel more pain. You have IVF ( interveterbralforamen) narrowing which is a result of the degeneration and or a disrupted curve. Do you also have mid back, low back, hip or knee pain?
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