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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 492
 
Location: East TN | Those of you with neck problems, what treatments have you had and how long did it take to get back to normal? Long story short, woke up 7 weeks ago and couldn't move my neck or right arm...went to family doctor who sent me to ortho. Ortho sends me to three weeks of physical therapy for my shoulder. PT states that it is my neck. Insurance finally decides to pay for a MRI . Results today show a herniation between C5&6 with pressure on the C6 nerve....explains the neck pain and tingling down the right arm. Ortho doesn't treat neck issues so I am being referred to neuro. I am a paramedic and haven't been able to work this whole time due to no heavy lifting , haven't been able to ride the horses, and am just tired of dealing with this. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
 
| I have hernia ton of both c5 and 6, symptoms similar but mine effects my left arm it goes numb, pain in my left shoulder. Have been going to physio for 6 months and not getting anywhere. Traction is my friend. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: Great NW | Accupuncture to help with the swelling. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 629
Location: Roping pen | I have dealt with like deal for 35 years as herniated a disc in high school.
I have found out that stress creates tension in the muscles in my neck which caused dislocation of the various parts. Since not much of the disc left, if something gets pulled to one side or of line, I know it.
If I rub and stretch several times a day, it prohibits this from occuring. If really gets bad, I just ice it and stretch as much as possible until it goes away. If I get lazy and don't stretch, I might pass out due to the pain and pressure in that area.
I have tried most presciptons, injections, but have not done surgery as I am pretty good as self managing it.
A massage 2x a year or so sure helps also. I do these right before a big event and that seems to really work good.
Good luck! |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Ive had 2 cervicle and 2 lumbar fusions, the neck fusions were a breeze compared to the lumbar. I was home the next day, and had almost no pain after surgery. I broke my neck and my back,so i had no choice, but,the fusions worked and healed quick. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| jake16 - 2014-01-20 3:57 PM
Ive had 2 cervicle and 2 lumbar fusions, the neck fusions were a breeze compared to the lumbar. I was home the next day, and had almost no pain after surgery. I broke my neck and my back,so i had no choice, but,the fusions worked and healed quick.
How is your neck range of motion |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | Injections by a neuro did wonders for mine. Just listen to the neuros advice |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | cheryl makofka - 2014-01-20 6:11 PM jake16 - 2014-01-20 3:57 PM Ive had 2 cervicle and 2 lumbar fusions, the neck fusions were a breeze compared to the lumbar. I was home the next day, and had almost no pain after surgery. I broke my neck and my back,so i had no choice, but,the fusions worked and healed quick. How is your neck range of motion
My range is good!I can turn head both ways equally, and can turn as far as head to shoulder on both sides |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 492
Location: East TN | Thank you for all of the replys. I was actually lucky enough to get an appt with neuro in the morning. |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| I had a big bone spur on c-5/c-6 and a herination on c-4 and c-7 i,had a fusion on c-5/6 stopped pain for a while the one above gives me a lot of grief, there is a massage lady down the road if imcould get a massage every 2 or 3 weeks i might be better, i also have rheumatoid arthritis which is adding to the ordeal. I deal with it some weeks its bad some it is not. Also, in 2002 i had a fusion in my back been good with that every since.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 600
Location: Oklahoma & Texas | I had my C5/C6 fused with 2 bone grafts and a titanium plate back towardthe end of august 2013...I had a severe disc herniation ...happened in march of 2013... tried the epidural injections and they helped for about 2 or 3 weeks a piece...I did it twice...only medication that really helped was Lyrica...life was unbearable before Lyrica couldnt lay down couldnt sit terrible nerve pain..I had lost feeling in my left thumb pointer finger and middle finger...would get odd sensations on my arm like water running down my arm when it was dry as a bone..felt like someone was jabbing a screwdriver in my shoulder all the time too...long story short the surgery was the best thing I ever did...I should have done it to begin with but I thought I ought to give the injections a try and other therapies...I am pain free now..no meds...I am super careful with my neck but I am back to light riding..doc says to build up slowly but no reason why I can't get back to riding and barrel racing like before.... I have an excellent surgeon/neuro doc..which I think it a major part of why I had a good result..I also followed Dr's orders 110% ...when you see your neuro doc ask for Lyrica it made the pain so much better it blocks the nerve impulses it will atleast give you some time to make a decision on therapies...and just fyi what made me decide to do surgery finally is my neuro advised me that with nerves being pinched after 6 months you risk permanent injury/damage...goodluck!! |
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 Left Out
Posts: 6795
Location: Silex Missouri | I broke my neck (c6 & c7) two years ago. I have a cadaver (sp) bone, plate and 4 screws. That just fixed the front side of the mess. The back side they left alone. The only problem I have is when I get cold and I tense up my muscles and shiver. I had a specialist do my surgery and was in a neck brace from Sept. 13 2012 through Jan 18th 2013 and still on restrictions until March 2013. I would say find you a specialist and get their opinion. My experience is that the tingling is damage getting done to your nerves and if you aren't careful you can do permanent damage which you don't want. Get it fixed. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I'm surprised nobody has suggested a chiropractor. I had a rotated disc in my upper back that was pinching a nerve and I couldn't raise my arms above my head, it was so painful. It flares up every once in a while, but
I can't imagine a doctor helping with my pain. I know neck is a little different, but it's still something to consider. |
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  Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | Lots of great advice. I myself would be weary of a chiro but with my injuries , I can't see a regular chiro.
definitely see the neuro. Listen to them, see about traction, physical therapy. Injections can help but limit how often you get them.
One thing I can never ever stress enough after any type of spine injury, including your neck, is to keep up with physical therapy exercises even on your good days when you feel like there is nothing wrong. Prevention is worth sooooooo much more then treatment.
Also, a B12 regimen can do wonders for spine and any nerve pain! |
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Location: Notquitea Ranch - Cleveland Horses-Brule, Ne | I had issues with my neck for years and would do chiropractor/accupuncture - then I fell off and broke C4-6. Plates, screws, etc - much easier/less painful recuperation than when I had lower back and SI fused. Range of motion no problem. Good luck. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 492
Location: East TN | Was seen by neuro this morning and he says that surgery is my only option due to the severity of the herniation. Physical therapy could make it worse and injections will not help. Sent me home to discuss everything with my family and will be scheduling surgery tomorrow. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | tncanchaser - 2014-01-21 9:26 PM Was seen by neuro this morning and he says that surgery is my only option due to the severity of the herniation. Physical therapy could make it worse and injections will not help. Sent me home to discuss everything with my family and will be scheduling surgery tomorrow.
Physical therapy did some damage to me, after the fusions i was good, I know you are scared but hang tough, you will do great!
I also cannot EVER see a chiropractor, and I would have never done so without MRI reults AND NEURO CONSULT ,i WOULD HAVE BEEN IN BIG TROUBLE HAD I BEEN ADJUSTED. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 492
Location: East TN | Update... Had the anterior cervical discetomy and fusion last Wed. By far the easiest surgery I have ever had, no pain other than some muscle soreness. The dr told my husband that if I was whiney before the surgery, I had a darn good reason to be...one of the worst herniations he had seen in awhile. Hope to get these 14 staples out of my neck on Thursday. They used cadaver bone and bone marrow from my hip. Thank you all for the input, thoughts, and prayers. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2258
| I am trying to suck it up and go to the chiro first because I can't afford a doc unless I have to. I woke up last Wed and couldn't turn my head to the right we had a race that night and I couldn't ride but hauled daughter down. My thumb on my left hand went numb while standing around I finally had feeling back by morning and can mostly turn my head now. So good to see some advice on here I also struggle with my right shoulder so not sure that is effecting my neck. Hope you get lined out. |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| I would do massage instead of chiro if they adjust you and makemthempinching nerve worse. You doc may be able to give you a medrol pack to,help with nerve swelling. My neck is flared up right now going to discuss with my pain managment doc today as imhad a chest xray and my ra has gone into my back and will get him to being up xray on my back and we will go from there probrobaly mri will never do pt it just hurt me big time and they wont back off if they hurt you. My problem when they did a fusion forma big bone spur the vertbra above and below where not the best and doc should have been more agressive and the ra has not helped imdont have a good range of motion. I just had surgery dont know if they flared it up when they put tube down my throat and cranked my head back. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | tncanchaser - 2014-02-04 11:14 PM Update... Had the anterior cervical discetomy and fusion last Wed. By far the easiest surgery I have ever had, no pain other than some muscle soreness. The dr told my husband that if I was whiney before the surgery, I had a darn good reason to be...one of the worst herniations he had seen in awhile. Hope to get these 14 staples out of my neck on Thursday. They used cadaver bone and bone marrow from my hip. Thank you all for the input, thoughts, and prayers.
So happy things went well!!! I missed your update,and i was looking hard for it!! Good luck in your recovery! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 742
| Find a good pain specialist and have facet joint injections. Might take three sets of injections. They can last from months to a year or more. If that doesn't work get a rhizotomy(deaden the nerves) it worked like a charm for my neck. I also have C5 & C6 bulging. Massages and chiro helped a bit, too. |
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Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: Great NW | jake16 - 2014-01-22 1:50 PM tncanchaser - 2014-01-21 9:26 PM Was seen by neuro this morning and he says that surgery is my only option due to the severity of the herniation. Physical therapy could make it worse and injections will not help. Sent me home to discuss everything with my family and will be scheduling surgery tomorrow. Physical therapy did some damage to me, after the fusions i was good, I know you are scared but hang tough, you will do great!
I also cannot EVER see a chiropractor, and I would have never done so without MRI reults AND NEURO CONSULT ,i WOULD HAVE BEEN IN BIG TROUBLE HAD I BEEN ADJUSTED.
My Physical Therapist/chiropractor will NOT work on any neck injury without exray/s or MRI first. they have to know what they are dealing with b4 they do anything. Between him and my Acupuncturist life is pretty pain free. I have not had a lot of luck with "doctors" they just want to give me pain meds and send me on my way. |
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Expert
Posts: 2392
Location: TX | Go see a chiropractor. I am a chiropractor and I see what you are talking about often. If you are afraid of the popping, there are different techniques that use less force, and if you want help finding someone send me a pm. The chiropractor should do an exam before they adjust you to see if it is safe to adjust you and to see what needs to be done. Your pain will probably not go away right away. If you have any questions ask or pm me. I understand why some people are scared or worried that it might make you worse, but making you worse is highly unlikely. Sometimes people do hurt more before they get better and sometimes people are sore after an adjustment, but it is more common that you will feel better. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 623
Location: /ARKANSAS | Do Not Have surgery unless you have numbness in fingers or arms, the herniations will heal. Chiropractor and massage therapist will help with rehab. If you have something put in your neck like a fusion, you will always have a weak spot you will worry about injuring again. |
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Neck Injuries??