My brother is on disability. He has a bulging disk in his neck that is making him dizzy. He has fallen several times because of this and frequently has to sit down. His insurance company won't cover the surgery. Is there anything I can do or something he can do to ease the pain? It makes me so sad that he is in such pain and can't afford to get help.
View 2 RepliesI am new to the board and am now one year out from lumbar fusion. I am a very physical person and a Personal Trainer as well. My low back pain has all but disappeared however neck and shoulder pain,stiffness and numbness are very concerning !!! I am currently treating with acupuncture and muscle relaxers. I also am a chronic migraine sufferer and believe this is partially being caused by cervical issues.
View 11 RepliesI had a disc prolapse in january this year(08 ).i just thought i had severe back pain as i usually did have back pain.on the 2nd of january i went to hospital as the pain got so severe,i couldn't walk and the pain was in my left leg.the hospital gave me a pain killer told me it was siatica and sent me home.two days later my pain was unbearable so i went back to hospital who yet again examined me and told me to have accupuncture and was sent home.On the 23rd january i stood up and had lost control of my bladder the pain was so horrific i decided to go to a different hospital.when i arrived they examined me and told me i was to have an mri scan.where they tried to lay me in the mri scanner but could not so transferred me to a different hospital.at the hospital they took 4 hour to do my mri because i was in so much pain i could not lie on my back.when they finally did an mri they could see that my disc had broken off and was on my spinal cord,i had an emergancy operation and was told if i had left it another 24 hours i would never have walked again.i wish the first hospital would have examined me properly in the first instance.i never had suffered so much pain in my life i was in agony.i had the op and now 11 months on i'm still recovering but at least i can walk.
View 1 RepliesI went to physical therapy for TMJ 4 days ago, I'm 31 years old. While massaging my jaw the physical therapist went on to my neck, and without me knowing out of nowhere cranked my neck super hard and it popped 3 times on the left side. My neck has been stiff on the left ever since with some pain and when I walk I hear loud clicking crackling/pop rocks sounds in my neck right before it meets the shoulders. Did he injure me? anyone else experience this? will it go away.
I was so upset he cracked my neck like that he isn't even a chiropractor but said afterwards when I got upset with him that he knows chiropractor movements.
I've never been to a chiropractor so I don't know how it compares but it seems really hard and forceful when he did it. Its weird that when I move my neck I don't hear the sound, only when walking. Someone please advise me on this.
Also what type of doctor should I see for this issue, i'm going to schedule an appointment tomorrow, but don't know the type of doctor who would be best. My GP just gave me ibuprofen and said it should go away on it's own.
I am a 27 year old female who has has back problems since the age of 21 when I got pregnant with my little girl. I have gradually got worse over the past 6 years and am now permanently on crutches to help me walk. I cannot do daily tasks and am in pain 24/7 and have been for some time.
I have asked for 5 years for a MRI on my back as I knew something wasn't right but I have just been told it would be a waste of my time and the medical professionals time.
Anyway after a breakdown at the rheumatologist and my last resort after years of medication, pain management courses, physio and wasted doctors appointments I had to beg for an MRI and he reluctantly agreed.
The MRI has shown a significant bulging disc in my 4th vertebrae which has narrowed my spinal canal and is causing nerve compression leading to problems with loss of feeling in my legs and lady parts as well as pain.
I suppose the biggest question I have is after such a long time before being discovered, what are the chances of my nerves being permanently damaged even if I have the operation to release the bulge?
Is the operation actually going to make a difference?
what this means! C5-C6: Posterior central disc osteophyte complex formation results in mild anterior effacement of the thecal sac. Endplate spurring and facet arthropathy results in mild narrowing of the right exit foramen.
View 3 RepliesI had five facet joint injections in my neck yesterday and I am in a lot of pain.
I have a lot of stiffness and can not move my head that well without being in pain. Anyone else experience this?
I had bulging disc over two years ago and i was sent for mri scan a while later i got cortisone injection into L5 disc worked ok and lasted for a few years,two months ago it returned and is very painful the doctors gave painkillers and said to exercise couldn't stand up never mind exercise,,i'm confused on why they are asking me to see a spine specialist which is taking months and why don't they just do the injection like they did a few years ago ,anyone any answers?
View 3 RepliesHave been suffering for 3 months with pain from cervical issues (diagnosed through MRI) - bulging discs, some stenosis, degenerative disk disease that is causing severe pain from neck through shoulder blade, underarm and down left arm. As I've had arthritis in my neck for a long time I know this pain came about from a stress injury to my neck. Have tried much conservative treatment (some physical therapy, chiropractic, and medication - currently 900 mg gabapentin and hydrocodone and ibuprofen and various others that I stopped.) I just had a Epidural Injection last week and thru this week experienced a bit of relief but not what I was hoping for. My question is has anyone gotten better with this type of problem doing these measures and had their problem resolve or at least get about 75% better without having any surgical intervention. My doctor thinks we can resolve this without surgery but also said surgery would be extensive as I have about 4/5 bad levels. I'm thinking of trying acupuncture and would appreciate anyone's input. Very tired of the pain and getting a bit depressed.
View 6 RepliesI have been experiencing the lower back pain which is local from last 5 years. My MRI reports says that there is a central disc bulge at l5/s1. Where outer annular tear is intact.
I have seen a chiropractor who has recommended spinal disc decompression sessions on Hill DT.
As per the doctor, it will relocate the disc back to its normal position and make the disc healthier as before.
Just would like to know if someone has gone for the similar treatment for the similar problem. If yes kindly share your experience.
I had back surgery in March 2013 that left me with mechanical instability, acquired spondylolisthesis and lots of pain.
I have 2 ortho spine surgeons telling me that I need a bi-level spinal fusion surgery to repair the damage, but after the botched first surgery, the thought of another surgery scares me to death. Plus, since surgery is what spine surgeons do, the recommendation seems obvious.
I also started seeing a new pain management doctor (we moved to a new state) and he is suggesting that I consider a spinal cord stimulator trial, with surgical implantation if we find that it helps the pain.
So...I'm left confused. I see the positives and negatives of each, but I'm just not sure if one makes more sense over the other. I think that my spondylolisthesis will worsen over time and could pose a threat of nerve damage, while the spinal cord stimulator is designed to mask pain and does nothing to address the instability.
I'd love to know if anyone else has faced a similar decision...or has thoughts, ideas, comments, suggestions for considering one over the other.
I was diagnosed as having a synovial cyst by a neuropsychiatrist. I had a procedure where he went in and drained the cyst along with that I had a steroid injection. Apparently he did not get much out of the cyst. The pathology report came back negative on what he did manage to get out.
On day two post procedure the pain starting coming back. Each day the pain level increased to where I am now a level 8 and sometime 9 and can barely stand the pain. My lower right back just above the buttock feels like there is pressure and is very achy. The deep achy pain goes into my right buttock and wraps around the lower groin area. The achy pain goes down my right leg and into my foot. It is a pulsating deep ache and I can hardly stand it. It also feels numb at times and I get pins and needle tingling. When I get up from laying down or sometimes sitting (when I can sit) I get this sharp excruciating pain in my right groin that doubles me over. I have to stay still in the doubled over position to let it subside before I can straighten up and walk. Sometimes the groin pain just hits me out of nowhere when I am standing.
On my follow up visit with my physiatrist he recommended I have a consult with a neuro spine surgeon. My appointment with the surgeon is in a couple of days. I feel very fortunate to get into see this surgeon who is very hard to get in to see. He is rated as "one of the best" in a very large healthcare system where I work.
I am taking 1500mg of gabapentin along with 6 ibuprofen a day. I am also taking hydrocodone. I fight the pain and only take on the average one pain pill a day because I don't like the groggy feeling.
My question is, has anyone else with a synovial cyst had all of these symptoms? Is the groin pain related to the compression on the nerve from the cyst. I appreciate any feedback and would love to hear from someone who has had these symptoms.
I've been to 5 doctors total and not one of them can give me a solution to my bulging disk; they just keep passing me off to the next doctor. I've been struggling with this for years. I'm only 30 years old and was extremely active before this. Now I can barely walk at a slow pace for 10 min before my lower back feels like I have a burning painful ball at the base of my spine.
View 4 RepliesIs there a connection between a herniated and bulging disk (both lumbar)and problems with urination and unexplained weight loss? I have an appt. with my doc concerning these issues, but was curious to know what you think.
View 1 RepliesI have been suffering from neck, shoulder and arm pain for over 3 weeks. My own Dr just gave me pain killers and Diazepam. However nothing helped and sleep was impossible. In desperation I went to a private Dr and had a private MRI scan which confirmed the disc prob. He also gave me stronger pain killers which seem to have an adverse effect on me. Feeling sick and faint. Now he has referred me to a private "skeletal" consultant - my own NHS Dr said I needed a Rheumatologist which of course takes weeks. If anyone else has taken this path I would be most grateful to receive suggestions and, if these things can be cured.
View 1 RepliesI had ACDF C6-7C August 2014 and still continued with serious pain around my neck and shoulders. I was told by the surgeon that I have non union C5-7. Can someone suggest my options in correcting the problem?
View 1 RepliesI have had chronic back pain for about 9yrs & I finally got an xray to show an old injury. It's not something I can grow back or cure. Of all your opinions what's the best treatment for chronic back pain I've had for 9yrs & only til the 21st this month with an x ray after ER visits & pain management specialists sticking needles in my spine without any diagnosis or x rays at all over this whole time would any of you suggest I perhaps engage? I've suffered the entire time & I feel the negligence of the doctors is something to take into account. I can't grow back my narrowed spine of my L1 from an old injury & there is no cure , I just feel helpless being mother of twin boy toddlers who want to do it all & I can not due to pain. I'm stuck. Any advice? I cry because my sons are the ones to suffer in my prison with me . I can't grow my spine back & I have no babysitter for physical therapy which is I'm sure excruciating, any suggestions considering no doctor wants to help me even though I now have the prove after 9yrs it wasn't all just in my head & them sticking needles in my spine with no diagnosis & no answer for me & no x rays after all this time suffering?
View 1 RepliesThis is my 1st time posting here.. and sorry in advance because I know this post is lengthy...
I had an MRI my results in a nutshell are
L1-L2 disc bulging with mild facet arthropathy from
L2-L3 disc bulging with facet arthropathy with canal stenosis
L3-L4 disc bulging with mild facet arthropathy
L4-L5 disk bulging severe facet arthropathy moderate canal stenosis, mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing
L5-S1 disk osteophyte complex, granulation tissue noted in the right neuroforamen, mild neural foraminal stenosis
Impression: degenerative changes of lumber spine with post surgical changes at L5-S1 on the right. Synovitis noted on the right at L4-L5
Findings.. Lumbar spine is normal alignment. Disc desiccation is noted from L3-L4 through L5-S1 with loss of disk height at L5-S1 along with posterior annular fissure. Post surgical changes from the laminectomy on the right at L5-S1.
I'm waiting for the spine doctor to get my records from my previous surgery I had done about 8yrs ago before they will make me an appointment for my new problems..
I am just looking for others who may have the same problems as I do... I have been experiencing severe back pain at first when it started I thought it was my hip because thats where the pain started then radiated down my leg I did PT for awhile and it did help some but now the pain is much much worse and in my foot it feels like I am curling my toes but only 2 will do so and the others just dont move just straight out but it feels like they are its really freaky.. other pain symptoms I have is spasms that radiate from the bottom of my spine to my neck and it gets back to wear I jerk..
I also get numbness with tingling it just feels like I have heavy sharp rocks buried deep inside my back and the newest symptom I have it when I roll my neck back n forth I hear weird popping noises like pop rock sounds n feeling and when I bend over n touch the floor with my hands it feels like my back is popping with a rolling motion really strange...
Im just curious if anyone here has experienced any of these symptoms and if anything was done to alleviate them especially if u have had surgery and what kind..Im just wondering if the symptoms I have is due to the results of my MRI and which ones. I am not that savvy when it comes to where all these L's and s's r located...
I have been sitting on a medicine ball to sit on and exercising on it and it has helped tremendously..
I just dont know what to make of all of this all I know is im in a lot of pain
my Daughter aged 9 year is suffering from cord edema due to road accident. she was hit by a bike three months before, and after all the examination her reports are fine but in MRI report the doctors find that :
There is a long segment T2W hyperintense extradural collection is seen in dorsal aspect of cord extending from D1 to L1 level. There is rupture of ligamentum flavum at D2/D3 level. T2W hyperintensity is also seen at interspinous at D2/D3 level. On T2W and STIR images paraspinal hyperintensity is seen from D2 to D6-7 level.
Prevertebral hyperintensity is seen from C2 to C5 level s/o edema/bleed.
Impression in MRI:-
1. Long segment Spinal Extra Arachnoid CSF collection in dorsal aspect of cord extending from D1 to L1 level causing cord compression leading to cord edema/contusion D3 to D5-6 level.
2. Rupture of ligamentum flavum and interspinous ligament at D2/D3 level.
after the injury she is on bed due to paralysis and loss of sensation below waist. and also suffering from bed sore due to bedridden.
I have consulted so many neurologist but they said the injury will recover itself after long time.
Is a small disc protrusion on my MRI report saying I have a small Herniation?? I have small central disc protrusion at c5-6 and a focal central bulge at c6-7. So does protrusion mean herniated? I'm so confused. The back pain management doc said "hmm, its nothing" when I asked. Does anyone know the difference?
View 4 RepliesI have been told that I have two disc bulges at c3-4 and c5-6 in my neck. There is also a large broad based posterior left paracentral and intraforaminal disc protrusion at c6-7 that is compressing the nerve.
I am being referred on to a specialist but that is ages away. I would be greatful for any advice in terms of
(1) what is the likely solution for this diagnosis i.e can physio sort this out or will it be an op?
(2) are there any immediate dangers ?
(3) can i still exercise?