Pinched nerves

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Mountaineer
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Pinched nerves

Post by Mountaineer » Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:25 pm

pp4me wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:52 am
Due to a pinched nerve in my neck I've spent the last few days binge-watching "Animal Kingdom". If you aren't familiar with it, it's an excellent series on TNT about a mother who calls herself "Smurf" and her four sons who make up a crime family in San Diego. Kind of Breaking-Bad-ish if you enjoyed that show.

So with the story I just read about how the Bidens were expected to kick 50% up to Joe it's like life imitating art.

Have to believe the Trump campaign hasn't been sitting on all of this for a long time just waiting until closer to election time so it doesn't get dropped down the memory hole.

Next up: Biden's counter-attack?
Ouch on the pinched nerve. Cortisone injection at C7 helped me a couple years ago. I feel your pain!
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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Re: Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad

Post by vnatale » Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:35 pm

Mountaineer wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:25 pm
pp4me wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:52 am
Due to a pinched nerve in my neck I've spent the last few days binge-watching "Animal Kingdom". If you aren't familiar with it, it's an excellent series on TNT about a mother who calls herself "Smurf" and her four sons who make up a crime family in San Diego. Kind of Breaking-Bad-ish if you enjoyed that show.

So with the story I just read about how the Bidens were expected to kick 50% up to Joe it's like life imitating art.

Have to believe the Trump campaign hasn't been sitting on all of this for a long time just waiting until closer to election time so it doesn't get dropped down the memory hole.

Next up: Biden's counter-attack?
Ouch on the pinched nerve. Cortisone injection at C7 helped me a couple years ago. I feel your pain!
I also had one in my neck in 1984 but I had what was called "referred pain" in my right arm. Kept me out of basketball for two months. And, the pain was so much that some days I'd see a doctor and a chiropractor in desperation to get it cured. I finally succumbed to taking Tylenol with codeine to tolerate (or obviate) the pain.

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
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Re: Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad

Post by pp4me » Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:17 pm

vnatale wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:35 pm
Mountaineer wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:25 pm
pp4me wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:52 am
Due to a pinched nerve in my neck I've spent the last few days binge-watching "Animal Kingdom". If you aren't familiar with it, it's an excellent series on TNT about a mother who calls herself "Smurf" and her four sons who make up a crime family in San Diego. Kind of Breaking-Bad-ish if you enjoyed that show.

So with the story I just read about how the Bidens were expected to kick 50% up to Joe it's like life imitating art.

Have to believe the Trump campaign hasn't been sitting on all of this for a long time just waiting until closer to election time so it doesn't get dropped down the memory hole.

Next up: Biden's counter-attack?
Ouch on the pinched nerve. Cortisone injection at C7 helped me a couple years ago. I feel your pain!
I also had one in my neck in 1984 but I had what was called "referred pain" in my right arm. Kept me out of basketball for two months. And, the pain was so much that some days I'd see a doctor and a chiropractor in desperation to get it cured. I finally succumbed to taking Tylenol with codeine to tolerate (or obviate) the pain.

Vinny
I was actually sitting on a plane for a four hour flight to Denver when I finally decided I'd better get off before it was too late. They had already closed the door and were just seconds away from pulling away when I had to ask them to open the door and let me out. I'd rate the pain about a 9 at that point. I've had neck issues for a long time but never anything this debilitating before. It's C5-6 disc compression with an apparently pinched nerve. Taking a steroid pack and trying out a cervical traction device. Right now it only hurts when I move.
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Re: Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad

Post by Mountaineer » Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:35 pm

pp4me wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:17 pm
vnatale wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:35 pm
Mountaineer wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:25 pm
pp4me wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:52 am
Due to a pinched nerve in my neck I've spent the last few days binge-watching "Animal Kingdom". If you aren't familiar with it, it's an excellent series on TNT about a mother who calls herself "Smurf" and her four sons who make up a crime family in San Diego. Kind of Breaking-Bad-ish if you enjoyed that show.

So with the story I just read about how the Bidens were expected to kick 50% up to Joe it's like life imitating art.

Have to believe the Trump campaign hasn't been sitting on all of this for a long time just waiting until closer to election time so it doesn't get dropped down the memory hole.

Next up: Biden's counter-attack?
Ouch on the pinched nerve. Cortisone injection at C7 helped me a couple years ago. I feel your pain!
I also had one in my neck in 1984 but I had what was called "referred pain" in my right arm. Kept me out of basketball for two months. And, the pain was so much that some days I'd see a doctor and a chiropractor in desperation to get it cured. I finally succumbed to taking Tylenol with codeine to tolerate (or obviate) the pain.

Vinny
I was actually sitting on a plane for a four hour flight to Denver when I finally decided I'd better get off before it was too late. They had already closed the door and were just seconds away from pulling away when I had to ask them to open the door and let me out. I'd rate the pain about a 9 at that point. I've had neck issues for a long time but never anything this debilitating before. It's C5-6 disc compression with an apparently pinched nerve. Taking a steroid pack and trying out a cervical traction device. Right now it only hurts when I move.
Sorry for thread diversion.

Ugly!!!! :'(

My pain came out nowhere almost instantly. I was driving home after being at a friends house for dinner. All of a sudden I experienced excruciating pain in my right shoulder blade area when I lifted my right arm to the top of the steering wheel. I think I tried Aleve and Tylenol with minimal success. Went to primary doc who prescribed a few weeks of PT. Tried neck traction and multiple exercises. Then had MRI, indicated compression at C7. Went to a spine doc who did an electrical test of some sort (EMG?) to confirm. Then went to a doc that specialized in cortisone injections in to the spine; had it done. In the meantime I took opiates for a couple of weeks to make the pain go from 8-10 to maybe a 5-6. Pain diminished over several weeks. I asked spine doc in my last followup a couple months later whether the PT, the cortisone injection, or time was the solution. He just replied “yes”. I still have a somewhat numb right index finger almost 5 years later; doc said it may never be back to normal. At least my neck/shoulder doesn’t hurt much any more. Sorry to bore you with the gory details, thought you might know there probably is a light at the end of the tunnel. It just might take a while. Hang in there. Blessings, and hope you feel better soon.
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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Re: Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad

Post by vnatale » Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:59 pm

Mountaineer wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:35 pm
pp4me wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:17 pm
vnatale wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:35 pm
Mountaineer wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:25 pm
pp4me wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:52 am
Due to a pinched nerve in my neck I've spent the last few days binge-watching "Animal Kingdom". If you aren't familiar with it, it's an excellent series on TNT about a mother who calls herself "Smurf" and her four sons who make up a crime family in San Diego. Kind of Breaking-Bad-ish if you enjoyed that show.

So with the story I just read about how the Bidens were expected to kick 50% up to Joe it's like life imitating art.

Have to believe the Trump campaign hasn't been sitting on all of this for a long time just waiting until closer to election time so it doesn't get dropped down the memory hole.

Next up: Biden's counter-attack?
Ouch on the pinched nerve. Cortisone injection at C7 helped me a couple years ago. I feel your pain!
I also had one in my neck in 1984 but I had what was called "referred pain" in my right arm. Kept me out of basketball for two months. And, the pain was so much that some days I'd see a doctor and a chiropractor in desperation to get it cured. I finally succumbed to taking Tylenol with codeine to tolerate (or obviate) the pain.

Vinny
I was actually sitting on a plane for a four hour flight to Denver when I finally decided I'd better get off before it was too late. They had already closed the door and were just seconds away from pulling away when I had to ask them to open the door and let me out. I'd rate the pain about a 9 at that point. I've had neck issues for a long time but never anything this debilitating before. It's C5-6 disc compression with an apparently pinched nerve. Taking a steroid pack and trying out a cervical traction device. Right now it only hurts when I move.
Sorry for thread diversion.

Ugly!!!! :'(

My pain came out nowhere almost instantly. I was driving home after being at a friends house for dinner. All of a sudden I experienced excruciating pain in my right shoulder blade area when I lifted my right arm to the top of the steering wheel. I think I tried Aleve and Tylenol with minimal success. Went to primary doc who prescribed a few weeks of PT. Tried neck traction and multiple exercises. Then had MRI, indicated compression at C7. Went to a spine doc who did an electrical test of some sort (EMG?) to confirm. Then went to a doc that specialized in cortisone injections in to the spine; had it done. In the meantime I took opiates for a couple of weeks to make the pain go from 8-10 to maybe a 5-6. Pain diminished over several weeks. I asked spine doc in my last followup a couple months later whether the PT, the cortisone injection, or time was the solution. He just replied “yes”. I still have a somewhat numb right index finger almost 5 years later; doc said it may never be back to normal. At least my neck/shoulder doesn’t hurt much any more. Sorry to bore you with the gory details, thought you might know there probably is a light at the end of the tunnel. It just might take a while. Hang in there. Blessings, and hope you feel better soon.
Your experience sounds like it was way worse and serious than me. Like you mine seemingly came out of nowhere. Could not associate any type trauma that brought it on. Initially when I was proscribed the tylenol with codeine having the anti-drug bent that I have I only took when when the pain was unbearable. When the doctor asked him how they were working out I told him my method. He said that was not the way to take them. That I had to take them regularly so that my bloodstream would continue to be saturated with them. I did do that and that eliminated all the pain. But it left my emotions raw. Another time when I severely strained my back and had back spasms and consequent severe pain, I again was proscribed tylenol with codeine. And, again my emotions were raw. My emotions just became way over reactive. And, I'm fairly certain that it was the all-time healer known as T-I-M-E that once again finally cured me.

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
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Re: Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad

Post by pp4me » Sat Oct 17, 2020 8:40 am

vnatale wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:59 pm
Mountaineer wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:35 pm
pp4me wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:17 pm
vnatale wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:35 pm
Mountaineer wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:25 pm
pp4me wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:52 am
Due to a pinched nerve in my neck I've spent the last few days binge-watching "Animal Kingdom". If you aren't familiar with it, it's an excellent series on TNT about a mother who calls herself "Smurf" and her four sons who make up a crime family in San Diego. Kind of Breaking-Bad-ish if you enjoyed that show.

So with the story I just read about how the Bidens were expected to kick 50% up to Joe it's like life imitating art.

Have to believe the Trump campaign hasn't been sitting on all of this for a long time just waiting until closer to election time so it doesn't get dropped down the memory hole.

Next up: Biden's counter-attack?
Ouch on the pinched nerve. Cortisone injection at C7 helped me a couple years ago. I feel your pain!
I also had one in my neck in 1984 but I had what was called "referred pain" in my right arm. Kept me out of basketball for two months. And, the pain was so much that some days I'd see a doctor and a chiropractor in desperation to get it cured. I finally succumbed to taking Tylenol with codeine to tolerate (or obviate) the pain.

Vinny
I was actually sitting on a plane for a four hour flight to Denver when I finally decided I'd better get off before it was too late. They had already closed the door and were just seconds away from pulling away when I had to ask them to open the door and let me out. I'd rate the pain about a 9 at that point. I've had neck issues for a long time but never anything this debilitating before. It's C5-6 disc compression with an apparently pinched nerve. Taking a steroid pack and trying out a cervical traction device. Right now it only hurts when I move.
Sorry for thread diversion.

Ugly!!!! :'(

My pain came out nowhere almost instantly. I was driving home after being at a friends house for dinner. All of a sudden I experienced excruciating pain in my right shoulder blade area when I lifted my right arm to the top of the steering wheel. I think I tried Aleve and Tylenol with minimal success. Went to primary doc who prescribed a few weeks of PT. Tried neck traction and multiple exercises. Then had MRI, indicated compression at C7. Went to a spine doc who did an electrical test of some sort (EMG?) to confirm. Then went to a doc that specialized in cortisone injections in to the spine; had it done. In the meantime I took opiates for a couple of weeks to make the pain go from 8-10 to maybe a 5-6. Pain diminished over several weeks. I asked spine doc in my last followup a couple months later whether the PT, the cortisone injection, or time was the solution. He just replied “yes”. I still have a somewhat numb right index finger almost 5 years later; doc said it may never be back to normal. At least my neck/shoulder doesn’t hurt much any more. Sorry to bore you with the gory details, thought you might know there probably is a light at the end of the tunnel. It just might take a while. Hang in there. Blessings, and hope you feel better soon.
Your experience sounds like it was way worse and serious than me. Like you mine seemingly came out of nowhere. Could not associate any type trauma that brought it on. Initially when I was proscribed the tylenol with codeine having the anti-drug bent that I have I only took when when the pain was unbearable. When the doctor asked him how they were working out I told him my method. He said that was not the way to take them. That I had to take them regularly so that my bloodstream would continue to be saturated with them. I did do that and that eliminated all the pain. But it left my emotions raw. Another time when I severely strained my back and had back spasms and consequent severe pain, I again was proscribed tylenol with codeine. And, again my emotions were raw. My emotions just became way over reactive. And, I'm fairly certain that it was the all-time healer known as T-I-M-E that once again finally cured me.

Vinny
Since we're talking about drugs now I guess this thread about Hunter Biden hasn't been completely hijacked.

Interesting that Mountaineer's story starts with driving. Mine started by taking an hour and a half drive to Orlando. By the time I got there I was in severe pain. That still seems to cause it to flare up even if I steer with the opposite hand. Happened again on the way to the airport.

My neck issues started with an injury at work over 40 years ago. I was on my first programming job sitting in front of my computer when all of a sudden a bunch of cubicle partitions being stacked up behind me came crashing down right on the very spot where the pain originates. Someone told me to go to the hospital to get it checked out but I shrugged it off. I once asked a rheumatologist if it would have made any difference if I had gone to the hospital and she said no, the damage was already done by then. Started having a stick neck shortly after the incident. What probably would have helped is better posture and more breaks from sitting in front of my computer for the next 40 years.

Any of you younger folks with desk jobs take note. There is no such thing as a neck replacement.

Didn't make it to Denver but my daughter is sending me an ointment with THC and CBD. Looking forward to getting it.
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Re: Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad

Post by vnatale » Sat Oct 17, 2020 12:19 pm

pp4me wrote:
Sat Oct 17, 2020 8:40 am
vnatale wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:59 pm
Mountaineer wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:35 pm
pp4me wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:17 pm
vnatale wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:35 pm
Mountaineer wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:25 pm
pp4me wrote:
Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:52 am
Due to a pinched nerve in my neck I've spent the last few days binge-watching "Animal Kingdom". If you aren't familiar with it, it's an excellent series on TNT about a mother who calls herself "Smurf" and her four sons who make up a crime family in San Diego. Kind of Breaking-Bad-ish if you enjoyed that show.

So with the story I just read about how the Bidens were expected to kick 50% up to Joe it's like life imitating art.

Have to believe the Trump campaign hasn't been sitting on all of this for a long time just waiting until closer to election time so it doesn't get dropped down the memory hole.

Next up: Biden's counter-attack?
Ouch on the pinched nerve. Cortisone injection at C7 helped me a couple years ago. I feel your pain!
I also had one in my neck in 1984 but I had what was called "referred pain" in my right arm. Kept me out of basketball for two months. And, the pain was so much that some days I'd see a doctor and a chiropractor in desperation to get it cured. I finally succumbed to taking Tylenol with codeine to tolerate (or obviate) the pain.

Vinny
I was actually sitting on a plane for a four hour flight to Denver when I finally decided I'd better get off before it was too late. They had already closed the door and were just seconds away from pulling away when I had to ask them to open the door and let me out. I'd rate the pain about a 9 at that point. I've had neck issues for a long time but never anything this debilitating before. It's C5-6 disc compression with an apparently pinched nerve. Taking a steroid pack and trying out a cervical traction device. Right now it only hurts when I move.
Sorry for thread diversion.

Ugly!!!! :'(

My pain came out nowhere almost instantly. I was driving home after being at a friends house for dinner. All of a sudden I experienced excruciating pain in my right shoulder blade area when I lifted my right arm to the top of the steering wheel. I think I tried Aleve and Tylenol with minimal success. Went to primary doc who prescribed a few weeks of PT. Tried neck traction and multiple exercises. Then had MRI, indicated compression at C7. Went to a spine doc who did an electrical test of some sort (EMG?) to confirm. Then went to a doc that specialized in cortisone injections in to the spine; had it done. In the meantime I took opiates for a couple of weeks to make the pain go from 8-10 to maybe a 5-6. Pain diminished over several weeks. I asked spine doc in my last followup a couple months later whether the PT, the cortisone injection, or time was the solution. He just replied “yes”. I still have a somewhat numb right index finger almost 5 years later; doc said it may never be back to normal. At least my neck/shoulder doesn’t hurt much any more. Sorry to bore you with the gory details, thought you might know there probably is a light at the end of the tunnel. It just might take a while. Hang in there. Blessings, and hope you feel better soon.
Your experience sounds like it was way worse and serious than me. Like you mine seemingly came out of nowhere. Could not associate any type trauma that brought it on. Initially when I was proscribed the tylenol with codeine having the anti-drug bent that I have I only took when when the pain was unbearable. When the doctor asked him how they were working out I told him my method. He said that was not the way to take them. That I had to take them regularly so that my bloodstream would continue to be saturated with them. I did do that and that eliminated all the pain. But it left my emotions raw. Another time when I severely strained my back and had back spasms and consequent severe pain, I again was proscribed tylenol with codeine. And, again my emotions were raw. My emotions just became way over reactive. And, I'm fairly certain that it was the all-time healer known as T-I-M-E that once again finally cured me.

Vinny
Since we're talking about drugs now I guess this thread about Hunter Biden hasn't been completely hijacked.

Interesting that Mountaineer's story starts with driving. Mine started by taking an hour and a half drive to Orlando. By the time I got there I was in severe pain. That still seems to cause it to flare up even if I steer with the opposite hand. Happened again on the way to the airport.

My neck issues started with an injury at work over 40 years ago. I was on my first programming job sitting in front of my computer when all of a sudden a bunch of cubicle partitions being stacked up behind me came crashing down right on the very spot where the pain originates. Someone told me to go to the hospital to get it checked out but I shrugged it off. I once asked a rheumatologist if it would have made any difference if I had gone to the hospital and she said no, the damage was already done by then. Started having a stick neck shortly after the incident. What probably would have helped is better posture and more breaks from sitting in front of my computer for the next 40 years.

Any of you younger folks with desk jobs take note. There is no such thing as a neck replacement.

Didn't make it to Denver but my daughter is sending me an ointment with THC and CBD. Looking forward to getting it.
Several years ago, during tax season when I was working 10+ hours a day, I started getting severe pains in both my arms.

Then when I took a rare day off during tax season to attend an all-day high school basketball tournament on a Saturday and was just sitting there and NOT in front of a computer (on top of those 10+ hour work days, I'd be home doing the same for another 2 to 3 hours every day)...and still feeling the same pain....I got quite concerned about where this was going.

Quite fortunately soon after I read an article about ergonomics with many specifics related to how I was working at my computer. I followed EVERY single thing the article recommended and ALL the pain left, never to return.

One of the things I remember was that using a track ball was much better than using a mouse as our body is not set up to do the repetitive fine motions that a mouse requires.

Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
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Re: Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad

Post by Xan » Sat Oct 17, 2020 1:31 pm

pp4me wrote:
Sat Oct 17, 2020 8:40 am
Since we're talking about drugs now I guess this thread about Hunter Biden hasn't been completely hijacked.
I forked the thread the other day.
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Re: Pinched nerves

Post by Tortoise » Sat Oct 17, 2020 1:53 pm

Looks like only the first post in this fork got the updated subject line. All the other posts still have the old Hunter Biden subject line.
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Re: Pinched nerves

Post by vnatale » Sat Oct 17, 2020 4:46 pm

Tortoise wrote:
Sat Oct 17, 2020 1:53 pm
Looks like only the first post in this fork got the updated subject line. All the other posts still have the old Hunter Biden subject line.
Is it due to the Subject retaining its original title if replied to but not if it a new reply?

VInny
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Re: Pinched nerves

Post by WiseOne » Sun Oct 18, 2020 12:51 pm

Sorry to hear about all the pain issues, guys....

A few general observations from your friendly neighborhood neurologist....

It's important to determine if the pain is neuropathic ("pinched nerve") or a muscle spasm. They're treated differently. Medication-wise, opiates for neuropathic pain makes the customer happy I'm sure, but it's not accepted practice and they don't work all that well. NSAIDs are tried first but generally won't work. The most effective drugs are an anti-epileptic like gabapentin or topiramate (lower doses than needed for epilepsy, which minimizes side effects). Pain will generally resolve with time depending on the cause...usually around 6 months but could take a couple years. If the pain isn't improving and can be traced to a definite site, surgery may be considered but get a second opinion and info on the possible outcomes from a neurologist first.

For muscle pain, heat/cold/NSAIDs are the first line, then trigger point injections. My favorite remedy: put an apple in the freezer and then lie down on it with the muscle knot right on the apple, and enjoy a nice glass of whiskey while you're at it. PT/stretching exercises help. So does a good massage therapist.

I get these too, I know how awful they can be. My sympathies.
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Re: Pinched nerves

Post by pp4me » Sun Oct 18, 2020 2:04 pm

WiseOne wrote:
Sun Oct 18, 2020 12:51 pm
It's important to determine if the pain is neuropathic ("pinched nerve") or a muscle spasm.
Seems like a combination of both to me. Assuming this requires an MRI?

Doc only took an X-ray and looked at results from an MRI 3 years ago. Assuming for now it's C5-6 even though on the right.

C2-3 Disc Level: Mild annular disc bulge is seen. The central canal and neural foramina remain patent.
C3-4 Disc Level: Uncovertebral joint and facet hypertrophy is seen on the left with moderate foraminal narrowing on the left.
C4-5 Disc Level: Uncovertebral joint and facet hypertrophy is seen towards the left with mild foraminal narrowing on the left. No canal stenosis.
C5-6 Disc Level: Desiccated bulging disc is seen with uncovertebral joint and severe facet hypertrophy on the left with severe foraminal narrowing on the left.
C6-7 Disc Level: Desiccated bulging disc is seen with 3 mm right paracentral disc protrusion and osteophyte. Mild lateral recess narrowing is seen on the right.

Other than that my neck is in good shape.

Steroid pack seems to be helping. I'm fairly pain free and able to sleep through the night as long as I watch how I move so I'm encouraged it will eventually improve to back where I only have a stiff neck which I will never complain about again.

Doc's specialty is Orthopedic Spine Surgery so I'm assuming I'm in good hands.
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Re: Pinched nerves

Post by Libertarian666 » Sun Oct 18, 2020 3:38 pm

WiseOne wrote:
Sun Oct 18, 2020 12:51 pm
Sorry to hear about all the pain issues, guys....

A few general observations from your friendly neighborhood neurologist....

It's important to determine if the pain is neuropathic ("pinched nerve") or a muscle spasm. They're treated differently. Medication-wise, opiates for neuropathic pain makes the customer happy I'm sure, but it's not accepted practice and they don't work all that well. NSAIDs are tried first but generally won't work. The most effective drugs are an anti-epileptic like gabapentin or topiramate (lower doses than needed for epilepsy, which minimizes side effects). Pain will generally resolve with time depending on the cause...usually around 6 months but could take a couple years. If the pain isn't improving and can be traced to a definite site, surgery may be considered but get a second opinion and info on the possible outcomes from a neurologist first.

For muscle pain, heat/cold/NSAIDs are the first line, then trigger point injections. My favorite remedy: put an apple in the freezer and then lie down on it with the muscle knot right on the apple, and enjoy a nice glass of whiskey while you're at it. PT/stretching exercises help. So does a good massage therapist.

I get these too, I know how awful they can be. My sympathies.
Or a really good chiropractor, like ours in Dallas. The ones that professional athletes go to are usually pretty good.
Once when we were visiting him in his old office (10 years ago or so), we saw a short elderly man who looked familiar somehow.
It was Ross Perot.
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Re: Pinched nerves

Post by WiseOne » Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:48 pm

Actually the best way to differentiate is to go by history (description of pain) and exam.

My money would be on the C6-7 disc. The shoulder blade pain was directly from the inflammation around the disc when it "popped" (so 3rd type of pain I guess). The numbness in the hand is the pinched nerve symptom (C6-7 mostly innervate the hands). So yeah, NSAIDs, steroids, and time (about 6 months). Take the NSAIDs round the clock (600 every 6 hours or 800 every 8 hours) they work much better that way.

Otherwise, your neck probably doesn't look too different from most people your age. Unfortunate that humans have a bit of a design flaw in the back and neck area.
pp4me
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Re: Pinched nerves

Post by pp4me » Tue Oct 20, 2020 7:50 am

Thanks for the free medical advice WiseOne.

Having enjoyed excellent health for most of my life this experience has been kind of a blessing in disguise. It's teaching me to enjoy good days while you have them because they won't always be there.
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Re: Pinched nerves

Post by Mountaineer » Tue Oct 20, 2020 1:31 pm

pp4me wrote:
Tue Oct 20, 2020 7:50 am
Thanks for the free medical advice WiseOne.

Having enjoyed excellent health for most of my life this experience has been kind of a blessing in disguise. It's teaching me to enjoy good days while you have them because they won't always be there.
Exactly. Entropy. And for what it's worth, WiseOne's analysis was on target for me; one of my problems is NSAIDs give me severe nosebleeds so I could not follow all the advice she recommended. After reading her advice, I went back and reviewed the related doctor visits, MRI conclusions, PT conclusions for me. WiseOne's analysis points out the importance of being truthful with your doctor, explaining all the little details that you may not think are of value, describe the symptoms well. If you desire a good diagnosis, give factual input. Helps the doctor be a bit more on target for you vs. just 'practicing' medicine. ;D
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
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