Herniated Discs

[bleedingheart]

I have herniated cervical discs (C4,C5,C6) and was diagnosed with early degenerative disc disease.
I take multi-vitamins, try to exercise and I am desparate to avoid surgery because the only surgery I can have is a fusion. I am lucky to live near Pittsburgh so I have seen physicians (neurosurgeons) from both University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Allegheny General Hospital.

Both neurosurgeons I have seen have been reluctant to operate, because the surgery would mean loss of movement.

Today I am feeling miserable and I can't turn my head to the left very well...I just woke up this way!!!! I was doing so well before this!!!

Luckily I have use of my arm (for the moment) but I have lost even the ability to lift my left arm properly or hold a cup reliably...
I am going to put some cold compresses on my neck to bring down swelling and I started taking Ibuprofen at around 1800mg a day. I have oxycodone in case the pain is really bad...and I can call for steroids...but with the inhaled steriods I take for my asthma....I am a bit steroid-ed out...


Funny part...my doc has no problem giving me painkillers but I have a sensitivity to them...they make me vomit...so I am pretty sure I will never be an addict....but it sucks that the only relief I get is when I can sleep.

THE PROBLEM...for this week...I have promised my hubby that I would go to Michigan for the Easter holiday...but I don't know that sitting in a car for 8 hours...would be a good idea.....

I haven't said anything yet hoping I will get better...but I am a bit anxious...

[Warpy]

1. First, call the doc and get the prescription changed.

I puke on a lot of painkillers out there, but there are two I can tolerate pretty well. Having to choose between pain and puking is horrible. Been there. Done that. It may take some experimentation, but there must be some painkiller out there you can take, even if you have to go to the more expensive synthetics like Ultram or Talwin or a fentanyl patch.

Second, have you had physical therapy? That can help you preserve what function you retain without surgery.

Third, surgery, when your arm refuses to work, period, is probably a decent option. I've seen people do quite well after cervical discectomies and fusion, although the recovery period in that collar or halo vest won't be any fun at all.

Good luck.

[bleedingheart]

2. I have had PT and it works wonders. In fact I continue

to use my bands but for some reason I had a relapse.

I love the moist heat therapy...I used to fall asleep at the PT office...hahahahaha

I am keeping the surgery on the back burner...only because there are some hideous risks and I have two small children. Sounds strange but if I can get by with therapy until they are both in college (about 12 years from now) I will be okay with surgery...

[skygazer]

3. You have my sympathy

I second the physical therapy option - I suffered with chronic pain for over ten years because of a herniated disk in my neck. Chiropractic helped for a while but eventually did not. Physical therapy helped for a while but eventually did not. Last year, I finally bit the bullet and had the surgery.

Know what? I feel GREAT! No pain, none. Yes, i lost a little mobility (I only had one disk replaced and fused - no doubt there would be more loss with more disks involved) but I had lost considerable mobility just from the pain.

I don't blame you for being hesitant to do surgery. Still, you have to balance your options. It sounds like the quality of your life is pretty cruddy right now - dependence on painkillers which make you ill, chronic pain. Only you can decide what to do but I can tell you that the surgery can be a very positive thing. It was for me. Of course, every case is different.

Good luck. :hi: