Reply #4: YES!!! [View All]

[Raven]

I have had the problem for about 6 years, maybe longer. Last year the pain became unbearable. Tingling and numbness in my arm and fingers and awful awful pain. I saw the pain docs and the Pain Clinic at Brigham & Woman's hospital in Boston who offered to shoot steroids in the disc area. I refused that because I have heard so many bad things about the side effects of steroids. They then prescribed Nurontin (SP?) which knocked me out so I stopped taking that. I finally got an appointment with a neck specialist at BWH who said that it was too soon to operate and that with many people this condition gets better. One year later I'm here to say that the pain is all but gone.

BUT, and a big BUT...your guy should see a doc and someone who specializes in this problem. He should avoid physical activity that irritates his neck and he may do well with some physical therapy. Physical therapy helped me because they showed me how to use the right muscles when lifting and sitting. I also got one of those neck pillows which I think has also helped. If your guy continues to have the numbness and the trouble with walking, he should definately see the doc. Good luck! :hi: