need help-Neck Pain hand numbness and MRI Scan result

[jesi123]

Please help me..
I had been suffering from neck pain especially on the right side, pain on the shoulders , pain and numbness in the right hand, all these with varying intensities, some times less sometimes severe since 4 years. I have consulted  ortho and neurologists, carried out blood tests, MRI scan, Xray of neck, nerve conduction test and thyroid test two year back and the result was normal. Doctor prescribed some steroids and painkillers for few months. For time period i had relief, but the trouble started again after few months. Again i conducted another MRI on dec 2012 and the result showed the following:
1. Mild disc bulge at c3-c4 level indenting thecal sac. No e/o significant neural foraminal encroachment
2.otherwise unremarkable study.
Is this bulge at c3-c4 level causing all these troubles. If not what could be the reason for this pain and numbness and what are the treatments or medication available for this ?

[Encees]

This may be out of left field, but I have experienced a worsening of my neck/shoulder pain and hand numbness symptoms after taking high doses of vitamin b6 and b12. I did read read that can cause nerve damage. Does anyone have a similar experience? Even if you take multivitamins it can cause b toxicity...

[fannieo]

Interesting, I had bloods and was told my b12 was low so had intramuscular injections 3 months straight. My pain (neck/shoulder/forearm/wrist/hand) improved and I was advised b12 is not toxic as it’s water soluble so you pee any excess.  But I’m just talking 1,000mcg once per month. Harvard medical school published a few papers about using b12 as a pain reliever, and it’s an under researched area.  With long hauler Covid patients it’s raised the debate about pain (the classical model of mind over matter) and need for more research.  Hopefully more to come.

[012]

Hi Jeshi123, have you done MRI scan on your right shoulder,? my spine specialist said, disc bulge is not causing my shoulder problem, I need to treat my shoulder first.....

[012]

I booked sport specialist for neck & shoulder issues but yesterday when I saw him, it looks like that my another major issue now back/sciatic nerve, something has been ( nerve/soft tissue etc..) damaged by hard massage... not sure until we do X-ray/MRI, my cross leg sign it not good symptom, he advised me to fill up ACC form immediately, so going to see GP today and also going to take 3rd Steroid injection today for neck/shoulder, it appears that Specialist are struggling to figure it out what actually causing my neck/shoulder problem: disc bulge/nerve pinge, rotator culf tear, or AC joint injury etc and unable to give me solution to cure. ACC already declined my neck/shoulder claim saying that I had preexisting issues, which I did NOT have until I was lifting...in last year and now got leg problem... already paid too much  & still paying for 4 Othropedic specialits, Physio, GP visits, Sport specialist...  & going through so much pain, now actually not sure what to do or what to advise others, can anyone please recommend Good Orthopedic doctor and also good physiotherapist  who actually spend some time on thinking ......

I am sorry that I cannot help any of you..... as I myself going though the trouble to find the right Doctor/Physiotherapist or solution to cure my  neck, shoulder and now back/leg problem...

[squirtatious]

Have you sought out chiropractic care? I bet they can help give u some much needed relief, I wish you well!! *hugs*

[Loopster]

I'n sorry, 012.  I have never been seen by a sports specialist, but it's good you made the appointment.  Hope he's got a quick, easy solution for you!!!!

Finally saw a new ortho. today.  He did a new set of x-rays on my neck, and boy how things change over 2 years.  And not in a good way, either.

There is now no fluid/protective gel in c2 through c6, and he thiks c6 has finally herniated based on my symptoms.  I go for an MRI on Monday, and a follow up next Wed.  Surgery was already discussed........


I'm gonna go for it.  This doctor came highly recommended and this pain is OLD.  I am normally very active, and this laying around limiited movement BS is driving me insane.  
This is 2 weeks now with no improvement, and I have a feeling it's not going to get any better on its own.  

[012]

I am going to see sport specialist now... has any of you seen sport specialist for your neck/shoulder problem..... ?as I do not know  who  can help me to fix my  problem..... feel terrible when I  get trouble to  cook, drive, lift my beloved little nieces., using computer gives my arm, shoulder pain....... sick  of taking medication &  physio... can anyone please suggest anything for solution, please

[012]

Well, want to share my stories... when I was doing physio stretching in last 9 months, sometimes I had to go for message as well to relax muscle as suggested by Physio; recently I was going to new massage therapist close to my house,  I only had 2 treatments, on last wednesday she treated me but she  did put hard pressure on my back on hip/sciatic nerve and after that  I am having shooting pain all the way to my leg, sitting, walking, sleeping on that side hurt me...... when I rang her she told me even though my problem is on neck & shoulder, it is coming from back... and now I am having  neck, shoulder & also leg/back problem..... she does not know now how to fix my leg... now i feel she may damaged my sciatic nerve or displaced it; so please do not go for hard message if you cannot tolerate ask ask to stop them.... now I regret myself why did I not stop her... so far I don't have  muscle spasm i think; I am using one chinese oil, called wood lock, bought from Dominion rd chinese clinic, it is good..

[Loopster]

Thanks Henry.  I might break one in half tonight when the hubby is home to see how it affects me. Might.  

I have heard they are heavy duty, and am leery of trying them.  Addiction is a concern, I am an alcoholic, but at this point I NEED relief.  I think total and brutal honesty with myself is key regarding that..Going to some meetings and airing the issue/getting group support would probably be helpful too.

Going to call around for a different ortho today, and hopefully I can be seen fairly quickly.  I didn't care for the original one that treated me for this.  Although he was thorough, he was very arrogant, and he doesn't do the steroid injections in office.  
You have to go to the surgical center he operates from for them that's not close to home at all.  Whoever drives me is looking at least a half of a day off of work too.  

[henry88]

It's good that you have never used soma muscle relaxers. Because though it works for blocking the pain sensations between the nerves and the brain and for short time basis but it may become a habit like addition. It must be avoided from those who were taking drugs or previously addicted. Mostly alcohol is strictly prohibited as it increases the dizziness and drowsiness created by the soma muscle relaxers.  

[Loopster]

It's horrible, isn't it?

I've been through the whole rigamaroo too, and nothing helps long term.  I've been pain free time for only a short time in 2 yrs, despite PT/massage/meds/injections and severely limiting my activity.

Limited activity is very hard, but it's necessary because the pain comes right back as soon as I start doing normal daily activities like putting away a Christmas tree or doing windows or yard work.  Normal stuff that everybody does..It really stinks and gets you down after a while.

Are either of you having muscle spasms in your shoulder blades from what's going on in your neck?  I have been having pretty intense ones all day, it even hurts to breathe when they're all tensed up.  I am almost finished with a Medrol dose pack, but it's not helping.

My GP prescribed 10/325 Norco for bedtime (yeah, right, like it only hurts at night??? lol ) but I've been alternating them with Ibuprofin during the day and also alternating heat/ice.  I have a few Soma muscle relaxers, but have never taken them before and am scared to.  

Have either one of you used them, and if so did they help?  I just want relief....

[012]

Hi,
Iam having the same problem, even though my MRI scan shows slightly different things... really struggling to fix it in last 10 months, not not so sure how to fix it, saw 4 Orthopedic specialists.... 2 steroid injection, so much physio, nothing fixing it... so no idea what can I do to fix it..

[Loopster]

I think the bulge(s) can cause ALL of that, because I experience lots of that too although the injury appears minimal on tests, but when it gets all flared up it causes considerable pain.

Funny I came across your post, because I have the exact same symptoms although my MRI results were a little different from yours.  Nothing major showed up in the MRI, bulging c2-c7/multiple bone spurs, but nothing major.  All on the right side too.  I also get right side headaches, adn my jaw and right nostril go numb.  They're numb right now, and only get like that when the flare up gets bad enough.
  
Also had the nerve conduction test which was normal too although I had a different test in my GP's office which showed carpal tunnel in both hands.

Does your hand turn into a swollen claw, and do you get shooting pains from the elbow to the hand?  My hand was unuesable for a few months, it literally turned clawlike, and after an MRI of the shoulder it showed tendonitis and bursitis in that in addition to the neck issues.  Excruciating.

Have you tried the epidural steroid shots?  If not, I suggest them.  They're not a cure all, and mine didn't last all that long (a few months) but within 24 hours I got complete relief of all symptoms.

IT's always uncomfortable and I can deal, but any time I start doing a lot of physical work I get flare-ups.  They usually can be controlled with ice/heat/rest/Ibuprofin, but I am in the middle of an extremely painful flare-up at the moment that is not responding to norco/muscle relxares/Ibuprofin, heat and ice, and am calling in a little bit to schedule another shot.

Just scheduled a massage for Friday morning because I can feel the muscle spasms, hope that helps.

This is pain people shouldn't have to live with, even though the test results don't show much.

After this calms down, my GP suggested taking between 400-600 mg. Ibuprofin twice a day whether there is pain or not.  Either that or he will prescribe Celebrex for daily use if I'd prefer that.
He said it will keep inflammation down, and hopefully prevent these episodes.  It's worth a shot.

Take care, and I hope you find a solution soon.  PM me if you want to talk.  This *****, and it gets old really quick.