New guy happy to find this site

[Brndnsdad]

It's great to find this site with people that can understand what we go through living with pain. This is the first day I've posted, so I'll share some of my story. About 2 1/2 years ago I was experiencing severe shooting pain in my neck, right shoulder and arm, along with numbness and tingling. I couldn't work on my computer which wasn't good since my entire job is done on a computer. My PCP prescribed Tizanidine and sent me to physical therapy for six sessions, which did help relieve the worst of the pain, but it was still difficult to work. She had me get an MRI and an EMG and I was diagnosed with cervical disc degeneration disease C4-C5, C5-C6 and C6-C7 with acute and chronic radiculopathy and nerve damage in my neck, along with carpal tunnel syndrome (although the CTS was mild). My PCP then sent me to a pain management specialist who prescriber Vicotin and gave me cortisone injections in my neck which did relieve the pain, but only temporarily. He followed with a Cervical Epidural which relieved the pain for about two weeks, then followed with two more epidurals, again with about a two week relief period. The problem with this doctor was he was handling too many patients at once and wouldn't take the time to listen. He did refer me to a neurosurgeon for an evaluation. The neurosurgeon did a brief exam and review of my MRI and wanted to schedule me for surgery to remove three discs and attach a brace to the four cervical vertebrae involved. I went back to my PCP to find someone else for another opinion and was referred to another neurosurgeon. This one did NOT recommend surgery, took his time evaluating me and referred me to an Interventional Pain Specialist. Before this point I began falling into depression and missing a lot of work. I was very concerned about losing my job and wondering if I would ever be able to have a normal life again. I wasn't able to sleep and was unable to think clearly many days. The Interventional Pain Specialist did a thorough evaluation and we scheduled Facet injections, which provided relief for two months...two wonderful months with minimal pain. He prescribed Vicotin and Soma. He also had me see another specialist in his group who uses alternative methods of treatment. It involved electrical nerve stimulation followed with Lidocaine injections into my neck muscles and use of acupuncture needles. These two treatments combined provide relief for nearly six months. They've told me I'll have this pain the rest of my life, but as long as I can receive the type of treatment these two doctors provide, I'll be able to live a nearly normal life. I only need to take Vicotin and Soma when the treatments wear off until I can reschedule. These guys are getting pretty busy, so the wait can be a couple of months if I don't schedule ahead. When the pain does return, it is still very intense until the treatment.
That's my story. My problems are clearly not as severe as many others in this forum, but the pain turns my life upside down when the treatments wear off. I found it very beneficial to seek new opinions when I wasn't satisfied and encourage others to do the same. I look forward to being a part of this forum and learning how others handle their pain. I'm very concerned that if my condition gets worse these treatments will no longer work and I may have to resort to surgery.

[sandee1818]

Long-term side effects injections depend on the dose and frequency of the injections. With higher doses and frequent administration, potential side effects include thinning of the skin, easy bruising, weight gain, puffiness of the face, elevation of blood pressure, cataract formation, thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), and a rare but serious damage to the bones of the large joints (avascular necrosis).

I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you but here are some long term side effects you should discuss with your Dr.

[Tuckamore]

Sorry this welcome is late. I am fairly new to this site also. I have been away from my computer for some days due to my mother's illness. But WELCOME. I know nothing about the "certain foods" that TMA was referring to. I do know if you search this site you can find all kinds of information regarding your question. And you may want to begin a new thread with the specific or general question.TMA apparently is no longer a community leader, in fact I am not sure she is even posting anymore, a huge loss for us. I look forward to your posts. Take Care, Tuck

[Brndnsdad]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm interested in your comments about certain foods that can help. Do you have any more information on that? I do take Omega3 fish oil supplements that supposedly reduce inflammation throughout the body. They also stopped the severe migraine headaches I used to get. Any ore information you can provide is appreciated.

[Brndnsdad]

Thank you for your advice on invetigating the long term effects of the cortisone injections. I have discussed this with my Dr., but perhaps not as much as I should. He has told me we need to restrict the injections to no more than six times in a 12-month period. I've been getting them at a rate of about 3-4 times a year.
Do you know of any other side effects besides the bone loss? Do you know over what period of time does it take for the bone loss ro occur?

[Brndnsdad]

Thank you for your reply. This really does seem like a great group og people! The neurosurgeon (Dr H) who did not recommend surgery was a second opinion after the first neurosurgeon (Dr Y) seemed too anxious to perform surgery. Dr H is much more accomplished in his career and really spent the time with me to explain his what he saw in the MRI and his exam. I'm also not real anxious to have a surgery with only a 40% success rate. The location of my disc degeneration would severely restrict the movement of my neck if it were fused. I can live with this combination of treatments I'm having for a long time as long as my condition doesn't get worse.

[sandee1818]

I agree with you 100%. We as pts must seek all the options that are availible to us in order to get the right treatment.I am glad the injections seem to be helping you but have you cinsidered the side ffects of long term use? I know of alot of pts that have had these injections for years and have suffered bone loss and other side effects. I urge you to talk to your Dr about this and see if he sees these injections as long term and what side effects you will get from on going usuage. I am not trying to scare you I just want you to be well informed , My Dr will not do these injections because of the long term side effects so it is something you should consider asking your Dr about..

[Mollyrae]

Yes, Welcome to the pain forum. It's a nice place to be. I have found many friends here. I am sorry for your pain, it sure interferes with life. I am rarther baffled that the Neurosurgeon would not recommend surgery?! You sure have enough going on to qualify. Have you thought about getting a second opinion? I really think it's worth the effort. I have a degenerative spine myself and surgery was a godsend. I had a Spinal Fusion both Cervical and Lumbar regions. Without it, I'd be in a wheel chair and in excrutiating pain. Again, seek a second opinion, there are many different Doctor opinions out there.  Take care,   Mollyrae

[Toomanyadvil]

Hi Brndnsdad, I'm sorry I spelled your name wrong!

[Toomanyadvil]

Hi bendnsdad!

     Were so happy you have found us here!! You have absolutly found the right place, this is a wonderful community which were glad your now apart of!
It sounds like you have found a good combination of treatments that help. Please dont feel that your pain is lesser than anyone elses. Any amount of pain that is Chronic is devestating. Think about it like a pebble in the shoe. Thats what CP is like. It may be the kind of pain that we can tolerate for a day or two but to deal with even a mild headache every moment of the day is intolerabel.
And when you can never get that darn pebble out of your show it ends up interferes with everything you do.

I have the same problem with my pain DR. She is the only one in her practice right now. When I do need to talk she makes more time but I always feel rushed. I have thought about getting a 2nd opinion but I like her too much to go anywhere else!
I'm not too familiar with injections for pain as my conditions are in my abdomen but there are alot of other members who are and get them also. I have heard really great things about them. And especially accupuncture.
I have heard the advice to always make surgery a last resort as it doesnt always do what is hoped.
I can understand your fear of getting worse and finding the treatments your getting now not as good as they once were. I'm always afraid I'm going to have to keep uping my medication until there is no where else to go.
Your treatments may be beneficial for a really long time. I hope they are and you never need to go the route of surgery.
There are alot of alternative things you can do to help like certain foods and compresses. If your interested feel free to message me anytime.

I'm so happy your here and look forward to getting to know you better! I hope your having a good night!

TMA