[worried]

I had an MRi done and it says that my C3-C4 disc has herinated causing a pinched nerve. The pain due to this is too much for my right shoulder, now it is going towards my chest and neck. Too much pain and pain killers not working now. What is the bes course to go to. Seeing a neurosugon he gave me very strong pain killers but all medicines work for a week or 2 then the pain is back with no affect of the medicine.
Pain is affecting my ability to work, sole provider with a 4 year old daughter and my wife cant work she has uncontrolled diabets her levels just go haywire and has tachycardia.
What to do someone plz help.

[Leesa]

I'm glad you're seeing a neurosurgeon, but you have some things to think about.

First, do NOT jump into surgery. That is, UNLESS the nerve is in danger of being permanently damaged! And if that's true, then get 2 more opinions before opting for surgery. You dont want to take just one surgeons opinion. That can be dangerous, and besides you want to see what KIND of surgery each surgeon is recommending.

if the nerve is NOT in danger of permanent damage, then try ANY AND ALL conservative methods available to ease the pain! Surgery does NOT ease pain necessarily. Surgery is ONLY for mechanical problems. Most of the time you're left with the same pain or worse after surgery. I was left with worse pain after 3 surgeries. Now I'm inoperable, disabled and mad. lol

You might try ICE on the area. Don't use heat, as that will draw blood to the heated area and cause more swelling and pain. Use ice for 20 minutes every 2 hours. You can get one of those gel packs that you freeze iin the freezer. Those work best. But don't put that directly on the skin -- put it over your shirt or on a towel. Ice does make the pain ease up.

Do NOT go to a chiropractor, as some people do. That could end up with you paralyzed according to my Neurosurgeon.

I wish you the very best. PLEASE keep us posted, will you? We do care here. So let us know what you find out. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

[Jomar]

Have you had any expert physical therapy at all?
Pills and pain killers only mask the pain, if they work for that, it does nothing to fix the problem.

There are expert spinal PTs, DOs and yes, even expert chiropractors that are very careful and precise.
Acupuncture may be of help.
Sometimes you have to look for help outside of the standard MD viewpoint.

Maybe IF stimulation or a TENS might be of help.
Also Low level laser therapy might be worth asking about, also called cold laser or soft laser. Someday I plan to buy one.


You could be having spasms and also getting some trigger points from those a good PT, DO, DC that does manual trigger point work might be helpful

[alt1268]

Just curious have they started you on Neurontin. This helps with nerve pain and nerve damage, I would recommend a spine specialist. They now have the new procedures out that say they can do laser surgery. This seems like a minimal procedure. As far as pain pills well, unfortunately, most aren't long acting and we can become immune to them over a period of time. I would ask for either a patch or an extended relief pain pill. (prefer patch myself, doesn't effect liver and kidneys) Good luck! Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by worried

I had an MRi done and it says that my C3-C4 disc has herinated causing a pinched nerve. The pain due to this is too much for my right shoulder, now it is going towards my chest and neck. Too much pain and pain killers not working now. What is the bes course to go to. Seeing a neurosugon he gave me very strong pain killers but all medicines work for a week or 2 then the pain is back with no affect of the medicine.
Pain is affecting my ability to work, sole provider with a 4 year old daughter and my wife cant work she has uncontrolled diabets her levels just go haywire and has tachycardia.
What to do someone plz help.

[Leesa]

There ARE a whole bunch of extended release medications, but I'm listing only the more familiar ones here:

Tramadol ER
Ultram ER
Oxycodone ER
Morphine

So these would last MUCH longer than any standard pain medication. They tell you that they last 12 hours, but they NEVER last more than about 8 hours, as I've tried them all unfortuntely.

Hope this helps. Hugs, Lee

[don1956]

that was my problem to.they took out of work permanently.they to found the trouble in my shoulder and neck.but like everyone here has said 'Surgery will not cure the problem".so now i go in for nerve block injection and 500mg of gabapetin that i take 3x aday.then when i grow immune to that then its 600mg

[laurakelly]

Originally Posted by alt1268

Just curious have they started you on Neurontin. This helps with nerve pain and nerve damage, I would recommend a spine specialist. They now have the new procedures out that say they can do laser surgery. This seems like a minimal procedure. As far as pain pills well, unfortunately, most aren't long acting and we can become immune to them over a period of time. I would ask for either a patch or an extended relief pain pill. (prefer patch myself, doesn't effect liver and kidneys) Good luck! Hope this helps.

What is Nerontin is it a narcotic and what is it your suffering from. I have been diagnosed with TOS and CSD. In Major chronic pain every day going on 5 years