Hi there Cleo,

So the symptoms can narrow down which nerve has been aggravated? How is it determined that someone is a candidate to have a procedure done to "fix" the nerve to minimize the daily aches/pains, etc.?

The OS had mentioned to me on a few of my office visits that he himself has facial numbness on one side (can't recall which one). I just assumed it was from having oral surgery---and I can sympathize with him because it feels foreign to have numbness, tingling, etc. in the face. Period. It feels as if you're perpetually recovering from the stuff they numb you with prior to having a cavity filled.

The OS did say at one point that there was a possibility of winding up with facial numbness but that he was going to do everything within his power to prevent that from happening. In an odd, kind of candid way, whenever he'd mention that he had permanent numbness in part of his face---it made me kind of think that he wanted me to realize that other people have the same issue and you wouldn't even know it......kind of like, hey, I have it as well. Again----that's how I felt when he'd bring up his numbness issue---he didn't explain it like that at all.
Regarding the aching, pain, zings, itchiness and so on---he never spoke about any of them as a potential issue. I think that if he had rambled off all those scary long term symptoms---I probably would have felt like running out the freaking door!!! Lol. Anyhow, I can only imagine being super-concerned and even more frightened than I already was because of everything that had been taking place. To be honest...even if he had shared the above, I would have still agreed to undergo additional surgery because what would my other choices be?

To answer your question about the nerve that the OS saw---I have no idea. I didn't think to ask which one it was, etc... I get a bit queasy during any conversation that include the topic of veins, needles, blood, and so on. When he brought up that he had seen my nerve---I had to keep from thinking any further about it. Lol. Even typing the last sentence just made my hands begin to sweat!
Now that you've asked..........I am curious which one he laid eyes on as well. . He didn't mention anything else about the nerve, including it's condition.

Regarding the stenosis. I have an order for physical therapy; the neurologist said that she wanted to begin with a basic treatment plan and then go from there, as needed. I'm looking forward to therapy---It'll be great to be able to help my neck area, even if I don't notice a difference.

Thanks for reading this post. Have a great day! Laughter.