Hello,

Kind of coming to my wits end and thought I would try this forum for help and information.
Had a head on car accident almost a year ago. Had neck and back pain from accident. Neck pain became worse as time went by. Had headache 24/7 that aspirin only dulled(3 large bottles over 3 month period-Excedrin maximum strentgth) and did not touch actual neck pain. 5 months after accident had MRI that showed "c5-6 small to moderate sized left paracentral dorsal disc herniation with minimal spinal cord compression." and "c6-7 a broad based dorsal disc bulge with dorsally projecting osteophytes extending to both exiting neural foramina. There is mild spinal cord impingement and mild bilateral exiting neural foraminal stenosis." I have tried physical therapy, chiropractic, yoga, and 3 nerve blocks in 3 different areas. Last nerve block relieved symptoms for 3-4 hours stopping headache and lessening neck pain some. But after 3-4 hours the pain came back and actual neck pain is worse than ever, even though headaches are about 80% of the severity before but they are gradually getting worse as well and they are still 24/7. Losing more sleep than before last nerve block and I am not sure what to do next. Any suggestions? Scared of fusion but I am thinking of considering disc replacement, at both levels, which is not FDA approved yet. I am 50 years old and starting to think this in not going to get better by just waiting. I have limited movement and lifting altogether. I do not have symptoms of radiculitis yet but my left shoulder has become painful to movement recently. My orthopedist said surgery would be a consideration after the last nerve block. Should I get second opinion from neurologist? If moving on to surgery: Neurologist or Orthopedic surgeon? Any input will be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi, Rico! Welcome to NeuroTalk!

Sorry to learn of your difficulties. You have found a caring and supportive community here at NT. Please feel free to join in anywhere.


Here is a link to our spinal disorders forum: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Hi Rico,

Welcome I am glad that you found us. And I am sorry to hear about your pain. I only have a slight bulge at c5/6 and I know the pain it can casue.

I see that Cindy already gave you the link to our spinal forum.

I am also going to give you the link to the TOS forum given some of your shoulder issues because where your injuries are likley involve a nerve called the long thoracic nerve whcih comes off the nervs C5-7. This nerve innervates your shoulder for movement.

Here is the link to the TOS forum. We have some great stickes at the top with articles and doc lists etc. You might want to search

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=24

I am also including a post on the long thoracic nerve as well.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...thoracic+nerve

Please let us know if we can help with anything else.




P.S. If you are thinking about surgery to your neck a neuro/spinal surgeon would be better, just my opinion though.

Hi Rico! Sorry you are having so much pain. I have chronic neck pain and when it's really acting up, it's miserable. Hope you can find some relief soon and some helpful info here.

NT is a great source for info, advice and friendship. Glad to have you w/us.

Rico,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with us. You will find a great number of caring, supporting members here willing to help each other as they can.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

One big warm, tight, hug, handshake and howdy, moose-size official type welcome to the site. This place is amazing!

I truly hope you can find relief from the pain soon.

Please keep us posted.

Hey
Welcome to Neurotalk, if you need anything just ask - I will try and help you if I can
Thanks
Alison

Gday Ricco, I am new to the site but have been through much of what you are saying (still am).
I have suffered for close on 14 years now with neck and back pain (19 years old when it happened as a policeman). Cervical fusions C-6/7 first by use of Titanium plates and screws, however the plate snapped (yep snapped) within the first year and it was then repaired a year later, suffice to say I got rid of that surgeon.
I then underwent another spinal fusion on C5-6 several years later due to chronic pain and loss of right arm function, This new surgeon I refer to as god (neurosurgeon) I had great success with that operation and he also cleaned up my C6-7 whilst I was open. I was excellent for years until my lower back pain became too bad and had laminectomy L5-S1 (same surgeon) he once again did a fantastic job.
I just went and had MRI on Wednesday morning due to new right arm pain, neck pain and left arm weekness (mri at 1000 am and then ) High speed car aciident at 5 pm (Bugger) put me in hospital and I am still layed up.
Forgetting about where this puts me now with my C4-5 issues, If I can give some advice........
Travel as far as you need to to find the BEST surgeon, do your homeowrk and speak to their previous patients. You really only get one chance and it sounds like you have exhausted most of your other alternatives as I did ie: radio frequency nerve treatment, steroids, cortizone etc.
Pain is a great test to a persons inner strength and character and good people around you is a must along with a positive attitude and a will to make any surgey succeed. They weild the knife and the tools, we must do the required work afterwards.
I wish you the best of luck and can tell you you will get through it and live a great life.
Good luck fella and once again, find the right surgeon regardless of cost 9IMHO Neuro over Ortho) but thats my opinion.

Cheers Barney

i have been going thru some of the same problem i have nerve damage fromc5c6 found after emg my dr said that since my nerve is damaged she will not do the fusion sugery nad now iam going in for a nerve test on my spine i wish you the best

Rico, welcome to NT...we have a huge amount of amazing folks here so feel free to breeze around!!