[jakatak]

We're leaving for Cabos San Lucas in two weeks, and I'm on a Medrol pak hoping that the herniated disk in my neck settles down enough that I can reach for the overhead luggage on the plane. I just woke up with a stiffness in my neck a couple months ago, that just got progressively worse. The aching in the neck, shoulder, scapula etc. Then....the sharp pain down the arm in the bicep when I reached for something, or put my head back or to the left. Then came the numbness in the thumb! Had the MRI....course getting those suckers back and reading them...you might as well just end it right now. Severe this and severe that...moderate this and moderate that. But, the big one is the L5/L6...with L6 being the bad boy. Disk protrusion with severe stenosis causing impingement on the nasty little neck nerve. GREAT! I do NOT want neck surgery...no...no...no....and double NO! I'm on the second day of Prednisone, and the pain is about 30% better with the radiating crap! Heaven's to Betsy!!!! I suppose if this doesn't subside...I'm going to go for the needle in the neck and see if that little injection brings the swelling down. I hope the pills do it..but I also know that it is temporary. Well...at least it gets the focus of the FEET!

[watsonsh]

Right there with ya. On a medrol pak for an impinged shoulder nerve. Day one for me...worried it will raise that blood sugar and cause more damage than its worth.

[nide44]

Jack.
Get the cortisone shot to reduce inflammation asap,
if ya wanna go on vacation.
Take someone with you to schlep the bags,
or check 'em and to he11 with the baggage fees.
Go on short term steroids for the duration if'n ya haveta.
Aspirin sometimes works wonders for inflammation,
and is highly underrated.
I commiserate!!
I spent 3 weeks in Scotland with a pinched sciatic nerve flare-up,
slept on hotel floors, and walked crooked for 2 out of the 3 weeks.
It happened on my 4th day, after a 2 day sail on the Irish Sea, to the Isle of Man (where the Manx cats come from). Didn't subside until the day before we flew home.

[daniella]

Gosh I am sorry. When it rains it poors. I am in a storm too. Hopefully the prednisone will help. Maybe it will cause your system to settle down and so it won't just be short term even after you stop taking it. I hate when a new pain takes the focus off the other pain. No wonder sometimes I can't remember life things too many body parts in pain to focus on. Sorry for my rant. Feel better and hope you get to enjoy your trip

[cyclelops]

I'll tell ya....ya hit 55 and everything falls apart...and that is true for healthy folks, let alone us sickos.

Maybe the climate in Cabo will help....think of all us northern tier folks stuck up here while you are basking and drinking margaritas. The best I can do is the local Mexican restaurant.

Cripes, NPR is talking about long term care insurance....man, I am depressed now. I don't have it and frankly, rather than do long term care, I would take a walk in the woods and get eaten by local creatures, not picky, any kind. Oh my, they just switched topics...wildlife! I better listen closely.

Have a nice trip!

[Swmnupstrm]

L5 & L6 are affecting your neck?

[jakatak]

I meant C5 and C6....There is no L6....although my L5/S1...that's a whole nother story!

[nide44]

Originally Posted by jakatak

.....C5 and C6....There is no L6.... L5/S1........

BINGO !!

[jakatak]

Cabo was GREAT! I caught a 130 marlin. Fought him for over an hour. That probably didn't help the neck! Anyway....it's been almost 2 months since I have come back....Two weeks ago the radiating pain came back. I bought the Saunders Traction Device. At the suggestion of my very good chiropractor. Unfortunately....although the traction feels good while I am doing it....and I am taking it real easy...I still get worse numbness in my fingers. YUK! I'm back on the Medrol again...and I also am getting another injection. I wish I could find a way to get that inflammation to settle down. My lousy back settles down without any return to my old days of sciatica when I used to run. I just can't get this one to get better. I pray to God I don't have to go under the knife...however...if this nerve gets too impinged...I'm worried about permanent damage.

[Brian]

Jack, ever tried strong magnets, NOT those gimmicky things they sell, read MrsD post on them, I have very similar neck problem c5,c6,c7 are to blame, mine is inoperable and I get great relief from powerful magnets, have been using them for well over 20 years with great success.