The pain is bad today
 

Oh Lord am I in a bad way these days !!!!! A few days ago I felt something pop in my neck and since then. The pain has been SOOO BAD I almost feel like I may be losing my mind over this. First everytime I move my head a certain way I get electrical shocks down my spine. My shoulders hurt, I am dealing with numbness more than usual. Headaches at the base of my skull, neck feels like it is on fire and when I lay down my arms, legs become numb abd it takes my quite awhile to gain my strength and feeling back.

The other night I couldn't keep my balance at all I kept falling so I went to the ER the only thing they could do was give me an RX for Valum to help with the pain. It is really the least thing I want and since that night I have not taken any. I am still on Oxycontin for pain but due to a Dx of Lyme disease a nurse practioner I see wants to take me off of them. I tried in vain to explain my cervical disc issues but the response was Lyme was causing it.

My Rheumatologist says I have Fibromyalgia and is trying to help he doesn't think I have Lyme. My Lyme literate doctor says I do but there are other things going on. This NP won't listen to reason and I am on the edge of a breakdown due to pain and stress because of it.

I need to get someone to order another cervical MRI and perform a CT with contrast or Myelogram/discogram study but it seems like no one will. I have a new appointment with a PCP doctor next month in February so I hope that she will help but I have my doubts and not only that I don't know if I can hold out that long. Everyday it is getting worse.

Glenn

Oh Quahog,

I am so sorry you are in so much pain. :Sigh:

What were you doing when it happened and you heard something pop in your neck.

Your symptoms sounded alot like mine a year ago and I was dx with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). My started with a pop in my neck, headache, arm numbness, chills down my spine and that electrical feeling.

Can you tell if you have any swelling in the neck area? If you do the swelling could be causing some compression of the nerves that could cause the numbness in the arms. Do you have burning around and in between your shoulder blades

For the immediate time being, try some ice if you see swelling in and around your neck and shoulder, not too long though. Also if you can and your current meds allow try some over the counter NSAIDs like motrin or advil?

You need to see a nuero as soon as you can. An MRi will show if there are any cervical problems but a nuero can help with some of the symnptoms too.

There are a lot of us on the TOS forum and there is a list of docs there. DOn't know if there is any in your area.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

I hope your pain gets better fast.

I'll check back with you soon.

Here is the doc from Maine on the TOS forum.

Dr. John (Jeb) Hallett Jr.
Eastern Maine Medical Center
489 State Street , P.O. Box 404
Bangor, Maine 04402
Phone: (207)973-6670
E-mail: jhallett@emh.org
Website: www.emmc.org

i'm sorry you are in such pain quehog. :(

both the tos and rsd forum might give you some ideas to help the pain.

Okay Glenn...first off I am sorry to see your hurting.
Secondly, your cervical pain came first if I remember right then the Lyme. Your NP is one misinformed lady. Talk to your doc about her, he obviously know what he is talking about.
Glenn if it gets really bad, please go to the ER.

Glenn,

I am sorry to hear that your pain is so high :(

The nurse practioner who wants to take you off of the OxyContin - is he/she the ones who prescribes the OxyContin for you? Or is it another doctor prescribes the medication?

If the nurse practioner is not the person who prescribes the medication -- do you think the person who does prescribe it will be convinced to take you off of the meds?

I really wish that you had a more compassionate medical team. You have been through so much and you don't need additional stress put on your shoulders by your medical professionals :(

I hope that the pain gets better soon, and I hope that your medical team all gets on the same page so that they can help you instead of causing you stress.

Take care of yourself,
Liz

Glenn ~

I'm so very sorry to hear how much pain you are in. I wish I had some answers for you ~ but I can only offer you my support and sympathy.

I really hope the Doctor you are going to see in February can get to the bottom of your problems ~ in the meantime ~ if things get too bad go to the ER and keep on going until maybe they will run some tests?

Hang in there ~ I will be keeping you in my prayers ~

Love,
Sue

Glenn, I so hope that you are starting to feel better by now. I know how overwhelming it can be when the pain gets so bad that it threatens to push you right off the edge, and there's nothing you can find to do about it. It made my stomach hurt to hear you explain your condition. I wish there was something I could do for you, but all I can give are my solemn hopes and prayers for you to improve.

The Very Best Of My Wishes,
Idealist

Dear Glenn
So very sorry your hurting so much{{{{hug}}}}}}.
I too have chronic neck pain!
Mine has been feeling quite similar to what you describe here the past few days.
Only i am not having the the numbness or the dizziness.
It started up last week or so.I got it to ease up and now it's back wih a vengance!!!!!
I took my arthritis med to ease the inflamation the first time it flared up.
This time it doesn't seem to be working yet...
I also use ice on my neck and it does help for a bit.
I hope and pray you get one of those doctors to listen to you soon!
As i know how chronic pain can push you over the edge....
Keep fighting and dont give up!!
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
:hug:

Hi Glenn,
I am new here, and sure am sorry to hear about your recent worsening of symptoms. I am waiting for surgery (acdf) and my symptoms are very similar. Every time i move my head, it makes a grinding sound in my head, and then pops loudly enough for my family to hear in the same room. I don't get the shooting pains anymore but when I did....it was the worst.

Hope you feel better soon!
Dave