Looking for help
 

Hello,

I am 31 years old and have two herniated discs. I have arthritis in my hands, wrists, and feet. I also have jaw pain, I can crack or pop my jaw really loud. Hurts to sleep on that side of my face. Also struggled with foot problems about a year ago. Dr. said they thought it was plantar fasciitis, but ended up being either arthritis or degradation of the foot.

All my issues are on the right side of my body. I actually went to a bone specialist and had forgot my MRI of my cervical spine. So the Doctor said he couldn't do anything for me, but asked if there was anything else he could do. So my hand had been hurting me a bit since volleyball a few weeks ago and they ended up doing an X-ray. Turned out I had a broken thumb and a torn ligament. (something i wouldn't have even bothered to talk to them about if I didn't forget my MRI) Point being - I can take pain pretty well...
I ended up later taking the MRI and was told I had a herniated disc. I was given 3 cortisone injections and no big deal.

About a year later I felt another pop, I dealt with it for many months until I started to hurt bad enough that I wanted it looked at. So I end up going to a neuroscientist and spine institute who does and MRI and tells me that now I have two herniated discs in my cervical spine. They tell me surgery wouldn't help because the discs are pushed against the spinal column and doing any surgery would worsen the situation.

So the MD sends me to another Doctor for pain management. I end up having my nerves burnt on both sides of my cervical spine around those discs. Pain goes somewhat away for a month or so. Now I'm taking vicodin on a daily basis.

Last week I stretched in my sleep and I'm almost positive I herniated another disc. (Stretching in my sleep is how I actually herniated the first one.) Only this time the pain is a lot lower. The "structural" pain as I call it is in my thoracic spine and muscle is spasm-ed up along my back into the back of my head. I was in a lot of pain, but I still went into work and figured I'd deal and try to get an appointment with my spine doc. Well Spine doc says no, next Wednesday is the best we can do. So i work the rest of the day and end up leaving an hour early until I literally can't hold my head up anymore. I went to the ER and all they did was give me muscle relaxers.

I went back to the spine Doc today (Wednesday) and spine doctor says he wants to do an MRI of my cervical spine again. I then pointed exactly where the pain was (structural) and he said "yeah that's your thoracic spine, but all the pain you're telling me about would be do to cervical"

So all this said... I'm 31 years old. Never been in any rough sports and now I feel I had most likely 3 herniated discs. I'm looking into going to PennState Hershey Medical Center to try and see if anyone thinks that maybe I have more than just herniated discs.

Isn't odd for a 31 year old to have all these structural problems and all of them are on the right side?

Also wondering if anyone knows the Doctors at Hershey and can recommend a good one.

appreciate the help,
-Trapkick

Trapkick you sound like you've got a plate full of issues going on with your body. My problems are in my sciatic nerves and I also get the cauterizing of the nerves. Mine last longer than yours. I've had it done three times now and I don't get any relief any other way. I do know a little about the TMJ pain. You really should go to a TMJ specialist. He/she can fit you for a splint to wear so your muscles can relax at night. You may feel some instant relief or maybe it would takea few weeks of the splint. I was in a car accident and put my head into a window and was very lucky to not break my jaw. I wore one for almost 2 years and it was a total relief. Good luck to you. Keep me posted. You are in my prayers. Blossom

Burned Nerves ???
 

This is to Trapkick and Blossom......

I am not familiar with having nerves burned. Could you please elaborate? Is it the same as radio frequency ablation? If the nerves are burned, is it permanent?

radio frequency ablation is exactly what I'm talking about. It's fairly painful, but I have heard many people have received a lot of relief from the treatment. It's supposed to last up to 6 months to a year.

Basically they give the nerve a sunburn which essentially damages it making it feel less pain. Though the body repairs itself and the nerve heals after so long (6 months to a year) Once healed you will feel the same pain you did before. This is not a permanent fix, only pain management.

Since it's a "sunburn" on your nerve, I simply just call it nerve burning. Sorry for that.

Ablation
 

Thanks so much for your response. My pain management mentioned radio frequency ablation as a possible next step for me since nerve blocks have not worked. I had never heard of it and we did not discuss it at any length yet. Thanks again.

Update
 

I called Hershey Medical Center today and they told weren't sure if I needed a neurologist or a orthopedist. They suggested I speak to my general physician and have him refer me to a Dr. at Hershey I guess I'll try to schedule something this weekend or early next week.

If it were me, I would ask to see BOTH, a neuro AND an ortho. It may take both to get a true idea of what you have going on.

Just my opinion.

Greetings!!
 

Update
 

I've been on a steroid pack since the last herniated disc and feel pretty amazing. Did yardwork all weekend and feel fine today (Monday).

Just to recap -I believe I have 3 herniated discs now, but none are pushed into my spinal column (at least that I know of...) I just possibly herniated that third disc two weeks ago and have yet to schedule an MRI.

Most pain is in neck muscle region, upper back and shoulders. Real bad Jaw pain too from time to time. (completely seperate issue though)


Scheduling MRI for later this week.