I slipped two discs in my neck about three years ago. Since then the pain has become increasingly worse. For the first couple of years the migraines were two to three times weekly with severe back and shoulder pain. Four months ago I awakened in the morning to find that I couldn't move my head or left arm. The muscle in my left shoulder has been in massive spasm ever since and the pain is intolerable. I am seeing a couple of doctors and am taking high doses of pain meds and muscle relaxers but have found my way to Reiki and Accupunture as well and a Spine Center that does exceptional work with excercise and stretching programs. It seems that meditation and relaxation works even better than the medicine does. I've filled my home with beautiful fountains, new age and nature music, motivational posters and am blessed with the support of a loving man for the first time in a very abusive life. It would seem to me that attitude makes all the difference. Does anyone have any other suggestions for me?? I'm also seeing a chiropractor as well... I did try facet block injections but they failed. Ty for any advice you may have.

Sams, I had 3 car accidents between 1988 and 1993. The car that I owned seemed to have a big red bullseye on it that only others could see! I kept getting knocked in the same direction. Drugs (Soma & something else - can't recall) were first given to me, then I went to a chiropractor. Wrong! He made an adjustment to my neck and it popped so loud that he turned white as a sheet. First & last trip to the chiro. I was in worse pain for days.

Years later, not being able to turn my head, I saw a neurosurgeon, advised that eventually I would need surgery, but in the meantime he suggested epidurals & p/T. He did not perform these, another dr. did. I was given a xanax or valium - can't remember which - prior to the outpatient procedure. No fluoroscopy. During each of the 3 epidurals, he said that I should feel the medication coming out on the right side. I did not - I felt on the left. I was okay when he finished, went home, went to bed and when I awoke I had the most painful headace I have ever experienced - but just on the left side of my head. Called the dr. who said he had never had that happen with a patient, but he did call in medication for the pain. The next day I was okay except just fully drained from the headache pain the day before. In a few days, my neck did feel much better and I was able to swivel around and look behind when backing out my car. All in all, the nasty procedures of the epidurals were well worth the outcome. My neck had not felt that good since before all the car wrecks.

Years now, long since the epidurals have worn off, I still perform the exercises that the p/t showed me. They do help if you perform them consistently. An occasional xanax (as opposed to a muscle relaxer like Soma) helps with tension, which first seems to make a home in my neck. Anything that helps me to relax.

All in all, relaxation and consistent p/t exercises help the most. When the pain is just unbearable, personally, I would go with epidurals again, BUT with a scope, not freehanded.

Just my humble 2 cents..............

Sams, I had 3 car accidents between 1988 and 1993. The car that I owned seemed to have a big red bullseye on it that only others could see! I kept getting knocked in the same direction. Drugs (Soma & something else - can't recall) were first given to me, then I went to a chiropractor. Wrong! He made an adjustment to my neck and it popped so loud that he turned white as a sheet. First & last trip to the chiro. I was in worse pain for days.

Years later, not being able to turn my head, I saw a neurosurgeon, advised that eventually I would need surgery, but in the meantime he suggested epidurals & p/T. He did not perform these, another dr. did. I was given a xanax or valium - can't remember which - prior to the outpatient procedure. No fluoroscopy. During each of the 3 epidurals, he said that I should feel the medication coming out on the right side. I did not - I felt on the left. I was okay when he finished, went home, went to bed and when I awoke I had the most painful headace I have ever experienced - but just on the left side of my head. Called the dr. who said he had never had that happen with a patient, but he did call in medication for the pain. The next day I was okay except just fully drained from the headache pain the day before. In a few days, my neck did feel much better and I was able to swivel around and look behind when backing out my car. All in all, the nasty procedures of the epidurals were well worth the outcome. My neck had not felt that good since before all the car wrecks.

Years now, long since the epidurals have worn off, I still perform the exercises that the p/t showed me. They do help if you perform them consistently. An occasional xanax (as opposed to a muscle relaxer like Soma) helps with tension, which first seems to make a home in my neck. Anything that helps me to relax.

All in all, relaxation and consistent p/t exercises help the most. When the pain is just unbearable, personally, I would go with epidurals again, BUT with a scope, not freehanded.

Just my humble 2 cents..............

Ty for those two cents. I have tried facet block injections, similiar to epidurals and done under radiological guidance, but they failed for me. I agree that the PT exercises are terrific for relieving the tension as well as relaxation. Sadly though at this point I'm on tons more meds than its sounds that u are and I hope someday not to be on so much. Hopefully none at all!!! I so miss driving and walking too. I sent you a friend request if u'd like to get to know me better. I look forward to talking with u more when I'm able. It's often very difficult for me to type but I recently got Dragon for xmas and hope to have it up and running soon. ( software that types for u with only voice ) Happy New Year and I hope u feel the best u can each day. Stay Positive!! thx, hugs.

Hi SweatPea,

My neck is pretty messed up too - c5 - c7, w/ bone on bone. I went through a few years similar to yours, trying everything with neck, shoulder & back pain and compound headaches (more than 15/month). The best things that helped me were physical therapy (though it took several courses to find the right therapist with the right knowledge & experience. Moral: Not all therapists are created/trained equally) and Myofascial Triggerpoint Therapy (for the frozen neck & shoulder muscles). Once the TP therapist got my knots out, she taught us how to do it at home for maintenance.

For folks like us, PT & stretching exercises aren't just a therapy/course of treatment and you're done - they're a lifestyle change, because we have to stay with the program for life. We're learning Tai Chi now.

I tried biofeedback but couldn't get it to work for headaches or chronic neck pain.

Hang in there,

Doc

Hi Sams...

Yep, I can relate! My neck is pretty messed up also, and have VERY limited use of my right hand. I tried everything before I finally had to have a fusion (C5, C6, C7) and even 9 months after that I'm still in pain. Although my neck pain has improved since surgery, but I'm afraid it will never completely go away. Still considering a second surgery that I've been told I need on my arm (ulnar nerve transposition) but in the meantime I go to physiotherapy 3 times a week and practise all the stretches and meditation daily.

I also use accupuncture for pain relief, and have found it helps with the migraines I suffer from and releases a lot of the neck/shoulder spasms.

Meditation is good for me also, I tried to make a point of it at least once a day, more if the pain is really intense.

Hang in there and hope time improves things for you. The more non-invasive therapies you can try the better, so keep that positive energy flowing, it sure does have an affect on our health and pain levels!

Take care,
Cathie

I had a massive neck injury which caused muscle atrophy in right arm and especially wrist. Needless to say I could not turn my head. My spine was involved slightly. First operation In 06 was a simple C2-C3 fusion. It was not good enough. In 07 a C2-C7 fusion was done and It still did not help the occasional shooting pains in my arm and neck. I live on Mobic now and now I have to deal with it as it is.