i do know he is not doing the test for helping for pain. just to see if my neck can handle surgery. But i do think it would be good toknow how bad my neck actually is. So i know what i am looking at in the future. As far as the drugs i am finding myself doubling up sometimes due to the pain. What are the best ?s i should be asking my new pain managment doctor.

Hi cboncal,

I've been following this thread, and I'm in agreement with Ginnie.

If it turns out (whether you get the myeloscopy or not) that surgery is ruled out, then IMO pain management is your next best option. In some cases it may be preferable to surgery anyway.

Google: questions to ask pain management

I also have multi-level cervical issues deemed inoperative. I get the same headaches & muscle spasms. Some of the spasming is due to the stenosis, and some is due to the inflamation of the arthritis. One thing that my PM doctor sent me for was myofascial trigger point therapy, done by a CERTIFIED MTP Therapist (NOT a PT, chiro, or other massage therapist who claim they know the same stuff). It has done wonders for both my neck and other difficult muscle-related pain issues. In addition, I've had to strengthen my neck muscles, learn how to relax them (as much as I can), and re-learn some posture techniques and how to sleep to avoid strain on my neck.

I don't believe in recommending/suggesting specific pain medications, even in a peer-support capacity. I think that's best left between doctor and patient because not everything works the same for everyone, and there are many factors/medical issues to consider.

Your PM doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxer or anti-spasmodic along with a pain medication. Please be aware that if patients don't specifically tell their doctors that something isn't working, the doctor may not ask; they will assume that everything is ok/working, so speak up and be specific. There are many many medications in each of these classes, and while extreme care must be taken when using them, if one or more don't work, there are others that may be tried. It can take time and trials to find the right pain management formula (whether medication, other, or combined therapies) for each individual. Moral: Hang in there.

Doc

I am glad Doc. Smith came into the dicussion. He is so right about the medications. Please tell the doctor that what you are using isn't doing much good. There really are alot of meds to choose from. I hope he or she has compassion for you in dealing with your pain.
Because of the over all condition of your spine, just be real careful in making your decisions. Surgery isn't always the answer. That one test isn't going to give all the critical information he needs on the spine. Please continue to look into it, and read all the information. I sure do wish you all the best on this in what ever your decisions are. ginnie

i have been trying to research this and am having a hard time.. so what is this test suppose to do or is it just so he could make money. I will def speak up about my medicine problems..and thank you for the advice

From what I read, this test involving needles is suppose to tell him something about the condition of your spine. However this test isn't done alot as the results don't really come out well. Also more than one area in your spine would have to have a needle applied to it. I would seek another opinion before I had needles in my spine, just personal opinion. If he can't see on the MRI what is wrong, I don't think this test will do much good. It can be a ploy to receive money, and sometimes the test is NOT covered in insurances. That way you would indeed owe the doctor and the hospital. Check into insurances. I wish I had the ability to send the sites to you that I found. I may be able to do that with your home e-mail, if you would care to share that with me. You can Private message your information, and I can attempt to send the web pages to you. I am not that great on the PC, but I sure would give it the good old college try. I am finding alot of information on this, you just have to go down the list of sites and look at each one. No one site gives you all the information on this test. It was maybe 6 different sites I went to. ginnie

I am talking to this good woman with the back issues again. I have found alot of information on this test she wants to know about, but she is unable to find the same information. I am lousy on the transfering of information from the Web. to someones home e-mail. What is the best way to do this so I can send her some of the pages with all the information on the test?. this is where my lack of ablilty gets in the way. thanks ginnie

Hi Ginnie,

First, you need to have your browser open to google. Then, either open a second browser window to NT (ready to compose a PM) or have your email open (and ready to compose a msg.)

In your browser, go to the page with the information, and highlight the URL (address) in the window at the very top of the screen. (You must highlight the entire address, which will happen with either a single or triple-click.) Copy that address (CTRL-C), go to your PM or email window and paste (CTRL-V). Check to see the entire URL has been copied. (In NT's PM, you must check in the compose/editing window. In the "Preview" or sent message, URLs are truncated.)

Repeat as many times as needed, and send the msg.

HTH,

Doc

One thing I can do is copy on my printer, your directions. Thank you for the information. I appreciate all you do to help all of us. Take care, ginnie

i can send you my home address or what ever you need.. my test isnt till the 10th of july

PM me your private e-mail. If you will. If I can't get information to you, I will get my son over here to help. He is good on the PC. I did get directions from Doc and will give it a try.
If you have any doubt at all about this test, postpone it until you are satisfied that this is the direction you want to go in. Also ask your doctor in How many locations in your back he intends to investigate. I just don't read that much good about this test. I know you are in pain, and sometimes that drives us to do things that may not help. Seek the very best in Pain management, bring all your records with you. There is help available. Keep a pain journal, degree of pain, location, time, anything that makes it worse. Pain management doctors like it when you keep a good record of what is happening to you. ginnie