Originally Posted by joojee22

I have been being treated for the same condition since what Nov. 2011 now.. It's been a road of injections, had the RFA.. did a facet joint steriod injection about 2 weeks ago, the last one worked, this one didnt. The RFA wears off in about 2 to 3 months, its a strange feeling.

unless you can get PT to work we will both p[robably be doing a ACDF surgery.. argh..

Best wishes.

J.

Originally Posted by Sally Mae

Hi

I have herniated discs at several levels but my C5-C6 bulge was the worst. I had ACDF last December to attempt to resolve the issue. It got rid of the pins and needles sensation and numbness but brought on other problems. To answer your question about the symptoms, I had complete numbness in the first dorsal compartment of my left hand (over the thumb area) and burning pain radiating from my neck, into my shoulder and down my arm. When the worst of it came o on I could not feel my left thumb at all. I also had muscle spasms in my upper traps. My left side was much weaker than my right side. If I were you, I would get more than one medical opinion before proceeding with anything. I think surgery is a last resort when you have tried all other non-invasive options like physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, and steroid injections. Good luck to you and I really hope that you find relief soon!

Originally Posted by laurakelly

Do you know if you have to have a pinched nerve for help with cervical spine disease because I have seen 32 specialists and no one will help because even though I am in major pain they say no pinched nerves

Originally Posted by don1956

those are the same exact things I have to .word for word.and I get those nerve block shots and they gave me "gabapetin400mg".(but they also found that I have "fibro","Tear",disc 4 is craked,and disc7).my left shoulder bother me to were the pain would shoot down to.so they did surgery on that to.but any way.after almost 2to 4yrs.still suffer with it.its difficult to treat this.it took me out of work permently(SSDI).don't know why its always the left side.i don't know about you but now I keep a "pain diary"so next time I go to my Dr.for my visit.i can let him know .its to much to recall each day "how I felt"

Originally Posted by Sally Mae

I had my first RFA two days ago. The procedure went pretty well. I thought the second set of facet injections I went through were more painful than the RFA. It wasn't too bad until they got to the C6-C7 level. I had pain shooting down my left shoulder and arm when he started working on that level. Right now, I'm still pretty sore but I'm managing ok I guess. I've been taking it very easy and using a lot of ice. My neck is fairly swollen on the left side.

I'm having the RFA done on my right side within the next 2 weeks and then we wait and see how that works. I really hope I get a good result from these.

Originally Posted by don1956

hello "sallyMae"i now have lots of problem to on my right side.so from time to time I get "nerveblock"injection on the right side to.my right hand aches so bad there I cant move it or bare to touch it.plus the constant muscle twitching up and down both arms to doesn't make life easier either

Originally Posted by Dr. Smith

I was confused/mistaken about the type of injection this was (it happens -- that's what I get for being in a rush... ). Either way, what I said shouldn't be construed as negative.

Hope this works out better than expected/hoped for!

Doc

Originally Posted by Sally Mae

That's a bummer Don. Sorry to hear that you're having a tough time with our right hand. I don't know what to suggest since I am new to go through these treatments. Does using heat or ice help ease the pain a bit? All I can suggest is to keep working with your doctor to try to find some relief.

Originally Posted by joojee22

I have been being treated for the same condition since what Nov. 2011 now.. It's been a road of injections, had the RFA.. did a facet joint steriod injection about 2 weeks ago, the last one worked, this one didnt. The RFA wears off in about 2 to 3 months, its a strange feeling.

unless you can get PT to work we will both p[robably be doing a ACDF surgery.. argh..

Best wishes.

J.