Re: Chronic Neck Pain
- From: foundpoem@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: 19 Sep 2005 10:50:06 -0700
Dan wrote:
> one of my
> cervical vertebrae is enlarged on the left side. It seems to be about
> the 3rd or 4th vertebra down. It is quite noticable - anyone can feel
> my neck and feel that it is there. It's hard to estimate, but I would
> say it protrudes maybe about 1 or 2 centimeters moreso than the other
> side. The enlargement feels round and smooth - its not pointy or
> anything. But it does seem like it is getting in the way of my muscles
> and ligaments. On the right side, if I rub in the same area, it feels
> normal - no pain. If I rub on the side with the enlargement, it has
> kind of a slow burn feel to it, and I can feel the bone, and my muscles
> rubbing up against the bone. Also, my left neck/shoulder muscles are
> larger than those on the right side (by about a half inch to an inch)
> and I have one isolated ligament/muscle bundle on the left side which
> stands out especially clearly when I tense up my neck.
>
> My doctor has said that this is probably a result of the injury,
"this is probably..." -- but does he say what "this" is? Does he feel
the enlargement when he palpates your neck? What does he attribute it
to? If he doesn't know, would you want another opinion? An enlargement
that, you think, is bone probably should be seen by an orthopedist. You
haven't mentioned neurologic symptoms, like numbing down your arms and
others.
I have disabling neck pain from a car accident over two years ago. I
have positive MRI results -- disk herniations, reverse cervical
lordosis, etc., but my pain always feels muscular. The spasms are the
worst -- typing this will set me back a couple hours. Spasms lead to
tightness, which leads to upper back tightness and pain. I, too, feel
better if I lie down when in that condition, but lying down too much
also causes stiffness/pain. The first year my doctor -- also an
osteopath -- didn't do much at all but tell me my pain is normal given
my injury and its combination w/a previous runnng injury. I got worse
and worse, until I was in bed all the time. Still, I got worse and
worse. I thought it was pain. Finally, I got into physical therapy (1
yr post-accident), then occupational therapy. PT taught me to stretch
and strenthen. A year ago I was in bed and couldn't move my head side
to side, wouldn't get up to get water or food. I am more flexible and
strong now, though still disabled. And I have learned a lot, mostly in
PT and OT. It's hard; I now am having to re-train my previous injury
that no one focused on while working on my neck, so my legs/hip are too
weak to support me, which causes me to hold myself up by my upper body,
which causes muscle spasms...the cycle.
Re: meds. I've been on medication since the accident and am now
tapering off. It makes me tired and I feel medicated and crappy. I've
not liked it from the start, and had to go through many before finding
one I could tolerate. This came from a Pain Management doctor. I
wouldn't go that route yet if I were you. I'd see another doctor for
another opinion. When was your last MRI? When you say "No one
mentioned" your bony mass does that mean you saw the radiology rept and
it said there were no abnormalitites? If you've not seen the report,
call teh hospital that performed the MRI and ask them to send you a
copy -- it's your right.
Your mass that you think is bone could be a big muscle spasm. Your
doctor seems not to know if all he says is "probably from the injury."
I feel, for me, that the muscle spasms are the cause of my pain. I'm
not sure how much stronger I can make my neck; I am working on other
body parts. I've learned, in the past - first injury, it's good to keep
surrounding muscles strong to help support you in ways weak ones can't.
But the meds -- I can't agree with the advice. The stuff is strong and
if you don't trust drs, as I don't as well, wait until you meet the
pharmaceutical industry and pain killers. And tapering on and off, and
side effects and w'drawal. (I can't type enough to mention the panic
attacks, but if you're already on meds for that, without knowing you,
I'd keep it as is)
>>From what you wrote, I think: Try a new dr first, another opinion; get
your MRI records; if it's been a long time see if you can have another
MRI. You can also have a bone scan, but I'd be willing to bet those are
muscle spasms you're having. You also can have an EMG to see if you're
having neurological problems. If all tests come up negative, I'd find
a very gentle physical therapist and have a consultation but no harsh
manipulation since you're undiagnosed. (I am undiagnosed in my pelvic
area from running, and it's been battered and butchered and injected to
the point I wish I never saw a doctor). If you'd like to know more
about PT and OT you can email me; I'm not sure how often I'll be able
to check back at this board.
I see, I think, that the people here are medication-oriented, which I
am not putting down *at all* truly and genuinely -- anything that lets
you live, do -- it sounds from this post there are things you can do
first is why I mentioned it, since you got advise about pain meds
already.
but my
> muscles and stuff can adapt to it and it shouldn't be a problem.
Oh, the great doctor line when they don't know -- "that should be...."
Well, it is. Doesn't mean it's chronic for life, doesn't mean it can't
improve, perhaps still be with you, but less -- take it a step at a
time.
Do you exersize it at all? Has your dr given you any exercizes?
But
> the pain does usually occur or stem from this area, so I'm not too
> sure...
You may never be sure, or you may be sure. You can only take the steps
that are within the knowlege base of medicine as it is now, despite the
fact we are often told, if it doesn't show up it isn't there (or in
your case many "probablies). In two years there will be another test
invented and what do you know - there it is.
> If anyone has experienced similar symptoms or could offer me any words
> of advice or any directions to pursue, I would be very greatful.
I hope I did that. But take my opinion with a grain of salt, as you
would take anoyone's. I didn't look at your neck, I've been in the
medical system far too long. The only thing I regocnize in your post is
underevaluation and undertreatment. No one on the internet can diagnose
you or tell you what to do -- that part is pure assumption from our own
experiences.
Good luck. And don't be hard on yourself about school! You're going
and graduating, pain and all -- that's excellent. Once I was hard on
myself for the distance I couldn't walk. A few years later a car
accident has me homebound. You're doing well, pushing yourself very
hard it seems to me. An OT might offer you advice about time management
so you can rest more and not push and push throughout the day so you
can build the endurance to minimize your pain.
Again, before I'm flamed, I'm not anti-medication or intervention. It
sounds as though there haven't been enough diagnostics or less
interventive methods done in this case first.
--
.
- References:
- Chronic Neck Pain
- From: Dan
- Chronic Neck Pain
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