hernaited disc in neck

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Kaycee41

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Has anyone had a hernaited disc in their neck and it improved and didn't bother them again? I'm so scared. Supose to start a new job in two weeks and I just injured my neck. Dr. thinks it is a hernaited disc. Been on Pred for two days with no improvement. If this does not improve I'm screwed....will have to give up this new job which involves lots of standing and I will be unemployed again. Also, no insureance at this time. From everything I have read, hernaited discs are a problem that never really goes away unless you have surgery. Do I have years of pain ahead of me???
 
I also think I have a herniated disc in my neck, I've had neck issues for years due to my posture and am currently seeing a Physio. I'm doing some exercises and avoiding putting my head in a forward position. That is keeping my head in line with my shoulders, I'm also lying down a lot as that relieves the pain and takes the strain off my neck. This is obviously working as the pain is decreasing. I've also had a herniated disc in my lurabar spine, which occassionaly gives me trouble. They do heal but are never as strong as before the herniation, about 80%. There are a nuraber of exercises you can do to strengthen your neck and back muscles to take a bit of the weight off your discs. It would be worth a trip to a physio who can show you the appropriate exercises and how to do them. If you can't afford a physio there are sites that deal with this, so you could try google. Don't worry too much you may never have a neck problem again and goodluck with the new job.
 
Hi,

It IS possible for disk herniations to resolve on their own. I have read about it and experienced it myself. Surgery is definitely not always the only option, in fact, it should be the last option. If you did have insurance, they would most likely require you to try a bunch of non-surgical options first, anyway.

I am so sorry you don't have insurance, though. I know exactly how that is. I was just unemployed myself for almost a year and 1/2. Due to all my pre-existing conditions, I did purchase cheap, very basic insurance so that my next insurer could not exclude treating me for any pre-existing conditions. As long as I stayed covered, insurers (in NJ, anyway) are not allowed to do that.

Also, I actually injured myself also right before I was start a new job that I finally got. I could not believe it, but that is my luck. I lost my balance, I guess, and fell about 5 or 6 feet onto my back, onto my sidewalk. ( I had falled off from the top step of my front porch and went flying). And, I happened to have a foot doc appt. in a 1/2 hour after that happened. I, being very stubborn, plus I've suffered severe pain for long perioRAB before, went to that doc appt. anyway, as well as started my job. I certainly don't expect you to do that...I did because I am stubborn, plus I really, really needed work and this position was sooo perfect for me, plus I qualified for their insurance after only 30 days. I thought to myself there was no way in heck that I lose that job if I could help it.

I started work, and OMG YESSSS was I in pain. Somehow I had to suck it up and hide it to the best of my ability. What was strange, though, was after about 2 weeks or so, my lower back, sacral pain was less than usual, but I was totally unable to bend forward with my back after my fall. Also, though I already had worsening neck pain, it seemed to get even worse after my fall. It is brutal trying to sit at work all day when you can't even hold up your head and the spasms are so bad. In your situation, I could not even imagine having to stand all day. I feel so bad for you and can totally sympathize with your situation.

There is another thing I want to mention, though, about disk herniations. Yes, they can resolve themselves on their own, or with steroiRAB, physical therapy, traction, injections, etc....but it is also very possible that it can keep re-herniating all the time. This is what happens to me. I keep re-herniating my lurabar disks all the time, even after my surgery. I had multi-level laminectomies, foraminotomies, and diskectomies in one surgery. I have a bunch of scar tissue in there that's also causing me nerve problems, though I still am much better than I was before my surgery.

Whatever you do...do not just jump into surgery, there are so many other options to try and surgery does not guarantee anything. ALso, do you know if there are any clinics in your area? Many places have clinics that charge on a sliding fee scale, depending on your income...also many places have charity care availalbe where you mmight qualify to get all healthcare for free for a year.
 
Hi,

I agree with Kyma on the Physical Therapy thing. For myself, when I went to PT, I actually went contstantly, though there were times I went for different problems. I first went for my stenosis, which my PT also said and even put right into my medical chart that they didn't think it would help me. But...I went for my 30 days that insurance paid for at the time, but I still had a $15 copay each time, which added up when going 3 times a week. Once that was up, though, my PT asked me if I wanted to keep going there on my own to do my exercises & use their equipment, they would just charge me a low monthly fee. Even though it wasn't helping my stenosis pain, I took them up on their offer to at least get some exercise. THen I ended up having surgery & got another 30 days post-surgery thru insurnace. Again, after that, I paid a small fee to my PT each month to keep going. When I had to go to PT for my hips, my PT put my first visit thru insurance, showed me everything to do, then told me he wouldn't put any more on insurance b/c it was costing me so much each time. He said he wanted to save me some money. I also had a bad ankle problem that was getting worse again, which he noticed. I hand't even seen a doc again for it, but my PT took it upon himself one day to bring me into the exam room and did a thorough exam on my ankle, then urged me to see a doc, and he even gave me a referral to a good local foot doctor. All I can say is..the PT's I saw were absolutely wonderful and really seemed to care about their patients.

So I totally agree that you should, if you do see a PT, let them know of your financial situation and ask if there is some sort of plan they could work out with you. It may not work, but I think there's a good chance it would.
 
Kaycee41,

I have 2 disc herniations in my neck in addition to my lower back problems. I have not had to have surgery on my neck, just on my lower back. One of these neck discs also has a tear. I am bothered by my neck problems in certain positions but not enough to make me consider surgery at this time. Not all herniations need surgery - many or even most can resolve with lots of time and conservative treatments.

For a neck problem that is suspected of being a disc herniation, most primary care doctors will get you started on a conservative treatment plan which will include physical therapy, NSAID's, muscle relaxers, ice on the affected pain area to reduce swelling (20 minutes at a time, several times a day), and possibly cortisone injections. Check with a doctor to make sure it is safe to take NSAID's at the higher doses such as 2,400 mg per day needed to reduce inflammation. If your problems don't resolve within a few weeks, they will usually order an MRI which should show if you have herniations or other problems. Don't be tempted to jump into surgery too quickly - it should be an absolute last resort after other treatment methoRAB have failed, and it can possibly cause you additional problems.

While a disc problem may never "go away" completely, it is often possible to treat it conservatively to the point where it doesn't cause enough of a problem to affect your ability to work and live fairly normally.

I feel for you on the job and insurance situations. I lost my job due to my lower back problems and while I was trying to work and hide my problem it was absolutely horrible. The others have given you some great advice on trying to get some medical help with no insurance. If you can get started on some conservative treatments, it would hopefully lessen your pain enough within a few weeks that you will be able to work at least.

Best wishes!
 
You may also want to check out the "Spinal Cord Disorders" board on HealtrabroadoarRAB. It tenRAB to focus more on cervical problems while this board tenRAB to be more about lurabar problems.
 
Kaycee I just wanted to let you know that I can relate to cervical problems because I have had 2 neck surgeries and 1 lurabar surgery. Also, you may get some additional information from the Spinal Cord Disorder board because that seems to be more for the Cervical Spine although there are a few of us here that have both problems.

I will tell you that I did put off my first neck surgery because of an inconsiderate boss. By the time I decided to seek medical advice my family physician said he couldn't see any of my disc in my neck. As advised by several board merabers the doctors usually want to have you do some conservative treatments with physical therapy and predisone treatments and and maybe even some injections. I did all these and the physical therapist even told me I was wasting my money because he said with stenosis they couldn't help me. I had a job which required me to be on the phone and computer constantly and of course I did the bad thing of cradling the phone to my shoulder. I put my surgery off for about 3 years and I did have permanent nerve damage. That was my C5/6 & C6/7 and then 3 years later I had the C4/5 done. I have started to have more pain again in my neck and my upper back area with the burning and shooting pains.

I agree with everyone else take all options before having surgery but I know it is difficult for you at this time with No insurance. So many people in this situation and it is sad. Maybe having physical therapy will help and just go one time and explain your financial situation and they SHOULD understand and give you some help on exercises you can do at home.

I want to wish you luck with your neck and your new job.

Linda:angel:
 
Thanks everyone!! It's been 9 days since I injured my neck and 6 days on Pred. I have noticed a slight improvement. Not as much pain, but still weakness in my arm. I will check out the Sprinal Cord board.
 
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