1 yr post op ant. cerv. neck chronic C6 nerve root pain severe pain down rt arm/neck upper back area?

Question

I have been to the best ortho Dr there is. I am in more pain once the nerve was freed. I have been on several forms of meds to calm the nerve itself. all that did was depress me greatly and add 50lbs. I have been to PT for over 4 months TID I also have had 2 Epidural shots that did not help. I do have a tens/muscle unit that helps ice/heat. I have been to Orth surg, Anes Pain, Neuro consult, PMR consult and my Family Dr Here is what I am told 1]Rt Cervical Radiculopathy [chronic C6 nerve root], 2] Post Laminectomy Syndrome 3] Occipital neuralgia 4] Migraines

Just a note Since I have been off certain nerve meds I dropped 35 lbs.

Answer 1

Oh boy - you have been suffering!

Since traditional therapies are not adequately helping you to gain pain control, perhaps it might help to visit a massage therapist who specializes in therapeutic massage.

I can offer my own experience as a reference point: I am a doctorally educated nurse who also suffered a neck injury as a teenager with subsequent limited range of motion and chronic severe neck, shoulder and back pain. After 20+ years of no relief, I ran into a work colleague who had just completed his massage therapy work and was building a client base. He convinced me to try a short series of deep muscle and fascia release massage sessions. A true skeptic, I reluctantly went with no expectation of relief.

Well, finally, the muscles started to relax after years of compression. The nerves were freed, and I have been pain free without any relapse for over 10 years.

Although there are no guarantees, it might be worth a trial to see if soft tissue relaxation might help to free and calm some of the nerve issues you are experiencing.

The therapist can guide you about risks and possible/actual adverse reactions.

Three other techniques that might help you are: yoga or stretching to relaxation, guided imagery, and hypnosis. These are all scientifically tested methods with the aim of gaining some control over the pain response, and diminishing its perception by you at will.

Other home and environmental factors to consider: having a mattress that supports you comfortably. The temperpedic type mattresses may help. Pillow support is very important, as well. Again, the high viscosity foam type pillows may offer the best in head/neck/shoulder alignment, support and comfort.

Use ergonomically set chairs. Work on a ballet dancer's posture - head erect, neck elongated, back stretched and relaxed, hips tucked, knees slightly bent. (This is where some gentle daily yoga/stretching activity will help you to build and strengthen the soft tissues required to support a healthy spine.)

If you are dealing with extra pounds, the yoga will help, and you can add gentle activity to your schedule, such as dog walking (great for the blues, your activity and in meeting people - my dogs are the best people magnets I know of), or perhaps guiding a local tour group, walk tours, nature trail walks, bird watching and the like.

Since it's summer, see if you can switch your meals to cold, crisp and crunchy fruit and vegetable - based meals. Cold pasta salads with fancy tomato, olive, artichoke, pepper, etc. spreads and topped with olive oil and flavored vinegar are great ways to "sneak" vegetables into your meal plan and enjoy a great tasting and well textured dish. Fruit smoothies are easy, too. My all time favorite is to place peeled bananas in the freezer. When frozen, place in a blender, add orange juice (any juice of choice will do), and blend. The taste is wonderful, and the frozen texture makes it feel like a very rich drink. You get maximum flavor, nutrition and enjoyment.

If the current medications aren't helping at all, I would advise you to work with your physician to eliminate them completely. You may find that non-medication based therapy and intervention will help most of all.

To find a massage therapist, visit:http://massagenetwork.com/find_therapist.html

Hang in there!

Answer 2

Well it sounds like you have had extensive evaluations on your neck. Let me chime in and perhaps offer some help. Often neck pain can be because of a poor posture. If you spend a lot of time at a computer desk you may be allowing your head to drop forward and this poor posture puts a lot of strain on your C-spine, perhaps some of the X-rays taken show that you have lost your cervical curve and if so this can be the result of this poor posture over long periods of time. Making sure that your head does not fall forward and in fact pulling your head back may be a good idea for you. Next will be your sleeping position. Women like to sleep on their stomachs, and if this is you then this is a sure way to kill your neck. If you do this you must wean yourself into a different sleeping position, like on your back or side. The use of a good cervical pillow may also be a good idea. Hope this has helped.

Answer 3

Try a chiropractor. Make sure that you take all of this information to them. A good chiropractor will ALWAYS take x-rays before beginning any treatment and discuss what they can and can not do to help alleviate these symptoms. You can find a reputable dr. through the American Chiropractic Associations website. it is http://www.amerchiro.org

Answer 4

morphine pump? exercise and lose weight, best treatment in the world can not help if too much weight is put on the spine! it will take a lot of time effort and pain but you have to be willing to suffer more to gain your goal of less pain!

Answer 5

All 6 answers are the right way to go. Thank you it as been 12 years now the pain level has come down to a 5. When I try to do anything the pain increases to a 10. So it is do what makes you comfortable. I am to afraid to have surgery. Pain pump was out. I do not trust anyone around my spine. I am going to try yoga. Athene

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

what about an implanted pain pump