Neck problem

[firesgt911]

Another update, I am scheduled for a Discectomy and fusion in April. I have been through injections and Physical Therapy. Both offered minor improvements at best. The pain is decent. No real complaints there. The issue is the numbness and weakness in my right arm. The surgeon feels that if we don't take the pressure off the nerve, then I may never get back to full strength.

Anyways, doc says it will be a pretty simple procedure. One night stay in the hospital and back to work in a couple weeks.

I look forward to being able to play guitar comfortably again.

 

[Alligatorbling]

Wishing you that absolute best and a speedy recovery!

 

[CRobbins]

Fortunately, all of my guitars are fine. Unfortunately, I have a herniated disc and arthritis in my neck. This has been going on for about a week and is friggin wrecking me! My neck doesn't hurt that much. It's a little stiff, but my shoulder feels like it has a knife twisting in it and I have numbness in my shoulder, index finger and thumb of my picking hand. I can't play guitar comfortably. I can't ride my bike safely, as I can't turn my head to the right. I can't go throw a few rounds down range. All of my stress relieving hobbies are on hold. Getting older...lol

On a positive note, my kid sang the national anthem, with her choir, at a college basketball game and I just got a promotion at work! Both things are helping keep my spirits up.

I feel your pain. In 2003, I had 3 discs removed and 4 vertebra fused
with a titanium plate.

 

[firesgt911]

Thanks. I'm ready to get it over with. LOL

 

[TheX]

Tech for this has come a long ways, hoping you have an outstanding result.

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

Stop everything!

Oriental therapists can work miracles.

I'm sure this guy can fix you right up.
You just have to show a lot of trust...


Seriously, my Best to you until and for the operation.

 

[firesgt911]

Thanks guys. I think the worst part will be having to shave my beard. I'm not ready to see what under there.

 

[CRobbins]

Good luck. I had all the same symptoms you are describing, Pain. numbness. I couldn't even play my guitar. The surgery took care of all that. I had the operation at the end of August, and was back to work at the beginning of December....

 

[DarrellV]

I will not go quietly into that good night..

I am committed to being alive again..but I know how you feel..

We are not dead yet.. A little pain makes you realize you are still alive,,

You aren't old when you can't..you are when you don't want to..

Hope for the best for you..

Dang! That is quote worthy right there! So true! Thanks for that!

Keep sluggin' with what parts ya' got left, and OP, my wife has similar problems in her neck causing shoulder pain and numbness.

She also ended up with Dandy's syndrome ( a type of vertigo) from diminished nerve function in the vestibular (middle ear) nerves. No one knows much about it, and all we can do is pray it doesn't get worse. She wobbles like a drunk now when she walks in daylight, and cannot manage after dark or on uneven ground without a hand. She's only 52!

Life is precious, and fragile. And yet what doesn't kill us makes us stronger...

Stay strong in spirit all! That's what drives all the other members along with it.

 

[Bytor1958]

Meloxicam is a no-no for diabetics and although it's one of the most effective anti-inflammatories, it's the worst for your kidneys. Diabetics need to protect their kidneys at all time and my GP told me that regular use and you can write off at least 1/4 of your kidney function.

Believe me if you lose your kidneys, then your life is in for a massive change...and not in a good way either!

I use turmeric (measured doses) as an anti inflammatory as it has no impact on your organs, only benefits. It helps all the aches and pains I have. If you want information search the subject as I've written about it often here. Taken regularly it initially can take 3 weeks to begin helping.

I just read this on turmeric. I guess taking it intravenously isn't a good thing to do. Why would someone do that?

http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/hea...wing-death/ar-BBz1enW?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=U218DHP

 

[mtgguitar]

Chiropractor and physical therapy works for me.

 

[edro]

Been exactly where you are from a neck injury and had surgery... I couldn't play any of my instruments (played gtr and/or kb for many years in bands and a degreed percussionist) for several years, little finger/wrist control, feeling loss, etc... One day dead spots started burning like a bad ass sunburn and feeling slowly started returning... Almost back to normal now... I got lucky according to surgeon...

Go get it fixed. It will just get worse if you don't...

 

[firesgt911]

Good luck. I had all the same symptoms you are describing, Pain. numbness. I couldn't even play my guitar. The surgery took care of all that. I had the operation at the end of August, and was back to work at the beginning of December....

This is what makes me nervous. Doc said two week recovery and back to work. I ride a desk now, so maybe that will help? Everyone else I talk to seems to share a three month recovery time. I don't think I can deal with three months out.

 

[Nard]

I would be feelin the same if I was in your position. A long time away from work would be a sister for me. I had some steroid injections in my shoulder a few weeks ago that are just beginning to kick in so the pain isn't constant in my shoulder but the pains in my neck became worse. My doctor has just informed me that it's highly likely that the discs in my neck have dried out (desiccated). I have the same problem in my lower back so I get the feeling I'm pretty much screwed in that department. I just hope they can fix the shoulders one way or another. This could be a long road to recovery if it can even be fixed. What really gets me is that some of my problems could have been avoided a long time ago but my doctors just kept prescribing painkillers and not investigating the root causes until now. I don't know if it's right or not but whenever I read about problems you guys in the States are having, it seems you get the appropriate treatment within a reasonable timescale. Over here they keep saying our NHS is the envy of the world. From where I'm sitting it's not.

 

[edro]

I would be feelin the same if I was in your position. A long time away from work would be a sister for me. I had some steroid injections in my shoulder a few weeks ago that are just beginning to kick in so the pain isn't constant in my shoulder but the pains in my neck became worse. My doctor has just informed me that it's highly likely that the discs in my neck have dried out (desiccated). I have the same problem in my lower back so I get the feeling I'm pretty much screwed in that department. I just hope they can fix the shoulders one way or another. This could be a long road to recovery if it can even be fixed. What really gets me is that some of my problems could have been avoided a long time ago but my doctors just kept prescribing painkillers and not investigating the root causes until now. I don't know if it's right or not but whenever I read about problems you guys in the States are having, it seems you get the appropriate treatment within a reasonable timescale. Over here they keep saying our NHS is the envy of the world. From where I'm sitting it's not.

I can relate...as probably several here can... I've dealt with nerve damage that could have been less severe had the first doc had not been a quack...

 

[firesgt911]

I would be feelin the same if I was in your position. A long time away from work would be a sister for me. I had some steroid injections in my shoulder a few weeks ago that are just beginning to kick in so the pain isn't constant in my shoulder but the pains in my neck became worse. My doctor has just informed me that it's highly likely that the discs in my neck have dried out (desiccated). I have the same problem in my lower back so I get the feeling I'm pretty much screwed in that department. I just hope they can fix the shoulders one way or another. This could be a long road to recovery if it can even be fixed. What really gets me is that some of my problems could have been avoided a long time ago but my doctors just kept prescribing painkillers and not investigating the root causes until now. I don't know if it's right or not but whenever I read about problems you guys in the States are having, it seems you get the appropriate treatment within a reasonable timescale. Over here they keep saying our NHS is the envy of the world. From where I'm sitting it's not.

This is relatable too. The docs here were very willing to give me whatever drugs I wanted. I had to really ride them to be aggressive. The pain sucks. The fact that all three of my hobbies are hugely impacted by this overshadows the pain though. I'm already a crappy guitar player and this has made it worse. It has to be fixed quickly. Doc said I have a six month window for the nerve damage. If I exceed it, I may never get it back. The sooner, the better. I had an injury as a kid. I lost the use of my pinky and ring finger on my right hand as well as feeling. I also have significant nerve damage from my thorasic and lumbar spine from injuries while I was in the military. The hand problem has made fingerpicking difficult, but not impossible. The back problems have caused me to seek out lighter guitars and sometimes sit to play more than I care to. This neck problem has made me struggle to hold the guitar altogether and I can't feel if I still have the pick or not, much less know where I am picking. I will adapt. But, damn it's frustrating. I really hope the surgery gets me close to where I was before.

 

[Nard]

This is relatable too. The docs here were very willing to give me whatever drugs I wanted. I had to really ride them to be aggressive. The pain sucks. The fact that all three of my hobbies are hugely impacted by this overshadows the pain though. I'm already a crappy guitar player and this has made it worse. It has to be fixed quickly. Doc said I have a six month window for the nerve damage. If I exceed it, I may never get it back. The sooner, the better. I had an injury as a kid. I lost the use of my pinky and ring finger on my right hand as well as feeling. I also have significant nerve damage from my thorasic and lumbar spine from injuries while I was in the military. The hand problem has made fingerpicking difficult, but not impossible. The back problems have caused me to seek out lighter guitars and sometimes sit to play more than I care to. This neck problem has made me struggle to hold the guitar altogether and I can't feel if I still have the pick or not, much less know where I am picking. I will adapt. But, damn it's frustrating. I really hope the surgery gets me close to where I was before.

I hope it all goes well for you and the recouperation period isn't too long. I always feel like I'm in pain more than anyone else in the world but in reality I can get by if I'm very careful. My symptoms don't extend as far as yours by the sound of things but I still wish I could be fixed before everyone else out there. Good luck.

 

[Fritz]

Doesn't sound like anything a simple truss rod adjustment couldn't fix.

 

[firesgt911]

Doesn't sound like anything a simple truss rod adjustment couldn't fix.

I think I'd just take a new truss rod at this point.

 

[Digger]

Feel your pain man.

If you're up for some temporary relief, you might consider an epidural steroid injection. It won't solve the problem forever, but can give you three to six months of relief, giving you some time to do some physical therapy/rehab in the meantime.

That's worked for me and my wrecked lumbar discs.

Be careful with strong anti-inflammatoriez like Meloxicam, Celebrex, etc. They're good for occasional relief, but can do bad things to your heart and liver if taken regularly for too long. Not a doctor, but I've had some great orthopedists warn me off that crap.

Whatever you do, hope you can get some relief. Good luck.

Meloxicam works better than most but will write off your kidneys real fast if taken all the time!