Hello Everyone,
Havent been on in a while and just wanted to see what you thought about this one. I went to my RD on Sept 21 and she diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia, okay I figured as much with all the overall pain I have been having. She wrote me a prescription to go to therapy for stretching and what ever else they do. Well along with that I had been hurting in my neck and my left shoulder and down my arm with noticeable numbness and tingling off and on for the past 2 months. I got a back manipulation 2 times and that didnt seem to help. I used heating pads and muscle remedies. That didnt help. I finally went to my PC and he immediately sent me over to the hospital to see an orthopedic specialist. The spec. did an x-ray and gave me a series of tests. Turns out I have degerative disc disease!! There is spuring on my vertebraes in my neck which is causing the pain, numbness and tingling in my left arm. He gave me a cortisone shot in my shoulder and it made my shoulder pain in my joint go away but I still have the pain in my neck and upper shoulder and numbness and tingling down my arm. He did say that if it doesnt go away then he would suggest surgery. I refused. The reason is and I know I shouldnt base my decision on this because Im sure things are different now. But, my father had this same problem. He had the surgery 2 times and gradually over 15 years he eventually lost the use of his arms and legs okay paralyzed!! and was bound to a wheelchair. He couldnt even swat a fly off of him if he wanted to. He had to be fed, taken to the bathroom, bathed just like a baby. His body deteriorated so much that in the spring of 03 he developed pneumonia and wasnt able to heal from it. His lungs had weakend so badly that he then passed away that summer. He was 73.
Has anyone else have or know of someone with this DJD???
What do you think about surgery???
MOT
Gosh Mot,
I am sorry that you are having so much trouble. I have fibro but not DJD. Sending you GIGANTIC hugs.
But I cannot say for sure that is what they had it just seems like that is what I remember them talking about.
I hope you decide on what you are going to do. I know it must be scarey, but if it will make your neck better, than I would do it.
I have neck problems too. In 2001 my then RD told me I had spurs on my spine, but I do not think they were on my neck I think they were on the middle of my spine where the bra goes around, but it has gotten to feeling better when I was on humira.
I wish you luck and hope you feel better soon. Keep us posted.
Degenerative Disc Disease?
Been there! My symptoms were a painful shoulder with numbness and tingling in the hands. I also had a couple of bulging discs that were pressing on the spinal cord.
First, I had physical therapy (traction and exercise) that made the condition worse. I then went through three flouroscope guided epidurals. That helped a lot. Finally, I went to a chiropractor that DID NOT do manual manipulation. That helped too.
I've never had to have surgery. I think between the epidurals and the chiropractor, I progessed very satisfactorily. Sometimes, I'll have some achiness around my c5-c6 area, but nothing that bothers me.
I probably would have had the surgery if the other options didn't help. Luckily, they did for me. I know of someone who did have the surgery and didn't have any problems.
Kweenb said: Finally, I went to a chiropractor that DID NOT do manual manipulation. That helped too.
What did the chiropractor do for you????
I have DJD in my cervical spine (neck) and lumber(lower) spine. I've had it for many years and it was thought at the time that it was the reason for my many arm problems. It's only been recently that the autoimmune disease was diagnosed, because the DJD could not be causing the other symptoms I'm having, but that diagnosis of the DJD sure did slow down the process of the getting the final autoimmune diagnosis. Early on, I was referred to two neurologists and two neurosurgeons because I have three cervical herniated discs and one lower, and various bone spurs. Fortunately, even though the internist thought surgery would be indicated because of the MRIs, the neurosurgeons did not. I've also learned over the years and have been told by two other neurologists (for a total of 4) that surgery is THE LAST OPTION to be considered and should be avoided if at all possible and only after everything, and I mean EVERYTHING else has been tried first.
I'm glad kweenb didn't let the chiropractor do any manipulation. I was told that they are fine for some problems but not for what I have and you sound like you have a very similar problem. The drugs for RA have made my neck feel so much better, that I'm wondering if the original problem was RA related. I also was told...no heavy lifting, pushing or pulling. Good advice, since just about any lifting or quick movement caused problems before the drugs. Good luck. I know just what you're dealing with.
MOT,
First, I had the E-Stim. Loved it. That alone was worth the trip.
He had this hand-held instrument to move the vertebrae. The link below has a picture of one.
http://www.carraway.net/activato.htm
My husband went to a chiropractor once that did manual manipulation and he got hurt really bad, so I knew better than to try that route!
Thank you all so much for the info. Thanks alot Kween Im going to ask my doctor if they can use that with my problem.I have some degeneration in my spine. But I will tell you this, no way would I let a chiropractor manipulate my spine. Before my start of RA I had gone to one and he messed with my knees and whammy! I could hardly walk for 6 wks. It was the start of the RA. Of course, this is just my opinion.