C5/C6 Buldging Disc

[jerkbait_1075]

Any one ever experience a C5/C6 Bulging Disc in your neck before? Since early June I have been dealing with pain in the right shoulder. This seemed to be the focal point of the pain that would sometimes radiate into my mid back, over towards the base of my neck, around under my right arm pit and into my right chest. Never occurring all at the same time but rather different sensations on different days or at different times throughout the day. The pain seemed to be rooted in the deep muscle area of my right shoulder blade. Turning my neck, dropping and or rotating my shoulder blade backwards would just seem to make the pain spike. Some of you may remember me posting about a cardiac condition of an enlarged left ventricle. Seems my first trip to the Dr. for my symptoms lead to an extensive investigation of a possible cardiac cause, even though I totally new that not to be the case. Anyways after the cardiac work up my Dr. tells me that it is simply a muscular skeletal condition, strain, tear, ect. Tells me that rest and time away from my workouts in the gym lifting weight and everything will get better. That was late June. So I go thru all of July with little if any relief. Frustrations begins setting in. The first two weeks of August I been to see some slight relief and begin to ease into my work out routines again. Monday August 5th I remember specifically because it was raining like crazy I go to the gym and have a good workout. This was my 5th trip back to the gym. Felt great to be back at it. Well???? Wake up Tuesday morning and Bammmm right back to where I began with the pain in June. August 9th back to the Dr. He tells me again that it is simply muscular skeletal. Now I am majorly frustrated and angry? What's it take to get an x ray or MRI out of this guy? I know my body something is not right. Finally he say I need physical therapy. ***? How can you do therapy on something that you do not know what the problem is? I reluctantly go to 4 sessions and demand that the therapist take it easy on me, again insisting that something is not right. Skip a head to Monday Labor day. On Sunday I wake up and my right arm is a sleep. Never really comes out of it all day. I try and dismiss it. Monday I wake up same thing. Only now something really seems wrong as not only is my arm a sleep I feel as though I am drunk when I haven't had a drink. I decide enough is enough and go to the ER. Great way to spend a Holiday. Anyways I have a great ER Dr. that orders xrays of my entire torso front and back, neck, and a CT Scan. Guess What they find??? I have a bulging disc at C5 C6 putting pressure on my spinal nerve root. I am relieved that they final found something but angry at my Primary Doctor for Jacking around so long. It has been a miserable 3 months at times.

Anyways I am meeting with an orthopedic spine doctor tomorrow. The ER Doctor didn't believe that surgery would be necessary at his time but he was only speculating. Does anyone out there have any experience with this type of situation or any cervical condition at all????

 

[Dave_B]

Been through it.
He will probably order an MRI and, depending on those results, perform a series of injections into the disc. That should take care of it unless it's a herniated disc or something more complex. If it's only a bulging disc, do the injections. It's not fun but, worth it in the long run.
I had mine done five years ago and haven't had an issue since.
Good luck!
Dave

 

[ezra]

yep get the MRI then the yr supply of flexiral then the steroid injections back to your new normal with in hrs

 

[MZEMS2]

Wanna get a two for one deal on MRI's? I go in tomorrow for one, but it's in my lower back, and from a previous surgery. Way different situation, so I won't hijack. If you can get by with simple injections, do that, but often times they only work for a short term. Obviously depends on the extent of the injury/issues. Good luck. Any and all back issues SUCK!!

 

[ezra]

yeah my issues are l4 l5 l6
injections vary from 6mo to 2yrs.
u deff have to keep up on your exercise the therapist gives u to do.
I will be doing the injection thing as long as humanly poss.
I still don't like the odds of surgery. not the odds the white coats give u the real odds from guys u meet day to day.
every yr I can put it off the better the treatments will get.
my wife has the neck like u and the shots work for her also.
she was bad with the physical therapy first 2 times and shots were only holding a short time .after she started doing her exercise on a reg schedule she goes yrs between shots.
the flexural are always nice to keep u loose to

 

[Hoosier]

It might seem like a waste of time, but I would find a good chiropractor to get a 2nd opinion before going too far with surgery, etc. Have to find a good one though. They have a different way of looking at how the body works and how it heals.

 

[mezz]

It might seem like a waste of time, but I would find a good chiropractor to get a 2nd opinion before going too far with surgery, etc. Have to find a good one though. They have a different way of looking at how the body works and how it heals.

I agree with chiropractic, however, in his (jerkbaits) case he needs to get that inflammation down first & at this point, the best cure for that would be the injection's due to the length of time this has been going on. Good luck, hope all goes well & in short order.-Mezz

 

[ragsled]

I had a cervical MRI that showed spinal cord impingement at C4, C5 and C6 and they called me a half hour later to tell me to find a neurosurgeon. Neuro wanted to do surgery the next week! Hopefully they can get the inflammation down for you with drugs, I had to get a 3 level ACDF with hardware.

Good luck

 

[ffemt]

Going thru the same thing since April had a CT and MRI C6-C5 and C5-C4 pinch nerve c6-5 which causes the severe shoulder pain I was set up for cortizone shots but asked my doctor for anti-inflamatory which he gave me Meloxicam which cut the pain by 2/3 in one day, took them for 2 months still have some discomfort but I've been off all pills since the middle of June 3 months of oxycodone

 

[jerkbait_1075]

Just a quick update for any of you wondering I met with the Orthopedic and got my MRI results the other day. No herniated disc. Bone spurs developing on my vertebrae that are making contact and irritating the nerve roots in my neck. Apparently these are common. Things may get better, they may get worse. More than likely worse with time. Apparently once they contact the nerve root and cause an irritation the pain that is generated can last a long time. The next step would be injections into the neck and vertebrae area to reduce the inflammation and numb that area. As of today the pain has seemed to some what resolved itself.

Thanks for the input John Dee'rs

 

[favoritos]

Just a quick update for any of you wondering I met with the Orthopedic and got my MRI results the other day. No herniated disc. Bone spurs developing on my vertebrae that are making contact and irritating the nerve roots in my neck. Apparently these are common. Things may get better, they may get worse. More than likely worse with time. Apparently once they contact the nerve root and cause an irritation the pain that is generated can last a long time. The next step would be injections into the neck and vertebrae area to reduce the inflammation and numb that area. As of today the pain has seemed to some what resolved itself.

Thanks for the input John Dee'rs

The bone spurs are common. I have found that simple therapy and correct posture have helped with avoiding surgery. I enjoy relaxing, but the right posture helps in the long run. Keep the discs of your back vertically aligned when you sit.

I want to avoid injections and other intrusions as long as possible. Sitting on the office chair upright, and keeping the head up has really helped.

BTW, the newer sleds with the more upright seating actually help me feel better after a week of riding vs. being at work. Got to love another good reason to go out and ride.

 

[700classic]

Bone spurs and arthritis in lower back. Regular visits to the chiropractor keeps me going. If I let it go too long between visits it really affects my leg and foot. Hurts like heII!