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A MyChronicPainTeam Member asked a question 💭
Arcadia, FL

...herniated discs in neck/lumbar area. ..left arm, shoulder, sometimes chest very painful, off the scale, pain meds do not help at prescribed doses. Now, my right hand is starting to get tingly. I've been droping things. One neurosurgeon wants to operate, but I don't trust him, due to his own age-shakiness and diff reading MRI. Another neuro guy wants another newer MRI, ok no prob with that, BUT, it can only be done at an office in his building. I question the $ relationship in that. My pain… read more

September 27, 2016
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Answer Summary

Members openly shared their experiences with cervical radiculopathy symptoms, with many describing similar patterns of pain, numbness, and... Read more

Members openly shared their experiences with cervical radiculopathy symptoms, with many describing similar patterns of pain, numbness, and tingling radiating down arms into hands, often accompanied by dropping things and difficulty with daily tasks like typing or personal care. Several members offered practical guidance based on their own journeys, including getting nerve conduction studies to rule out carpal tunnel syndrome, seeking multiple opinions before committing to surgery, researching surgeons thoroughly, and exploring pain management options like Neurontin, Tramadol, muscle relaxers, and combinations that provided relief without heavy opioids. A recurring theme was the importance of trusting your medical team, advocating firmly for yourself when something feels wrong, and not delaying necessary treatment when symptoms worsen, as many members found relief and improved function after cervical fusion surgery despite initial fears.

A MyChronicPainTeam Member

@A MyChronicPainTeam Member In 2000, I had a fusion of my c4/c5. It was successful and I didn't have any serious pain until 2014, when I had a steroid injection, and that alleviated my pain until 2015, when I had another steroid injection that left me paralyzed on the left side. After 7-8 months of physical therapy, I have some movement back but no strength in my hand.

Be sure you trust your doctor, and if he wants to do something you are uncomfortable with, say no!

September 29, 2016
A MyChronicPainTeam Member

@A MyChronicPainTeam Member Truxell. Don't ya love that, "your neck is screwed, here's some pain pills, come back next month" then all they do is give ya more pills!!! Then all over news etc, ya hear about people overdosing. I'm like WHYtf would anyone want to take these things? My fingers now are just all over, moving alone. I'm gonna post without backspace, lol.

November 3, 2016
A MyChronicPainTeam Member

It's so hard to be comfortable I so understand it's very annoying to say the least I want to scream some night & days witch I do!! =/ I can't get comfortable with meds without meds patches hot cold packs or pads... CTS carpull tunnel comes back and the tendinitis just lingers forever it seems and nags at you nerves and the pains are just forever ongoing..Fibro and joint pain and muscle pain and ugh..I hear ya been up to long hope you had a better day!!! the rain humidness is in my bones and the arthritis is so stiffening in my neck back etc.. I feel for us all..lots of good wishes I love talking to people who understand where I am been or are, at or are coming from =)Thank you

October 9, 2016
A MyChronicPainTeam Member

So sorry what luck! Never heard of this I also have c4 c5 damage and like an idiot I had the injection no problem but, after reading you result never again. Not much you can do when your neck hurts can't lay it down or hold it differently kind of got us between a rock and a hard place. Thank's for the warning never again will receive another injection .

October 1, 2016
A MyChronicPainTeam Member

@A MyChronicPainTeam Member I had carpal tunnel in both hands. Had them operated one at a time. What the doctors all told me about carpal tunnel is procrastinating is the worst you can do. Longer you wait the worse the outcome from surgery. Expect to not be able to use the operative hand for a while after the surgery. If your doctor says don't use it, DON'T period. LOL I reached and moved a corner of a sheet maybe an inch, pain shot straight up that arm. haha Now, years after both surgeries , hands are fine. My problem is not from that. If you doubt, see another neurologist if you can. But, I bet ya they both say the same thing, it's maybe a 15 min surgery. It's the recovery...good luck.

September 27, 2016

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