Nerve damage

[Dalonian]

oh wow, that's great to here that you're doing well .

[burnz]

Originally Posted by ScotchanDry

Back at work.. had 3 disc's removed from my neck, one plus some bone was compressing my spinal cord, all good after 6 weeks no income (self employed) walked 8 klm at 5.30 am going pretty good... Testing here new photo upload sites hope it works. POSTIMAGE
https://s26.postimg.cc/fxwkgfvux/FB_...9735797224.jpg

you can keep that...

I'll stick with the nerve damage, right one still healing left one gets done in three weeks.

[Dalonian]

Went to the GP to get my imaging results a little bit earlier today. They show a "large" disc bulge at C6 - C7 which protrudes further when my neck is extended (looking up). The bulge is compressing the nerve root on the left hand side as well as the spinal cord itself. There is also signs of inflammation/arthritis in the facet joints of the C4 and C6 vertabra.

What does all this mean re: treatment? I'm not sure yet, I'll have to wait until my surgical review on August 15. I also need to have the nerve conduction study done. Fun times...

[burnz]

got the left arm done today (ulnar nerve) no pain, well post op drugs anyway.
4 weeks off work will see how I pull up..

[Dalonian]

Originally Posted by burnz

got the left arm done today (ulnar nerve) no pain, well post op drugs anyway.
4 weeks off work will see how I pull up..

That's good to hear. All the best with the recovery. I'm going in for a nerve conduction study tomorrow for my right arm.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by Dalonian

That's good to hear. All the best with the recovery. I'm going in for a nerve conduction study tomorrow for my right arm.

that's the $300.00 electro shock therapy of the arm,
then referral to another $300.00 specialist to perform the operation..
all good in the end. worth every cent.

[Dalonian]

Yep, shock therapy is an apt description. Good news is the nerves are working fine.

[.:4:.]

Well after a few months of my hand being good in the past few days it's started acting up again. Not happy about it. It still works but has gotten lazy and I've been to busy to get it checked out but seems to be another rsi. When I went back to work I was given an offsider who could drive a manual but for the past while i've been flat out and working by myself so the hand doesn't get any rest driving between sites as the ute is a manual. I can't afford a repeat situation.

[Blue Shadow]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Well after a few months of my hand being good in the past few days it's started acting up again. Not happy about it. It still works but has gotten lazy and I've been to busy to get it checked out but seems to be another rsi. When I went back to work I was given an offsider who could drive a manual but for the past while i've been flat out and working by myself so the hand doesn't get any rest driving between sites as the ute is a manual. I can't afford a repeat situation.

When do you go back to the DR

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Blue Shadow

When do you go back to the DR

The old case was closed I was given the all clear. I now need to find the time. Well not in that sense of the term but I would rather get in with the 2 gp's I trust. Since maybe Thursday it was just niggly little things that were annoying but today it just didn't want to come to the party. Possibly didn't help that I spent 4 and a bit hours in traffic.

[au350hp]

Originally Posted by Dalonian

Yeah apparently. It's annoying these days that people can't be trusted with their own health and know what works best for them and their pain. Speaking of which I went to the doctor recently and had a talk about pain relief for those nights when sleep is almost impossible due to the pain. Because mine is chronic pain he has always been reluctant to prescribe anything with codeine or opioid based in it due to the risk of dependence. I totally get that and the last thing i need is a prescription drug problem, but I can't go on like this.

However he prescribed a new drug for me called Palexia which is similar in properties to Tramadol/Tramal but without its notorious side effects. So far it's working well and he said he is happy for me to take that regularly.

How are you going with the Palexia? Any side effects unwanted?

[au350hp]

Originally Posted by Dalonian

Went to the GP to get my imaging results a little bit earlier today. They show a "large" disc bulge at C6 - C7 which protrudes further when my neck is extended (looking up). The bulge is compressing the nerve root on the left hand side as well as the spinal cord itself. There is also signs of inflammation/arthritis in the facet joints of the C4 and C6 vertabra.

What does all this mean re: treatment? I'm not sure yet, I'll have to wait until my surgical review on August 15. I also need to have the nerve conduction study done. Fun times...

Make sure you get a second opinion if there is talk of fusing or removing anything at all. I really fu*&^d my back at the age of 19. Nearly 50 now and whilst I am not perfect, I don't have anymore issues than many others my age and younger who never had a massive accident or six. The thing is, the people I know who have had discs fused etc, are running into issues not even 5 years out of surgery. More than one Doctor has told me ''We don't really know how to fix backs properly'' over the years.

[solarite_guy]

Originally Posted by Roostercam

Make sure you get a second opinion if there is talk of fusing or removing anything at all. I really fu*&^d my back at the age of 19. Nearly 50 now and whilst I am not perfect, I don't have anymore issues than many others my age and younger who never had a massive accident or six. The thing is, the people I know who have had discs fused etc, are running into issues not even 5 years out of surgery. More than one Doctor has told me ''We don't really know how to fix backs properly'' over the years.

I have to agree. I blew out L4 and L5 when I was 23. I am 61 now.

The doctor wanted to fuse 3 vertebrae together. I asked him "what is the chance for success"? He told me 50%. Then I asked, "what is the definition of success". He then said, there is a 50% chance you won't be worse than you are now.

I told him I needed to check out of hospital and I found another doctor that was heavy into physical therapy.

[au350hp]

Originally Posted by solarite_guy

I have to agree. I blew out L4 and L5 when I was 23. I am 61 now.

The doctor wanted to fuse 3 vertebrae together. I asked him "what is the chance for success"? He told me 50%. Then I asked, "what is the definition of success". He then said, there is a 50% chance you won't be worse than you are now.

I told him I needed to check out of hospital and I found another doctor that was heavy into physical therapy.

Good call. The spine is an awesome piece of machinery as it is. If you respect it and keep it flexible, you will find it is the key to many other areas of potential discomfort in your body. I'm sure at your stage in life you have worked it out and know what is good for your postural health. There are many pressure points which I like to think of as sensors. When it is sore to put pressure on these points, massage always restores flow to the area which automatically reduces inflammation. Exercise and movement is what keeps me going every day. The minute I change my routine and start missing exercise, my daily stretching sessions or don't watch my posture, I get pain & inflammation. I will get a new right hip & a pair of knees, but these are simple joints, unlike the spine which also protects the spinal cord which is why I would never have surgery. Massage & stretching are the only things that work for me. I have tried EVERY type of medication including all the nasty addictive ones and none of them work for more than a few days at best. Drug company's know that addiction creates huge profit. These days, I am alcohol,tobacco,caffeine,sugar and red meat free. It took a while, but I got there and I have never felt calmer mentally and better physically. Definitely worth looking at if your that way inclined. All the best with your back.

[solarite_guy]

Yes, I got into the stretching and light workout routines. Bicycling actually got me walking without pain again.

I agree about the pharmaceuticals. Ice and a special relaxing exercise. A doctor from NZ came up with it. It's called the McKenzie Method. Then afterwards I just lay and relax with a pack of ice at the point of injury. The ice becomes almost painful then goes numb. After removing the ice I let my body acclimate to room temps before getting up.

[ScotchanDry]

Been a few months since my surgery. For those who haven't seen my earlier posts I had disc wear in my neck and then about 3 years ago I had a fall that sent a piece of bone and disc into my spinal cord. I only found out when I had an MRI . My Surgeon said I won't be walking in six months and was certainly heading for paralysis. I was already struggling with my hands.
Anyway 4 hour operation 3 discs removed and plastic wedges placed and screwed tight.
6 weeks off work and now hands good and walked 10 ks this morning. Cheers

[Blue Shadow]

Good to hear champ, have you still got any pain?

[ScotchanDry]

Originally Posted by Blue Shadow

Good to hear champ, have you still got any pain?

Before the operation had constant pain around the neck and shoulders restricting movement.
But now no pain slight discomfort lower neck from looking downwards, but looking left and right better than years before. Very lucky I would say 100% successful and no one can tell I've had it done. Cheers

[Blue Shadow]

Originally Posted by ScotchanDry

Before the operation had constant pain around the neck and shoulders restricting movement.
But now no pain slight discomfort lower neck from looking downwards, but looking left and right better than years before. Very lucky I would say 100% successful and no one can tell I've had it done. Cheers

Good stuff, yoi might be back on the footy field next season.. LOL

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by ScotchanDry

Been a few months since my surgery. For those who haven't seen my earlier posts I had disc wear in my neck and then about 3 years ago I had a fall that sent a piece of bone and disc into my spinal cord. I only found out when I had an MRI . My Surgeon said I won't be walking in six months and was certainly heading for paralysis. I was already struggling with my hands.
Anyway 4 hour operation 3 discs removed and plastic wedges placed and screwed tight.
6 weeks off work and now hands good and walked 10 ks this morning. Cheers
image

Mate thats a brilliant result. Im sure the road seemed long after you had it done, the xray looks a bit scary, but hey, you got results and thats whats important. As much as work sucks, being off work involuntarily is even worse. Its no holiday.

[.:4:.]

So i knocked out my left radial nerve on march 31st last year and it began working mid may. The nerve was ok but muscle degeneration in my left arm was the challenge i was left with. 12 months is what i was told until it should be all good, and as of 2 months ago it was no longer giving me greif. It wasnt 100% but not far off. Its veen a busy start to the year and i work with my hands and also happen to be left handed. Last thursday my hand and wrist started to get a bit lazy. Friday was a bit worse. I spent saturday doing as little as possible but that didnt help sunday when my hand and wrist were almost useless. Considering it all still moves its not the nerve its muscular, it just sucks because it was looking so good for quite a while.