[Fresia]

I fell and now have protrusions / herniated discs at C5-C6 and C6-C7, neck vertebrae. They also found arthritic changes and narrowing of the canals putting pressure on the nerves unrelated to the fall. Between all of it, they are causing all sorts of problems. The docs have given me the options listed below; I wondered if anyone has tried some of these things and if you found any of them to help or not? I am so afraid of further irritating or damaging the nerves or discs.

-Did you find heat or ice more helpful?
-OTC NSAIDS are not helping... have prescription NSAIDS helped?
-Gabapentin: anti-seizure medication that is also being recommended as a nerve blocker, does this really work?
-Opioids: which am trying to avoid if I can but the pain is really getting to me as I am having trouble functioning and sleeping. I am concerned about being able to work if were to taking these, is it possible to function?
-Physical therapy?
-Epidural injections?
-Surgery, as a last resort, want to try some of the others first but were you able to get relief from it if you have had it?

Thoughts? Recommendations? Experiences? Any other things you found helpful with a herniated disc(s)?

I was so desperate with pain some of the days that I would have taken or done anything to get rid of it so I am trying to reason through this a little better with a clearer head. Thanks in advance for your insights and I hope this finds you well.

[CANDC]

Hi Fresia, sorry you are in pain and having trouble with your back. Under physical therapy you might get approval to do yoga. If you are in a program where they are sensitive to your needs it could be a long range therapy that could have positive affects over time. First thing to do is talk to doctor or physical therapist and see if yoga could be included as part of your therapy. There may be an overlap between physical therapy exercises and yoga. Ask them what exercises you could do every day safely and how long you should exercise for.

Rule of thumb, if it hurts either back off or just skip the exercise but try breathing into where the pain is so eventually you can possibly work into it.

Yoga is good but medical professionals should guide your decision based on your physical condition.

[Fresia]

I just started PT this week. I will be going 2 times a week for a couple of weeks to see how it goes. They said I could start yoga after third or fourth week depending on how I feel as they want to get my neck more stabilize first. They said it might help with the things you mentioned and also especially with my posture as it turns out I have terrible posture .
CANDC - thank you for the yoga suggestion.

I also opted for starting gabapentin/neurontin. Has anyone taking this for nerve pain instead of as an anti-seizure medication? If so, about how long before you started to notice changes?

The NSAIDS are not helping. I am nervous about working on some of the other things they mentioned so have been given tramadol/ultram. I don't know if this was a wise choice or if it will help but we will see.

I am hoping any one or the combination will make a difference, and sooner rather than later. Time will tell at this point.

[jrae]

hello. and I'm sorry that you are going thru this. it sucks big time, I know.

I have neck / upper back problems as well. I was in a car accident over ten years ago and now a pretty bad car crash back in October. my neck has taken a beating, unfortunately. and although I don't have any herniated discs yet, I'm well on the way towards them.

here's my situation : disc protrusions at C5-C6 and T1-T2, bulging discs at C3-C4, C6-C7, and T2-T3, and the disc protrusion at C5-C6 has a tear (meaning its close to herniation)! just wanted to give you an idea that I kinda know what it's like.

I haven't used much ice or heat, cuz I don't want to use the wrong one and make things worse. and actually, my sister uses Neurontin (for migraine headaches) and as far as I know, she's been using it for many years without much problems.

the thing that works the best for me in dealing with the pain is sadly something that most people can't get or use. I have a high tolerance-level for pain! which helps me tremendously and will help in putting off surgery as long as I can.

and for most people, PT (physical therapy) is a good thing and could probably help. sadly, pt doesn't work for me, due to my mental illness. so I'm trying to find other ways or other things that might help or work for me.

I was just at a spine center this week. they gave me some pamphlets to read on a couple procedures that could be done to help with the pain. they might be something to consider as a way to help and put off surgery. one is called 'Medial Branch Blocks' (or facet nerve injections). sounds like the procedure takes less than an hour and less than three for recovery. the second is called 'Medial Branch Radiofrequency Neurotomy' (or RF Neurotomy). don't know if these would help with herniated disc pain or not, but maybe it's worth looking into.

one of the worst things about it for me is that although I can tolerate the pain now, any number of things can make it worse at any given time, so I have to be really careful! activities I've done my whole life and am accustom to doing, I may now have to avoid, as a precaution so the injury / discs don't get worse (making it more painful).

I was given a prescription for vicodin (which is an opioid), but I haven't used it yet. I read about the possible side effects and interactions and things like that and just didn't want to chance it. so I understand what you're saying about it.

if you want to chat, just message any time. hope you find something that helps soon. take care and good luck

[jrae]

you may want to check out this website -

What is a Physiatrist
ww.aapmr.org/about-physiatry/about-physical-medicine-rehabilitation/what-is-physiatry

[shezbut]

(((Fresia)))

I had herniated a couple of my lower back discs several years ago, but I recall it very well. No pain medications worked for me ~ I am medication-resistant, unfortunately. After a few days in the hospital, doctors decided to try epidural injections. That didn't fix the problem, but I guess that it made my life a bit more manageable (so I could go home & try physical therapy).

Physical therapy worked very well for me. (FYI- I could see the difference in my abilities before I felt the relief.) It took a little while for me to start feeling a physical difference, but it *did* happen. I highly recommend giving yourself a little bit of time to try that route.

Very best wishes and gentle hugs sent your way.