kimmydawn

(((((((((((((((((((( everyone )))))))))))))))))))))))))

i see my specialist monday (originally weds but they moved it up more due to pain levels, numbness and weakness).

the ER dr. said he's sure that i have a compressed nerve in my cervical spine and that i need an MRI to find out how compressed (but the muscle weakness states it's a more severe compression) and why. i explained about the two cases of whiplash in four years...gone untreated.

he said it could be a bone spur, herniation, slipped disc, degenerative disc disease...a number of things...and the MRI would show.

i can't type because my fingers in that hand are numb but very sensitive at the same time, and sitting causes more pain (compresses spine i think).

anyhow, the weakness is only high up on arm near shoulder so far. the numbness is now all four fingers, top of hand and moving up onto the top of lower arm. the extreme pain is very pointed (before it was moving all over with alot of spasms)...now it's more pointed with less spasming...just nerve pain. it's directly in the middle area between neck and shoulder (back radiating to front), in my arm pit and in and around my elbow.

i've found that lifting my entire arm and laying wrist on head relieves some of the pain. that's the only relief i've found so far tho. my pain meds for my TN aren't touching it.

when i went to ER, they gave me a shot of dilaudid and it was a miracle...short-lived though...only 45 mins. they topped me off before sending me home and the top off didn't touch the pain that had come back full force.

Monday...two days...at this point it feels like two months if i have to, i'll go back to ER for more shots. i'm trying to maintain though.

i love you all and will find a way to let you know what i find out monday.

KD

((((((((((((((((((( kimmy )))))))))))))))))))) Gentle hugs

I'm so sorry you are in such pain....and so uncomfortable. I'm glad you were able to get in to the dr on Monday!!! This is serious stuff and I can't imagine what you are going through.

Sending healing thoughts and lots of love your way hon.

xoxoxo
sabby

(((Sabby and KD ))))))))

((((KD)))

Keeping you close in my thoughts, sending healing vibes. Wish you luck Monday!!

(((((((((((((((((((((((((KD))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) I am thinking of you and hoping they can give you some relief soon.

BB

I don't understand why they didn't give you enough pain meds to get you through Monday. Don't be a heroine, you don't have to "put up with" unbearable pain....thankfully, it's the law now.

I know EXACTLY what you are feeling, unfortunately. I hope they can treat yours so it goes away forever.

thanks for the udate Sabby....(((((((((kimmydawn))))))) sending good vibes your way!!

(((((KD)))))

((((((((((kimmy))))))))))
so sorry to hear you are in so much pain. I hope things ease really soon for you.

((((((((((kd))))))))))

Take gentle care of yourself.
Hope the docs can control the pain better soon.

Hi, everyone.

I went to see the specialist today and he's pretty certain that I have "cervical disc displacement(s)".

I have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30 and cervical epidurals scheduled for Thursday at 4 p.m. which should bring me alot of relief if the dr's right at his initial guess.

I'm on a narcotic that isn't really helping, and a couple of other things to try to relax everything...just not much relief. He said if it gets too bad to get to ER for injections of IV pain meds as that's all that's really going to help until I get the epidurals. I pray they work and that the MRI shows ONLY some herniations, and nothing more serious.

The dr. said if it's only herniations, the epidurals should find me good relief...and quickly. He doesn't doubt that this goes back to the wreck. Oh, and guess what else? Just a few days before I tore the muscle in my calf? Yeah, strangely enough that was probably related to all this as well as my toes on left foot going numb as well.

Anyhow, I'm still down for the count, but praying to be up and running by the end of the week if the epidurals work or it's nothing more serious that herniations.

Really glad I left that file open from being rear-ended that last time right about now...

Thank you so much for the well wishes. I miss y'all like crazy...cry once a day for missing you...but I'm working hard on getting better.

Much love and thanks,

KD

I'm sorry to hear you are learning about how the body is so connected. I go to physical therapy all the time to help with similar (and other also) conditions... and I know you know about my list of things I do for pain management.

I hope whatever treatment you receive, that it works well for you! Be well.

Awwwwwwwww (((((((((((((( kimmy )))))))))))))) my heart just breaks for the pain you are in, not to mention the fear of the unknown at this point.

You are in my prayers my friend.....I think of you all the time and send you warm and healing thoughts through the airways.....I know you are doing your best to care for yourself.

Much love to you!

sabby

kimmy good luck with the epi's! they do help. will keep you in my prayers that it isn't anything very serious. I hate pain! I know how frustrating it can be. ((((hugs)))) get better soon! we miss you around here but you need to take care of yourself hon.

I just wanted to update with the MRI results if I can type and sit that long. I see the pain management specialist tomorrow for epidural and to see what else he says (referral for surgery or what).

The report reads:

FINDINGS: The sagittal T1 and T2-weighted images through the cervical spine show degenerative disc disease mostly at C5-C6 and C6-C7. No compression or subluxation is seen. Cord signal appears normal. The axial images at C2-C3 show no abnormality. At C3-C4 there is a broad-based disc herniation which does not compress the cord. At C4-C5 broad-based herniation is slightly eccentric to the right and does contract but does not compress the cord. At C5-C6 broad-based disc bulging may contact but does not compress the cord. At C6-C7 there is a leftward herniation causing left lateral recess and foraminal stenosis but no cord compression. At C7-T1 no abnormality is seen.

IMPRESSION: The patient's left-sided symptoms are being caused by a focal leftward disc herniation at C6-C7.

This is all I know till I see the pain management specialist, but it sounds almost as bad as it feels to me.

I know nothing of this stuff, so does anyone know what this might me for me long-term through their experiences?

When I looked up the lateral recess and foraminal stenosis, it mentioned surgery alot...don't want that of course.

I miss you guys so much and as soon as I get some pain relief (hopefully tomorrow with the epidurals), I'll be back.

Much love and thanks,

KD

Oh I know it hurts, but it isn't so bad especially... that the spinal cord is not being compromised is huge!

I think the epi's will help you... and why not try physical therapy before trying any surgery? I have compromising and stenosis and more in a few places, and PT helps me live! well, not dance, but live

I wish you good healing (((((KD))))))

Thanks for the update Kimmy and I am so sorry about your pain...pain is very difficult to endure and manage...

Depending on your age and you seem young,,,what is described here is disease. I would have to see the images but from the description some degeneration has occured and in areas very important for fluid mobility.

Again, depending on age, it can be mitigated through excercise, rest good diet and some pain management.

However a degenerative disease is just that...the causes are many and often chronic...Surgery,,disc replacement or support can offer long term relief and a return to normal mobility without pain.

Two opinions from two highly qualified surgeons would be a practical move at this point with strenghtening of the surrounding muscle tissue while you weigh your options...

Keep in mind that recovery from surgery is age sensitive though not dependent...

With care,

Lenny

Gosh! ((((((((((((( kimmydawn )))))))))))))) When I read, 'degenerative disc disease' in the report there, my heart sank, but knowledge helps us, so I've done a search and found some really good resources here....

http://www.spine-health.com/Conditio...c-Disease.html

I'll be thinking of you and praying for healing.

((kimmy dawn)))))))))))))))))
praying for you

((((((((((((( kd ))))))))))))))

The report tell alot of information! I'm not exactly informative regarding spinal things, but I get the gist of the medical terminology and other knowledge I have from nursing and pharmacy. As you know, it is a very painful, chronic condition. I think stenosis can be difficult to prevent from getting worse so do everything you can, hon. I hate to say it, but surgery could very well be in your future at some point, but to start I think they always try physical therapy and work on other pain management techniques. The physical therapy exercises, body posture, the way you walk, maybe your shoes, your bed and pillow--there could be so many factors to look at that may help you! I sincerely hope the pain can be controlled well and quickly so you can feel normal again. And by the way, yes, I see how the calf injury can be related. It's complicated to explain, but basically it relates to the nerves affecting the muscles and how they move, and injury can happen if something is off by even just a tiny bit.

(((((((((((((((((Kd))))))))))))))) We miss you but we'll be here when you get back. Take care of you.

Oh my dear ((((((((((((((((( Kimmy ))))))))))))))))))) as bad as it sounds, it also sounds like there is hope for some relief that is bareable and liveable for you. I too hope you don't have to go down the road of surgery right off the bat. I sure hope you now realize that you DESERVE to take care of yourself now more than ever my friend.

Rest as best you can hon.....know you are in my thoughts and prayers.


sabby

Kimmy~

My dad was experiencing a lot of pain on his sciatic nerve and went to the doctor. They told him he had ruptured discs, arthritis in his back, and something else...but he can barely stand up for 10 minutes. He's tried the epidural and physical therapy...after that there's only one option: surgery. He's seeing the surgeon in July.

I don't think surgery would be a bad thing...they've come a long way with technology and improved their techniques...some people say surgery is the best thing they could've ever done...but of course there are some who didn't benefit from it.

I wish you the best of luck with this. When I watch my dad it saddens me to see him in that much pain...and I can only imagine your pain as well...

Safe hugs.

Hello Dear Members......

I thought you might all like to know more about what's going on with kimmydawn.

KD had her epidural shots and found some relief from it for awhile. Unfortunately, she also suffered a terrible reaction to the steriods which left her in kind of a stupor for a few days. She was unable to think, or do anything and was out of it for awhile. As you can imagine that was very scary for her when she became more clear-minded and figured out what had happened.

Unfortunately since then the pain has radiated down through her chest area and into her legs. She had a situation the other day where she couldn't even move one of her legs to take a step...there was just no movement there at all. Phewww...how scary that must have been for her!

KD is unable to sit up at a computer and type or use the mouse. If you think about how you type, you will notice that you lift your arms and shoulders while placing your fingers on the keys and there is lots of movement in the shoulders when typing. She cannot do this without being in terrible pain

KD sees the neurosurgeon sometime today. It looks like the only relief she will be able to find is through surgery. As soon as I get an update from KD, I will gladly pass it along to everyone.

Please continue keeping KD in your thoughts and prayers. She really needs us now like she has never needed us before. I know we all miss her terribly.....she has always been the glue that binds us here. I know you will all rally around and uplift her. Thank you for all you do....and I know KD thanks you all too.

KD sends her love and says she misses all of you very much!


sabby