Pain Doctor

[bethann]

Hi,

This is crazy but I posted something yesterday on the site called Michigan Pain Consultant and can not find it today! Maybe my eyes are going now too.... Or I posted it wrong either case I cant even find the subject!

Well what I had said is I went for my third Cervical Epidural. The second one did not help as well as I hoped. Now the crazy thing is the Pain Doctor who is an anesthesiologist, said that he sees a pinched nerve in my neck on my last MRI. I was not told this from any of my other doctors. He wants me to go see my NS if this last shot does not work. UGH, I do not know if any of you remember this but I have not physically seen my NS since I was in the hospital. Every time I have an MRI he has his assistant call to schedule the MRI and she then calls to give me the results. He did his job the tumor is gone. After leaving the pain Dr I called my neurologist. I thought he would be best at reading the MRI and telling me if he thought I have a pinched nerve. I would think if I went to the NS he would just want to operate or he would think I was crazy because he had looked at the MRI and never said anything about a pinched nerve. I know I would love them to say we could take care of this and the pain will go away but I just do not want anymore surgeries....so part of me is saying let well enough alone. Another part is thinking if I now have a pinched nerve (isn't it ironic this is what they thought before the tumor was found!). Maybe it can be taken care of and I will get ALL BETTER! Now I think I am going to call and get the written reports from all of my past MRI's of the Cervical spine and see if there has been a big change over the past three years. What do you guys think I should do?

Beth

[Joel]

Beth:
OK, I am going to give you some advice i know you have heard before, and I hope some others will think about--stop putting words into your doctor's (NS's) mouth! It is always good to get advice from your doctors and neurosurgeons. Who says you have to do what they say? IF you go to your NS and IF he says something serious like surgery, then the next step as you know is to get a 2nd opinion or third, and keep gathering info until you can make an informed decision. RIGHT??
Joel

[bethann]

Well I took the train to Chicago and went shopping for a dress for my daughter's wedding yesterday. I made it through the day with the only issue being that my neck was hurting I had to take my necklace off felt to heavy I am sure it was just the normal head to heavy for my neck thing. But my shoulder hurt some not bad and we did alot of walking!! The train ride is three hours (on the way home due to bad weather it was five). I sat on the train with an arm rest for my right arm (Not a bad ride the five hours was a little rough but would be for anyone!). So here I am once again thinking this shot must have helped! I think the Dr is crazy to think I may have a pinched nerve. I will be seeing my neurologist in a week so we will see what he has to say.

[ScrapHeap]

Congrats on surviving the journey. I know it seems like such a little thing to some. But many of us know how uncomfortable a moderate trip can be.

You have the right idea. Stay proactive to get a definite result of your neck issue. As Joel already mentioned (as he reminds us often), we need to ask a lot of questions and get as many professional opinions as necessary. Let us knowhow it turns out and I'm very glad the shot(s) seemed to help. Any relief is good relief!

[bethann]

I went to my neurologist yesterday. He said my pain issues are from my neck he thinks. Could be from the syrinx and surgeries....could be a pinched nerve in my neck. I am going back to have an EMG done on Friday.

I asked him if I do not have a pinched nerve (I truly do not think I do). What can be done for the pain that I have not tried. He suggested Botox. Has anyone had that? I do have very tight mussels in my back and neck. He said that Botox would relax the mussels and last about four months (I think that was the time frame he gave me). So I guess lets hope for that.... I DO NOT WANT ANY MORE SURGERY!!!!!!

Beth